Science Fairs, Science Olympiads, and Invention Conventions Created By: Created By: Shakira Asmal & Ignacio Sanchez

What are Science Fairs A school, local, regional, state or international competition where contestants create projects related to science and/or technology A school, local, regional, state or international competition where contestants create projects related to science and/or technology

Intel ISEF The world’s largest science fair is the The world’s largest science fair is the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. It is held annually in the United States. It is held annually in the United States. It takes place in a different city in May It takes place in a different city in May

What is the Intel ISEF? It is the world’s largest pre-college science competition and the world’s only science project competition for students in the ninth through twelfth grades. It is the world’s largest pre-college science competition and the world’s only science project competition for students in the ninth through twelfth grades. It brings together students, teachers, corporate executives and government officials from around the world. It brings together students, teachers, corporate executives and government officials from around the world. Students compete for over $4 million in scholarships, tuition grants, scientific equipment and scientific trips. Students compete for over $4 million in scholarships, tuition grants, scientific equipment and scientific trips.

Who participates? Students (9-12) who emerge from a worldwide field of several million science fair participants during the academic year. Students (9-12) who emerge from a worldwide field of several million science fair participants during the academic year. They move on to compete with more than 65,000 students at more than 500 regional Intel ISEF-affiliated science fairs around the world to win the right to attend the Intel ISEF. They move on to compete with more than 65,000 students at more than 500 regional Intel ISEF-affiliated science fairs around the world to win the right to attend the Intel ISEF.

Intel ISEF-Affiliated Science Fair An Intel ISEF- affiliated science fair is a science competition that is a member of the Intel ISEF network. An Intel ISEF- affiliated science fair is a science competition that is a member of the Intel ISEF network. All Intel ISEF-affiliated science fair register with Science Service( the founder of the Intel ISEF) and must consist of five participating high schools or 50 students All Intel ISEF-affiliated science fair register with Science Service( the founder of the Intel ISEF) and must consist of five participating high schools or 50 students Fairs are conducted at local, regional, state and national levels Fairs are conducted at local, regional, state and national levels

Affiliated science fair …continued There are Intel ISEF affiliated science fairs in over 40 countries and 46 states in the U.S There are Intel ISEF affiliated science fairs in over 40 countries and 46 states in the U.S Each affiliated science fair selects 2 individual projects and 1 team project to travel to the Intel ISEF to compete in 18 different categories. Each affiliated science fair selects 2 individual projects and 1 team project to travel to the Intel ISEF to compete in 18 different categories.

How to find a Intel ISEF-affiliated science fair All Intel ISEF-affiliated science fairs are listed at the Science Service website at: All Intel ISEF-affiliated science fairs are listed at the Science Service website at:

Who are the judges? Over 1,200 science, engineering and industry professional serve as judges Over 1,200 science, engineering and industry professional serve as judges All judges have a Ph. D or equivalent and/or six years of relevant experience. All judges have a Ph. D or equivalent and/or six years of relevant experience. Students are judged on their creative ability and scientific thought as well as theirs skills and clarity Students are judged on their creative ability and scientific thought as well as theirs skills and clarity

The path to the Intel ISEF First, you compete in a high school or local science fair First, you compete in a high school or local science fair If you win at the high school or local level, you can then compete in a regional or state fair If you win at the high school or local level, you can then compete in a regional or state fair If you win the at the regional or state level, you may be eligible at the Intel ISEF. If you win the at the regional or state level, you may be eligible at the Intel ISEF.

Categories Animal science Animal science Behavioral and social science Behavioral and social science Biochemistry Biochemistry Cellular and molecular biology Cellular and molecular biology Chemistry Chemistry Computer science Computer science Earth and Planetary science Earth and Planetary science Engineering: electrical and mechanical Engineering: electrical and mechanical Engineering: materials and bioengineering Engineering: materials and bioengineering Energy and transportation Energy and transportation Environmental Management Environmental Management Environmental science Environmental science Mathematical science Mathematical science Medicine and health Medicine and health Microbiology Microbiology Physics Physics Astronomy Astronomy Plant sciences Plant sciences

Rewards Cash award Cash award 1 st place $3,000 1 st place $3,000 2 nd place $1,500 2 nd place $1,500 3 rd place $1,000 3 rd place $1,000 4 th place $500 4 th place $500 Additional awards Additional awards $50,000 scholarship for the top three student winners. $50,000 scholarship for the top three student winners. Over $2.5 million on tuition scholarships, summer internships, scientific trips and laboratory equipment provided by Intel. Over $2.5 million on tuition scholarships, summer internships, scientific trips and laboratory equipment provided by Intel.

Rewards …continued A trip to the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar including attendance to the Nobel Prize ceremonies. A trip to the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar including attendance to the Nobel Prize ceremonies. The opportunity to receive an all-expense- paid trip to attend the European Contest for Young Scientists, located in a new city each year. The opportunity to receive an all-expense- paid trip to attend the European Contest for Young Scientists, located in a new city each year.

Eligibility and Limitations Any student in grades 9-12 or equivalent is eligible, none of whom has reached age 21 on or before May 1 preceding the Intel ISEF. Any student in grades 9-12 or equivalent is eligible, none of whom has reached age 21 on or before May 1 preceding the Intel ISEF. Each student may enter only one project which covers research done over a maximum of 12 continuous months between January 2006 and May 2007 Each student may enter only one project which covers research done over a maximum of 12 continuous months between January 2006 and May Students may compete in only one ISEF affiliated fair, except when proceeding to a state/national fair affiliated with the Intel ISEF from an affiliated regional fair. Students may compete in only one ISEF affiliated fair, except when proceeding to a state/national fair affiliated with the Intel ISEF from an affiliated regional fair. Team projects may have a maximum of three members. Team projects may have a maximum of three members. Each ISEF-affiliated fair may send up to two Individual Project Finalists and one Team Project of two or three Finalists to the Intel ISEF. Each ISEF-affiliated fair may send up to two Individual Project Finalists and one Team Project of two or three Finalists to the Intel ISEF.

What are Science Olympiads? A mainly American elementary, middle school, or high school team competition that requires knowledge of various science topics and engineering ability. A mainly American elementary, middle school, or high school team competition that requires knowledge of various science topics and engineering ability.

History Science Olympiads began as the Delaware Science Olympiads in1977 Science Olympiads began as the Delaware Science Olympiads in1977 In 1982 Dr. Gerald J. Putz, Regional Science Consultant for Macomb County Intermediate in Michigan, invited John C. Cairns, State Science Supervisor for Delaware Department of Instruction, to share the Science Olympiads program with Macomb County Educators. In 1982 Dr. Gerald J. Putz, Regional Science Consultant for Macomb County Intermediate in Michigan, invited John C. Cairns, State Science Supervisor for Delaware Department of Instruction, to share the Science Olympiads program with Macomb County Educators.

History ….continued After tests in Michigan at the Lawrence Institute of Technology and Oklahoma university in 1983 and 1984, the Science Olympiads program was presented to the National Science Teachers Conference in Boston where the Army decided to sponsor the first National Science Olympiads. After tests in Michigan at the Lawrence Institute of Technology and Oklahoma university in 1983 and 1984, the Science Olympiads program was presented to the National Science Teachers Conference in Boston where the Army decided to sponsor the first National Science Olympiads. The first national science Olympiad was held at Michigan State University in 1985 and was attended by representatives of 17 states The first national science Olympiad was held at Michigan State University in 1985 and was attended by representatives of 17 states

Who participates? Students (K-12) from all 50 states, Canada and other countries. Students (K-12) from all 50 states, Canada and other countries.

Divisions Division A1 for elementary schools (K-3) Division A1 for elementary schools (K-3) Division A2 for elementary schools (3-6) Division A2 for elementary schools (3-6) Division B for middle school (6-9) Division B for middle school (6-9) Division C for high school (9-12) Division C for high school (9-12) However, the national competition is only for divisions B and C. However, the national competition is only for divisions B and C.

Events Events fall under three main categories Events fall under three main categories Science Concepts and knowledge Science Concepts and knowledge Science processes and Thinking Skills Science processes and Thinking Skills Science Applications and Technology Science Applications and Technology Events are either Events are either knowledge-base(written test or laboratory tasks) knowledge-base(written test or laboratory tasks) engineering-base (participants construct and devise to do a specific task) engineering-base (participants construct and devise to do a specific task) The majority of events require two or more team members The majority of events require two or more team members

Team structure A team can consist of up to 15 students A team can consist of up to 15 students In the middle school level, only 5 ninth graders are allowed In the middle school level, only 5 ninth graders are allowed In the high school level only 7 twelfth graders are allowed per team In the high school level only 7 twelfth graders are allowed per team

Competition level In most states, the top team advances to the national competition. In most states, the top team advances to the national competition. Some states with a large number of teams are able to send two to the national competition Some states with a large number of teams are able to send two to the national competition About 120 teams at the national level About 120 teams at the national level

Awards Winners are honored at a annual banquet where they receive personalized medals and certificates Winners are honored at a annual banquet where they receive personalized medals and certificates In most national tournaments scholarships are awarded to the top teams in each event. In most national tournaments scholarships are awarded to the top teams in each event.

What Are Invention Conventions? A statewide invention education program for public and private school students. A statewide invention education program for public and private school students. The goal is to stimulate the development of students’ creativity and imaginations, thereby building a new generation of American inventors. The goal is to stimulate the development of students’ creativity and imaginations, thereby building a new generation of American inventors.

Invention Conventions Overview: Students are given opportunities demonstrate the following skills independently as they invent a new product or process: Students are given opportunities demonstrate the following skills independently as they invent a new product or process: Solve problems Solve problems Think creatively Think creatively Experiment Experiment Work with data throughout the school year Work with data throughout the school year

Invention Conventions Overview ….continued The invention convention can be a classroom, school, or district wide event. The invention convention can be a classroom, school, or district wide event. The event is designed to encourage students to apply basic science skills in a creative and productive manner. The event is designed to encourage students to apply basic science skills in a creative and productive manner. Participants are encouraged to identify a need or to solve a problem by following the same steps and patent application procedures that an inventor would follow in patenting an invention. Participants are encouraged to identify a need or to solve a problem by following the same steps and patent application procedures that an inventor would follow in patenting an invention.

Invention Conventions Overview ….continued Once a need or problem has been identified, students are directed to use problem-solving and creative-thinking skills to invent a product or process that would fill the need to overcome the problem. Once a need or problem has been identified, students are directed to use problem-solving and creative-thinking skills to invent a product or process that would fill the need to overcome the problem. Communication and research skills are also gently enhanced throughout the invention procedure. Communication and research skills are also gently enhanced throughout the invention procedure.

5 Basic Steps: Basic Procedure: Basic Procedure: STEP 1: Learning About Inventors STEP 1: Learning About Inventors STEP 2: Finding An Idea STEP 2: Finding An Idea STEP 3: Research and Planning STEP 3: Research and Planning STEP 4: Developing and Testing STEP 4: Developing and Testing STEP 5: The Invention Conventions STEP 5: The Invention Conventions

Brief Information On Procedure: Step 1: Learning About Inventors Students learn about their inventors and their inventions. The knowledge gained in this step will help develop an appreciation for inventors and lead them to a positive attitude about the invention process.

Basic Procedures ….continued Step 2: Finding An Idea Students must find a need to fulfill problem. The invention may be a new product or a new process for doing something.

Basic Procedures ….continued Step 3: Research and Planning Students should create detailed plans for their invention/process. Students must decide whether they will produce a small model or full-sized prototype of their invention.

Basic Procedures ….continued Step 4: Developing, Testing, and Marketing Students build their invention or develop their idea. Appropriate testing will be done. A strategy will be planned to market their invention.

Basic Procedures ….continued Step 5: INVENTION CONVENTION Students are provided with an opportunity to display his or her project. On the designated date, students bring their inventions to the selected convention site.

….continued ….continued The inventions are officially judged, and awards are presented. The Invention Convention is open to the public and students must be present to answer questions about their inventions.

Pictures of Real Inventions Made By Students: “Enflavelope”

“Blow-n-Go” “Hands-Free Umbrella for Grilling”

And Now…Hands-On Activity…