The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) is a national program that promotes and fosters research and experimentation in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines at the high school level (grades 9-12). There are forty-eight regional symposia serving high school students throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Department of Defense Schools of Europe and the Pacific Rim. A distinguishing feature of the JSHS program is the opportunity given to young high school scientists to present original scientific research in a public forum. The JSHS program is jointly sponsored by the research offices of the United States Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force in cooperation with leading research universities throughout the nation. The Department of Defense generously provides funding for the national JSHS and the JSHS scholarships. The JSHS program is administered through the National Science Teaching Association and endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The JSHS regional and national programs are held during the academic year and reach more than 10,000 high school students and teachers annually.
The Tennessee JSHS, one of forty-eight regional JSHS programs, is administered by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is based in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. In addition to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, judges are provided by various colleges within the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and UT-Battelle, the management contractor of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory on behalf of the US Department of Energy. Students must compete in a regional JSHS in order to become eligible for the national JSHS.
Check out our home page here for more information on the date of the next annual TJSHS. Students selected to participate will be given the opportunity to present original research in written and oral form to a panel of UT Knoxville faculty scientists who will serve as judges. All participants will also have an opportunity to visit research laboratories at either the Oak Ridge National Laboratory or select laboratories at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to learn about cutting-edge research from professional scientists.
Tennessee high school students (grades 9 – 12) enrolled in a public, private, or home school interested in STEM studies can participate either as a presenter or as a student delegate. Up to five (5) high school students and one teacher from each high school may participate. Students must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or U.S. territory.+
Application and registration information can be found at our Registration Process page here.
You can find the TJSHS rules and information on preparing your project at this link: TJSHS Rules
Visit our Project Preparation page here to find some helpful resources, hints, and tips.
While literary review or library research is a part of the research process, secondary research alone is not appropriate for the TJSHS. The written and oral reports should present the results of original research carried out by the student. Here are the eligible project categories established by the JSHS:
- Environmental Science
- Biomedical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Medicine & Health / Behavioral Sciences
- Engineering & Technology
- Mathematics & Computer Science
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry
Oral Presenters
Must submit an abstract, research paper, project information form, and statement of outside assistance.
Poster Presenters
Only required to submit an abstract, project information form, and statement of outside assistance.
Note: Students who apply to present in the oral session, and whose research submission is not accepted for oral presentation, will be considered for an invitation to present in the poster session.
Students must adhere to guidelines in order to qualify for scholarship money. Learn more about abstracts and written research paper guidelines here.
The TJSHS will provide lodging and meals during the conference for no more than five students per high school plus their teacher mentor.
Family, friends, and siblings are welcome to attend the public research presentations for free, but lodging and food will not be provided to non-students and non-teachers.
Visit our awards page here to learn more about the TJSHS scholarships and awards.
Visit our awards page here to learn more about the National JSHS scholarships and awards.