Additional Contests/Competitions
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President's Grant
2026 President's Research Grant
Many scientifically adventurous students can be hindered or restricted in pursuing research or design due to limited financial resources. The Board of Directors of the Illinois Junior Academy of Science and their generous donors support students' efforts by providing grants of up to $250 per year per project.
This grant is open to all students of IJAS member schools or individuals members who intend to participate in the Illinois Junior Academy of Science State Exposition in Illinois. Any student with sponsor support can apply for reimbursement for purchased materials. The primary focus of this award is to increase the opportunity to buy the supplies required to conduct their experiment. Consideration is given more heavily to projects with reusable equipment. All reusable equipment purchased and submitted under this grant will become the school's and the school sponsor's property.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 15th, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT
Artistic Design Contests
Do you have an eye for design? Do you have a way with words? IJAS offers something for every student!
All 7th - 12th grade students who are individual members or attend a current IJAS member school are eligible to participate in the contests below, in addition to the traditional poster and paper sessions. Students DO NOT need to compete in any local, regional, or state science fair to be eligible.
T-Shirt/Program Design Contest
"Driven by Discovery: Research is Key"
Entry Deadline: March 1, 2026, 11:59 PM CST
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Use black ink ONLY (no color or pencil).
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8.5"x11" sheet of white paper for each entry.
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The design must be dark enough to copy or reproduce. A simple design is best.
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The design must be original and cannot be computerized.
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The design must include the words "Impossible to I'm Possible: Progress Bit by Bit" and "Illinois Junior Academy of Science", as well as the year "2024-2025". The theme title should be large enough to be seen clearly and read easily.
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The designer's name should NOT appear. Submit the designer's name on the entry form and the file name.
Questions may be directed to info@ijas.org
Decal Design Contest
"Driven by Discovery: Research is Key"
Entry Deadline: March 15, 2026, 11:59 PM CST
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Use black ink ONLY (no color or pencil).
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8.5"x11" sheet of white paper for each entry.
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The design must be dark enough to copy or reproduce. A simple design is best.
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The design must be original and cannot be computerized.
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The design must include the words "Impossible to I'm Possible: Progress Bit by Bit" and "Illinois Junior Academy of Science", as well as the year "2024-2025". The theme title should be large enough to be seen clearly and read easily.
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The designer's name should NOT appear. Submit the designer's name on the entry form and the file name.
Questions may be directed to info@ijas.org
Essay Contest
The IJAS Essay Contest allows students to explore a chosen topic in an essay related to the exposition theme. The contest is terrific for students who prefer to show their creativity through writing.
"Driven by Discovery: Research is Key"
Email essays to IJAS at info@ijas.org
Entry Deadline: March 1, 2026, 11:59 PM CST
Middle School Prompts (Grades 7 and 8):
Prompt 1: Describe one major scientific innovation in your lifetime. Construct a well-researched argument on how this development has advanced societal understanding of science and impacted peoples' lives.
OR
Prompt 2: In today's world, there are many global challenges and hardships. Explain one of these challenges in detail, scientific progress made in solving this issue, and what more is needed to solve this issue completely.
High School Prompts (Grades 9-12):
Prompt 1: Identify an emerging technology from the past five years, and explain the technology's impact at its inception, the current significance of this technology, and a prediction as to how it might shape the future.
OR
Prompt 2: Investigate an innovation that bridges multiple scientific disciplines. How has this approach advanced societal understanding of scientific capabilities, and what future innovations could emerge from this collaboration?
Questions may be directed to info@ijas.org
IJAS Scholarships
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Use black ink ONLY (no color or pencil).
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8.5"x11" sheet of white paper for each entry.
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The design must be dark enough to copy or reproduce. A simple design is best.
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The design must be original and cannot be computerized.
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The design must include the words "Impossible to I'm Possible: Progress Bit by Bit" and "Illinois Junior Academy of Science", as well as the year "2024-2025". The theme title should be large enough to be seen clearly and read easily.
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The designer's name should NOT appear. Submit the designer's name on the entry form and the file name.
Questions may be directed to info@ijas.org
Applications:
Students may apply for more than one scholarship for which they are eligible. However, selected students will only be granted one scholarship.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be high school seniors who attend an IJAS member school, or are individual IJAS members.
Funding:
Annual budget and special grants or donations
Amount:
To be determined by the Board of Directors and/or the selection committee
Selection Committee:
President, President-Elect, and Past President of the Illinois Junior Academy of Science
Most Senior Board Member-at-Large of the Illinois Junior Academy of Science
Student Advisor of the Illinois Junior Academy of Science
Schroeder Wetzel Scholarship
Criteria and Eligibility:
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Senior in high school (must attend an IJAS member school, or be an individual IJAS member)
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Notice of acceptance to a 2 or 4 year college or similar program (e.g. nursing school)
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Honor Roll ("B" average or better) for at least two of the last three semesters in high school
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Silver Awards or better in projects at the State Exposition in grades 9, 10, 11
Application:
In the subject line of the respondent’s email, please list the student's name, scholarship, and student’s school. Deadline for submission of all the following materials is May 1, 2025 to: Jann Hawkins, IJAS Student Board Advisor (jann.hawkins@ijas.org)
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Two letters of recommendation, one from a science or mathematics teacher and one from a regional officer, state student advisor, or an adult mentor of the student's choice (excluding parents). Letters must comment on scholarship, leadership, character, and on interest and ability for scientific research. Please attach these digital letters in the form of a Google or Word document in an email sent to the email above: jann.hawkins@ijas.org
Note - subject of the email as InitialOfScholarshipName_StudentFirstName_StudentLastName_TypeOfRecommender (ex.SWS_Jane_Doe_ScienceTeacher, ex2.SWS_Jane_Doe_AdultMentor).
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Transcript of high school record, including current courses as well as grades and classes through the seventh semester. Please send this from a counselor to jann.hawkins@ijas.org via email.
Note - subject of the email as InitialOfScholarshipName_StudentFirstName_StudentLastName_Transcript (ex.SWS_Jane_Doe_Transcript).
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A listing of project titles and years in the Illinois Junior Academy of Science regional fairs and State Expositions. Please list this information in the personal letter of application email explained below.
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A personal letter of application. This letter may include such items as: how the scholarship will be used, interest and commitment to science, plans for higher education, and a personal resume to include accomplishments, hobbies, family or personal travel, interests, and so forth (not to exceed two pages). Please attach this personal letter of application in the form of a Google or Word document in an email sent to the email above: jann.hawkins@ijas.org
Note - subject of the email as InitialOfScholarshipName_StudentFirstName_StudentLastName_PersonalLetterOfApplication (ex.SWS_Jane_Doe_PersonalLetterOfApplication).
Entry Deadline: April 26th, 2026 at 11:59PM CT
Purpose: To allow the Illinois Junior Academy of Science an opportunity to recognize outstanding scholarship, leadership, and character as well as interest and ability for research in high school students.
Ethel M. and Lyell J. Thomas Scholarship
Entry Deadline: April 26th, 2026 at 11:59PM CT
Selection Basis:
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Merit based on the following criteria and requirements
Criteria and Eligibility:
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Any student who has served responsibly as a State Student Officer for at least two years, with at least one of those years being at the eleventh or twelfth grade (must attend an IJAS member school or be an individual IJAS member)
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Awards at the state level as a high school student must be at least gold or silver in grades 9, 10, & 11
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Composite Enhanced ACT score of 24, or comparable SAT score
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GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point system at the midyear of their graduating year
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Confirmed acceptance at a college, university, or technical institution
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All things being equal, not a recipient of a Schroeder Wetzel Scholarship
Application:
In the subject line of the respondent’s email, please list the student’s name, scholarship, and school. Deadline for submission of the following materials is May 1, 2025 to: Jann Hawkins, IJAS Student Board Advisor (jann.hawkins@ijas.org)
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Transcript
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ACT or SAT scores
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Copy of acceptance letter
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Copies of award certificates (or complete project information-year, title, region number, school, and so forth)
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Two letters of recommendation from current science, mathematics, or English teachers
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Recipients must provide verification of college enrollment in order to receive the award.
Entry Deadline: April 26th, 2026 at 11:59PM CT
Background:
Susan Moy was an IJAS Board Member for many years serving as the Advisor to the Student Board and as the Zoology Category Chair. She graduated from Mundelein College in 1982 with degrees in biology and chemistry. Susan began her career as an animal keeper at the Lincoln Park Zoo in 1982 and being an animal keeper was her life’s work until her death in 2019.
Criteria and Eligibility:
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Senior in high school (must attend an IJAS member school or be an individual IJAS member)
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Served responsibly as a State Student Officer for at least two years
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Notice of acceptance to a 2 or 4 year college or similar program (e.g., nursing school)
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Honor Roll (“B” average or better) for at least two of the last three semesters in high school
Application:
In the subject line of the respondent’s email, please list the student's name, scholarship, and student’s school. Deadline date for postmark of the following materials is May 1, 2025 to: Jann Hawkins, IJAS Student Board Advisor (jann.hawkins@ijas.org)
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Transcript
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ACT or SAT scores
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Copy of acceptance letter
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Copies of award certificates (or complete project information-year, title, region number, school, and so forth)
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Two letters of recommendation from current science, mathematics, or English teachers
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Recipients must provide verification of college enrollment in order to receive the award.
Past Contest Winners
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2024 Sr. Essay Contest Winner: Paulina Briones
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2024 Jr. Essay Contest Winner: Platon Belesiotis
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2024 Decal Design Contest Winners: Amrutha Dara and Claire Susanto
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2024 T-Shirt Design Contest Winner: Zoey Magsino
2025 & Past Info Coming Soon!
Susan Moy Memorial Scholarship
Past Essay Themes
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2024 - Innovate and Aggregate
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2023 - It's Our Turn to Lead
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2022 - Houston, We Have a Probem
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2021 - From Fundamental to Futuristic
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2020 - Revolutionizing Science
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2019 - Under the Sea
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2018 - Science is Universal
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2017 - Engaged Learning
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2016 - A Perfect Swarm
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2015 - It's an Ice Day for Science
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2014 - I've Caught the Science Bug
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2013 - The World Around Us: Under the Science!
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2012 - The Sound of Music!