Inquire, Innovate, Inspire 58th Annual Flint Regional Science Fair March 14-17, 2014 Location: Kettering University

FRSF Serves Students in Grades 4-12 from: Genesee County Lapeer 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 4 FRSF Senior Division students win an all-expense paid trip to the ISEF (2014 is Los Angeles, CA) In 2013 FRSF winner Jay Mehta won Third Place in the Medicine & Health Science Category In 2011 two FRSF winners won First Place and Best in Category for their projects at ISEF. Matt & Nithin each won $8000 in Scholarships and now have Asteroids named for them!

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 2013 two FRSF students were selected as Semi-finalists 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 2013 Four all-expense-paid trips to ISEF iPads and Kindles Nearly $20,000 in Scholarships and Gift Cards Special Awards—160 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 the scientific method You select the topic 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 if your results do not match your hypothesis? It’s OK. That means you have learned something! And that is what science is about…

Jay Mehta 1 st Place 2012 FRSF Senior Div $2000 Scholarship Trip to ISEF and iPad2

Katie Pulaski 2013 Grand Prize Junior Div $1500 Scholarship and KindleFire

Rosalie Gagnon 1 st Place 2013 Junior Div Physical Category $1000 Scholarship and Kindle

Nicholas Holmes 1 st Place 2013 Junior Div Chem/Earth Category $1000 Scholarship and Kindle

Aaminah Najjar 1 st Place Elementary Div $500 Gift Card

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 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? Senior Division—New Application Deadline January 17, 2014 Junior & Elementary Divisions--You must complete an application by Monday March 3 to avoid a late fee. (Monday March 10, 2014 is last day to register with a late fee) Applications can be submitted on line at OR mail the application form in the printed handbook (can also be downloaded from the web site.)

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

How will I be judged? Judges are local professionals who volunteer their time to interview students and judge projects. Judges review all projects and project reports on Friday night to decide which projects are “Finalists” Finalist projects are reviewed by teams of judges who talk with students Saturday morning While judges select which projects are of special merit and worthy of prizes, they also enjoy helping students learn. Students who are not Finalists also are interviewed by a judge on Saturday morning

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….

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

How Far Can You Go?

How far can I go?– Elementary Division (4 th and 5 th grade) You can go as far as your skill and desire will take you. Join the FASF Junior and Senior Divisions as you advance in school

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 (formerly Discovery Competition) in Washington, DC. FRSF is proud that 14 Semifinalists and 4 Finalists from our fair have been selected over the last 8 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 Four Senior Division winners receive an all- expense paid trip to compete in or observe the INTEL International Science & Engineering Fair—the 2014 ISEF is in Los Angeles, CA.

Dates to Remember for 2014 January 17– Deadline for Senior Division Registration February 22, 2013 Last day for local fair Directors to arrange for Block Registration March 3, 2013– Last day for registrations to avoid late fee March 10– Last day to register (with a $10 late fee) March 14 (3:30 to 6:30) Project set-up at Kettering March 15—Judging interviews Open viewing 1-5pm March 16– Award Ceremonies & Open viewing 1-5 March 17—Projects on display for school field trips (3-7PM) Project removal April 5– Michigan Science & Engineering Fair May 11-16—INTEL International Science & Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, CA

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 A-Frame Awards Anna Paulina Foundation Arthur G. Bishop Charitable Trust Baker College Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Flint Area School Employees Credit Union Genesee Area Math Science Center – GISD Hurley Medical Center International Science & Engineering Fair James A. Welch Foundation Kettering University Meijer Stores Michigan Association of Hazardous Materials Professionals Mid-States Bolt & Screw Orbro Solutions, LLC Stella & Frederick Loeb Charitable Trust University of Michigan, Flint

Special Award Sponsors Air and Waste Management Association American Meteorological Society American Psychological Association ASM International Foundation Association for Women Geoscientists Broadcom MASTERS (SSP) Clyde Glover Memorial Eastern Michigan ASHRAE Flint Children's Museum Flint River Watershed Coalition Flint, City Mayor Genesee County Farm Bureau Genesee County Medical Society Genesys Regional Health Center Hurley Medical Center Intel Computer Award John Burleson Science News Subscription Kenton Nieman Memorial Award

Special Award Sponsors (Cont) K-12 Lab Science Outreach Kettering University McLaren Health Care Corporation Michigan Assoc of Hazardous Materials Professionals Michigan Office of Governor Mid-Michigan Ambulatory Physicians MU Alpha Theta National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration National Society of Professional Engineers Practical Innovation in Science Award Ricoh Sustainable Award Scientific American Sloan Museum/ Longway Planetarium Stockholm Junior Water Prize U. S. Army U.S. Air Force U.S. Metric Association U.S. Navy / Marine Corp US Public Health Service Yale Science & Engineering Assoc