Welcome to the Science Fair Congress!

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Welcome to theScience Fair Congress!
Northern Indiana Regional Science and Engineering
Fair Committee
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The Northern Indiana RegionalScience and
Engineering Fair(NIRSEF)

• is affiliated with the Intel International
  Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

We are one of many regions who send senior
students to compete internationally one of 12 in
Indiana
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Elementary (Gr. 3 - 5) Junior (Gr. 6 - 8) Senior
(Gr. 9 12)
REGIONAL FAIR
Junior (Gr. 3 - 8) Senior (Gr. 9 12)
STATE FAIR
Top Projects
Top Projects
INTERNATIONAL FAIR
Senior (Gr. 9 12)
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PROJECT TYPES

• Team (up to 3)
• Engineering (test a product or a process apply
  principles)
• Solve an equation or design a model (math)

OR

• Individual
• Science (answer a testable question)
• Create or improve a new algorithm (computers)

OR
OR
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Getting Started

• Find an idea
• Do some reading and get information
• Dont copy an idea or experiment

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The Science/Engineering Investigation

• Keep a notebook
• LIMIT the number of variables tested (science) or
  changes made (engineering)
• Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat,
  repeat!
• Report your findings based on your observations

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CONSIDERING SAFETY AND FAIR PROJECTS
Hazardous Materials

• What to Look for, What to Do

Vertebrate Animals
Biological Problems
Human Subjects
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The Project Report

• Display Board Tips Hints

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Title

• Problem Data Discussion
• (tables, graphs,
• Hypothesis photos) Conclusion/
• Future Action
• Materials
• Results Abstract
• Procedure Bibliography

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Design

• Make sure that the science is the focus of the
  display.
• The center of the board should draw the observers
  attention. Place photographs and graphics here.
• Information should flow from start to finish,
  going from left to right, top to bottom.

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Decorating a Board

• Be careful with over-fancy lettering and
  multi-color letters/backgrounds
• Make sure information contrasts with background
• Make sure everything can be easily read from a
  distance
• Use a large font
• Any borders/colors/decorations should enhance the
  science, not detract from it

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PROJECT JUDGING

• Judges Are
• Industry or academic professionals or
• Graduate/undergraduate students
• Science, math, social science, or engineering
  knowledgeable
• Volunteers who enjoy working with students and
  learning new things!

• Judges Do
• Talk with students at depth about their projects
• Work in teams to get multiple perspectives of
  student work
• Assess what was learned and assign ranking
• Share their knowledge or experiences (clarify
  misconceptions or give a broader picture)

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PROJECT JUDGING

• Comments from the Judges Chair

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PROJECT JUDGING

• Criteria
• Creative Ability
• Scientific Thought or Engineering Goals
• Thoroughness
• Skill
• Clarity
• Teamwork (for teams)

How these criteria are judged can be viewed at
the Society for Science and the Public website
at http//www.societyforscience.org/isef/isefit
ems/JudgingGuide.pdf
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PROJECT JUDGING
Category Awards

• All projects are awarded ribbons relative to the
  ISEF judging criteria, taking into consideration
  the grade level of the student, their abilities
  and their work.
• Judges are instructed to write comments and/or
  encouragement on the judges card. These cards
  are returned to the exhibitors.
• The decision of the judges is final.

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PROJECT JUDGING

• Special Awards

• The NIRSEF offers nearly 130 Special Awards
  sponsored by various groups at all levels
  Elementary, Junior and Senior
• Special Awards may be provided through our
  affiliation with Intel ISEF or by local groups.
• Special Awards are judged by teams.
  Group-sponsored awards are frequently judged by
  members of the sponsoring group.
• Awards may be certificates, national recognition
  and/or cash prizes!

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Potential Research Opportunities for Students

• Opportunities at Notre Dame
• Nevin Longenecker
• Future Opportunities IVY Tech?
• George Twaddle Jim Powell

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Putting It All Together

• What Are the Next Steps?

• Your Local Fair
• Which? When? Who?
• Registering Your School orOrganization
• Informs us you are coming
• Allows us to assign space

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Next Steps (can we help?)

• Gaining Enthusiasm at Your School
• Administration
• Parents/Guardians
• Students
• Holding Your Local Fair
• Send your winners to Notre Dame!
• Science Fair Coordinators pick up paperwork

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Questions?

• Any Questions for the Committee?
• Give Aways