Connecticut High School Science and Humanities Symposium

Top finisher at CT JSHS

Saturday, February 28, 2026 at UConn Health in Farmington

Register
Deadline to register/apply: December 15, 2025, 11:59 p.m.

Those wishing to present their research must review the application checklist and the other documents in the "important information for applicants" section below.

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(Abbreviated as CT HSSHS and pronounced "hiss-his")

CT AHEC at UConn Health is pleased to host the Connecticut High School Science and Humanities Symposium (CT HSSHS). For more than 60 years, Connecticut has held a regional symposium as part of the national Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) program. While that program has been put on hold until further notice due to the suspension of federal funding, CT AHEC has decided to independently host its own symposium, which will mirror CT JSHS. The application process, competition categories, and guidelines will remain the same, and the pre-week online components and engaging Saturday activities in Farmington will feel familiar to our many annual attendees. In most regards, CT HSSHS will be identical to CT JSHS of years past, but without a national component.

CT HSSHS is designed to challenge and engage students (grades 9-12) in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). Individual students compete for scholarships and recognition by presenting the results of their original research efforts before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. In addition to applying to present their research in oral or poster format, participants can also register to attend as "observers" with an opportunity to provide feedback on the presentations, take part in a humanities activity, and perhaps prepare to be a competitor in a future year.

Past participants have often said that CT JSHS was the formative experience that launched them on a rewarding STEM career path, and STEM professionals have frequently expressed astonishment at the high level of student accomplishment demonstrated at CT JSHS. We hope you will join us!

  • The in-person symposium will be held at UConn Health on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Online judging will be held Saturday, February 21 (invitation only).
  • An online STEM Poster Exhibition (non-competitive) will take place during the week leading up to the event, February 23-27.
  • Each high school may select a delegation of up to 10 students to register to participate in the symposium. A chaperone is required for each student delegation.
  • There is no charge to attend.

Note: A school chaperone is required to accompany attendees under the age of 18; if unavailable, a parent/guardian can serve as a chaperone. All chaperones must register as well.

Important information for applicants:

On January 20, after the application review committee completes its process, competition applicants will be notified of their participation status and at that time, one of the following 3 documents will apply to them:

Important dates:

  • November 17, 2025 – Registration opens
  • December 15, 2025, 11:59 p.m. – Application/registration deadline
  • January 20, 2026 – Applicants are notified of their presentation status/category
  • February 7, 2026 – Presenters’ Workshop (online, in conjunction with Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair); flyer/registration info will be posted on January 20
  • February 12, 2026 – Final abstracts due
  • February 15, 2026 – Oral presenters’ papers due and poster competitors’ posters due
  • February 17, 2026 – STEM poster exhibitors’ poster presentation videos due
  • February 21, 2026 – Oral and poster judging (Saturday, virtual, invitation only)
  • February 23 ‐ 27, 2026 – STEM Poster Exhibition (virtual)
  • February 28, 2026 – CT HSSH Symposium, in-person, UConn Health, Farmington
  • May 2026 (date and location TBD): Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering 51st Annual Meeting & Dinner (Top 5 CT HSSHS oral winners attend.)

Looking for a research mentor?
Potential Research Mentors in Connecticut

Resources:
2025-26 CT HSSHS Info Bulletin
2025-26 CT HSSHS Flyer
2024-25 CT JSHS Program and Abstracts
2024-25 CT JSHS Winners
One Day Makes a Difference Video

For more information, contact:
Ellen Ravens-Seger
Phone: 860-679-7969
Email: ravensseger@uchc.edu