Thomas Edison kiwanis science & engineering fair

Things to consider:

• Use a log book, like a composition notebook, to write down in pen all of your research and ideas, even things you end up discarding
• Refresh your memory on what the parts of a scientific experiment are: independent variable, dependent variable, constants, control group, experimental group, hypothesis/scientific question, data, analysis (general calculations, graphs, error calculations, etc.), conclusion, discussion. All of these should be part of your science fair project.
• Use a journal search engine like Google Scholar to do research on others who have done similar experiments, or research that contributes to your project.
• Use your library or a Google search to find out more about the subject of your idea.
• Use your library or a Google search to determine how you will dispose of your materials. Pay special attention to any disposal needed for chemicals and/or bacteria. A chemical’s MSDS (material safety data sheet) explains its disposal parameters.
• Human, vertebrate, and potentially hazardous biological agent (PHBA) studies must include one of the ISEF-suggested references from the ISEF Rulebook.
• Cite sources for your research using MLA format
• Verify every procedure, citation, source, etc. you find during your research. Projects posted on a website, or generated via AI, are often not viable or safe for you to use.

Links

• Use ISEF Rules as one of your cited sources – scroll down to “Rules and Guidelines” then click on the current year’s full rulebook
• Purdue OWL MLA Citation Guide
• Google Scholar
• FGCU Library Service – do not overlook the value in contacting a live librarian to help you with your research
• MSDS Database

Things to consider

• Will you recruit team members? Projects are limited to a maximum of three (3) team members.
• How many trials of your experiment do you think is reasonable in order to make sure your results are reliable?
• How long will it take you to secure your equipment, lab, adult supervisor, qualified scientist, and any other items you need for your project?
• How long will it take to put together your display?
• When is my school fair? What is their deadline for submitting a project?

Links

• Sample Timeline generated by ChatGPT
• Timeline from Alexandria City Public Schools

Things to consider

• You must complete all relevant paperwork, submit the paperwork to your school SRC (school Scientific Review Committee) and/or IRB (school Institutional Review Board), then secure approvals BEFORE experimentation. NO BACKDATING
• Minimum initial paperwork for project approval:
  • Form 1
  • Form 1A, with research plan – your procedure and equipment list should be very detailed; your cleanup/disposal instructions should also be very detailed
  • Form 1B
  • Form 3 must be used if any of the following are a part of your project: Hazardous Chemicals and Devices, Human subjects, Vertebrate subjects, or Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (anything microscopic).
  • Form 4 if applicable
  • Form 5A if applicable
  • Form 5B if applicable
  • Form 6A if applicable

Links

• Don’t know which forms to use? Use this ISEF Forms Wizard
• ISEF Forms
• SSEF’s Forms Repository – check the folder labeled “For Students”

Things to consider

• Keep track of what paperwork you need to complete as you complete your project.
  • ISEF forms can include: Form 1C, Form 2, Informed Consent forms, Form 6B, Form 7
  • SSEF forms can include: Mortality Report, VICF form
• Use a log book to keep track of your data, any notes you make about day-to-day observations and potential sources of error, etc. Write down everything that happens with your experiment, in pen, in your log book.
• Take lots of pictures! These can be used on your final display board.

Things to consider

Translate your experimental data into a conclusion:

• If possible, represent your data in a meaningful format: data table, graph, etc.
• Analyze your data for error. This can be both a mathematical process and an observational process
• Come to a conclusion, and consider ideas for future research and/or application of this current research.

Finish your paperwork:

• Select your competition category
• SSEF abstract on SSEF abstract form
  • Abstracts should not exceed 250 words.
  • Summarize your project: describe your question/problem and hypothesis, your methods, and the data collected, was your hypothesis supported?
  • Discuss ONLY the work YOU did.
    Avoid: Quotes, acknowledgements, self-promotion, naming of people or institutions, first-person pronouns (I, We, Us), emotions or feelings (I think, believe, feel, love, hate, etc), jargon
• BSL-1 or BSL-2 lab assessment if necessary
• Mortality forms if necessary
• Any additional paperwork referenced in earlier steps

Tri Fold/Backboard/Posters Restrictions to consider:

• Project Size does not exceed limits (30 in deep by 48 in. wide x 72 in. high from table) – NO FLOOR PROJECTS
• The official embossed SSEF abstract is vertically displayed next to (not on) the display – the word abstract can only apply to the official abstract
• Continuation Projects Form (7), if applicable is displayed vertically next to (not on) the display
• Research Institution Form (1C), if applicable, has both pages and is displayed vertically next to (not on) the display
• Non-paper presentation (computer, video, audio-visual slides) is acceptable. Type of Presentation Initials
• Photographs adhere to All Photograph Rules (see page 27 of ISEF rules)
• Citations are present for all photographs/ images/charts/tables and/or graphs.
• Prohibited items are not displayed (see page 27 and 28 of ISEF rules) such as: Living organisms, soil, sand, rock, waste, taxidermy specimens or parts, preserved animals, human or animal food, human/animal parts or body fluids, plant materials, all chemicals including water, empty chemical containers, hazardous substances or devices, dry ice, sharp items, flames or highly flammable materials, batteries with open-top cells, glass, large vacuum tubes, empty tanks that previously contained combustible liquids.
• Acknowledgements to recognize the contributions of a university, professional organization or mentor, or grant funding agency MUST be contained to one section of the display, be in text-only format, and may NOT INCLUDE A LOGO.
• Laser Guidelines have been followed (see page 28 of ISEF rules). Drones and lasers must have their power source removed. All lasers must be checked by a D & S Chairperson/Lead
• Models or Prototypes fit in allotted space. There is nothing under or in front of the table.
• Project adheres to all other Rules (see pages 26-28 of ISEF rules)
• Packing materials and personal items have been removed from underneath the finalist table.
• Use this mock-up and checklist to make sure your board contains all necessary items: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VwBYTMm7Y8Dh_hi-IylKqypvGnLrsUXnBvwIT8hur_o/edit?usp=sharing

Think about your presentation to the judges:

• You should know your project well enough to not reference your display board for assistance
• Look at judging criteria to know what to talk about when you are interviewed by judges
• Your interactions with the judges are just as important, if not more so, than what is on your project board. Practice this process with your mentor teacher, or with another adult, ahead of time, and plan on being with your project during the entirety of all competitions.
• A video will need to be made to outline your project and uploaded to zfairs. The maximum time is 5 minutes and this may be used by judges to review your project.

Links

• Data analysis
• Regional science fair project categories
• ISEF project categories
• SSEF Documents and Forms – the SSEF Abstract Form you MUST use can be found in the folder labeled “For Students”
• SSEF Display Rules
• Project Checklist and Display
• SSEF Judging Criteria (2020)
• SSEF Current Judging Criteria – access the “For Judges” folder
• ISEF Judging Criteria

Contact your adult sponsor, sponsoring teacher, or school at which you competed for details and deadlines associated with regional competition.

For regional competition, create and upload your project video:

• The purpose of your video is for you to tell us about your project. Judges want to see the project and hear you explain it. You are encouraged to be prominently displayed in the video (as opposed to having the video be prominently your slides).
• The target audience of this video will be judges and award selectors. They will refer back to this video after their in-person judging of your project.
• The video must comply with all Display & Safety Rules, particularly involving logos, acknowledgements and properly crediting images/graphs/photos.
• The video must be no longer than 5.00 minutes. Videos longer than five minutes will not be accepted.
• You can use any props or visuals you may have that are within the Display & Safety guidelines. Tip: this video is a summary statement about your project and the scientific or engineering design process you followed; it is not intended as an advertisement or sales pitch.
• Do not include anyone in your video other than the student researchers of the project.
• Consider your background when filming the video. It should be plain and not detracting from your project and presentation.