2. Parents’ (and students’) Guide to Science Fair Projects! HOWARD BISHOP MIDDLE SCHOOL Dr. Doherty Mr. Jost Mr. Lynch

3. HELP! My child has to do a science fair project! Where do we start? 2010-11 Schedule Choosing a project The parent’s role Those %&!@! forms… Experimental design A science fair judge’s perspective

4. 2010-2011 Howard Bishop Science Fair Schedule Information Meeting for Parents about Science Fair –5:00-5:50pm, THU SEP 16 (before HBMS Open House, 6-7pm, THU SEP 16) Proposal – due… THU SEP 23 –Your proposal is a paragraph stating your initial idea and research question. –If your proposed project changes, you must submit a new/revised proposal. Forms 1, 1A, 1B – due … THU SEP 30 –(we’ll fill them out in in-class and send them home for signatures) Research Plan with 5 Bibliographic Sources – due… THU OCT 7 Final project – due TUE NOV 16 –Including display board, journal, other displays, and research paper) HBMS Science Fair – THU NOV 18 –Open to parents and public 5-7pm –Awards (X-building) at 7:00 Regional Science Fair at Santa Fe College – FRI FEB 28

5. What is a Science Project ? Doing an experiment to find out something you do not already know. Answer a question about the world around you by following the scientific method. Opportunity to do “Real Science” Opportunity for discovery, fun and “bonding.” Hands on search for knowledge about the world around us.

6. A Science Project is NOT… A model or demonstration Boring Something you’ve seen done many times before A pretty report about science, with pictures, on a triwall display board.

7. Choosing a project It’s VERY difficult to come up with a completely original science fair project, but you can “tweak” others’ projects to make them your own Projects should NOT “answer” a question that is already known (if you can look up the result somewhere, it’s not a good project!)

8. Choosing a project (cont.) The project should have an APPLICATION or JUSTIFICATION — in other words, how could someone else benefit from the results of your experiment? What’s the “so what?” factor?

9. Choosing a project (cont.) Be prepared to answer the question “Why did you choose this project?”— try and select something that interests you and, if possible, that has a personal connection to or application for you. Think about the amount of time that is going to be needed to complete the project.

10. Choosing a project (cont.) Be aware that there are rules governing the use of certain animals, chemicals, bacteria etc. that may require the student to conduct the research in an authorized facility, under the supervision of a “qualified scientist.” Studies involving humans (even surveys) require additional paperwork

11. On-line Resources: School Board of Alachua County Science Fair site:http://www.sbac.edu/~seccurr/scifair/http://www.sbac.edu/~seccurr/scifair/ Florida State Science and Engineering Fair site: http://www.floridassef.net/ http://www.floridassef.net/ Science Buddies -http://www.sciencebuddies.orghttp://www.sciencebuddies.org SciFair - project ideas, tips, research techniques for students: -http://www.science-project.com/http://www.science-project.com/ Internet Public Library - Science Fair Resource Guide for Kids -http://www.ipl.org/div/projectguide/http://www.ipl.org/div/projectguide/ Science Fair Central - for students and parents: http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/ http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/

12. Science project categories Animal Sciences (AS) Behavioral and Social Sciences (BE) Biochemistry (BI) Cellular and Molecular Biology (CB) Chemistry (CH) Computer Science (CS) Earth and Planetary Science (EA) Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical (EE) Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering (EN) Energy and Transportation (ET) Environmental Management (EM) Environmental Sciences (EV) Mathematical Sciences (MA) Medicine and Health Sciences (ME) Microbiology (MI) Physics and Astronomy (PH) Plant Sciences (PS)

13. The Parent’s Role To act as the Adult Sponsor To provide guidance and encouragement to the student To help with the paperwork NOT to do the project! NOT to create the graphs! NOT to put together the display board!

14. Resources for parents 2011 Rules and Regulations Contains information about display guidelines/rules, forms, requirements for particular types of projects etc.2011 Rules and Regulations 2011 Student Handbook Contains tips for students including what to put in the research report Both are on the Forms & Document Library on the ISEF website http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/

16. Special Care and Paperwork required for –Human subjects –Microbiology project-including all potential pathogens –Vertebrate animals –Any animal that is sacrificed for the project –Medicine and Health –rDNA –Human and Animal Tissues –Hazardous Chemicals or Devices –Controlled substances

17. Those %&!@! forms… Yes, they can be confusing Yes, there can be a lot of them BUT…there are resources to help figure out which ones are needed! Check out the Intel ISEF Rule Wizard: http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/students/wizard/index.asp

18. University of Florida UF requires all projects performed at the University to be registered with environmental health and safety. See the the following web sites for more details: UF EH&S web site address: http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/Bio/minors.htm http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/Bio/minors.htm Minor’s registration document: http://www/ehs.ufl.edu/Bio/MinorReg.doc http://www/ehs.ufl.edu/Bio/MinorReg.doc Minor’s bio hazard info sheet: http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/bio/hazinfo.pdf http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/bio/hazinfo.pdf

19. Requirements for ALL Projects ISEF Abstract & Certification 250 word (Maximum) 1-page Approval Form (1B) Research Plan Attachment Checklist For Adult Sponsor (1 ) Research Plan (1A)

20. Designated Supervisor Form (3) Copies of any Survey(s) used to collect data Informed Consent (ICF)* Requirements for Projects Involving Human Subjects ISEF Abstract & Certification 250 word (Maximum) 1-page Reg. Research Inst./Indust. Setting Form (1C) Approval Form (1B) Research Plan Attachment Research Plan (1A) Checklist For Adult Sponsor (1 ) Human Subjects Form (4) *ICF recommended for ALL projects, required if >minimal risk Qualified Scientist Form (2) (and/or Form 3) IRB Review & Approval BEFORE Experimentation: IRB Signs (4) and (1B) and ICF (ICF req. if >minimal risk) > Minimal riskMinimal risk No additional forms

21. Copy of IACUC Approval Designated Supervisor Form (3) Qualified Scientist Form (2) (and/or Form 3) Requirements for Projects Involving Non-Human Vertebrate Animals ISEF Abstract & Certification 250 word (Maximum) 1-page Approval Form (1B) Research Plan Attachment Research Plan (1A) Checklist For Adult Sponsor (1 ) Non-human Vertebrate Animal Form (5B) Regulated Site Must have approval from the SRC (Scientific Review Committee) (and IACUC if done in a Registered Research Institution) BEFORE Experimentation Vertebrate Animal Form (5A) In a Non-Regulated Site OR Regulated Research Institution/ Industrial (1C)

22. Requirements for Projects Involving Pathogenic and Potentially Pathogenic Agents or Controlled Substances Must have approval from the SRC (Scientific Review Committee) BEFORE Experimentation Designated Supervisor Form (3) ISEF Abstract & Certification 250 word (Maximum) 1-page Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Form (6A) Approval Form (1B) Research Plan Attachment Research Plan (1A) Checklist For Adult Sponsor (1 ) Qualified Scientist Form (2) (and/or Form 3) Regulated Research Institutional Form (1C) Human And Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (6B)

23. Requirements for Projects Involving Controlled Substances Must have approval from the SRC (Scientific Review Committee) BEFORE Experimentation ISEF Abstract & Certification 250 word (Maximum) 1-page Qualified Scientist (2) Or Designated Supervisor (3) Approval Form (1B) Research Plan Attachment Research Plan (1A) Checklist For Adult Sponsor (1 ) Regulated Research Institutional Form (1C)

24. Copy of Research Inst. Review & Approval Forms Reg. Research Inst./Indust. Setting Form (1C) Qualified Scientist Form (2) Requirements for Projects Involving Recombinant DNA (rDNA) Reg. Research Inst./Indust. Setting Form (1C) ISEF Abstract & Certification 250 word (Maximum) 1-page Approval Form (1B) Research Plan Attachment Research Plan (1A) Checklist For Adult Sponsor (1 ) ExemptNonexempt Designated Supervisor Form (3) Qualified Scientist Form (2) (and/or Form 3) Must have approval from SRC BEFORE Experimentation

25. Requirements for Projects Involving Human and Nonhuman Vertebrate Animal Tissue If a tissue is obtained from an animal that was euthanized solely for a student’s project, the study must be considered a vertebrate animal project and must adhere to the vertebrate animal rules. A tissue form is required of all tissue studies regardless of the source including established cell and tissue cultures, meat and meat by-products and hair.

26. Requirements for Projects Involving Human and Nonhuman Vertebrate Animal Tissue Designated Supervisor Form (3) ISEF Abstract & Certification 250 word (Maximum) 1-page Reg. Research Inst./Indust. Setting Form (1C) Approval Form (1B) Research Plan Attachment Research Plan (1A) Checklist For Adult Sponsor (1 ) Qualified Scientist Form (2) (and/or Form 3) Human and Vertebrate Animal Form (6B) BEFORE Experimentation: Must have approval from the SRC (Scientific Review Committee) for all proposals and IRB review and Informed Consents where tissue samples can be identified with a specific person other than the student using his/her own tissue Potentially Hazardous Biological Agent Form (6A)

27. Requirements for Projects Involving Hazardous Substances or Devices ISEF Abstract & Certification 250 word (Maximum) 1-page Reg. Research Inst./Indust. Setting Form (1C) Approval Form (1B) Research Plan Attachment Research Plan (1A) Checklist For Adult Sponsor (1 ) Designated Supervisor Form (3)

28. Why So Many Rules? Scientists and engineers are very conscious of their role in society and of the ethics of their research pursuits -Protect the rights and welfare of human subjects -Humane treatment of vertebrate animals -Safety for the researcher -Compliance with federal laws

29. Forms every project must have: Checklist for Adult Sponsor (1) Note that the date of review must be earlier than the experimentation start date!

30. Student checklist (1A)

31. Research Plan

32. Approval Form (1B)

33. Abstract This cannot be filled out until the experiment has been completed!

34. Other forms… Form 1C: Registered Research Institutional / Industrial Setting Form Form 2: Qualified Scientist Form Form 3: Designated Supervisor Form Form 4: Human Subject Form Form 5: Vertebrate Animal Form (5A and 5B) Form 6A: Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Form Form 6B: Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form Form 7: Continuation Projects Form

35. The Rules Wizard…

36. Experimental Design What is the HYPOTHESIS? Hypotheses are STATEMENTS, not QUESTIONS. Question: Are 6 th grade boys smarter in math than 6 th grade girls? Hypothesis: 6 th grade boys are smarter in math than 6 th grade girls

37. Variables What are all of the possible VARIABLES (factors that might affect the outcome of the experiment)? How were they controlled for? Most experiments should only test ONE variable. It is better to have 24 plants of one species, and test the effect of one product than to have 4 plants of 6 different species and test 3 products.

38. The Log Book VERY IMPORTANT!!! Should be a hard-bound book (composition book) Should contain all of the notes, raw data, student’s thoughts about the project, research etc. Each entry should be dated. Can be done in pen or pencil. Can be messy!

39. The Research Report Should not simply be all of the information from the display board clipped together—see the student handbook for guidelines/content.

40. The Display Board Should provide an OVERVIEW of the project. Should allow the reader to figure out EASILY and QUICKLY what was done, why it was done, how it was done and what the results were (even if the student is not present to answer questions)

41. The Display Board (cont.) Should NOT contain every piece of data, every photograph taken, every item of research that was looked up…that’s what the log book is for Bigger isn’t always better! Creativity can be a plus, but the scientific content of the board is what is primarily judged.

42. YOUR TURN… Here’s a question that we want to address as a science fair project: ARE THERE MORE COQUINA CLAMS NORTH OF THE ST. AUGUSTINE INLET OR SOUTH OF THE INLET?

43. Are there more coquina clams north of the St Augustine Inlet or south of the inlet? Form a HYPOTHESIS Design the experiment--MATERIALS AND METHODS Collect the data Analyze the data (create graphs, tables as appropriate)--RESULTS What do the data show? DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS

44. A science fair judge’s perspective Glitz is less important than the student’s understanding of the project and data. It’s OK if the data do not support the hypothesis! That’s how science works! Minimize the amount of “clutter” on the display board (e.g. don’t include every piece of data if you can make your point using averages instead)

45. Judging Criteria Creative Ability - 30 points, (teams 25 points) Effective display Original research initiated by student Effective visuals Thorough oral presentation Effective and Accurate answers from participants Future research suggested by students

46. Judging criteria continued Scientific thought and Engineering goals 30 points (25) -Clearly stated problem -Clearly stated purpose or hypothesis -Use of scientific method apparent in procedure -Interpretations of results coincide with observations -Conclusion based on data; reflects purpose or hypothesis -Validity established by repeated experiments

47. Judging criteria, continued Thoroughness - 15 points (12) –Quality of background reading – Adequate background information –Thorough bibliography –Skill 15 points (12 ) Adequate observations Adequate measurements Appropriate equipment used Clarity - 10 points (10) Tables and graphs interpret data Log book includes experiments, data, etc. –Teamwork (10)

49. Judges have limited time with each student—students should be concise! Answer the questions, but try not to ramble Students should know what the data tables and graphs show—all columns and rows should have labels, as should the axes and data sets on a graph. Make sure students know what units were used! Use metric units.

50. Spell check the abstract! At the state fair, the abstracts are reviewed before the judges walk out onto the floor. Spelling and grammatical errors can create a bad first impression… The judges want to help students enjoy and do well in science—their comments are meant to be helpful, not critical!

51. QUESTIONS?