Shady Side Academy eighth grader Nora Navid, freshman Feno Monaco and junior Jai Ganesh earned first awards in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) State Competition, held May 14-16 at The Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pa.

Navid received a perfect score for her project, Polling Pollinators. Monaco presented the project Yogurtalicious! while Ganesh presented Sleep Quality and Stress Among Shift Workers.

Approximately 3,000 of the best and brightest science students from Pennsylvania's 13 PJAS regions descend upon State College each May to present their research.

The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science is a statewide organization of junior and senior high school students designed to stimulate and promote interest in science among its members through the development of research projects and investigations. Students in grades 7-12 are invited yearly to participate in one of the PJAS Regional Competitions by conducting a scientific research project in one of 12 categories identified by PJAS, and then orally presenting that research to a team of judges. Learn more at www.pjas.net.

Congratulations to Nora, Feno and Jai and their coaches, faculty members Heather Fani and Emily Hayes-Rowan!