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The Georgia Academy of Science is composed of "Residents and
non-residents of Georgia who are engaged in scientific work, or who are
interested in the development of science." The purpose of the
Academy of "the promotion of interests of science, particularly in
Georgia."
The Georgia Academy of Science was organized in 1922 and
incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1953. Originally,
eligibility for membership in the Academy was "definite achievement
in some branch of scientific activity," and the number of members
was set at fifty. This number gradually increased to ninety-five by
1934, and in 1937 the numerical limitation was removed. For several
years the Academy affairs were administered by Fellows, but today this
class of membership is honorary only, and all members who are residents
of Georgia are equally eligible for Academy offices. Currently the
membership of the Georgia Academy of Science is approximately 450,
composed of men and women from all scientific disciplines and interest,
located throughout the state of Georgia, In addition to direct
membership in the Academy, affiliation of scientific societies with the
Academy is also possible. At present the Georgia Junior Academy of
Science and the Georgia Genetics Society are affiliated with the
Academy, and have representatives on the Council, which is the governing
body of the Academy.
The primary activities of the Academy are centered around the
Journal, the Annual Meeting and the Georgia Junior Academy of Science.
The Georgia Journal of Science is a recognized scientific publication,
and is to be found in libraries throughout the United States and in many
foreign countries. The Journal is published four times each year, the
April issue being devoted to the abstracts of papers presented at the
Annual Meeting.
The Annual Meeting of the Academy presents an opportunity for
scientists and others interested in the development of science to meet,
visit, and deliver scientific papers. Members of the Academy belong to
Sections representing various fields of scientific endeavor the Annual
Meeting is primarily oriented towards the programs of these Sections. In
order to fulfill the growing requirement for interdisciplinary
conferences one session of the Annual Meeting is devoted to a joint
program in which the entire Academy participates.
The Georgia Junior Academy is composed of high school and middle
school students organized into science clubs under the guidance of a
Director and his (or her) staff, appointed by the President of the
Georgia Academy of Science. The Georgia Junior Academy of Science
supports a number of activities designed to promote scientific inquiry
on the part of students. These activities include: (1) a state-wide
Scientific Problem-Solving Bowl, (2) regional and state Science Bowl
competitions, (3) regional and state Science Olympiad competitions, and
(4) original research projects presented at the American Junior Academy
annual meeting. In addition, the Georgia Junior Academy of Science
sponsors a Fall Leadership Conference and a Spring Conference to give
all members opportunities to explore areas of scientific inquiry in
regional settings, and is heavily involved with regional and state
science fairs. Active participation by businesses, industrial
organizations, and colleges and universities in Georgia contribute
significantly to the work of the Junior Academy.
Membership in the Georgia Academy of Science supports the
activities described above: the publication of the Journal, the Annual
Meeting and the Junior Academy with it State District Science Fairs.
Members of the Academy benefit from the opportunities to associate with
their colleagues, to present scientific papers and introduce their
students at the Annual Meeting, the receipt of and opportunity to
publish in the Journal, and participation in the one state-wide
interdisciplinary organization in Georgia devoted solely to the
promotion of the interests of science.