Project Specifications
www.uwsp.edu/biology/pages/fair
Hosted by: Kyle George (student coordinator) & Dr. Joseph Covi (faculty coordinator; joseph.covi@uwsp.edu)
Please read the following instructions thoroughly.
Physiology is the branch of science that studies the functions (vital processes) of living organisms. Each individual or
team will submit a project based on a physiological topic. For example, you could focus on exercise science, nutrition,
disease, or prosthetics if you are interested in medicine or veterinary sciences. You could focus on physical training if
you like sports. You could explore the topic of drug discovery if you like chemistry. Biological illustration is a huge, and
very important field, available to artists. Dr. Covi’s personal favorite is basic research on animals that live in extreme
environments. For any of these diverse topics, all you have to do is ask a simple question to get started with your project.
How does __________ work? For example, how do some freshwater micro-crustaceans survive for 350 years in a
dormant state at the bottom of ponds, when active individuals live less than a year?
Physiology Fair entries can be designed around three project formats*:
1. Research Experiment: Design and carryout an experiment that explores an aspect of physiology.
Present your results and design of the experiment at the Physiology Fair.
2. Experiential Learning: Create an activity or poster that explores an aspect of physiology. Include an
Interactive display for Physiology Fair observers and evaluators to experience.
3. Educational Research: Research a topic on physiology and present what you learned at the Physiology Fair.
This could include drawings of physiological processes if you enjoy biological illustration.
*Students are welcome to design a project that includes an overlap of the formats listed above. Each project requires a
Display component. This could be a poster, physical demonstration of an experiment, video, etc. If you would like
access to PowerPoint or an electrical outlet, please let us know early. We will allow the use of PowerPoint only under
special circumstances. Most presentations are hindered by this format, because it limits discussion with the audience.
Presentation
Each individual or team should prepare a short 2-5 minute presentation, which summarizes their Physiology Fair project.
This presentation should be prepared so that a layperson (non-expert) can understand it. Try to include the audience in a
discussion of your topic instead of simply giving a speech, and be prepared to answer questions they might have.
Student Support
High school teachers do not need to be involved in student projects. Each team or individual will be responsible for their
own project. Questions about physiology or the presentation process should be directed to your undergraduate Student
Sponsor. We will start assigning undergraduate sponsors on March 15th. Please, don’t hesitate to contact your UWSP
Student Sponsors with any questions you have about the topic or Physiology Fair. If they can’t answer a question, they
will direct it to Dr. Covi and the undergraduate coordinator, Kyle George.
The Physiology Fair website is also a useful resource, and helpful links on the site are updated regularly. Science
Buddies (www.sciencebuddies.org) is one example of a great site structured to help students of all ages use the scientific
method and prepare projects for science fairs. Just be sure that you are following the format of the Physiology Fair for
your final presentation. Your project must examine some aspect of how organisms function. This is physiology!