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The State Expostition is Here! All State Related Information

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Additional Contests/Competitions

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President's Grant

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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 IJAS and their generous donors
support students' efforts by providing grants of up to $250 per year per project.

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This grant is open to all students of IJAS member schools or individuals members who intend to participate in the IJAS 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 CST

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 
Prize: $100/$50

  1.  Line art must be dark enough to copy or reproduce.  If hand-drawn, please use black ink (no pencil). 
    You may use IJAS brand colors #OE3B7B, #631D33, #72A9F1, #427C54, and #75A8ED.

  2. The design should not exceed 8.5"x11".

  3. The design must be original work. It may be hand-drawn or computerized. No AI created work.

  4. The design must include "2025-2026" and the IJAS Logo" or a spot for the logo, as well as the year "2025-2026".
    The design may include the words in the theme title, but not required.

  5. 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

"Impossible to I'm Possible: Progress Bit by Bit"
Guidelines 2024-2025
Entry Deadline: March 1, 2025, 11:59 PM CST (NOW CLOSED)

  1. Use black ink ONLY (no color or pencil).

  2. 8.5"x11" sheet of white paper for each entry.

  3. The design must be dark enough to copy or reproduce. A simple design is best.

  4. The design must be original and cannot be computerized.

  5. 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.

  6. 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"
Entry Deadline: April 1, 2026, 11:59 PM CST 
Prizes: $100/$50 - $100/$50
 

Middle School Prompts (Grades 7 and 8):

Investigate a university scientist or research team whose curiosity reshaped their field.
How did their questions redefine what was possible?​

High School Prompts (Grades 9-12):

Build a case using real-world examples of how university research has benefitted society.
How does cross-field collaboration and research within universities accelerate progress?

Questions may be directed to info@ijas.org

IJAS Scholarships

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

"Driven by Discovery: Research is Key"
Entry Deadline: March 15, 2026, 11:59 PM CST
Prize: $100 / $50

Entry Deadline: April 23rd, 2026 at 11:59PM CT

Scholarship Requirements:

Schroeder Wetzel Scholarship:

  • Be admitted to a college/university (2-year or 4-year), trade/technical school, or similar institution

  • Have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher

  • Receive a Gold or Silver at the IJAS State Exposition for 3 or more years

Susan Moy Memorial Scholarship:

  • Be admitted to a college/university (2-year or 4-year), trade/technical school, or similar institution

  • Have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher

  • Serve on the IJAS Student Board for 2 or more years

Ethel M. and Lyell J. Thomas Scholarship:

  • Be admitted to a college/university (2-year or 4-year), trade/technical school, or similar institution

  • Have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher

  • Receive a Gold or Silver at the IJAS State Exposition for 3 or more years

  • Serve on the IJAS Student Board for 2 or more years

  • Receive a composite SAT score of 1180 or higher, or a composite ACT score of 24 or higher

  • 2025 Sr. Essay Contest Winner: Indigo Wall

  • 2025 Jr. Essay Contest Winner: 

  • 2025 Decal Design Contest Winners: 

  • 2025 T-Shirt Design Contest Winner: 
     

  • 2024 Sr. Essay Contest Winner: Paulina Briones

  • 2024 Jr. Essay Contest Winner: Platon Belesiotis

  • 2024 Decal Design Contest Winners: Amrutha Dara and Claire Susanto

  • 2024 T-Shirt Design Contest Winner: Zoey Magsino 

​

  1.  Line art must be dark enough to copy or reproduce.  If hand-drawn, please use black ink (no pencil). 
    You may use IJAS brand colors #OE3B7B, #631D33, #72A9F1, #427C54, and #75A8ED.

  2. The design should not exceed 5" x 5".

  3. The design must be original work. It may be hand-drawn or computerized. No AI-created work.

  4. The design must include "2025-2026" and the "IJAS Logo", or a spot for the logo, as well as the year "2025-2026".
    The design may include the words in the theme title, but it is not required.

  5. 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

Past State Exposition Themes

Past Essay & Design Contest Winners

  • 2026 - Driven by Discovery:
                    Research is Key

  • 2025 - Impossible to I'm Possible:
                    Progress Bit By Bit

  • 2024 - Innovate and Aggregate

  • 2023 - It's Our Turn to Lead

  • 2022 - Houston, We Have a Problem

  • 2021 - From Fundamental to Futuristic        

  • 2020 - Revolutionizing Science

  • 2019 - Under the Sea

  • 2018 - Science is Universal

  • 2017 - Engaged Learning

  • 2016 - A Perfect Swarm

  • 2015 - It's an Ice Day for Science

  • 2014 - I've Caught the Science Bug

  • 2013 - The World Around Us:
                   Under the Science!

  • 2012 - The Sound of Music!

Are you looking for IJAS ISEF or Thermo Fischer Information?? Find it HERE on our competition page!

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