Today, I attended the 2025 Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) Symposium, held at Ferrum College in Virginia. Getting there was already a journey—we drove more than four hours yesterday afternoon.
At first, I was hesitant to submit my research to VJAS since I had already presented the main results at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) back in April. However, my science teacher encouraged me to share the updated findings from my project, and I’m glad I followed that advice.
After leaving school early yesterday, I stayed overnight in one of the college dorms—quiet and empty since most students had gone home for the summer. This morning, I woke up early, had breakfast in the dining hall, and walked around the campus, soaking in the calm before heading to the classroom for the Physics & Astronomy session at 8:45 a.m.
As expected, I was the only student presenting research in Astronomy. I felt more confident in delivering my presentation this time, but I couldn’t help feeling a little uneasy when no one asked detailed questions about my work. Still, I was proud to share my findings and represent my field among peers focused on a variety of scientific topics.
After the session, we had lunch, which included an engaging presentation about student research on water quality monitoring. Then, we headed home, knowing that the competition results won’t be announced for another two weeks.
Overall, the experience was more than just presenting research—it was a chance to step out of my comfort zone, reflect on my growth as a student-researcher, and appreciate the diverse interests and talents of other young scientists. It also gave me the opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty of rural Virginia.
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