Inquire, Innovate, Inspire 59th Annual Flint Regional Science Fair March 18-21, 2016 Location: Kettering University

FRSF Video ature=youtu.be

FRSF Serves Students in Grades 4-12 from: Bay County Genesee County Lapeer County Midland County Saginaw County Shiawassee County St. Clair County Tuscola County Note: Any student from a Michigan county that does not have access to an ISEF Affiliated Regional Science Fair is welcome to participate in FRSF.

INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) The Flint Regional Science Fair is affiliated with the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Each year 5 FRSF Senior Division students win an all-expense paid trip to the ISEF (2016 is Phoenix, AZ)

SSP Broadcom MASTERS Competition for 6th, 7th and 8 th Graders MASTERS ( Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) Competition in Washington, DC (Formerly Discovery Challenge) As an affiliated Regional Fair up to 10% of FRSF 6 th, 7 th and 8 th grade students can be nominated to apply for the MASTERS competition. In 2015 one FRSF student was selected as a Semi-finalist in the MASTERS competition.

What is a science fair? Science Fairs are a fun way to develop your skills in science and to use your curiosity on a subject you choose Judged competition that recognizes how effectively you use scientific methods to solve problems. Projects are grouped by subject and grade level. To level the playing field a specific format must be followed.

Why enter a science fair? Explore neat stuff and gain confidence in your ability to understand new things Find interests and talents you did not know you have If you are interested in a career using science (e.g. doctor, engineer or scientific research) this is a great way to begin Develop presentation and interviewing skills

Why enter a science fair? Satisfaction and opportunities Gain recognition for your talents— Colleges and Universities often award scholarships based on science fair achievements Earn scholarships and prizes that can help pay for college The satisfaction of doing something with your brains and your hands

What are the prizes? Examples from 2015 Five all-expense-paid trips to ISEF Nearly $15,000 in Scholarships and Gift Cards Special Awards—146 additional recognitions, awards, prizes and scholarships from Special Award Sponsors Everyone is a winner and receives at least a ribbon and a bag of fun prizes

What is a science fair project? Projects involve doing an experiment using either the Scientific Method or Engineering Method You select the topic

What is a Science Fair Project? The Scientific Method Your project and the display you present at the Fair must contain: Title—what your project is about Hypothesis –what you expect to find Procedure – how you do your experiment Data/Results – the results of your experiment /or the answer is…. Conclusion– what you actually found and learned

What is a Science Fair Project? The Engineering Method Your project and the display you present at the Fair must contain: Title — what your project is about Description — what is the practical need or problem Design Criteria / Constraints — for a proposed solution Alternatives — that answer similar need or problem Solution — what is your answer to the problem Prototype or model – what you use to test your answer Data/Results — the test results of your prototype in multiple conditions and trials Conclusion – how well your prototype demonstrates your intended design solution

What if your results do not match your hypothesis? It’s OK. That means you have learned something! And that is what science is about…

How do I get started? Pick an area of science, math or technology that interests you Come up with a question that could be answered experimentally or an engineering solution to a need Talk with your teachers, parents or neighbors who know something about what interests you The FRSF web site has many great resources and links to help you identify possible topics. Mentors are also available to help you.

How do I enter the Science Fair? Fri, Jan 15th, 2016 Deadline for Submission of Senior Project Scientific Review Committee (SRC) Paperwork. (Extensions will be approved on a case by case basis.) Fri, Feb 19th, 2016 Deadline for Submission of Elementary & Junior Project SRC Paperwork Mon, March 7th, 2016 Deadline for Registration for All Projects All Registrations must be submitted on line at

What are the rules? Complete rules are in the Handbook or on the FRSF web site Rules primarily exist to make sure no one is harmed during the experimentation or display Treatment of animals rules are based upon currently accepted scientific ethics The ISEF has specific rules relating to display and documentation and as an affiliated fair we must comply. Complete international rules are available at

Examples of rules for project displays: Size – project displays must be no more than 48” wide, 30” deep or 108” from the floor Safety – No Petri dishes with microorganisms, no tissue samples and no hazardous chemicals or voltages. You should present your results though pictures and graphs, not do your experiment at the fair No food products may be displayed Complete rules are in the Handbook or on the FRSF web site

What Happens at the Fair? Friday– Project Setup 3 to 6:30 PM Judges review all projects and project reports on Friday night to decide which projects are “Finalists”. No students present. Saturday—Student Interviews Finalist projects are reviewed by teams of judges Students who are not Finalists also are interviewed by a judge Sunday– Awards Ceremonies for all

How will I be judged? Judging is really an opportunity to learn and talk with people who know the field your project is in, people who are eager to talk with you because of your interest in something they value….

How will I be judged? Judges are local professionals who volunteer their time to interview students and judge projects. While judges select which projects are of special merit and worthy of prizes, they also enjoy helping students learn.

Projects are judged on: Scientific Thought/Engineering Thoroughness Skill Creative Ability Clarity

How Far Can You Go?

Aishah Ahmed 4 th Place FRSF Senior Div Third Place Grand Award at ISEF 2015 Honorable Mention at iSweep in Houston. Semi-finalist Science Talent Search

How far can I go?– Junior Division (6 th through 8 th grade) Up to 10% of 6-8 th graders are invited to apply to the SSP Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) National Competition in Washington, DC. FRSF is proud that 15 Semifinalists and 4 Finalists from our fair have been selected over the last 9 years for SSP Competition. You can go as far as your skill and desire will take you. Earn recognition, prizes, awards and scholarships

How far can I go?– High School Division (9 th through 12 th grade) Senior Division Finalists can participate in the Michigan Science and Engineering Fair where they compete for additional prizes and scholarships Five Senior Division winners receive an all- expense paid trip to compete in or observe the INTEL International Science & Engineering Fair—the 2016 ISEF is in Phoenix, AZ.

Dates to Remember for 2016 Fri, Jan 15th, 2016 Deadline for Submission of Senior Project Scientific Review Committee (SRC) Paperwork Fri, Feb 19th, 2016 Deadline for Submission of Elementary & Junior Project SRC Paperwork Mon, March 7th, 2016 Deadline for Registration for All Projects FRSF March March 18 (3:30 to 6:30) Project set-up at Kettering March 19—Judging interviews Open viewing 1-5pm March 20– Award Ceremonies & Open viewing 1-5 March 21—Projects on display for school field trips. Project removal 3-7 PM. April 9– Michigan Science & Engineering Fair at Kettering May 8-13—INTEL International Science & Engineering Fair in Phoenix, AZ

FRSF Video

Science Fair Web Sites International Science & Engineering Fair Flint Regional Science Fair, FRSF Application and Handbook are available on line If questions call FRSF Director

FASF Sponsors Anna Paulina Foundation Arthur G. Bishop Charitable Trust Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Community Foundation of Greater Flint David Charles Hill Flint Area School Employees Credit Union Genesee Intermediate School District – GISD Henry & Shipla Mehta Hurley Medical Center James A. Welch Foundation Kettering University Michigan Association of Hazardous Materials Professionals Mid-States Bolt & Screw Mott Community College Stella & Frederick Loeb Charitable Trust University of Michigan, Flint

Special Award Sponsors American Meteorological Society American Psychological Association ASM International Foundation Association for Women Geoscientists Broadcom MASTERS (SSP) Chandler Anschutz Memorial Award Explore Lab Science Program Flint Children's Museum Flint City Office of the Mayor Flint River Watershed Coalition Genesee County Farm Bureau Genesee County Medical Society Genesys Regional Health Center Hurley Medical Center Intel Computer Award iSweep Kettering University Matthew Bauerle Mathematics Award

Special Award Sponsors (Cont) McLaren Health Care Corporation Mehta Family Awards MI-AHMP Michigan Assoc of Hazardous Materials Professionals Michigan Office of Governor Mid-Michigan Ambulatory Physicians MU Alpha Theta National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Practical Innovation in Science Award Ricoh Sustainable Award Scientific American Sloan Museum/ Longway Planetarium Jeffrey Slobodnick Memorial Society for In Vitro Biology Stockholm Junior Water Prize Sunshine Award U.S. Metric Association US Air Force U.S. Navy / Office of Naval Research US Public Health Service Yale Science & Engineering Assoc