ASAR - Junior Scientist

About ASAR Junior Scientist Competition
The ASAR Junior Scientist Competition seeks to promote excellence by encouraging students to undertake individual or team research projects. It fosters intensive research that improves students' understanding of the value of scientific study and informs their consideration of future careers in these disciplines.

You can compete as an individual or as a member of a team. Individual projects promote independent research. Team projects foster collaborative research efforts, as well as individual contributions to the cooperative endeavor.
Scholarships for winning projects range from $500 to $5000
Submit your project to secretary@asar.org.in
The Advantage of Participating
Participating in the leading science and mathematics research-based Competition for high school students in the United States :
  1. Furthers your research skills
  2. Opens new doors in pursuit of your educational and career objectives
  3. Provides the opportunity to meet other students who share your interest in research
  4. Allows you to talk with distinguished scientists
  5. Offers you a chance to win a college scholarship
How to Participate
Student Eligibility
  1. The Junior Scientist Competition is open to high school students who are citizens or permanent residents of the India. Students must be in good standing enrolled in, and attending one of the following:
    1. High school Class 5 to 10
    2. Foreign school as an exchange student or because your parent or guardian lives and works abroad
    3. Home school, provided that signatures are obtained from the school district responsible for such programs on the student's Confirmation Page.
  2. Students submitting individual projects must be in good standing, enrolled in and attending their last year of high school (Class 10).
  3. Team projects may have two or three members and do not need to include a senior. All team members must be in good standing, enrolled in and attending high school (grades nine–12), although you may be from different schools. Each team must designate a team leader who serves as the communication liaison between the Siemens Competition and the other members of the team.
Judging Process
There are three judging phases to the Competition.

Initial Judging
During the initial judging, only the Research Reports are evaluated. These Reports are judged solely on project merits. These initial judges do not have any information about you (name, gender, school, age, or state).

Semifinalists
Up to 300 outstanding projects are selected as finalists. From those 300 projects, up to 60 will advance to the Regional Finalist stage of the competition and the others will be honored as Semifinalists. Students chosen as Semifinalists receive a special recognition package and their names are announced in an advertisement on the ASAR website.

Regional Finals
Up to 10 projects (up to five individual and up to five team projects) from each of four geographic regions are selected to compete at the regional level of the Competition.

At the regional and national levels of the Competition, judges evaluate the Research Report, the references cited in the Research Report, poster display, oral presentation, and private question-and-answer session. Factors such as knowledge of the science involved, your role in the project, and ideas extending from the work are also considered.

National Finals
The six individual and six team regional winners compete at the national level. National Finalists are required to display their posters, make oral presentations, and respond to questions before a national panel of judges.

Judging Criteria
The regional and national judges use these criteria to evaluate all aspects of the projects and presentations.
  1. Creativity: Is the project original and imaginative? What is the origin of the student's interest in the topic? Did the student develop new solutions or procedures? To what extent were the student's talent and insight incorporated into the project? How did the student address any surprising or unforeseen developments?
  2. Field knowledge: Does the student demonstrate strong knowledge of the area of inquiry and the underlying scientific or mathematical issues?
  3. Comprehensiveness: Are sufficient details given so that others can replicate the work? If the work is experimental, are the variables and controls clearly defined? Did the student use the correct quantitative measures? Are the procedures well-defined? Were measuring tools chosen and used appropriately? Does the research report fully explain the project itself or is further explanation needed?
  4. Interpretation: Has the student stated the interpretations and conclusions clearly? How scientifically reasonable and credible are the data, interpretations, and conclusions? Do the conclusions and interpretations follow from the results presented? Can claims of novelty or improvement be justified? What are the limits of the interpretations and the conclusions? Are there alternative conclusions that fit the results?
  5. Literature review: Does the report reference appropriate related works and place the study in a proper context? Are all sources used in the research listed as references? Are the references cited within the text?
  6. Scientific importance: Does the project address an important scientific, technical, or mathematical question or major issue? Does the student's work demonstrate a high level of intellectual input, and is it innovative? Do the findings substantially add to the understanding of the area investigated?
  7. Future work: Is there a discussion of future or follow-up research? If so, what further data would be needed? What are possible applications of the work?
  8. Clarity of expression: Is the project understandable? Is the material presented logically and coherently? Are the key points, problems, and solutions stated clearly and precisely? Does the student use tables and figures appropriately? Was the Research Report carefully proofread for spelling and grammar?
  9. Presentation: Is the method of presentation consistent with the nature of the work and with scientific practice in the discipline involved Competition Schedule
  10. Students should be prepared to participate in all aspects of the Competition. This includes being available to attend regional and national levels of the Competition if you are selected as a finalist.
  Competition Schedule
     May 4th , 2023 Deadline for receipt of Research Report materials
    May 15th , 2023 Announcement of Regional Finalists and Semifinalists
Regional Competition
  June 1st and 2nd 2023 New Delhi ,India
  June 7th  and 8th 2023 Mumbai, India
  June 14th  and 15th 2023 Chennai ,India
  June 24th  and 25th 2023 Kolkata ,India
National Competition
  August 14th New Delhi
National Competition
Final Result with Award ceremony
I5th August 2023 New Delhi