After months of preparation, an intense few days of scientific immersion, and a 4.5-hour drive back home, I finally had the chance to sit down and process everything.
AJAS wasn’t just another research event. It wasn’t like ISEF, where you’re in competition mode, nor was it like a school science fair where people glance at your poster and move on. AJAS felt like stepping into the scientific world—not as a student, but as a researcher. For the first time, I wasn’t just a high schooler doing a “cool project.” I was treated like someone who belonged in the field.
But as much as it was an academic experience, it was also a personal one. Over four days, I found myself grappling with questions I didn’t expect to have:
Where does my research fit into the larger scientific community?
What does it actually mean to be a scientist?
How do I take everything I’ve learned here and apply it to my future?
This blog post is about those thoughts—the things I realized, the moments that stuck with me, and the lessons that went beyond research and deep into how I see my future.
Being a Young Researcher in a Room Full of Experts
There’s something surreal about being in a conference hall with some of the biggest names in science and realizing that you—not as a spectator, but as a participant—belong in that space.
At AJAS, we weren’t “high schoolers.” We were researchers. We sat at the Breakfast with Scientists as equals, having real conversations with experts in CRISPR, AI, neurobiology, genetics, and physics. We attended the AAAS sessions, hearing about breakthroughs that would shape the future. We presented our work at the AJAS Poster Session—not just to other students, but to scientists who genuinely wanted to hear what we had discovered.
But here’s what I didn’t expect: I realized how small my research was.
Not in a self-deprecating way—but in a way that made me see the bigger picture. When you spend so much time focused on your own research, it feels huge. But when you step into AAAS, where people are solving global-scale problems, you see how your work is just one piece of a much larger scientific puzzle. And that’s not discouraging—it’s exciting.
I wasn’t leaving AJAS thinking, “My project is insignificant.” I was leaving thinking, “I’m part of something so much bigger than I realized.”
The Research Roundtable Wasn’t About Research—It Was About Perspective
The AJAS Research Roundtable was one of the most unexpectedly impactful parts of the entire conference.
At my table, there were eight of us. Four were also ISEF finalists, which meant we had all gone through the same grueling months of refining research, preparing for competition, and handling the stress of high-stakes presentations. But the Roundtable wasn’t about competition—it was about understanding where we stood as researchers and where we were going next.
We weren’t talking about awards. We were talking about:
What it means to pursue research outside of a competition setting
How to turn an ISEF project into something that has lasting impact
What we wished we had known earlier about research
One conversation stuck with me: someone at my table mentioned that they didn’t want to continue their research field, even though they had won awards for it. And I remember thinking, That’s valid. Because at some point, the research process has to be about more than just what gets you recognition. It has to be about what genuinely excites you, what you want to spend years of your life pursuing, and what questions keep you up at night.
AJAS wasn’t about proving we were great researchers. It was about deciding what kind of researchers we wanted to be.
The Best Scientists Weren’t the Smartest—They Were the Most Curious
If there was one pattern I noticed among the scientists I met at AJAS, it was this:
None of them claimed to “know it all”
All of them were constantly asking questions
At the Breakfast with Scientists, I expected to sit with people who had spent decades mastering their field. And while that was true, what I didn’t expect was that they weren’t talking about what they already knew—they were talking about what they were still trying to figure out.
That mindset—seeing science not as a series of facts, but as an endless chain of questions—shifted the way I thought about research.
I used to believe that being a great scientist meant knowing a lot. But after AJAS, I think it means something else: it means being endlessly curious. It means not being satisfied with what’s already known. It means loving the unknown enough to chase after it.
Presenting at AAAS Felt Different from Every Other Presentation I’ve Done
By the time I got to the AJAS Poster Session at the Hynes Convention Center, I had already presented my research dozens of times.
But this was different.
It wasn’t like ISEF, where every judge is there to evaluate you. It wasn’t like a school presentation, where people listen because they have to. Here, people stopped at my poster because they were genuinely interested in my research.
I had conversations—not just presentations. Professors, scientists, and AAAS attendees stopped by and asked thoughtful, engaging questions. Some of them gave real feedback—not just “This is impressive,” but actual insights into how I could improve my model, test my results in new ways, and even ideas for future research.
For the first time, I felt like my work wasn’t just something I had done for a competition—it was part of a scientific conversation.
Why I’d Recommend AJAS to Anyone Doing Research
If you’re a high school student working on original research, you should absolutely try to qualify for AJAS.
Here’s why:
You’ll meet some of the most inspiring researchers—both students and professionals. AJAS isn’t just about presenting your work; it’s about engaging with scientists who are leading groundbreaking research in every field imaginable.
It’s not a competition—it’s an opportunity. Unlike ISEF or JSHS, where you’re constantly being judged, AJAS is about learning, growing, and being part of something bigger than yourself.
It changes the way you see science. At AJAS, you stop thinking about research as just a project and start seeing it as a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
If you’re wondering how to qualify, the process starts with your state’s Academy of Science (refer to Part 1 of this series for more information). Compete at the state-level science research competition, and if you win one of the top spots, you might be selected as an AJAS delegate. That’s how I qualified through NJAS (New Jersey Academy of Science).
It’s 100% worth it. If you get the chance, go. You’ll walk away from it not just as a better researcher, but as someone who understands what it truly means to be part of the scientific community.
Final Thoughts – What Comes After AJAS?
After presenting, I left Boston right away—I had a long drive back home and had to skip the final AAAS events, including the Museum of Science night. But even as I left early, I felt like I had gotten exactly what I needed from AJAS.
So, what’s next?
Before AJAS, I thought of research as something I did for competitions and just to share something that I worked on out of passion. But now, I see it differently.
I want to work on projects that matter—not just for the sake of winning, but because the research itself is important.
I want to collaborate more. Science isn’t meant to be done alone—it’s meant to be shared, discussed, and built upon.
I want to keep asking better questions, even if I don’t have the answers yet.
AJAS wasn’t about validation. It was about direction.
And I think, more than anything, that’s what I’m taking away from this experience: I don’t just want to be a “successful” researcher. I want to be a curious one. One who keeps learning, questioning, and pushing forward—not because of an award or a title, but because that’s what being a scientist really means.
The End of This Series—But Not the End of the Journey
That wraps up my AJAS Experience series. From qualifying at NJAS, experiencing the conference, and now reflecting on everything I’ve learned, this was easily one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had.
And while AJAS is over, this isn’t the end of my research journey—it’s just the beginning.
If you had the chance to attend AJAS, what part of the experience would excite you the most?
0%🔬 Touring world-class research labs
0%🎤 Presenting your research
0%🤝 Networking with top scientists & Nobel laureates
0%💡 Engaging in deep research discussions with others
About the Author:
I'm Jophy Lin, a high school junior and researcher. I blog about a variety of topics, such as STEM research, competitions, shows, and my experiences in the scientific community. If you’re interested in research tips, competition insights, drama reviews, personal reflections on STEM opportunities, and other related topics, subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated!
Very insightful series. For AJAS, are the fees sponsored by the state's academy?