2025 AJAS Annual Program

 

Registration and Hotel Information

2025 NAAS-AJAS Program 
In-person events in Boston, MA.: Feb. 12 to 15, 2025
Helpful Notes
  • This is not the final AJAS program and events/times are subject to change. Do not  print this tentative schedule
  • Registration is scheduled to open in the fall of 2024 and close (firmly) on December 10th, 2024 
  • To receive a NAAS Fellowship, a student delegate must present a poster detailing their original research
  • All sites that AJAS will visit in Boston are accessible by Boston subway (the "T").  NAAS will provide an unlimited subway pass to all registrants.
  • Hotel Address: The Kendall Hotel, 350 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02142
  • Hynes Convention Center address: 900 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02115
  • During AJAS schedule breaks, all AJAS Student Delegates and chaperones will have access to (and are encouraged to attend) AAAS Annual Meeting events and sessions. (see AAAS program)   
    • Be aware that the AAAS Annual Meeting is held from Thursday, February 13, 2025 through Saturday, February 15, 2025 and its many events are available for all NAAS-AJAS Annual Confernce Attendees. https://meetings.aaas.org/
  • Pack several business casual outfits
  • Pack for winter weather. Bring comfortable, weather-resistant footwear
  • Don't forget to bring your poster materials
 
Wednesday, February 12
  • Registration                                                                                                                                     2:00-5:00pm
    • Unlimited subway pass available at registration table 
  • Committee Meetings for Adult Volunteers                                                                                   5:00-6:00pm
  • Opening Reception and Keynote Speakers                                                                                 6:00-9:00pm
    • Keynote Speakers: TBA  
    • Beverages and heavy hors d'oeuvers provided
    • Any additional dinner on your own
  • Late Registration Table Open                                                                                                        5:00-9:30pm
    • Unlimited subway pass available at registration table 
 
Thursday, February 13
  • Breakfast At Hotel                                                                                                                          Morning
  • Tour 1: Boston University                                                                                                             9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Tour 2: Northeastern University                                                                                                   9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Tour 3: Harvard University                                                                                                            9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Tour 4: MIT                                                                                                                                      9:00 am- 3:00 pm
  • AAAS Sessions (see AAAS program)                                                                                            All Day
  • All AJAS Student Delegates and Observers MUST arrive at The Hynes Convention Center by 4:30pm
    • If you do not receive your name badge at AJAS registration, please arrive at Hynes Convention Center as early as possible to pick up your name badge
    • All AJAS students must be seated in the marked-off seating at the plenary hall by 4:45pm sharp!
  • AAAS Plenary Session: President's Address                                                                           5:00pm-6:30pm
    • Speaker: TBA
    • AJAS Student Delegates will be recognized at the beginning of this session
  • Welcome to Boston Reception                                                                                                   7:00pm-8:00pm
    • Join the AAAS President and AAAS members at the reception  in the Convention center immediately following the plenary
    • Food and beverages served
    • Any additional dinner on your own
 
Friday, February 14
  • Breakfast with Scientists,                                                                                                           7:30am-10:30am
    • This breakfast is the premier event of the 2025 NAAS/AJAS Annual Conference! 
    • AJAS Student Delegates will eat breakfast with premier scientists in a relaxed social setting. Typically, groups of about six student delegates sit around a breakfast table with two professional scientists. After the introductions there is no particular agenda other than to start talking; however, the intense curiosity of the delegates—combined with the passion of the scientists to discuss their work and career paths—often results in fascinating discussions that have long-lasting impacts on everyone involved. In the middle of the event, the students will switch tables and have the opportunity to talk with other scientists. 
    • Dress Code: Business casual. Wear or bring comfortable shoes for events later in the day
  • Break and Lunch on your own                                                                                                10:30am-12:00pm
  • AAAS Sessions (see AAAS program)                                                                                       11:00am-5:00pm
  • NAAS Board Lunch Meeting (Invite only)                                                                              11:30am-12:30pm
  • Formal Honors Banquet                                                                                                           5:30pm-10:00pm
    • Dress Code: Business Casual
 
Saturday, February 15
  • Breakfast At Hotel                                                                                                                    Morning
  • NAAS Research Roundtable                                                                                                   Morning
  • AAAS Sessions (see AAAS program)                                                                                      8:00am-12:30pm
  • Lunch on your own
  • AJAS Poster Session                                                                                                               12:30pm-4:00pm
    • Posters will be presented at 2 or 3 separate times, details TBA
    • Check for your assigned poster presentation session
    • Delegates will set up their posters prior to their assigned session time and will take them down after their session is complete
    • When not presenting, delegates are encouraged to either attend AJAS poster sessions or AAAS events
    • All AJAS participants who presented at the early poster session will be expected to remain on site and participate until the end of the second poster session event, predicted to end at 4:00 pm
  • The NAAS-AJAS Annual Conference ends Saturday at 4:00 pm. AJAS Participants are encouraged to continue attending AAAS functions as you desire, especially the AAAS closing plenary and reception.  (see AAAS program)   
  • AAAS Closing Plenary Reception                                                                                            5:15pm-7:00pm
    • Join AAAS colleagues for an informational panel
    • Food and beverages served can make a modest meal
    • Any additional dinner on your own

In-person Travel and Arrival information

Those traveling to the in-person event should plan to arrive in Boston, Massachusetts, by early afternoon on Feb. 12, 2025 (Wed)
 
Conference registration is Feb. 12, 2024 (Wed), between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Conference events start shortly thereafter. A late registration table will be open until close of activities Wednesday evening.
 
Plan to depart Boston, MA starting on the morning of Feb 16, 2025. A late Saturday evening departure (flights departing after 6:15 pm) is also possible, but plan to stay a minimum of 3 hotel nights in Boston. 
 
 

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