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Science Fair

Science Fair. Brian Beaty Thomasville City Schools. Why Science Fair?. What is the purpose in teaching science in school? “ Real life” science skills Teaches the skills that students really need to be successful thinkers and problem solvers

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Science Fair

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  1. Science Fair Brian Beaty Thomasville City Schools

  2. Why Science Fair? • What is the purpose in teaching science in school? • “Real life” science skills • Teaches the skills that students really need to be successful thinkers and problem solvers • Makes learning more concrete for the struggling students • Provides an outlet for gifted learners

  3. One of best learning experiences a student can undertake • Problem Solving • Learning to plan • Research Skills • Writing Skills • Communication Skills • Interpret and Analyze Data • In depth content knowledge

  4. Bad Science Fair Projects!

  5. Good Science Fair Projects

  6. Bugs and drugs

  7. Microbial Fuel Cells

  8. Today’s Agenda • Organizing the assignment • Navigating the forms • Organizing the local fair • Q and A

  9. Organizing the Assignment • Choose a topic • Research and write a background research report • Develop a research plan that includes the question/engineering goal and research hypothesis. • Turn in applicable forms • Begin experimentation once forms are approved

  10. Organizing the Assignment • Collect and analyze data • Write Research Paper and Abstract • Design backboard and prepare for presentation

  11. Choosing a Topic Often the most difficult step. Students need to Keep the following ideas in mind: Choose a topic you like and your parents approve Narrow topic to a single aspect and plan your time wisely Projects need to be as original as possible

  12. Background Research • Background information on the topic should be recorded in log books—periodic log checks). • Minimum of 5 sources • Students often need a handout with examples of proper citations • Background Research Paper

  13. Forms Must be completed before students begin projects. • 1 • 1A and Research Plan • 1B • Abstract • Any projects involving humans must be approved by an IRB committee

  14. Forming an Irb Committee • An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee that must evaluate the potential physical and/or psychological risk of research involving humans. Who makes up the IRB? -consists of a minimum of three members: • an educator, a school administrator, and a medical expert (often the school nurse) • The student’s adult sponsor or designated supervisor may not serve on the committee.

  15. Using Humans • All projects involving humans must fill out the human subjects form and get IRB approval. • Minimal risk does not need test subject parent approval (taking a test, filling out a survey, walking and chewing gum etc.) • No more than minimal risk exists when the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater than those ordinarily encountered in everyday life or during performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.

  16. Microbes or Fungus • Need form 6A - Will be filled out by designated supervisor and signed by SRC chair. • Any research involving bacteria or fungus must be conducted in a lab with a dedicated supervisor.

  17. Vertebrates • Studies using behavioral observations are exempt from SRC Review. • Scientific Review Committee - include a minimum of three persons: (1) a biomedical scientist (earned doctoral degree, such as Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M., D.D.S., PharmD., or D.O.) , (2) an educator, (3) at least one additional member • A Qualified Scientist or Designated Supervisor must directly supervise all research involving vertebrate animals, except for observational studies. • Additional Forms Required: -Vertebrate Animal Form (5A) -Qualified Scientist Form (2)

  18. Approved or Not?

  19. Finally, Students may begin their research • Try to have them ready to experiment by they end of the fist 9wks • Students growing plants will need to start earlier • Students will need to keep a bound journal to record their data

  20. Abstract Should be completed after the experiment and on the official abstract forms. Make sure students are using the GSEF abstract and not the ISEF.

  21. Research Report – usually due before Winter Break Culminating project Use a rubric Background Research Paper will become the introduction to the Research Report. Research Plan will become the procedures Presentation of Data (Tables and Graphs) Discussion Conclusion Acknowlegements Abstract Form

  22. Display Log Book Research Report Display Presentation of Project to Class

  23. Summary of Assignments } Topic Log Book Check #1 Bibliography Log Book Check #2 Background Research Report Forms Log Book Check #3 Abstract Research Report Display Due first grading period } Due second grading period } Due early in the third grading period

  24. Navigating the forms All Projects Additional Forms that may be required Form 1C: Regulated Research Institutional/Industrial Setting Form Form 2: Qualified Scientist Form Form 3: Risk Assessment Form Form 4: Human Subjects and Informed Consent Form Form 5: Vertebrate Animal Form (5A and 5B) Form 6A: Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Form Form 6B: Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form Form 7: Continuation Projects Form • Form 1: Checklist for Adult Sponsor/Safety Assessment Form • Form 1A: Student Checklist/Research Plan • Form 1B: Approval Form • Abstract

  25. Navigating the forms • Adult Sponsor (required) • teacher, parent, university professor, or scientist in whose lab the student is working—must have a solid background in science • responsible for reviewing research plan for safety issues; must be familiar with rules • Qualified Scientist (not required) • should possess an earned doctoral/professional degree in the biological or medical sciences as it relates to the student’s area of research • can be the adult sponsor

  26. Navigating the forms • The Institutional Review Board (IRB) • Evaluates the potential physical and/or psychological risk of research involving human subjects. • Required for all projects involving human subjects, even if only surveys are used. • Composed of • an educator, • a school administrator (preferably, a principal or vice principal), • and one of the following who is knowledgeable and capable of evaluating the physical and/or psychological risk involved in a given study: a medical doctor, physician’s assistant, registered nurse, a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed social worker or licensed clinical professional counselor.

  27. Navigating the forms • Be familiar with the rules and refer to often! • Georgia Science & Engineering Fair (GSEF) http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/oasp/ga_science_fair/pdfs/GSEF_ISEF_rulebook.pdf) • International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) http://www.societyforscience.org/Page.aspx?pid=282

  28. Common issues • All approval dates must be before the date that experimentation begins • No bacteria cultures can be grown at home (review other special rules) • Any projects that involve tasting something must have informed consent (signed by parents) • Research plans must be complete • Incomplete or missing forms

  29. Organizing your local science fair

  30. Set a Date Check the school calendar and set a date for the fair. Be sure the date of your local fair is at least a week or two before the regional fair deadlines. Friday science fairs often work best for judges coming from local technical schools and colleges.

  31. Set a Location Great spots for science fairs: media center, gym, cafeteria Need 1 to 2 days for setting up the projects, a day for judging and a day for breaking the projects down. Make sure space is big enough and safe enough for all of your projects. Meet with the school principal for final say on the dates and location of the fair.

  32. Ordering Ribbons and Trophies An often overlooked item Ribbons are relatively cheap way for rewarding students for all of their hard work. Prepare extra gifts for the top finishers.

  33. Get Judges • Letters need to be mailed out several weeks ahead of time. • Contact local hospitals, colleges, schools • Make a list of email addresses and phone numbers for future references. • Try to avoid using teachers from your school.

  34. Logistics for Judging Projects • Develop a rubric that judges will use for the projects. • How many projects will be judged? • How many time will the projects be judged? • Will the projects be set up in categories or grade levels? • Try not to overload the judges. They may not want to come back! • Have refreshments and party favors!

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