Student and Teacher
Guide to
Neosho County Community College’s
2016 Regional Science Fair
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Ottawa Campus
900 E. Logan Street
Intermediate (Grades 4-6), Junior (Grades 7-8), and Senior (Grades 9-12)
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in NCCC’s Regional Science Fair! We are very excited to have this wonderful
event at our college. We are continuing to have our event earlier in the year to encourage our winning
participants to move forward into the Kansas State Science and Engineering Fair! Our categories and
rules coincide with the State Science and Engineering Fair as well as the International Science and
Engineering Fair. We will be providing some great awards this year including medals, trophies, and $100
for the outstanding scientists in each age group!
General Information
The Fair is organized by Grade Level, Category and Entry Type.
GRADE LEVELS
There are three Grade Levels:



Intermediate
Junior
Senior
4th, 5th and 6th grades
7th and 8th grades
9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades
The categories are as follows:

Behavioral and Social Sciences: Study of human and animal behavior, social and community relationships—
psychology, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, learning, perception, reading problems, educational
testing, etc.

Botany & Zoology: (Botany) Study of plants and their life cycle, structure, growth, processes, and
classification. Would include sciences of agriculture, agronomy, taxonomy, ecology, hydroponics, and related
sciences. (Zoology) Study of animals, their life cycles, anatomy and classification. Animal ecology, physiology,
animal husbandry, cytology, histology, entomology, ichthyology, ornithology, herpetology, etc.

Cellular Biology: (Biochemistry) Study of chemical substances and vital processes occurring in living
organisms, the processes by which these substances enter into, or are formed in, the organisms and react with
each other and the environment. (Microbiology) study of microorganisms, such as algae, fungi, protozoan, virus
and bacteria as related to their life processes. (Medicine and health) Science of diagnosing, treating, or
preventing disease and other damage to the body or mind.

Chemistry: Study of nature and composition of matter and laws governing it—analytical chemistry, physical
chemistry, organic chemistry (other than biochemistry), inorganic chemistry, materials, plastics, pesticides,
metallurgy, soil chemistry, etc.

Earth and Space Science: Study of astronomy, planetary science, geology, mineralogy, physiography,
oceanography, meteorology, climatology, seismology, geography, paleontology, tectonics, etc.

Engineering: Direct application of scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses – civil, mechanical,
aeronautical, chemical, electrical, photographic, sound, automotive, marine, heating and refrigerating,
transportation, environmental engineering, robotics, etc.

Environmental Science and Energy: Study of pollution (air, water and land) sources and their control; ecology,
alternative fuels, bioremediation, recycling, renewable energies.

Physical Science: Study of cause/effect relationships dealing with principles of physical laws in electricity,
heat, light, sound, etc. Theories, principles, and laws governing energy and the effect of energy on matter –
solid state, optics, acoustics, particle, nuclear, atomic, plasma, superconductivity, fluid and gas dynamics,
thermodynamics, semiconductors, magnetism, quantum mechanics, biophysics, etc.

Computer Science & Mathematics: (Computers) Use of technology to create hardware and/or software
devices that are useful to people. Examples of computer science projects include artificial intelligence,
robotics, graphics, data management, languages, simulations/virtual reality, networking and theory. (Math)
Development of formal logical systems or various numerical and algebraic computations, and the application of
these principles- calculus, geometry, abstract algebra, number theory, statistics, complex analysis, probability.
Students may enter a project individually or as part of a team of no more than 3 students.
If you have any questions, please contact Eric Row (erow@neosho.edu 785-242-2067, ext. 340) or
Contact Andrew Ouellette (aouellette@neosho.edu 620-431-2820, ext. 225)
General Rules
1. Every student entry must have an adult sponsor (parent/teacher/mentor). The adult sponsor is responsible for
completing checklists with the student to be sent in with the application for the fair. There is an adult sponsor
checklist and a student checklist to be completed with the application.
2. Every student must include a research plan along with their application for the fair. Research plans must
include the following:
A. Question or Problem being addressed
B. Hypothesis/Engineering Goals
C. Description in detail of method or procedures (The following are important and key items that should be
included when formulating ANY AND ALL research plans.)
 Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design to be used for data collection
 Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will uses to analyze the data that answer research
question or hypothesis
D. Bibliography: List at five (5) major references (e.g. science journal articles, books, internet sites) from your
literature review. If you plan to use vertebrate animals, one of these references must be an animal care
reference.
 Choose one style and use it consistently to reference the literature used in the research plan
If the research plan includes humans, other vertebrate organisms, potentially dangerous biological agents such as
microorganisms, or hazardous material, the student must complete additional forms and obtain approval by Neosho
County Community College and a Scientific Research Committee prior to the fair. All forms can be found at the
end of this document. Items E-H below are guidelines to be followed and addressed in the research plan when
applicable:
E. Human subjects research:
 Subjects. Describe who will participate in your study (age range, gender, racial/ethnic
composition). Identify any vulnerable populations (minors, pregnant women, mentally disabled or
economically disadvantaged).
 Recruitment. Where will you find your subjects? How will they be invited to participate?
 Methods. What will participants be asked to do? Will you use any surveys, questionnaires or tests?
What is the frequency and length of time involved for each subject?
 Risks. What are the risks or potential discomforts (physical, psychological, time involved, social,
legal etc) to participants? How will you minimize the risks?
 Benefits. List any benefits to society or each participant.
 Protection of Privacy. Will any identifiable information (e.g. names, telephone numbers,
birthdates, email addresses) be collected? Will data be confidential or anonymous? If anonymous,
describe how the data will be collected anonymously. If not anonymous, what procedures are in
place for safeguarding confidentiality? Where will the data be stored? Who will have access to
the data? What will you do with the data at the end of the study?
 Informed Consent Process. Describe how you will inform participants about the purpose of the
study, what they will be asked to do, that their participation is voluntary and they have the right to
stop at any time.
F. Vertebrate animal research:
 Briefly discuss POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVES and present a detailed justification for use of
vertebrate animals
 Explain potential impact or contribution this research may have
 Detail all procedures to be used
o Include methods used to minimize potential discomfort, distress, pain and injury to the
animals during the course of experimentation
o Detailed chemical concentrations and drug dosages
 Detail animal numbers, species, strain, sex, age, etc.
o Include justification of the numbers planned for the research
 Describe housing and oversight of daily care
 Discuss disposition of the animals at the termination of the study
G. Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents:
 Describe Biosafety Level Assessment process and resultant BSL determination
 Give source of agent, source of specific cell line, ect.
 Detail safety precautions
 Discuss methods of disposal
H. Hazardous Chemicals, Activities & Devices:
 Describe Risk Assessment process and results
 Detail chemical concentrations and drugs dosages
 Describe safety precautions to minimize risk
 Discuss methods of disposal
3. The following types of projects are NOT permitted in the Fair:

Projects that are demonstrations or models (kits).

Projects that use only qualitative or subjective data. Data collected for all experimental projects must
be measurable (quantitative or objective). Surveys and opinion polls are unacceptable.

Projects that demonstrate scientific principles that are already common knowledge (green plants need
visible light to grow, magnets attract iron, batteries can make a light bulb glow, etc.)
4. You may not enter more than one project in the fair.
5. Your exhibit dimensions are not to exceed the following:
Grades 7-8: Maximum size is 76cm (30") deep X 122cm (48") wide
Grades 4-6: Maximum size is 76cm (30") deep X 81cm (32") wide.
6. Entries must have a backboard with all written information following the format of a scientific report. This
format should include:
A) Title (What is the experiment about?)
B) Introduction (Why was the experiment performed?)
C) Hypothesis (Question(s) you are trying to answer)
D) Materials and Methods (This section should be sufficiently detailed so that someone with similar
background could repeat the observation and obtain similar data.)
E) Results (What was observed including the results of the analysis of the data using tables, graphs, or
suitable statistics if desired.)
F) Discussion and Conclusions (What is your interpretation of the results? What kind of conclusions can be
drawn from the results?)
G) References (Any outside research material used in studying the topic.)
7. Please make requests for any electrical outlets, water supplies, etc. you may need on the registration form.
Please bring your own extension cord if needed.
8. Do not place valuables or sensitive equipment as part of a display. NCCC is not responsible for stolen or
damaged equipment or other valuables.
NOTE: NCCC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO INSPECT AND DISQUALIFY ANY EXHIBIT THAT DOES NOT
CONFORM TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS IN THIS BOOKLET OR FOLLOW BASIC SAFETY PROCEDURES.
Entering the Fair
There is a $5.00 registration fee for all participants.
All forms should be completed and received by NCCC faculty no later than the Registration Form
deadline date of Friday February 5, 2016.
Send to: Eric Row
NCCC – Biology
900 E. Logan Street
Ottawa, KS 66067
(All forms should be accompanied by the registration fee of $5.00.)
List of Forms Required
Form 1 - NCCC Regional Science and Engineering Fair Application
Includes: Form 1sc - Student Checklist
Form 1asc - Adult Sponsor Checklist
This form can be found at the end of this document.
Special Forms
If the student project includes human subjects, other vertebrate organisms, potentially
dangerous biological agents such as bacteria, or hazardous material and the student wants to be
eligible to move on to the Kansas State Science and Engineering Fair, another form will be
required. You can access the specific form you will need by going to either the Kansas State
Science and Engineering Fair website (for those students in grades 4-8) or the International
Science and Engineering Fair website (for those students in grades 9-12) – the links are listed
below.
Please identify the form that fits your needs and complete them prior to the NCCC
Regional Science and Engineering Fair. If you have questions, please contact Andrew Ouellette
at Neosho County Community College (aouellette@neosho.edu or 620-431-2820, ext. 225).
Links to Special Forms:
http://sylmicro.com/kssef/pages/contestants/4-8-required-isef-forms.php
http://sylmicro.com/kssef/pages/contestants/9-12-required-isef-forms.php
Upload the address online for ISEF Forms and find the form that corresponds to your
needs
Agenda
Saturday, February 20, 2016
8:00 – 9:00am – Project Set-up Time
9:00 – 1:00 – Judging
Lunch Break after you have been judged
1:00 – Award Ceremony Begins (Location will be announced that day)
-Time of award ceremony subject to change based on number of entries
Judging and Awards
Judging will include a short oral interview by at least one of the judges. Students should be
prepared to wait by their exhibit until they’ve been judged.
Judging criteria will include utilization of the scientific method and the procedures described in
the general rules section, knowledge of the topic material as shown in the oral interview, and
appearance/neatness/clarity of the entry.
Top scoring participants, in each age group, will be awarded either a Gold, Silver, or Bronze
medal for their work. These medals will be awarded to the students who have the highest
judges scores.
Gold – First place
Silver – Second place
Bronze – Third place
Judges will also select outstanding projects for each age group. These “Outstanding Scientists”
will receive a trophy and a savings bond worth $100!
2016 NCCC Regional Science and Engineering Fair Application
(Includes Student Checklist and Adult Sponsor Checklist)
Date: _______________
Student Name: ___________________________________________
Student Grade Level: ______________
Home Address: ___________________________________________________________
School and Teacher: _______________________________________________________
Fair Category: ________________________________________
Project Title: _____________________________________________________________
Extra Equipment Needed? ___________________________________________________
Registration Fee enclosed? _________
Research Plan enclosed? _________
This form and the $5.00 registration fee are due by February 5th 2016 to the following
address:
Send to:
Eric Row
NCCC – Biology
900 E. Logan Street
Ottawa, KS 66067
Student/Adult Sponsor Checklists are on next page.
If you have questions please contact Andrew Ouellette or Eric Row:
aouellette@neosho.edu
620-431-2820, ext. 225
or
erow@neosho.edu
785-242-2067 ext. 340
Student Checklist/Questionnaire
(to be completed by student)
Name: ______________________________________
Project Title: _____________________________________________________________
Project Start Date: __________
Project End Date: ___________
Where will you conduct your project?
Is this a continuation of a previous project?
Does your project include any of the following? (circle)
Human Subjects
Vertebrate Animals
Biological Agents such as Microorganisms
Hazardous Material
Check off the following upon completion:

I have read the rules and agenda for the NCCC Regional Science Fair. ________

I have completed and included a research plan for my project. _________

I have listed all extra equipment I need for my project (if required). ________

I am familiar with the extra forms required if my project includes human subjects,
vertebrate animals, microorganisms, or hazardous material. _______
Adult Sponsor Checklist
(to be completed by Adult Sponsor)
Check off the following upon completion:

I have read the rules and agenda for the NCCC Regional Science Fair. _______

I have reviewed the student checklist and the student’s research plan. ________

The registration fee of $5.00 is included. ________

I am familiar with the extra forms required if the student’s project includes human
subjects, vertebrate animals, microorganisms, or hazardous material. ________
Adult Sponsor Signature: ______________________________________
Adult Sponsor Phone # or email: _______________________________________