LEVEL:
TYPE OF EVENT:
Elementary School (Grades 3 rd
-5 th
)
Team
COMPOSITION OF TEAM:
NUMBER OF ENTRIES:
SPONSOR:
2-3 Students per Team
3 Teams per Advisor / Class of 30 Students
UC Irvine MESA Schools Program
OVERVIEW:
MATERIALS:
Students will design and construct an original freestanding model and display board of the human brain and will answer questions from the attached list.
ONLY NON-PERISHABLE items may be used . Commercially manufactured models may NOT be used.
RULES:
The model and display must be the original work of the student. Judges may ask questions in order to verify the authenticity of their work.
The model of the Human Brain should:
1.
Be labeled properly with student names and school. Improper labeling will result in a score penalty.
2.
Be freestanding and no larger than 3ft x 3ft x 3ft.
3.
Visibly show and have clearly labeled the anatomical layers and structures of the Human Brain.
4.
Be able to withstand a minimal amount of movement (e.g. table movement and handling.)
5.
Have an accompanying display board consisting of the following: a.
Team member names and school. b.
List of all materials used. c.
Hand-drawn diagram of the human brain with all labeled parts.
JUDGING:
1.
All models will be scored according to the attached judging criteria.
2.
All teams will be asked 5 questions randomly chosen from the set below. Three (3) points will be awarded for each correct answer.
3.
The winner will be the team with the highest number of points.
4.
Two additional bonus questions will be asked in the event of a tie.
AWARDS:
Medals will be awarded to each member of the 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd place teams.
ATTACHMENTS:

Model Science: The Human Brain ~ Evaluation Sheet
MESA DAY CONTEST RULES 2012-2013
©University of California Regents
These rules are for the internal use of MESA staff and teachers only and should not be forwarded or used outside of MESA

Model Science – The Human Brain
Questions
1.
What two types of cells is the brain made of?
2.
Which part of the brain is important for vision? Where is it located?
3.
What is the weight of an average adult brain?
4.
What is a neuron?
5.
What is the pituitary gland?
6.
Describe epilepsy.
7.
Describe Multiple Sclerosis.
8.
Describe the central nervous system.
9.
What is a stroke?
10.
Describe the function of the amygdala.
11.
Why is the medulla oblongata important?
12.
What part of the brain helps create new memories?
13.
Name two body functions the hypothalamus controls?
MESA DAY CONTEST RULES 2012-2013
©University of California Regents
These rules are for the internal use of MESA staff and teachers only and should not be forwarded or used outside of MESA

Team # ___
Name: ______________________
Name: ______________________
School: _____________________
Name: ______________________
Name: ______________________
Part I. General Display/Model Criteria
Three points for each criterion; 6 points max
Size ______ Freestanding ______
Subtotal for Part I ______
Part II. Specific Model/Display Criteria
Model ~ Parts must be present and labeled (0-2 points each; 28 points max)
Structure Present
1 point each
Correctly Labeled
1 point each
Total
1. Cranium
2. Cerebral Cortex
3. Frontal Lobe
4. Parietal Lobe
5. Occipital Lobe
6. Temporal Lobe
7. Corpus Callosum
8. Thalamus
9. Hypothalamus
10. Pituitary Gland
11. Mid Brain
12. Cerebellum
13. Pons
14. Medulla Oblongata
TOTAL
Display (0-5 pts each; 10 pts max)
Item
List of all materials used
Diagram of brain with labeled parts
TOTAL
Points
Subtotal for Part II ______
MESA DAY CONTEST RULES 2012-2013
©University of California Regents
These rules are for the internal use of MESA staff and teachers only and should not be forwarded or used outside of MESA

Part III. Originality & Creativity
(0-2 points each, 8 points max.)
Criteria Points
Materials (recyclable vs. non-recyclable)
Materials (scavenged vs. bought)
Variety of materials
Accuracy
TOTAL
Subtotal for Part III ______
Part IV. Human Brain Questions
(0-3 points each; 15 points max)
Item
Question #1
Question #2
Question #3
Question #4
Question #5
TOTAL
Points
Subtotal for Part IV ______
Part I Subtotal
Part II Subtotal
Part III Subtotal
Part IV Subtotal
DEDUCTION: Improper Labeling
GRAND TOTAL (67 points max)
Tie Breaker Questions (Added to Grand Total ONLY in the event of a tie)
(3 points each)
Item
Question #1
Question #2
TOTAL INCLUDING TIE-BREAKER QUESTIONS
-
Points
MESA DAY CONTEST RULES 2012-2013
©University of California Regents
These rules are for the internal use of MESA staff and teachers only and should not be forwarded or used outside of MESA