National Association of Academies of Science

The National Association of Academies of Science (NAAS) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the scientific and science education goals of its state, regional and municipal academies of science. The NAAS consists of 47 state, regional, and community academies of science, which are organized to encourage scientific inquiry and research experiences.

One of the most important functions of the NAAS is sponsorship of the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS).

American Junior Academies of Sciences

The AJAS mission is to introduce, encourage and accelerate pre-college students into the world of science, engineering and technology by enabling and integrating their participation into the social, cultural and scientific activities at the AAAS Annual Meeting. More information about AJAS is available on Facebook.

AAAS Memberships for AJAS Students

AAAS and its journal Science award honorary one year memberships to students participating in AJAS to encourage and support their science and engineering aspirations. Students who represent their state at the AAAS meeting and representatives of state academies unable to send delegates to the meeting earn the memberships, in recognition of their achievements at the state level. The memberships are awarded at the NAAS/AJAS Annual Meeting in February.

Encouraging State Academy Research Activities

State Academies play an important role sponsoring and organizing activities that create opportunities for middle and high school students to conduct and share their research. These activities include annual science festivals, journals for the publication of findings, and professional development activities for teachers. AAAS supports this work through a research grant competition that provides funds to support the efforts of the academies to promote student research.

Applications for the State Academy Research Grants are available online. The deadline for submission is the first Friday of December with awards made at the NAAS/AJAS Annual Meeting in February.