3 Best Engineering Journals for High School Students
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Publishing your engineering research as a high school student is a unique and exciting process. Getting from start to finish with publication can teach you about the world of academic research while connecting you with engineering peers and faculty from around the world. It can also demonstrate to research universities your commitment to discovering and communicating novel findings to the scientific community.
For more resources, don’t miss our article for high schoolers on publishing your research in a journal!
Importance of Engineering Journals
Researchers in engineering fields publish their findings and advancements in peer-reviewed engineering journals. These academic journals tend to be specific to engineering subfields, with the majority of first authors on each article holding a master’s degree and, in many cases, a PhD. Reading and discussing peer-reviewed engineering research papers enables scholars from around the world to stay up-to-date on the latest discoveries and progress in their disciplines of specialization. Here is just a handful of the top English-language journals currently publishing engineering research:
Although there are no journals specifically seeking engineering articles from high school students, there exist a number of publications that do welcome submissions from high school researchers in engineering and related fields. Here are our picks for the top journals accepting submissions from high school engineers.
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Top Engineering Journals for High School Students
1. Journal of High School Science
The Journal of High School Science accepts submissions from current high school researchers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Submitted articles may take the form of a) original research papers describing the researcher’s own experiments, observations, and results; or b) review papers, in which the author identifies and presents a gap in the existing literature or an opportunity for additional research within an academic subject. There is a $45 submission fee per article, and the review process typically lasts between eight and twelve weeks. The Journal of High School Science reports a 30% article acceptance rate.
2. National High School Journal of Science
The National High School Journal of Science frequently publishes engineering articles written by high schoolers. This journal also accepts two types of submissions:
Original research presenting new findings in the form of a traditional scientific paper, including an abstract and a maximum of 40 references. The paper must have the following structure:
Title
Authors and affiliations
Abstract
Introduction
Results
Discussion
Methods
Acknowledgments
References
In addition, researchers may submit short articles such as reports describing ongoing engineering research or advancements, as well as letters or technical comments responding to recently published original research. It is possible to submit a literature review, but students wishing to do so are advised to contact the editor directly.
Once your article is submitted, it will be reviewed by one or two peers before being forwarded to the journal’s Scientific Advisory Board, which is composed of professional researchers. Each reviewer sends feedback to the author, who then revises the article. The final step before publication is a round of copy editing. There is no fee to submit to the National High School Journal of Science.
3. Journal of Student Research
The Journal of Student Research is another excellent option for high school students wishing to publish engineering research. Note that the journal requires students to have an advisor or mentor who will guide them through the process. The Journal of Student Research accepts a wide range of submissions, and their review process takes between 12 and 24 weeks. There is a $50 submission fee, as well as a $250 charge for accepted articles before entering the editing phase.
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Accessing Engineering Journals
Methods of Access and Subscriptions
Springe, a global publisher that provides scientific, technical, and medical content to researchers, offers information and access to a variety of its engineering journals online. Some of its articles are open access (i.e., free), while others require a subscription (individual or through an institution) or a one-time purchase to read past the abstract.
Not sure where to start when reading journal articles? Check out Polygence’s guide to reading scientific articles for high schoolers.
Impact Factors and Rankings
Understanding Impact Factors
When browsing journals and articles, keep in mind the “impact factor,” which is a measure of the frequency at which a paper or publication is cited by other researchers. In general, higher numbers correlate with more significant findings.
How to Publish in Engineering Journals
Submission Guidelines and Tips
Working with an expert mentor is crucial for conducting engineering research at almost any level. Graduate and undergraduate engineering researchers work with advisors and mentors to design their experiments, and the same applies to high school engineers. Receiving frequent constructive feedback from a dedicated mentor throughout the research and writing processes is the key to producing, presenting, and publishing important findings as a high schooler.
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Enhancing Your Research and Publication Prospects
Publishing your engineering research in a peer-reviewed journal is an exciting opportunity for high schoolers to engage and share their work with other scholars and engineering faculty. To boost your chances of getting your article accepted in an engineering journal, Polygence can connect you with a dedicated one-on-one engineering mentor like Yannick, Emily, or Jai’La. Whether you aspire to be a civil engineer, aerospace engineer, or mechanical engineer, each mentor will guide you through the process of conducting original research while answering any questions you may have along the way. Finally, Polygence offers showcasing support to help you share your research with the world through publications and presentations.
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