Army Educational Outreach Program Brief

Army Educational Outreach Program

BriefArmy, Navy & Air Force sponsored

National Junior Science & Humanities Symposia (JSHS) Program

Presenter (IPT Member)

Position TitleOffice

http://www.jshs.org

Date

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Program Background

Year the program was initiated: JSHS launched in 1958 by Office of Ordnance Research in response to Soviet launching of Sputnik

Services Involved: USARL/ARO, ONR, AFRL/AFOSR

Organizations Involved: JSHS regional symposia held on nationwide university campuses reaching high schools in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the DoD Dependents Schools of Europe and Pacific

Originating office: USARL/ARO

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Points of Contact/Collaborations

• Army POC/roles– Program Manager / Title / Contact Information– Program Specialist(s) / Title / Contact Information

• Contractor POC/roles– Doris Ellis Cousens, Program Director, email:

[email protected] – Administered by The Academy of Applied Science, Inc.,

Concord, NH– Grant expired 12 October – Extended to INSERT DATE

• Personnel involved/roles

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JSHS - Program Description

• JSHS ultimately aims to influence the pool of trained scientific and engineering

talent prepared to conduct research and development vital to our nation and to the

military's research enterprise. JSHS has been a positive mechanism to identify,

recognize, support, and reward college-bound, science-oriented youth, and

encourage their future academic and career development in STEM.

• At regional and national symposia, high school students, and their teachers, are

exposed to cutting edge research endeavors at the university level and within the

military R&D community, develop their understanding of the process of scientific

inquiry, interact with renowned scientists and engineers, and receive awards and

scholarships for their academic achievements.

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• JSHS Program components include:

• University-held regional symposia

• U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force sponsored National symposium

• Awards – Undergraduate, tuition-based scholarships awarded to students

who compete in regional and national symposia by presenting their original research in STEM.

Teacher Award Program, presented to one teacher at each regional symposium, to honor contributions to encourage research participation at the high school level

• Other Programs… London International Youth Science Forum, Army Science Conference Operation Cherry Blossom International Mathematical Olympiad

JSHS PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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JSHSGoals and Objectives

• To promote research and experimentation in the sciences, engineering and mathematics at the high school level

• To recognize the significance of research in human affairs and the importance of humane and ethical principles in the application of research results

• To search out talented youth and their teachers, recognize their accomplishments at symposia, and encourage their continued interest and participation in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering

• To expand the horizons of research-oriented students by exposing them to opportunities in the academic, industrial, and governmental communities

• To increase the number of future adults capable of conducting research and development.

Other Programs…Internional Mathematical OlympiadOperation Cherry BlossomArmy Science Conference

High school student research support thru…In-school research programs Class requirementIndividual achievement

48 regional symposia held on nationwide university campuses and in cooperation with the military9,800 high school students participate annually from a pool of 42,000 applicantsForum honoring exceptional work in STEM research

National symposium240 student delegates advance from regional research competition National forum hosted by research offices of the military

Awards--London International Youth Science Forum400 students from 60 nationsJSHS sponsors trip for six 1st place National finalists

AwardsRegional and national awards to recognize research excellenceStudent scholarships--144Teacher Awards Program--48

JSHS GRANT—Academy of Applied

Science

JSHS Advisory committees—regional symposia and National Regional Directors

Executive Council

JSHS PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Above map does not show regional symposia held in Puerto Rico, Department of Defense Schools of Europe, and DoD Schools of the Pacific Rim

JSHS Regional Symposia

•Represents 51% of total direct JSHS program costs – Total $802,000

•48 university-held regional symposia annually bring together 9,800 high school students and teachers from a pool of 42,000 applicants

•Cost per participant ranges from a low of $10.00/per student per day to a high of $90.00/per student per day (Military funding only)

•Broad cost range due to geographic area served, history, and varying contributions from universities

•Military support includes:1) direct costs for symposium (i.e. food, lodging, printing, mailings) for

approx. 150-200 participants, and 2) direct labor costs at max. $3K

•Military -- Flat funding since FY ’96

•Matching funds by university hosts, and addtl. $302,000 in cash awards, scholarships and other prizes

•In-kind contributions made by 2,300 faculty contributing over 16,200 volunteer hours (planning, judging, administration)

• Represents 20% of total direct JSHS program costs

• 240 student delegates and 60 adult leaders advance from university-held regional symposia

• Host responsibilities rotate among tri-service research offices

• Opportunity to introduce the best and brightest to military’s interests in R&D

• Over 100 volunteer judges, speakers, career roundtable leaders, exhibitors contribute to the National program

• Participant cost -- $878/pp for 5-days, including… *…Participants’ food, lodging, and airline travel;

…Direct costs for symposium administration, i.e. audio-visual equipment, speaker honoraria, ground transportation, program events

NATIONAL JSHS

FY ’08 – National symposium hosted by Naval Air Warfare Center (Training Systems Division), Orlando, Florida, April 30-May 4

FY ’07 – Hosted by AMRDEC, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama

NATIONAL JSHS – CONT’D

FY ’06 – Hosted by Air Force Research Laboratory, Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Represents 23% of total direct JSHS program costs

• Total 144 scholarships annually awarded; total 168 paid in FY ’08 to some 90 colleges and universities

• Scholarship payment held from date of award to date of student matriculation – held for up to six years

• Approximately 800 active and inactive students in scholarship system – follow-up possible to inform of military sponsored fellowships and other graduate opportunities, but not included in grant

• Regional symposia awards -- $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000 to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finalists

• National awards -- $16,000, $6,000 and $2,000 to 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each of six categories of competition

• EligibilityGPA 3.0Enrollment in STEMCitizen or permanent resident of U.S. and its territories

JSHS Awards – Undergraduate tuition scholarships

• Represents <1% of total direct JSHS program costs

• Budgeted at $21K; actual costs $29K

• Participant cost -- $3,625/pp including food, lodging, registration, and travel *

• Total eight (8) participants -- 6 JSHS winners, 1 ISEF winner, and 1 chaperone

JSHS Awards – London International Youth Science Forum

• Represents <1% of total direct JSHS program costs

• Each of 48 high school teachers receive $500.00 award to recognize contributions to encouraging research at the high school level

• Awarded annually at each of 48 JSHS regional symposia

JSHS Awards – Teacher Awards Program

• Operation Cherry Blossom – Provides travel support for participation of U.S. students in Japan Student Science Awards Ceremony

OCB direct costs – Total $4800 for total two students

• International Mathematical Olympiad – Provides travel support for U.S. team’s participation in IMO. IMO provides a means of identifying and encouraging the most creative secondary mathematics students in the country. It serves to indicate the talent of those who may become leaders in the mathematical sciences of the next generation. The USAMO is part of a worldwide system of national mathematics competitions, a movement in which both educators and research mathematicians are engaged in recognizing and celebrating the imagination and resourcefulness of our youth

U.S. team placed 5th in competition among 563 students from 90 countries

IMO direct costs – Total $10,000 for total six students and two adult leaders ($1250/per participant)

JSHS – OTHER PROGRAMS (Army funded only)

Strategy

• Support the future pool of talent in STEM capable of contributing to the military’s research enterprise both within the government labs and within the broader research community thru scholarships and exposure to future STEM opportunities

• Criteria for participation

• Identify students with demonstrated abilities in the sciences and support their participation in conducting research

• Grades 9-12 eligible• School nomination typically required resulting in significant role of

teachers in identifying students

• JSHS regional symposia serve high schools in each state, Puerto Rico, and the DoD Dependents Schools of Europe and the Pacific

JSHS - Program Processes

•Registration dates vary with regional symposia held from September thru April of each academic year

•University administered regional symposia invite participation of high school students who have completed a research investigation in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics

•To apply to JSHS students must:

1. Submit a written report (e.g. abstract and/or paper) for review and feedback by university judging panels;

2. Deliver a concise oral presentation to the symposium;

3. Complete registration and/or application materials; and

4. Comply with regional and national guidelines applicable

to preparation of the written report and oral presentations

JSHS Promotional Materials

• JSHS regional symposia distribute call for papers and application materials to each high school within their area

• Presentations at statewide science teacher association meetings

• Promote JSHS regional symposia on statewide list serves hosted by State Departments of Education

• National program brochures, regional and national websites• Press releases to students hometown newspapers• Donated “giveaways” including pens, bags, and memorabilia

with military sponsorship clearly stated• Certificates of achievement signed by ARO, ONR and AFOSR • Medallions• Published program literature, abstract books

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Impact of Program - JSHS

• Target Audience (age & year in school): High School, Grades 9-12 (Ages 14-18)

• How do you measure impact?

Analyze survey data to determine number of students who pursue STEM at the undergraduate level

Analyze participants’ attitudes toward their participation in program activities thru program evaluation instruments, interviews

• Assessment tools used to evaluate program?Program evaluation at regional and national symposiaAnecdotal thru informal student and teacher reports Surveys of former participants to determine retention in STEM

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Impact of Program - JSHS

• Relationship to other AEOP’s?

• Further engagement possibilities in and outside of AEOP?

Contact info on student participants collected and reported to the military

Opportunity for follow-up to invite participation in AEOP activities

Enhance tracking mechanisms for follow-up with participants as they progress thru the STEM pipeline

• Legal concerns?

Privacy laws“Local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)1 must give military recruiters the same access to secondary school students as they provide to postsecondary institutions or to prospective employers – unless a parent has “opted out” of providing such information. LEAs are also generally required to provide students' names, addresses, and telephone listings to military recruiters, when requested.” 10 U.S.C. § 503 and § 9528 of the ESEA

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JSHS - Student Experiential Benefits

• Participate in a forum honoring exceptional work in STEM • Compete for significant scholarships• Interact and network with practicing researchers to look beyond

high school to future post secondary education in STEM • Develop higher order thinking skills and integrated learning

through the process of scientific inquiry, writing scientifically, and delivering formal presentations

• Exposure to career opportunities in STEM research within academia, Government, and the military laboratory communities

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For the regional symposium finalists... • An expense-paid trip to the National JSHS, awarded to five

finalists at each regional symposium. The National brings together over 360 participants in a program of educational and scientific exchange.

• An invitation to present results of original research investigations at the National JSHS, awarded to two finalists at each regional symposium.

• A total $4,500 undergraduate, tuition scholarships, awarded at $2,000, $1,500, and $1,000 to each of three regional symposium finalists. (scholarship payable upon matriculation and upon meeting the JSHS scholarship conditions)

JSHS – Monetary awards

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For the national finalists… • Six $16,000 undergraduate, tuition scholarships, awarded to each of

the 1st place finalists in the National research paper competition. • Six $6,000 undergraduate, tuition scholarships, awarded to each of the

2nd place finalists in the National research paper competition. • Six $2,000 undergraduate, tuition scholarships, awarded to each of the

3rd place finalists in the National research paper competition. • An expense-paid trip to the London International Youth Science

Forum, an exchange program bringing together over 400 participants from 60 nations. The London trip is awarded to each of the 1st place finalists; the runner-ups are alternate winners.

JSHS – Monetary awards

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JSHS - Selection Process & Criteria

• Teachers identify students from in-school research classes, in-school science fairs or symposia, or from individual classes

• University-held regional symposia invite students’ abstracts and papers in STEM

• University faculty reviewers select students to compete in JSHS by delivering an oral presentation reporting on their original laboratory research, field research, or applied research in STEM

• University faculty reviewers provide feedback to students to assist in their future research pursuits

• Non-competing students invited to deliver a poster or attend the regional symposium to prepare for future research participation

• Students deliver their oral presentations and defend their research to a panel of judges

• Judging of the oral presentations is the final step to select student delegates who will advance to the National JSHS. At National, student research presentations will be organized in concurrent sessions by discipline

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• Student submission requirements include: a written report (e.g. abstract and/or paper) prepared in accordance with the

regional symposium’s guidelines; deliver a concise oral presentation to the symposium; complete registration and/or application materials; and comply with regional and national rules and policies that apply to the

preparation of the written reports and the oral presentations.

• Judging Criteria: Regional and national symposia judges evaluate the oral presentations to select students who demonstrate their best efforts in STEM. Judges use a total score of 30 points for each of the six criteria with each criteria weighted on a scale from 1 to 5. Scores are tallied for each presenter and used as the basis for discussion among judging team members where each criterion is considered. Criteria are based on the scientific method and include:

Statement and identification of research problemScientific or engineering thought; Creativity and originalityResearch or engineering design, procedures, resultsDiscussion/conclusionsSkill in communicating the research results -- Oral presentation and written

reportsAcknowledgement of sources and major assistance received

JSHS - Selection Process & Criteria

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JSHS -- Participating Schools / Teachers

Approx. 3,500 high school teachers attend JSHS regional and national symposia representing some 3,500 high schools

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Constitutes

• Number of students involved annually or attending symposia FY08 FY09 FY10

9,800 students attend from a pool of 42,000 applicants• Number of teachers involved annually

FY08 FY09 FY103,200 teachers attend regional and national symposia• Number of schools involved annually

FY08 FY09 FY10

• Number of universities involved annually FY08 FY09 FY10

48 universities host JSHS regional symposia reaching students in each of the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and DoD Dependents Schools of Europe and the Pacific

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S & T Involvement

• Number of Army S&T organizations involved (identify) – R&D FY08 FY09 FY10

• Participating Laboratories: Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel within commuting distance of a regional symposium participated in twenty-five of forty-eight regional symposia during FY ’08

• Other military commands, reserve officers, and on-campus ROTC units participate in regional and national symposia

• DoD Dependents Schools of Pacific and Japan engage field offices of ONR, U.S. Coast Guard, and other military Base resources and personnel

• University S&T faculty: In-kind contributions made by 2300 faculty contributing over 16,200 volunteer hours (planning, judging, administration)

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Mentors/High school teachers/faculty: • “Mentorship” time to support student participation in research at

the high school level has not been consistently measured.

• Sample data from Alaska JSHS, Univ of Alaska, Fairbanks –

89.53% of student projects had mentors;

49 Teachers sponsored students

38 teachers served as mentors for 796 student projects

64.77% of student projects mentored by teachers;

275 Mentors from outside of schools

433 student projects;

35.23% of student projects mentored by non-teachers.

S & T Involvement

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Funding

• Total funding FY08 FY09 FY10$0.000K $0.000K $0.000K

• Funding Sources• University hosted regional symposia match military funding –

direct and indirect

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Success Stories – Sampling

thru JSHS regional symposium reporting, Academic year 2007-2008

Kelly Benoit-Byrd, 1993-94 Connecticut JSHS. Currently-- Biological Oceanography Professor, Oregon State University. ONR-funded research, including research on biacoustic problems ranging from studying zooplankton and fish dynamics with sonar to understanding biosonar in dolphins.

Rowena Mittal, 2002 Connecticut JSHS presenting research on "Use of Microwave Irradiation for Rapid Intraoperative Frozen Section Diagnosis". Rowena graduated from MIT June 2005 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, a minor in Biomedical Engineering, and a humanities concentration in French Language and Women and Gender Studies. She is currently a doctoral student at Carnegie Mellon University pursuing her masters and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, conducting biomaterials and tissue engineering research.

Etan Karni, 2000 Northern California-Western Nevada JSHS alum. Pursuing M.S. in Aeronautical engineering, Purdue under NSDSEG fellowship.

Capt Laura Moody, USAF, DoD Dependents Schools Pacific JSHS and National JSHS in 1998 and 1999. After completing her bachelor's degree in biochemistry on a JROTC scholarship at Duke University in 2003, Moody began her first tour of active duty in the Air Force, at Edwards AFB, where she worked at the AF Research Lab with nanotube technology on polymers for the space program. Capt Moody is currently pursuing her graduate studies in chemistry at the University of Florida in Gainesville, and is continuing her active duty service with the Air Force.

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JSHS Success Stories – Sampling

Susannah Clary participated in JSHS from 2005-2007. A recent keynote at the 2007 Conference of Women in Science, held in Egypt, Susannah is an undergraduate on a full scholarship at the University of New Mexico. She holds a patent for her live salmon sexing device delivered at the National JSHS. Susannah has co-authored papers and is published in several refereed journals.

Kennan Jeannet, Alaska JSHS. From a community of 14 nuclear families with 10 students in a one-room school house in the Brooks Range of Northern Alaska – North of the Arctic Circle – Kennan began her involvement in JSHS in 2003. Thru support and mentorship from JSHS faculty, Kennan received funding from EPSCoR Alaska Rural Research Partnership Program, allowing her to conduct research on “Overwintering Physiology of Cucujus clavipes.” The JSHS scholarship award, won at the National symposium, and five additional scholarships, provide Kennan the opportunity to pursue undergraduate studies without financial burden to her family. Kennan continues her research interests and has published two scientific papers as an undergraduate student and delivered numerous presentations on her work. Kennan plans to pursue graduate level work, biochemical research in cold hardiness physiology.

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Thiago Olson, 2007 Southeastern Michigan JSHS. Presently a double major in physics and engineering, Vanderbilt University. Published in Popular Science, Discover Magazine for JSHS project building nuclear fusion reactor. Rec’d “thanks” from parents for all the support offered to their son thru the JSHS Program. Daniel M. Kane , Wisconsin JSHS, 2003. Daniel graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in June, 2003 with B.S. degrees in physics and mathematics with computer science. While an undergraduate student, Daniel achieved Fellow (top 5) in the Putnam Mathematics Competition 4 times, was a member of MIT's 3-times "Outstanding" Dream Team in the COMAP's Mathematical Contest in Modeling, published more than a dozen mathematics research articles, and won the AMS/MAA/SIAM Frank and Brennie Morgan Prize for outstanding research by an undergraduate student. Daniel matriculated to Harvard University in September, 2007 where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics with support from NDSEG and NSF predoctoral fellowships.

JSHS Success stories - Sampling

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Recommendations

Travel support for high school teachers from schools located in under-represented areas to attend regional symposia . University faculty can deliver teacher “training” to prepare them for future participation in STEM research and JSHS.

Military sponsors student airfare, food and lodging to National JSHS event. With escalating costs, budgetary limits are recognized. Recommendations for consideration include: 1) reduce the event from a 4-day to 3-day event; 2) eliminate the London Forum due to significant costs resulting from the weak dollar (note: registration fees paid in British pound sterling).

Videos or other promotional materials to publicize military STEM opportunities to participating JSHS students.

Re-organize the distribution of scholarships within the existing budget. There is a significant disparity between the top scholarship awards at National -- $16K, $6K, and $2K to each of 3 winners in six categories of competition.

Opportunity exists for follow-up with students as they progress in their undergraduate studies in STEM. No effort currently made to apprise undergraduate students who have participated in JSHS of the DoD internships and fellowships.

Enhance participation by military R&D labs in JSHS regional symposia, including the U.S. student dependents in the DoD Schools of Europe, Pacific and Puerto Rico. Travel support and/or letters of endorsement generated from within military channels to affiliated, military sponsored JSHS regional symposia, would assist.

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Recommendations

Recommend 4-year payment for each scholarship recipient to allow maximum opportunity for follow-up as students progress thru their academic studies. Currently, $16K paid at $4K/yr. over 4 years. A $2K award paid in the first year of college entry with no opportunity for follow-up.

Add poster sessions at National event so that more students may have the opportunity to present.

To engage more schools from core urban districts or rural districts requires personal contact with school administrators (i.e. principals and superintendents) and teachers. Establish target areas to focus resources and develop specific outreach strategies and opportunities.

JSHS Alumni Survey – Survey of 2,100 National JSHS participants, 1999-2008Are you currently attending college?

Academy of Applied Science 14 Oct 08

JSHS Alumni Survey – Survey of 2,100 National JSHS participants, 1999-2008Of the 61% currently enrolled in college, choose the category that best describes your major.


JSHS Alumni Survey – Survey of 2,100 National JSHS participants, 1999-2008If graduated from college, please indicate the highest degree you have obtained.


JSHS Alumni Survey – Survey of 2,100 National JSHS participants, 1999-2008Are you currently attending graduate school?


JSHS Alumni Survey – Survey of 2,100 National JSHS participants, 1999-2008Of the 13% enrolled in graduate school, what graduate degree are you pursuing?


JSHS Alumni Survey – Survey of 2,100 National JSHS participants, 1999-2008










Documents

Army Educational Outreach Program Brief