The setting during a previous Illinois Junior Science & Humanities Symposium at SIU. (Photo provided)
February 11, 2025
High school students coming to SIU for regional science competition
CARBONDALE, Ill. – About two dozen young scientists from throughout the state will arrive at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in February for a two-day symposium highlighting their independent research.
The Illinois Junior Science & Humanities Symposium is set for Feb. 21-22 at the SIU Student Center and Morris Library, hosted by the STEM Education Research Center. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, IJSHS is a free, regional competition for high school students to present original research in science, technology, engineering or mathematics before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. Selected individuals compete for tuition-based scholarships of up to $2,000 and other recognition.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover the Illinois Junior Science & Humanities Symposium at SIU. The event will run 5-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, in the Renaissance Room and Art Gallery on the first floor of the Student Center, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Student Center Auditorium. An award ceremony is set for 3:15 p.m. that day at the Student Center. For more information, contact Angela Box, regional director of the IJSHS, at 618-453-4216 or abox@siu.edu.
Participants will attend forums, listen to peer presentations, develop skills for STEM fields, tour SIU research laboratories and hear from professional scientists. SIU will also highlight the contributions of Buckminster Fuller during the event.
Students in grades 9-12 living anywhere in Illinois except Cook County (which has its own event) are eligible to present at the symposium. All students are welcome to attend and observe, as well.
“This is a great opportunity to explore STEM opportunities through engaging with resources at SIU and networking with peers across the state who are conducting original work,” said Anurag Yendamuri, a researcher at SERC and one of the event organizers. “Our hope is that by visiting, guests receive the inspiration and excitement to participate in future years.”
Other scholarship awards on tap for the competition include $1,500 for second place and $1,000 for third place.
The top five finalists at the event will be invited to advance to the National JSHS. Two finalists will also orally present their research in competition for military-sponsored scholarships. Three finalists will present their research in poster sessions where the top three students in each category receive recognition and cash awards.
The IJSHS is a collaborative effort between the research offices of the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and Space Force, National Science Teaching Association and leading research universities throughout the nation. The Department of Defense provides funding for the regional and national symposia and JSHS scholarships. The Illinois Soybean Association also serves as a sponsor of IJSHS and has allowed greater student participation.