Eligibility & registration

Eligibility

  • Any New Mexico student in grades 6-12 is eligible – all public, private and home-school students.
  • Entires are limited to single individuals. Team projects require separate approval from the regional director.
  • Although the project need not be entered in a science fair, the paper must reflect actual science experimentation by the student, or theoretical work of the student in an area of pure mathematics or physics, or the development of a scientific computer model.
  • Papers that are simply literary ‘search’ papers are not acceptable for competition.
  • Students may work with a mentor or receive help. However; all assistance must be noted in the paper’s acknowledgments.

The process

Students conduct an original research project, such as for a science fair. In addition, students write a research paper about this project and defend it with an oral presentation.

To enter the project in the NMJAS competition, a student will then

  1. Fill out the online registration form (January/February)
  2. Pay a $15 fee (PayPal, credit card, school purchase order, or check)
  3. Upload the paper before the regional deadline

Research paper – the complete format and submission rules and guidelines can be accessed through links in the menu on the left. Uploaded papers will be distributed electronically to the judges.

Oral presentation – The format for oral completions will be determined regionally.

State competition – A maximum of 12 winners will advance to the State Competition, associated with the NM Science and Engineering Fair in Socorro (April 12-14).