Welcome to the Massachusetts Junior Academy of Science (MJAS) web site. The Junior Academy was created to foster an interest in science for middle and high school students in Massachusetts.
The MJAS held its yearly symposium on October 25th at MIT. All the students had wonderful presentations and put in lots of hard work! Congratulations to the winners! Ten students have been selected as Massachusetts' student delegates for the 2009 AJAS convention in Chicago.
The top winners will receive full funding from the MAS for their trip. This includes the registration fee for the AAAS/AJAS convention, hotel accommodation (4 nights for a quad) and a travel allowance.
Session 1:
1st Place-Maia ten Brink
2nd Place-Matthew Dzaugis
Session 2:
1st Place-Camille Weinberg
2nd Place-Israel-Marc Kositsky
Olivia Schwob, Nikkhil Thorat,Jon Toohill, Mary Lou Hedberg, Kelly Miao and Genesis Lung will receive funding for their registration fees and hotel accommodations (quad).
If you would like to contribute to this fund, contact us at assistant@ massacadsciences.org.
HOW TO GUIDE to Science Fairs
School is starting and now is the time to think about your science fair projects! Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started. Once you get organized, it it time for your winning idea. Check out these websites below and it also helps to talk to your science teacher. Good luck and happy experimenting!
Crystal Clear Science Projects
Science Buddies
Science Fair Central
Dr. Mandana Sassanfar and MAS join forces!
Dr. Sassanfar, a MAS board member, will act as Director of the MJAS through 2010. Learn more about Dr. Sassanfar in her recent interview conducted by Michael Bertrand, Director of Education.
I was educated in the French school system. There was really no difference in the education of boys and girls although they were separated until the 4th grade, after which the classes were mixed. Science was important in the French educational system. We began studying biology in the 4th grade and biology was particularly strong in grades 9 through 12. We started studying physics and chemistry in the 10th grade all the way trough 12th grade which provided continuity. Mathematics was taught beginning in the first grade.
What inspired you to study science and eventually choose it as a career? Were there mentors in your life?I loved math and chemistry as a kid! To me, those subjects were more objective than say, history which can be interpreted in different ways depending on your opinion. This is unique to science and math. I guess I liked the certainty of what I was studying. Before university, I did not have any particular mentor in math or science but as far back as I can remember, I always really appreciated having a good teacher, more than having a nice teacher-my favorite teachers in 11 and 12th grades were my physics and chemistry teachers (both topics are taught by the same teacher in France). I just had a really strong affinity for those subjects. At the university of Paris I did have a great physical chemistry teacher and a great organic chemistry teacher, both of whom happened to be women; In the French system, there is no shortage of women in the teaching profession. My Physical Chemistry teacher at the university of Paris was amazing. P.Chem is rarely anyone's favorite class but she made things so clear and so interesting that everyone in the class (about 200 of us) enjoyed the subject. She was quite small in stature but commended tremendous respect and never had to raise her voice in class. I think the best teachers are those who can present challenging material and make it accessible and interesting to all.
Interview with Dr. Sassanfar ContinuedThe mission of MJAS is to stimulate and encourage an interest in science among Massachusetts' K-12 students.
The following objectives serve to meet that mission:
