TJHSST Research Programs and Laboratory Facilities 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What do all TJHSST seniors complete as a graduation requirement related to independent work?
- Pass AP science exams with a score of 3 or higher in three subjects
- Complete a year-long senior research project (Correct answer)
- Submit a portfolio of replication laboratory reports
- Present a speech at the annual Science and Technology Bowl
Correct answer: Complete a year-long senior research project
All TJHSST seniors must complete a year-long senior research project, a core graduation requirement that distinguishes TJ from most high schools.
Question 2: The Computer Systems Lab (CSL) at TJHSST is uniquely notable because it is primarily operated by:
- Fairfax County IT department staff
- Students themselves (Correct answer)
- A partner university's computer science faculty
- A private technology company under contract
Correct answer: Students themselves
The CSL is student-run, giving TJ students real-world experience managing computing infrastructure and systems.
Question 3: TJHSST research students commonly receive mentorship from professionals at which types of organizations?
- Only private Virginia companies approved by FCPS
- Only FCPS-affiliated teachers and administrators
- Federal agencies, universities, and national research laboratories (Correct answer)
- International corporations based in Europe and Asia exclusively
Correct answer: Federal agencies, universities, and national research laboratories
TJ students collaborate with mentors from agencies like NIH and NASA and from universities, reflecting the school's close ties to the D.C. metro research community.
Question 4: Approximately how many specialized research laboratories does TJHSST maintain for student use?
- 3 to 5
- 6 to 9
- More than 20 (Correct answer)
- Exactly 50
Correct answer: More than 20
TJHSST houses more than 20 specialized research labs covering fields ranging from neuroscience to geosystems, far exceeding a typical high school.
Question 5: Which prestigious national competition do TJHSST research students most frequently enter with their original projects?
- National Spelling Bee
- National Debate League Championships
- Academic Bowl National Championship
- Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
Regeneron STS (formerly Intel STS) is the nation's most prestigious pre-college science competition, and TJ is one of the most represented schools each year.
Question 6: What is the primary educational goal of TJHSST's research program for students?
- Memorizing and reciting advanced scientific terminology and formulas
- Conducting original, authentic scientific or engineering research (Correct answer)
- Preparing students exclusively for AP science exam curricula
- Writing comprehensive literature reviews of existing published studies
Correct answer: Conducting original, authentic scientific or engineering research
TJ's research program is centered on giving students the experience of doing real original science, not just studying it.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of a specialized research lab available at TJHSST?
- Petroleum Refining and Extraction Lab
- Surgical Simulation and Medical Procedures Lab
- Oceanography and Geosystems Lab (Correct answer)
- Nuclear Reactor Operations Lab
Correct answer: Oceanography and Geosystems Lab
TJHSST's Oceanography and Geosystems Lab allows students to study Earth's systems, an unusual resource available at the high school level.
TJHSST Research Programs and Laboratory Facilities 1
What do all TJHSST seniors complete as a graduation requirement related to independent work?