The Journal of Emerging Investigators (JEI) is a non-profit organization completely run by volunteer PhD-level scientists. We are committed to providing the tools, mentorship, and community necessary for any middle or high school student to learn about the research process and even publish their own scientific investigations.
At JEI , we believe young scientists learn best when they:
Engage in hands-on experiments inspired by their own research questions Learn about scientific research through the publications of their peers Interact with and learn from scientists from backgrounds similar to their own Join a community of young and professional scientists that support one another Identifying as a scientist early on is formative in empowering students to pursue their dreams. We strive to help all students, especially those who come from backgrounds historically underrepresented in STEM , recognize their potential as scientists early in their academic careers.
JEI is changing STEM education by:
Mentoring students through their own original research projects Publishing the work of middle and high school scientists in our free open-access journal online Developing curricula for students to learn about scientific research in their middle and high school classrooms Running virtual camps , where students from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM engage in the entire scientific research process and become published authors Hosting conferences for students to share their research and network with young and professional scientists
Since 2011, we received over 900 submitted manuscripts from six continents, and published 311 original scientific articles from middle and high school students around the world. Over the last year alone, we've grown exponentially, receiving 339 submissions and publishing 113 articles , thanks to an active volunteer staff of over 300 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research faculty.
Here's a link to our latest article, where students assessed the impact of COVID-19 on teenage mental health!
Help us change STEM education this Holiday Season:
Publishing, enrolling in our programs, and using JEI curricula is completely free for students and teachers. With your donation, you will help JEI:
1) Keep publication costs free for the projected 500 students authors in 2021: We believe JEI should be accessible to all students, regardless of their financial background. E very student submission to JEI costs $30 to publish online, including web hosting and editorial manager fees. We project we will need $15,000 to keep JEI publication free for 2021's student authors .
2) Host a Virtual JEI Camp: This spring, students from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM will receive a JEI science experiment kit in the mail and learn how to perform an experiment from home. Students will work in groups with JEI mentors to complete and publish the experiment, all the while learning how the scientific method can address society's greatest challenges.
3) Build curricula for middle and high school classrooms: We dream that every middle and high school student across the world can be introduced to research through JEI articles so they can appreciate the importance of research from an early age and be inspired by their peers. We are working with teachers across the country to use our articles and resources so that students will be empowered to answer their own questions through research.
4) Provide scholarships for students to attend the JEI conference : After COVID19, JEI will host a student conference so that student authors can join a community of young and professional scientists and share their amazing research projects. Help us cover the cost of ~20 exceptional high school students without the financial means to travel to the conference at Harvard University.
5) Support our volunteer staff: Our volunteers are dedicated to mentoring the next generation of scientists and work entirely for free. Most JEI volunteers dedicate 5-10 hours a week to their mentoring roles. Help us support our staff through professional development opportunities to benefit their careers in scientific publishing, research, and STEM education.
We can't do it without you. In 2020, JEI's donors helped us break records. We're reaching more students, teachers, and classrooms than ever before. Donate to JEI today to help us continue to grow exponentially in 2021.
Please contact us at questions@emerginginvestigators.org with any questions or comments! Detailed expense reports as well as projected 3-year expenses are available upon request.
Media Coverage about JEI
From Students to Scientists , American Educator
Inside JEI, the peer-reviewed journal for middle and high school scientists , Cell Press Blog
Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Scientists , Nexus Media
Science Mentoring: Journal of Emerging Investigators , Nature Blog
JEI Staff on Scientific Education
Incorporating Primary Scientific Literature in Middle and High School Education , Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Next-generation training: publishing student scientists' research , Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
