The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science is a statewide organization of junior high and high school students designed to stimulate and promote interest in science through the development of research projects and scientific investigations. The goals include increasing students' participation and achievement in mathematics and science, developing an understanding of the scientific community, and instilling attitudes and ideals that will lead to valuable contributions to the global community.

Students are encouraged to follow the scientific method to select a project, research the background, formulate a hypothesis, develop an experiment to prove or disprove the hypothesis, and collect and analyze data from their experiment. The students then prepare a written report and give an oral presentation with audio visuals. Students register to present their projects at the regional meeting, where they are judged and presented awards. Winners proceed to the state meeting.