Science Research at Spruce Creek High School Science Fair

Science Fair: The Movie https://youtu.be/e3Y8u1WuorU But the only way to International (from VCS) is to finish first place in the Florida State STEM Fair

Why Do Research? Doing research is simply an organized way of looking for the answer to a question or finding the solution to a problem. As examples: Without research there would be no new designs of cars/trucks/planes Without research we would not understand the impact of driving on the beach on sea turtle nesting, total petroleum hydrocarbon levels, or compaction. Without research we would not know how clean tanning beds are or where the most microbe laden areas of Spruce Creek are.

What are we asking you to do? Ask a question or pose a problem. Do some background research on the question or problem. Design an experiment to answer the question or an engineering goal to solve a problem. Fill out the appropriate science fair forms for approval. Conduct the research. Analyze the results Write a scientific abstract Present your research in class

Pre-IB Chemistry Options You may conduct individual research or be part of a team. You may choose any acceptable area to carry out research, not just chemistry.

All Pre-IB 10th Graders Will do independent science research. Will prepare a science fair board/poster Will present their project to their class. Have the option of entering the school expo for a chance to compete at Regional Fair

First Quarter Time Line 1. Thursday, August 30: General research proposal due. This includes: Tentative title and purpose of the project along with a general experimental approach to the problem/question. 2. September 20: All science fair paperwork due including project proposal – FUTURE TENSE All students will turn in a Checklist for Adult Sponsor Form I Student Checklist Form IA Research Plan Attachment (no handwritten research plans will be accepted!) with 5 references per student minimum Approval Form IB Risk Assessment Form 3 Other Forms as needed

Forms All Forms will be accessed through the Science Fair Canvas Course Forms must be filled out digitally and printed with all signatures. No pencil

Do Not Start Until Form 1B is signed Do these forms right the first time You will keep getting them back until they are right

ISEF Rules We adhere to all ISEF rules. These rules are meant to keep you/ the people around you/ animals/ test subjects safe. All science fair projects must be approved prior to experimentation by one of two review committees.

Review Committees Scientific Review Board Approves all non- human projects particularly those that involve the use of pathogens, recombinant DNA, hazardous substances or devices, controlled substances. Includes Ph.D. in the Biol. Sciences with experience in animal care, and other science teachers. Institutional Review Board Approves all projects involving human subjects. Includes school psychologist, school administrator, science teachers

Categories Animal Sciences Environmental Engineering Behavioral and Social Sciences Biomedical and Health Sciences Cellular/Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Chemistry Earth & Environmental Sciences Engineering Environmental Engineering Intelligent Machines, Robotics & Systems Software Mathematics & Computational Sciences Microbiology Physics and Astronomy Plant Sciences

Not All Projects are Created Equal MUST go to Regional Fair Human Subjects BSL1 or BSL2 (micro) Cannot be done at all Use of fire arms/fire works Growing mold Option to go to Regional Fair No particular Hazard Teams 2 or 3 students Same Teacher 2x, 3x, or more work, trials, complexity expected Obvious reason for a team

Time Line for the Project August 30th : Two ideas you are willing to pursue This includes: a tentative title, purpose of the project along with a general experimental approach to the problem/question, including variables, for both ideas. . About one paragraph is all that is needed. At least one source for each should be cited.

Quantitative Data (numerical) Grade level complexity is expected. Should have sufficient numerical data. Data should be analyzed Linear Regression with r2 T-test Chi-Square C2

DO NOT START THE PROJECT Log Book August 30th Proof that you have purchased a log book, have created a title page and started to record your initial literature research. You need to make an entry, in ink, with a time and date, every time you work on the project. Include who else is present and what was done. DO NOT START THE PROJECT

Botany/ Zoology/Behavior

Biochemistry/ Chemistry

Computer Science

Earth Science/ Astronomy

Engineering Projects

Engineering: Applied Science

Environmental Science

Mathematics

Medicine and Health

Microbiology College or medical lab

Physics

Team (2 or 3 persons only)

Special Forms 1C If you plan to do your research in another lab/facility. You may also need The Qualified Scientist/Designated Supervisor forms. e.g. ERAU, hospital lab, environmental health management lab, DBCC

Bacteria or Other Pathogens NO MOLD Can only be done under supervision (Qualified Scientist with at least an MS Degree in Micro. /Designated Supervisor) Can only be done in an approved lab. NOTE: this cannot be done at school or at home.

Genetically Modified Organisms: Recombinant DNA Special Forms Only done in a research laboratory that has itself received SRC or IRB institutional approval.

Controlled Substances Must have a Qualified Scientist/ Designated Supervisor. Examples: prescription drugs including antibiotics; alcohol

Hazardous Devices Require Qualified Scientist and/or Designated Supervisor Eg. LASERs, trebuchets, power tools This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

Hazardous Substances Must have Qualified Scientist/ Designated Supervisor Must have detailed safety procedures in place. Must often be done at school or an approved facility. Requires MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) forms for each substance to be listed in the bibliography AND you need to read it. Please insert in log book and highlight important information

Vertebrates Requires special form and approval of a veterinarian who acts as the Qualified Scientist Mice/rats/hamsters, etc. must be purchased from a biological supply co., not a pet store. Includes fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Special mortality reporting forms and requirements.

Projects Using Human Subjects Requires Form 4, IRB approval, and detailed experimental design including any surveys.

The Most Difficult Task: Choosing a Science Fair Problem/Question 1. Choose to something you’re really interested e.g. fishing, surfing, soccer, running, playing an instrument, sleeping, computers, physical attractiveness. Do runners with longer legs have longer strides? Do wind instrument players and singers have a greater lung capacity than non wind instrument players/ singers. Does wind velocity have anything to do with the amount of fish caught? Is the amount of sleep a student gets prior to an exam predictive of the grade received on that exam? Do babyish looks cause a perception of inexperience/ or a lack of confidence?

2. Choose something topical. Look at newspapers/magazines Examples: Does driving on the beach cause an increase in beach erosion? Are tanning beds clean? Is there an increased coliform bacteria count in spring areas where young children swim? Do people living near busy intersections have a greater incidence of respiratory ailments?

3. Investigate questions you want answered What factors are most predictive of Ivy League acceptance at Spruce Creek High School? Are cross country runners or swimmers more flexible? What do different bird tail configurations do aerodynamically? Is it possible to modify a truck such that it gets better gas mileage?

Look at science catalogs for animals/plants/kits that can be purchased inexpensively Examples: Sea urchins for the purpose of obtaining eggs and sperm. Daphnia which allow heart rate to be easily monitored Particle collection papers to monitor airborne particulates. Irradiated plant seeds. Specific fertilizers containing either potassium, nitrogen or phosphorus. Water testing kits.

Due Date is November 8 for 9th and 10th grade Due date is November 26 for 11th and 12th grade A completed abstract – found in the Science Fair Canvas Course must be printed out or affixed to your board Should be ready to present for 5 to 7 minutes about the entirety of your project

Science Fair Display

Spruce Creek Science Expo Week of 11/26

Tomoka Regional Science Fair January 25th and January 26th Stetson University Florida Science Fair Lakeland March 26-28

Have Fun!!!