An Introduction to the Nicolet Science and Engineering Fair

1. An Introduction to the Nicolet Science and Engineering Fair Presented by the Nicolet Science Fair Mentoring Club

2. Table of Contents • Mentors • Myths vs. Reality • Science fair is the worst • Paper and logbook don’t matter • Judges are mean • I need to pull an all-nighter • I can’t go to ISEF • Questions? • What is Science Fair? • Why do we do Science Fair? • Scientific Method • Benefits of Science Fair • Starting Your Project • Individual or Team? • Choosing a Category • Keeping a Logbook • Science Fair Timeline • Fairs and Awards • Nicolet Science Fair • BSSEF • ISEF • Category Awards • Specialty Awards

3. What is Science Fair? Science Fair is a several month long research project that allows you to investigate a hypothesis about a topic of your choice or engineer a solution to a problem. You will conduct experiments to test your hypothesis and present your findings at the Nicolet Science and Engineering Fair in the spring.

4. Why do we do science fair? Although we learn about the scientific method in science class, science fair is the first opportunity we have to try it out for ourselves. Science Fair allows you to use the scientific method on a project of your own choice that interests you.

5. Why do we do Science Fair? Benefits of Science Fair: • Experience with research • Awards- good for college apps! • All three fairs are fun (Really!) • Networking- meet future employers or mentors! • Future opportunities (join Nicolet Mentoring Club) • Skill Development • Public Speaking • Research Paper • Scientific Method

6. Starting Your Science Fair Project

7. Individual or Team Project? The first step to starting a project is deciding if you are working alone or with a partner. Don’t just choose a partner project so you can work with your friend! Decide what is best for you before continuing.

8. Individual Projects Advantages - Work whenever you want - No drama or arguing - Do what you want to do - Take credit for your work Disadvantages - Figure it out on your own - Talk to judges by yourself - Possibly not as fun - Do all the work yourself

9. Team Projects Advantages - Help figuring things out - Not alone when presenting - BSSEF/ISEF fun as a team - Help completing the work Disadvantages - Drama and arguing!!! - Hard to schedule time to work - May not share same interests - Could have slacker partner

10. Choosing a Category Often the first step in choosing a topic is thinking about what area of science interests you. The categories for science fair include: Behavioral and Social Science Biological Sciences (Botany & Zoology) Microbiology Chemistry and Biochemistry Medicine and Health Physics Environmental Science Engineering Mathematics and Computer Science

11. Keeping a Logbook • A logbook is a permanent record of the progress of your research. • Start early. • Write frequent entries, however brief.

12. Science Fair Timeline • Feb 22: Nicolet Science Fair • March 22: BSSEF (Wisconsin State Science Fair) • May 11-16: Intel ISEF

13. Fairs and Awards

14. Nicolet Science Fair • Safe environment to share your findings • Talk to professionals in your field (judges) • Top projects (6 or 7) advance to finals • Can win $ and prizes at Nicolet level • Compete against your peers • Each category has a winner • 3 Nicolet projects go to ISEF • Fun- and YOU can win!

15. Badger State Science and Engineering Fair (BSSEF) • Compete against others in the region (University School, DSHA) • Spend the day on the Marquette campus • Presentations by professionals (colors and light, materials engineering) • 2nd chance to win awards, money, or a trip to ISEF • COMPLETELY ACCESSIBLE!

16. International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) • Compete against more than 1,500 students (grades 9-12) from around the world • 2014 Competition held May 11-16 in Los Angeles, CA • Over $3 million in prizes

17. Category Awards • Usually 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, but can change based on the quality of the projects • Last year, prize was certificate and iTunes gift card • Your best chance to win! Categories range from around 3 to 10 projects, so you don’t have much competition

18. Specialty Awards • Extra recognition • Navy, Air Force, environmental, water quality, renewable energy, great log book… • Some allow you to move on to other special science fairs like GENIUS Olympiad or the Stockholm Junior Water Prize

19. Mentors Who can help you with your project? • Teachers • Science Fair Mentoring Club members • Resource Period or after school • We will mentor you individually if you want! • Other people in the community (professors, specialist in a certain field) If you want to continue on to BSSEF or ISEF it’s a good idea to consider finding a mentor, but it is possible to do well without one.

20. Science Fair Myths vs. Realities

21. Myth Myth: Science fair is the worst part of freshman year Reality: If you don’t procrastinate, you won’t be stressed out. Many people enjoy it and even do projects during Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year!

22. Myth Myth: Your paper and logbook are not important. Reality: Your paper and logbook are the backbone of your project. They are just as important as the experiment itself.

23. Myth Myth: Judges on the day of the fair are intimidating and harsh. Reality: The majority of them are very nice, relaxed, and want to help you do well!

24. Myth Myth: You’ll have to pull an all-nighter to finish your project! Reality: If you budget your time and make goals for yourself, you’ll finish with time to spare!

25. Myth Myth: There is no chance of me going to State, ISEF, or winning an award. Reality: Your project doesn’t have to be super complicated- it just has to be done well. There are so many opportunities for recognition for all kinds of projects!

26. Questions?