CSUB chosen to host Southern California Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

‘High-caliber competition’ to be held in February

By California State University, Bakersfield

September 6^th, 2022

The National Science Teaching Association has chosen California State University, Bakersfield to host its annual Junior Science and Humanities Symposium for the Southern California region for 2023.

Sponsored by the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. and U.S. Air Force and Space Force, the symposium is a competition promoting original research and experimentation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics at the high school level. Each year, more than 60 regional events are held, all leading up to a national symposium in the spring.

“We are thrilled to be chosen to host the Southern California JSHS symposium,” said Dr. Andrea Medina, director of grants and outreach for CSUB’s School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering. “Not only does this bring a high-caliber competition to our local high school students, it also puts CSUB on the radar for those students and all the ones coming from across our region. When it’s time to think about applying for college, they will remember CSUB’s support of student research.”

At the symposium, students will present the results of their original research and compete for undergraduate scholarships of $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place and $1,000 for third place. The competition is open to students in ninth through 12th grades, enrolled in public, private or home school. Students aren’t the only ones recognized for their outstanding work at JSHS competitions: teachers are also honored for exceptional effort promoting student research.

Dr. Medina said hosting the symposium is especially exciting because it gives Kern County students even more access to high-level STEM competitions and the chance to win scholarships. They can enter into both the Kern County Science Fair with the possibility of being chosen for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the JSHS with the possibility of being chosen for its national competition.

“CSUB is committed to providing opportunities for student scientists to excel,” said NSME dean Dr. Jane Dong. “Hosting this competition is a way for us extend that promise to our community’s high school students and all those who will visit us for the event. I look forward to seeing what our region’s young scientists have to teach us.”

Details for the symposium are still being finalized, but Dr. Medina expects the Southern California regional event to be held in February. For more information on the event and submitting projects, go to jshs.org.