awards given to students
9-12 Graders

Texas Junior Science & Humanities Symposium

Texas high school students present their original research in a professional arena.

Texas Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (TJSHS)

Texas Junior Science & Humanities Goals

The Texas Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (TJSHS) goals are to promote original research and experimentation in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics at the high school level, and to publicly recognize students for outstanding achievement. Texas JSHS provides an opportunity for Texas high school students to present the results of their original research in a professional arena. Students who participate in the symposia also have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas, interact with practicing researchers, and explore future academic and career opportunities. Texas JSHS Program is a research presentation event.

Eligibility

Students in grades 9-12 enrolled in public, private, or home schools are eligible to participate in their local Regional Symposium. See Rules of Competition for eligibility details.

All Texas high schools are eligible to participate in the Texas Regional JSHS, with the exception of schools located in the Trans-Pecos region or west of I-27, US-87, or I-20. Students in these school systems should participate in the Southwest Regional JSHS.

Submissions

Students are encouraged to submit an abstract of their original research prepared in accordance with the guidelines. A panel of preliminary judges will select the top 8 abstracts in 8 categories to present their research at the Symposium. Those selected will be notified of their selection and given additional instructions for full entry. All others will be declined and encouraged to continue to research and resubmit in future years.

Abstracts must be submitted at https://jshs.org/region/texas/ before the deadline.

Entry Fee

There is no fee for student participants. However, all students invited to attend the Texas JSHS are expected to attend all symposium activities. We cannot cover the expenses of participants who do otherwise.

ALL STUDENTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT - absolutely NO exceptions!

Adults may chaperone more than one student, but every student MUST be chaperoned by an adult.

Due to limited space, a maximum of two chaperones/guests will be allowed per student. Each chaperone/guest will be responsible for a non-refundable $30 registration fee and a $20 parking pass per vehicle, if applicable.

Accommodations and Meals

Three meals and one night’s lodging for all participants and chaperones are paid for by the Texas Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.

All room assignments for students and chaperones on the evening prior to the symposium are made (and paid for) by our office as part of the JSHS grant. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided by TJSHS on the day of the symposium.

There is no additional cost to chaperones/guests after the initial registration fee and parking pass (if applicable).

Awards

The 1st place finalist of the research paper competition will receive a $2,000 undergraduate tuition-based scholarship; the 2nd place $1,500; and the 3rd place $1,000. Additionally, 1st and 2nd place have the opportunity to compete for scholarships at the National JSHS (3rd, 4th, and 5th place regional finalists will receive an expense-paid trip as observers to the National JSHS).

Judging Support

College of Arts and Sciences Outreach realizes that in any competition, differences of opinion about the judges’ interpretations may occur. It is the policy of the Outreach Programs to support the interpretations and final decisions of the judges panel.