PROJECT
STEM-IQ
GEARSEF Orientation
DATE
October 16, 2014
CLIENT
ALABAMA SCIENCE TEACHERS
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INTRODUCTIONS
WELCOME TO AUBURN UNIVERSITY!
WHAT PROMPTED TODAY’S EVENT?
1. A Task: Revamp AU’s Regional Science and
Engineering Fair
2. A Program: Science Investigations
3. An Article: “The Science Fair: A New Look at an Old
Tradition”
4. A Need: Guidance and Support for Teachers
WHY I HAVE INVITED YOU HERE TODAY?
• To familiarize you with the process of science fair
motivation: WHY WE ARE HERE
TODAY
motivation: STUDENT BENEFITS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=SKJ3a1iFMOs
Logistics: Intel ISEF
Local
Fair*
6-12
Regional
Fair
6-12
9-12
State Fair
9-12
Intel ISEF
logistics: from your school to intel ISEF
Local
Fair
6-12
Regional
Fair
6-12
State
Fair
9-12
9-12
Intel
ISEF
• Public, private, & home
schools
• Grades 6 - 12 eligible
• 5 regionals in Alabama
• State fair hosted by UAH
logistics: ALABAMA FAIRS
• Service Region = 19 AL
counties
•~60-80 projects (many are teams)
•~100 students
• 5 - 7 counties represented
•2 senior division winners advance
directly to Intel ISEF
•~25% of projects advance to
state
logistics: GEARSEF REGIONAL
• Did YOU ever do a Science Fair
Project?
• Today’s science fair projects...
• Engage students in the scientific research
process:
•Develop a testable question
•Find a way to test the question:
• Materials
• Methods/Procedure
•Collect data
•Interpret the results
•Communicate the findings:
• Display Board
• Verbal Communication
• Research Paper
logistics: WHAT IS SCIENCE FAIR?
PROJECT DISPLAY BOARD
INTERVIEW WITH JUDGES
SCIENCE DATA BOOK OR JOURNAL
RESEARCH PAPER (OPTIONAL)
logistics: WHAT ARE COMPONENTS OF A
PROJECT?
SENIOR DIVISION
JUNIOR DIVISION
GRADES 9 - 12
GRADES 6 - 8
• Explore a topic of their own choosing
• Develop a question and hypothesis
• Design a fair test
• Collect data in a data table
• Choose an appropriate graph type to
display information
• Develop a cohesive conclusion:
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Does data support or void the hypothesis?
Are there sources of error in experimentation?
Are there other questions the student could explore
after testing?
Communicate the results of the study with
an effective display board
• Explore an original and unique topic of
their own choosing
• Conduct background research on the topic
• Develop a question and hypothesis
• Design a fair test
• Collect data in a data table
• Choose an appropriate graph type to
display information
• Develop a cohesive conclusion:
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Does data support or void the hypothesis?
Are there sources of error in experimentation?
Are there other questions the student could explore
after testing?
Communicate the results of the study with
an effective display board
• Communicate the results of the study with
a well-developed research paper
(recommended)
logistics: Divisions
CATEGORIES: GRADES 6 - 8
• Animal and Plant Sciences
• Behavioral and Social Sciences
• Physical Science
• Engineering and Energy
• Medicine and Health Sciences
CATEGORIES: (GRADES 9 12)
• Animal and Plant Sciences
• Behavioral and Social Sciences
• Cellular, Molecular, and Microbiology
• Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Engineering, Computer Science, and Math
• Energy and Transportation
• Environmental Sciences
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Physics and Astronomy
logistics: Categories
Successful Projects
INTERVIEW CRITERIA
• Creative Ability - 30 points
• With regard to questions, investigation, data, and approach
• Scientific Thought - 30 points
• With regard to design, variables/controls, and conclusions
• Thoroughness - 15 points
• With regard to coverage, replication, awareness of area research, and completeness of
notes
• Skill - 15 points
•With regard to the students skills and ability to have independently completed the project
• Clarity - 10 points
• With regard to discussion/written work and the display
logistics: Fair Day Judging
SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS:
• Are creative
• Creative questions are the core of a good project
• Creative project design or procedures
• Creative approach to a problem or question
• Employ Scientific Thought
• All possible variables are addressed through scientific testing and/or background research
• Controls are well developed and executed correctly
• Conclusions are supported by scientific evidence and background research
• The project has been designed and carried out using acceptable research practices
• Are Thorough
• Thorough background research provides a foundational understanding of a subject area
• Adequate numbers of replications to ensure that the results are not random (min. 3)
• Thoroughness in note-taking and research paper (if applicable)
• Require Age-Appropriate Skill
• Skillfully planned and executed project at the appropriate level
• Independently led projects at the appropriate level for that student
• Are Clearly Communicated
• Clearly displayed results
• Clearly and concisely written summaries, abstracts, research papers
• Clearly able to speak about their project
successful projects: WHAT DO THEY LOOK
LIKE?
SKILLS NEEDED FOR SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS:
• Background Research Skills
• Background Information
• Scientific authority
• Real inquiry skills
• Setting up a correct Experimental Design
• Communication Skills
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
• Correct Scientific Language
successful projects: BUILD THE SKILLS
Build Research Skills
STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO...
1. Research information related to a subject or topic.
2. Determine if the information source is reliable.
3. Read non-fiction articles for:
• Meaning of the main article
• Meaning of any graphs, data tables, pictures, etc.
• List evidence that supports the claim(s) made in the
article
• Develop questions at the end of the article
implementation: BUILD RESEARCH SKILLS
IN THE CLASSROOM... (IN PREPARATION FOR SCIENCE
FAIR)
Have students do mini-research projects in which they:
1. Search for information online
2. Determine if the information source is reliable
Have students practice reading non-fiction articles by:
1. Writing short answer responses about the article
2. Hosting whole-class discussions about the article
3. Writing summaries of the article
implementation: BUILD RESEARCH SKILLS
Build Inquiry Skills
STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO...
1. Develop their own questions
2. Form their own hypothesis
3. Develop an experimental design setup (materials &
procedures)
• Record data into a data table
• Interpretation and presentation of data (through graphs
etc.)
implementation: BUILD INQUIRY SKILLS
IN THE CLASSROOM...
Have students practice the experimental design process
• Develop the question, hypothesis, etc.
implementation: BUILD INQUIRY SKILLS
Communication Skills
STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO...
1. Speak with scientific authority about their project topic
2. Use appropriate scientific language when applicable
3. Write technically about their project including:
4. An abstract
5. A conclusion
6. A research paper
implementation: BUILD COMMUNICATION SKILLS
IN THE CLASSROOM...
1. Encourage students to continually summarize and
question during all labs:
2. Verbally (to the teacher, peers, whole class)
3. Written
4. Have students do mini-research projects in which they:
• Present results to the class (powerpoint, posters, prezi,
etc.)
• Teach Technical Writing
implementation: BUILD COMMUNICATION SKILLS
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB)
What is an IRB?
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee that, according to
federal regulations (45-CFR-46), must evaluate the potential physical
and/or psychological risk of research involving humans. All proposed
human research must be reviewed and approved by an IRB before
experimentation begins. This includes review of any surveys or
questionnaires to be used in a project.
Who is on the local IRB?
An IRB must consist of a minimum of three members and:
a. an educator
b. a school administrator
c. include an individual who is knowledgeable about and capable of
evaluating the physical and/or psychological risk involved in a given study.
implementation: PAPERWORK
SCIENTIFIC REVIEW COMMITTEE (SRC)
What is an SRC?
A Scientific Review Committee (SRC) is a group of qualified individuals
that is responsible for evaluation of student research, certifications,
research plans and exhibits for compliance with the rules and applicable
laws and regulations at each level of science fair competition.
Who is on the local SRC?
Most proposed research projects involving vertebrate animals and/or
potentially hazardous biological agents must be reviewed and approved
BEFORE experimentation.An SRC must include three persons and:
a. a biomedical scientist
b. an educator
c. one additional member
implementation: PAPERWORK