1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Alameda County Science and Engineering Fair LLNL~ACSEF Fair Dates: Friday March 21 Project set up Saturday March 22 Judging Sunday March 23 Awards Ceremony. Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton

2. How does LLNL~ ACSEF relate to other major science fairs? Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in (Pennsylvania, Arizona or California.) in May California State Science Fair (CSSF) held in L.A. during April Alameda County Science & Engineering Fair Middle and High School CSSF-Best in Category, Grand Prize & GP Runners-up Projects eligible to move on to CSSF High School -Junior Science and Humanities Symposium & BioGENIUS, i-SWEEP, etc. Middle School - Broadcom MASTERS, Stockholm H20, etc. High School Grand Prize Winning Projects eligible to more on to ISEF Who can enter? *Students Grades 6-12 who attend school in Alameda County & whose project proposal meets minimum quality standards see “Minimum Quality Standards for details“Minimum Quality Standards

3. Getting Project Ideas 4 Types of Projects Science Project: investigates a testable question that looks at the effects of changes or answers the question "Why?“ Engineering Project: solves a need or problem, and includes measurements of success. Product Testing (allowed for middle school only) Demonstrations (not allowed – but often can be converted into a science or engineering project.) Ideas come from everyday places, things you’ve read, conversations, television, your teacher’s lectures, etc. Don’t re-create the wheel!! Expand on previous labs you’ve done: – What wasn’t asked? -- What happened that was unexpected? Why? – Can you think of a different technique? – Can you use a different test subject? Etc.? Look for previous winning projects & expand on them from (CSSF) or from (ISEF) and Canadian Science Fair other places around the country.CSSFISEFCanadian Science Fair MORE FAQ’s and Project Help on LLNL~ACSEF site “Start Here” Project ResourcesProject Resources

4. Projects to Avoid? YES - we discourage some projects and encourage you to make these more unique – See complete list on our website or email us and we will send the list to you. *NO EXPLOSIONS, GUNS, ILLEGAL DRUGS *NO HARM TO VERTEBRATE ANIMALS or HUMANS * NO TASTING or EATING PROJECTS Cliché projects - They've been done a KAZILLION times a KAZILLION ways and can easily be Goggled for an answer - therefore your testable question has already been answered!! Difficult to measure, too qualitative, will not produce reliable data. Not scientifically valid - The rationale, and/or design is not developed in accordance with principles of scientific research. In other words… The project does not ask significant questions that can be answered empirically. If in doubt…email ACSEF with this information: alamedacountysef@gmail.comalamedacountysef@gmail.com **In the subject line : First/Last name, GRADE & PROJECT IDEA HELP to ** Send us your idea and as much procedure and materials detail as possible. We will respond in 1-2 days!

5. Registration & Application Registration & Application Online Registration is MANDATORY – this creates our data base for awards, news media, judges, project spaces etc… Spelling and all information must be accurate. EACH person registers online even if they are part of a team. Mailed in applications won’t be processed for the fair until online registration is completed by each person. Do it !

6. Need Help? Ask for Help … from these sources: LLNL~ACSEF e-mentor program get an e-expert mentor LLNL~ACSEF e-mentor program Contact Science Buddies “Ask an Expert ” http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair- projects/ask_an_expert_intro.shtml http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair- projects/ask_an_expert_intro.shtml Need to $$ for materials? Ask your school PTA, Local businesses etc. Need supplies – ask Science suppliers for a discount if possible - your teacher has supply catalogs, borrow from your teacher Need physical help – Ask Family & Friends Teachers or Parents that need help…Contact the LLNL~ACSEF Fair director Patti Carothers for direct contact with our experienced and talented grade level Teacher Liaisons. 925-426-7879 or fairdirector@acsef.org fairdirector@acsef.org

7. Are you ready? Check List for LLNL~ACSEF ▀ Go to www.acsef.org Check the rules tab: High Schoolwww.acsef.orgHigh School ▀ Review the “Student Handbook” to guide the project. Check out what judges will be looking for – use as a checklist to guide your project idea.Student Handbook what judges will be looking for ▀ Check to determine if project idea meets minimum quality standardsminimum quality standards ▀ Check to see if project requires Pre-experimental safety approval and special application formsPre-experimental safety approval ▀ Everyone Register online between Sept 10, 2013 and February 1, 2014.Register online ▀ Complete application packet, attach check ($15 per person), MAIL APPLICATION by post mark due dates. If you are unable to pay the fee you may apply for a scholarship (directions on HS. Please have your teacher send an email requesting a fee waiver for you.application packet  Need Pre-approval - Application Deadline –Post marked by November 30, 2013 WAIT for approval before starting project.  No pre-approval needed - Regular Application Deadline – – do the experiment anytime 12 mos. prior to fair judging – Post marked by February 10, 2014 ▀ Check application status (is the project accepted for competition?)Check application status ▀ Complete written report and Display boardwritten report Display board ▀ Submit ONLINE copy of project Abstract for Judges preview - This link will take you to the Intel ISEF PowerPoint presentation explaining how to write an abstract.*To submit online go to ACSEF website Abstract Guidelines how to write an abstract Abstract Guidelines ▀ Prepare for judging - Judging hintsJudging hints ▀ Come to the Science Fair! Science Fair Schedule & Directions! Science Fair Schedule & Directions

8. SAVE THE Dates 2014  Project set up - Friday - March 21, 2014 between 2 – 7 pm (closing time) Alameda County Fairgrounds  Judging - Saturday – March 22, 2014 *Print and Bring 10 copies of your Abstract starts 8 am and ends 2:30 pm  Awards Ceremony - Sunday - March 23, 2014 starts 2 pm ends 4 pm (exact times still TBD) * Must be present to receive awards – no awards will be mailed due to financial issues

9. Questions?? Our information: http:// www.acsef.org web alamedacountySEF@gmail.com email http:// www.acsef.org alamedacountySEF@gmail.com 925-426-7879 phone FAQ’s  I’m using household chemicals such as bleach do I need pre- approval from ACSEF SRC/IRB – No. Look up the MSDS and complete Form 3MSDS  I’m using lab grade chemicals such as Benedicts Solution do I need pre-approval from ACSEF SRC/IRB – Yes. Look up & print the MSDS. Read it, complete Form 3 and attach the MSDS to the application.MSDS

10. More Questions??  I did my research at a college with a mentor this summer – do I need pre-approval from safety committee –NO our SRC/IRB will honor Form 2 and 1C completed and signed by the colleges science SRC/IRB and your mentor attached to the general application. – HOWEVER YES, You do need to use the Early registration and application due date  I want to ask students & adults some survey questions about an issue is that permitted for an experiment? Yes. But this is considered a human subject topic and will require pre- experimental approval & special forms 4 and “human consent” (see the pre-approval rubric). All data needs to be de-identified (no names)

11. Questions from YOU?? ** Send us your idea and as much procedure and materials detail as possible. We will respond in 1-2 days! alamedacountysef@gmail.comalamedacountysef@gmail.com