The JSHS Open Competition is for 9-12 grade students in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. The first 50 students who complete their registration before 1/15/2012 will be eligible to compete in the Open Competition. Other students who hope to advance to the North Central Regional JSHS competition will need to enter and win a spot at their Regional Science Fair. From 50 students who compete in the Open Competition, finalists will be chosen to advance to the North Central Regional JSHS competition in the spring.

The Open Competition follows the National Symposium guidelines.

• The paper should be a minimum of 5-6 pages and a maximum of 20 pages, including appendices with graphs.
• Submit abstract with paper.
• A library literature search in and of itself is not enough to qualify as a paper submission for JSHS. Please refer to National guidelines.
• Photographs may not be used in the electronic research paper; photographs may be used in the oral presentations.
• Graphs, tables, diagrams, charts, or other graphic representation should be simple to allow the judges on-line access to the research paper.
• A maximum size limit for the electronic research paper is 1.8 Mb.
• A recommended outline for the research paper includes:
1. a title page or cover page stating the title of the research;
2. acknowledgement of major assistance received;
3. table of contents;
4. if applicable, statement that "research involving non-human vertebrates or human subjects was conducted under the supervision of an experienced teacher or researcher and followed state and federal regulatory guidance applicable to the human and ethical conduct of such research";
5. introduction;
6. materials and methods;
7. results (data or findings);
8. discussion and conclusions;
9. references, or literature cited;
10. appendices (if necessary).

Questions on Open Competition - Contact Lise Weegman, lise@mnmas.org, Director of the North Central Regional JSHS, Minnesota Academy of Science.

Questions about submitting Open Paper registration - Contact Joe Duca, webmaster@mnmas.org, webmaster Minnesota Academy of Science.