Communications and Publications

The IJAS Handbook provides members with information about IJAS programs and all of the forms nessessary to make the most of IJAS membership. The handbook also includes information about IJAS history and organization.

The Science Teachers And Research Students (STARS) Manual contains information needed to participate in more than twenty state-wide and regional extra-curicular science activities. This includes research grants, science fairs, contests, tests and other events. The STARS manual is provided to each IJAS member school and individual member. Non-members may purchase a copy of the current STARS Manual by contacting the IAS Office (319-273-2021).

Outstanding Science Student Awards (OSSA)

The Outstanding Science Student Award is designed to honor a deserving senior high school student from each IJAS member high school. Each OSSA winner receives an Outstanding Science Student medallion engraved with his/her name and a certificate.

IJAS member schools may nominate one or more senior students for the OSSA (application). If one student is nominated, then that student will be awarded the OSSA for that school. If more than one student is nominated by a member school, then the Student Programs Committee shall review all nominations from the school and select one student as the winner. OSSA nominations must be postmarked by the first Friday in March to be considered. Awards are delivered to the school by mid-April, in time for presentation at the senior assembly of the school.

Starr Student Research Grants

The Iowa Academy of Science provides limited funds (from the Frank Starr Memorial IJAS Grant Fund) to support research projects by 7th-12th grade IJAS members. Grant money from other sources is made available at the discretion of the IAS Board and Student Programs Committee. Member students apply for grants by submitting a research grant proposal. Two types of grants are awarded:

•  Start-up grants for students beginning a science research project who need modest financial assistance for expendable materials not normally available through their schools.

•  Continuation grants for students who have already spent one or more years in an area of research and wish to continue or expand the investigation. A continuation grant must show growth beyond the original project.

Grants are awarded for up to $200.00. The quality of the grant, the number of proposals received, and the amount of money available determines the amount of a grant award. Grant proposal deadlines are the last Friday of November and the second Friday of May. Proposals must be postmarked by the grant deadline and received within a week of the deadline to be considered by the Student Programs Committee. Late proposals will not be funded .

2004-2005 Grant Awardees

IAS Mentor Scientists

More than 250 Iowa scientists, interested in a wide range of science topics, have volunteered to serve as resources in their areas of expertise. The names of mentors and areas of expertise can be obtained by contacting the IAS office (319-273-2021 or iascience@uni.edu). These individuals could be available to answer questions via email or to serve as a mentor for a yearlong research project.

National Youth Science Camp

The National Youth Science Camp originated in 1963 as a part of West Virginia 's Centennial Celebration. NYSC annually hosts 100 highly talented science students, two from each state in the nation. These students are guests of the state of West Virginia while they participate in the three-week camp. High school principals are encouraged to nominate their top students. The IAS Student Programs Committee will select two delegates and two alternates to represent Iowa . These students will be recognized on the Iowa Academy of Science website. An application form for NYSC is included on page 28 of this handbook or may be downloaded from the IAS website. Membership in IJAS is NOT required to apply for NYSC. Application's [.pdf] must be postmarked no later than the third Friday in March and mailed to the Iowa Academy of Science.

IAS Visiting Scientist Program

Academy members are science researchers, science teachers and professors, engineers, and citizens interested in science. More than 250 Academy member scientists are interest in sharing information about their specialty with other Iowans. Out of this interest in communicating science to others, the Iowa Academy of Science Visiting Scientist Program has been born.

Through the Visiting Scientist Program any Iowa Academy of Science ISTS member and school contacts/administrators of IJAS member schools may apply to have a scientist visit their school. IAS helps to match the scientist with the school and reimburses the scientist for travel to the school. [application]

IAS Annual Meeting - IJAS Poster/Presentation Competition

All Starr Student Research Grant Award Recipients and students who are awarded top honors at the various state science fairs (see STARS Manual for details) are invited to compete for various prizes at the IJAS Poster/Presentation Competition. This event is a part of the Iowa Academy of Science Annual Meeting, held each April. As guests of the Academy, these students are exempt from registration fees and are honored during the IAS Awards Luncheon.

The competition consists of a poster session and a paper presentation. Participants should prepare an abstract & cover sheet, a 10-minute presentation and a 4ft high by 4ft wide poster describing the research. [2005 Winners]

Additional eligibility requirements:

•  The student doing the presentation must be the one who conducted the research.

•  No student may present research from a previous year without conducting additional research on the topic during the current year.

•  Only one project per student.

•  In the 9th-11th grade category, only one student may work on a given research project. For the 12th grade category, projects by teams of two students shall be excepted, however a winning team would share one scholarship.

Awards:

•  12th Grade-Two $500 scholarships to university or college of choice.

•  9th-11th Grades-Two selected as Iowa delegates to the following AAAS conference. Registration, lodging, travel, meals paid by IAS. First and second alternate delegates selected. Alternate delegates will take the place of delegates in case of cancellation or may pay their own way to conference.

•  6th-8th Grades-One Most Promising New Scientist Certificate awarded.

•  All participants will be honored at the IAS Awards Luncheon and receive a certificate of participation.

Note: Non-IJAS members who win a top award at a state or regional science fair will be invited to join IJAS and compete. Winners in the 9th-12th grade categories must be IJAS members when claiming the prize.

IAS Annual Meeting Attendance (Non-competition)

IJAS Member schools may send students and chaperones (max. 2 adults/10 students) to all or part of the IAS Annual Meeting (as non-competitors) for the costs of meals (registration fees are waived). Non-competing IJAS students may attend the IJAS paper presentations, view the IJAS/IAS Senior Academy Posters, attend general sessions and symposia, etc. Student groups are encouraged to attend the Friday Awards Luncheon, where the Poster/Presentation competition winners will be announced and all IJAS members will be recognized. The Annual Meeting is always held near the end of April. Please check the Annual Meeting section for details and registration information.

Download the IJAS Introduction Powerpoint Presentation [.ppt]