Do you know about the Student Academy? We are not the Science Fair, Science Olympiad, or Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, all organizations that seek to foster student interest in science and mathematics. NCSAS does that, too, but is distinctive in holding competitions at the District and State levels for students who have completed research projects, requiring both a paper and an oral presentation, and providing an opportunity for them to receive personal feedback from research scientists in their field. In addition, we offer mini-grants to student researchers to encourage their efforts.
Awards given at the State Competition include medals, science magazine subscriptions, books, cash, and bookstore gift cards. For high school students we also select two students to receive a limited number of expense-paid trips to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)/American Junior Academy of Science meetings for the most outstanding papers, plus we give a $1,000 college scholarship each year. Finally, through our affiliation with the NC Academy of Science, the North Carolina’s association for college level research scientists, we award honorary memberships in the American Association for the Advancement of Science each year.

If you have a project that you'd like to submit, please participate!

Who we are

 
The North Carolina Student Academy of Science (NCSAS) is an organization for students in grades 6-12 in alliance with the North Carolina Academy of Science (NCAS). The objectives of NCSAS are 1) promoting the study of science, technology, and mathematics, 2) assisting students to pursue careers in science and technology, and 3) encouraging students to use their talents for the improvement of themselves, their schools, and their communities. Each year, NCSAS holds District and State meetings at which students have the opportunity to share their research in competition. On March 23, 2012, the site for the annual state meeting is the North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham.
The NCSAS is made up of nine districts state-wide with eight of them being geographical and the ninth being the North Carolina School of Science and Math which enrolls students from all over the state. While many members of NCSAS are affiliated by a club membership, students may also register for individual membership. Registration forms must be filled out to participate in the meetings, and new members may join during registration. While most districts offer district competitions, some do not, and students not in districts that hold competitions are encouraged to send their papers to the Director(s) of the district in which they live for review and approval to compete at the State level. Contact information for District Directors is listed under District Meetings and Competitions. Their biographical information is here. 
For more details regarding NCSAS and information about the district and state meeting procedures, please see the NCSAS Handbook.

Annual Meeting and Competition 2011:

The 2011 NC Student Academy of Science Annual Meeting and State Competition was held Friday, March 25th. The keynote presentation was by Dr. Erich Jarvis, Associate Professor in the Department of Neurobiology and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the Duke University Medical Center.  Dr. Jarvis gave a highly informative and engaging lecture on the neurobiology and evolution of vocal communication.  For the 152 student researchers, their sponsors and families, it was an extraordinary opportunity to hear about developments in one of the most rapidly growing and fascinating fields of science.  There is more information available about Dr. Jarvis and his research at http://www.jarvislab.net/. 
The students made 102 presentations of their research, and there were another 20 posters in a poster competition, which was a new addition to the State Competition this year.  First, second and third place in each category were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively. First place winners additionally received an invitation to travel expenses-paid to present their research at the American Junior Academy of Science meeting at Vancouver British Columbia February, 2012. Other awards included U.S. Navy awards and recognition by the state chapter of the American Chemical Society and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition.  In addition, the Charles Lytle Scholarship was presented to LaManuel White.  All presenting students received the new conference tee shirt, designed by Mr. Juan Scivally, Art Instructor at NCSSM.  In addition to the presenters, more than 20 middle and high school students attended as observers.  We expect to see most of them back next year as presenters.
The competition was judged by 47 active and retired professionals from state agencies, educational institutions, and businesses in the Triangle. Students were given the chance to meet with the judges over dinner after the competition to get additional feedback about their projects and learn about the science interests of the judges. Two teachers were recognized with NCSAS Teacher Recognition Awards: Courtney Blake of Durham Hillside High School and Gwendolyn Gibbs of Frink Middle School in Kinston, NC.
Elections were held to choose student officers for 2011-12.  2010-11 High School President-elect Isabella Gillespie becomes President.  Emma Cassell was chosen as High School President-elect, and the new Middle School President is Anne Blythe Davis.

Annual Meeting and Competition 2012

The 2012 NCSAS Annual Meeting and Competition will be Friday,March 23rd, at the NC School of Science and Mathematics. Our Keynote speaker this year is Dr Haase, is a Professor of Physics at NCSU and founder of The Science House, for K-12 outreach to promote hands-on, inquiry based learning in science and math.   Click on Competition for more information.

Other Programs

Students interested in NCSAS may also be interested in:
The North Carolina Science Fair
Duke Talent Identification Program
NC Alliance to Create Opportunity for Education