CT AHEC/UConn Health in Farmington will host the Connecticut High School Science and Humanities Symposium (CT HSSHS) on Saturday, February 28, 2026. You can read more about it at h.uconn.edu/ct-hsshs. There is no attendance fee.
For many years, Connecticut has hosted a regional event as part of the national Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) program. This year, federal funding for that national program has been suspended. CT AHEC/UConn Health will instead host its own statewide symposium for high school students. It will be nearly identical to the CT JSHS of years past, except the winners will not go on to compete at the national level.
CT HSSHS is designed to challenge and engage students (grades 9-12) in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). Individual students compete for scholarship and cash awards and recognition by presenting the results of their original research efforts before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. At CT HSSHS, CT students compete, exhibit, or simply “observe” the day’s activities.
The tentative schedule is as follows:
* On Saturday, February 28, the symposium will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at UConn Health in Farmington.
* The welcome and keynote address will be followed by three simultaneous tracks involving oral presentation sessions, competitive poster sessions, and a humanities activity. The day concludes with an awards ceremony.
* Participants will be provided with a grab-and-go lunch upon dismissal.
* The virtual oral and poster competitions will take place on Saturday, February 21 (invitation only).
* The virtual STEM poster exhibition (non-competitive), will be held during the week in advance, February 23 through 27.
Attending as an “observer” (non-presenter) is an excellent way to strategize for a future application as a competitor, or to experience a fun and enriching day with peers from around the state.
Each school can select up to 10 students to register/apply online by December 15, 2025, to attend as presenters or non-presenters.
Students must be accompanied by a chaperone (for one or a group of up to 10) on the day of the symposium. If a school staff member is not available, a parent/guardian can serve as a chaperone.
Home-schooled students and Connecticut residents who attend online schools are also welcome.
HOW DO STUDENTS AND CHAPERONES REGISTER TO ATTEND?
The registration form will open in the next week. For now, please review and/or download, as needed, the guidance documents and timeline at h.uconn.edu/ct-hsshs.
You will receive another email announcing that the registration form is available.
Questions? Contact Ellen at ravensseger@uchc.edu or Dr. Knight at ctjshs.knight@gmail.com.