1. LLNL~ACSEF Fair Dates:
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
Project set up anytime between 2 and 9 pm. Bring project board, project logbook, project binder and any “approved” props – see this link on our website for details AND all participants will receive an during February with the details of the project set up and what to expect.

2. How does LLNL~ ACSEF relate to other major science fairs?
California State Science Fair (CSSF) held in L.A. during April
Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF)
held in (Pennsylvania, Arizona or California.) in May
Middle and High School CSSF-Best in Category, Grand Prize & GP Runners-up Projects eligible to move on to CSSF
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
Enter as individuals or as a team of up to 3 persons maximum.
Who can enter?
- Students who attend school in Alameda County whose project meet minimum quality standards for research projects.
Alameda County Science & Engineering Fair
High School -Junior Science and Humanities Symposium & BioGENIUS, i-SWEEP, etc.
Middle School - Broadcom MASTERS, Stockholm H20, etc.

3. Students & Teachers - Why Do It?
Learn why : Video High School Video Middle School
Find answers to YOUR own questions & and solutions to important problems
INCREASE potential for college acceptance & scholarship
Build your skills in writing, science, math, analytical and technology
Have the chance to interact with a diverse set of students from the entire county
Earn recognition at the school, county, state, national and international levels
Win your part of $25,000 in awards & scholarships
Meet professional scientists & engineers
Open the door to many other competitions - local, state, national & international.
WHY NOT DO IT?

4. LLNL~ACSEF Prizes $$
More than $25,000 awarded to students from LLNL~ACSEF at the 2013 fair !
1st – 3rd place Category awards (multiples of each) – Ribbon and CASH AWARD
Honorable Mention Category awards – Ribbon
60 or more special awards from Sponsoring Organizations (scholarships, grants, internships, gift items, CASH AWARD etc. )
Best in Category – potentially multiples per judging category depending upon category size - Ribbon, Certificate, CASH AWARD
CSSF Best in Category – potentially 1 per category - Ribbon, Certificate, CASH AWARD ,Projects will move on to 2 day trip to CA State Science Fair in So. Cal during April with partial funding .
2 Grand Prize Winner Runners up from High School– GPRU’s are selected from – Ribbon, Certificate, CASH AWARD & partial funding 2 day trip to CA State Science Fair in So. Cal during April.
4 H.S. Grand Prize Winners – Medal, Certificate, CASH AWARD & ALL expenses paid one week trip to Intel International Science Fair – during May. Held on rotating basis: Pittsburgh, PA. Phoenix, AZ. or L.A, and partial funding 2 day trip to CA State Science Fair in So. Cal during April.

5. What kind of project can I do?
4 Types of Projects
Science Project: investigates a testable question that looks at the effects of changes or answers a testable question to generally obtain numerical data.
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.)

6. Where can I get an idea?
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 over the years:
– What wasn’t asked?
-- What happened that was unexpected? Why?
– Can you think of a different technique?
– Can you use a different test subject?
- Can you alter the IV (independent variable – experimental
variable?
Etc.?
Look at previous winning projects & expand on them from (CSSF) or from (ISEF) and Canadian Science Fair other places around the country.
MORE FAQ’s and Project Help on LLNL~ACSEF site “Project Guide Student & Teacher

7. THEN WHAT? -Turn idea into a testable question - Google the question
- Check to see if your idea needs Pre-experimental safety approval (human subjects, vertebrate animals, human or animal tissues or body parts, recombinant DNA, Microorganisms, continuation projects.
Do some background research
Form Hypothesis or Engineering Goal
Write a procedure & materials list
Register online & Complete ACSEF application - MS or HS versions
Mail Application by deadline
Will your experiment include (check all that apply):
Vertebrate animals
Human Subjects
Recombinant DNA
Microorganisms
Human or animal tissue

8. Projects to Avoid?
YES - we discourage some projects and encourage you to make these more unique –
See complete list on our website or 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… ACSEF with this information:
**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!

9. High School: 10 Project Categories Options
1. Biological Science -including biology, biochemistry, cellular & molecular biology, microbiology 2. Physical Science - including physical science, physics, chemistry, earth science, planetary science, astronomy 3. Medicine and Health 4. Environmental Science and Environmental Management 5. Engineering - including engineering, electrical & mechanical engineering, materials science and bioengineering 6. Energy and Transportation 7. Behavioral Science and Social Science 8. Plant Science 9. Animal Science 10. Computer Science and Mathematics
*When in doubt ask ACSEF where project is best suited.
Detailed category & subcategory descriptions can be found ACSEF website.

10. What are the project category options?
Middle School: 7 BROAD categories
Biological Sciences
Physics
Behavioral & Social Sciences
Mathematical & Computer Science
Alternative Energy
Chemistry – Inorganic
Engineering
6th grade projects preferred to be TEAM (2-3 persons) but individual okay
7-12 grade may be individual or TEAM (2-3 persons)

11. 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 !

12. Need Help? alamedacountysef@gmail.com
Ask for Help … from these sources:
LLNL~ACSEF e-mentor program get an e-expert mentor
Contact Science Buddies “Ask an Expert”
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
us with as much information about the project as you can (procedure/materials/your name/school/grade/teacher’s )

13. Are you ready? Check List for LLNL~ACSEF
▀ Go to Check the rules tab: High School or Middle 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.
▀ Check to determine if project idea meets minimum quality standards
▀ Check to see if project requires Pre-experimental safety approval and special application forms
▀ Everyone Register online between Sept 10, 2013 and February 1,
▀ 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 requesting a fee waiver for you.
Need Pre-approval - Application Deadline –Post marked by November 30, 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?)
▀ Complete written report and 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
▀ Prepare for judging - Judging hints
▀ Come to the Science Fair! Science Fair Schedule & Directions

14. 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

15. Questions??
Our information: web
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 3
I’m using lab grade chemicals such as Benedicts Solution do I need pre-approval from ACSEF SRC/IRB – No (but it is highly recommended!). Look up & print the MSDS for each chemical. Read it, complete Form 3 and attach the MSDS to the application.

16. 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. This considered a human subject topic and will require pre-experimental approval & special forms 4 and “human consent”. All data needs to be de-identified (no names)

17. Questions from YOU??
** Send us your idea and as much procedure and materials detail as possible along with your name, grade, school, teacher’s We will respond in 1-2 days with some helpful information to guide your project!
Website: