Puerto Rico Junior Academy of Sciences

About PRJAS

The Puerto Rico Junior Academy of Sciences (PRJAS) was established in 2025 in collaboration with the National Association of Academies of Science (NAAS) and Ciencia Puerto Rico to recognize outstanding high school students from Puerto Rico for their achievements in scientific research.

PRJAS serves as Puerto Rico's chapter within the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) network. Through its annual Fall Symposium, PRJAS provides an opportunity for students who have distinguished themselves at regional and international science fairs to present their original research to professional scientists.

Students are evaluated on the scientific rigor and potential impact of their research, creativity, and clarity of communication. Selected students are recognized as PRJAS delegates and become eligible for consideration to participate in the annual AJAS convention, held in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting.

American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS)

The American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) is a national honor society that recognizes outstanding high school students for their scientific research.

AJAS convenes annually in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), publisher of the journal Science.

During the national convention, student delegates present their research through oral presentations and poster sessions, engage with professional scientists, meet fellow young researchers from across the United States, attend scientific lectures, and visit institutions of scientific interest.

Unlike traditional science competitions, AJAS emphasizes scientific exchange, collaboration, and recognition rather than competition.

Students who complete the requirements for induction into AJAS may receive the lifelong distinction of AJAS Fellow.

Eligibility Requirements

Participation in the PRJAS Fall Symposium is by invitation and recognizes students who have demonstrated excellence in scientific research.

Eligible students must:

Be enrolled full-time in high school or in their first year of college.
Have earned first place at a Puerto Rico regional science fair, represented Puerto Rico at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), or received comparable recognition at another qualifying international science fair.

Eligible students are invited to present their research at the PRJAS Fall Symposium, where projects are evaluated by a panel of scientists.

Participation in the PRJAS Fall Symposium is free of charge.

Additional information about the upcoming symposium, including registration instructions and deadlines, is available under the Fall Symposium tab.