Onslow County Schools 2013-2014 Science Fair

1. Onslow County Schools 2013-2014 Science Fair

2. Elementary Science Fair The Onslow County Schools Elementary Science Fair (OCSESF) will be held Thursday, January 16, 2014 at BCE.  Students will complete at the school level and the top three students from each grade level will progress to the county level.  Each elementary school will also be eligible to send one additional honorary mentioned student to the county level.  This will give a potential of ten students from each participating school.  Ten students from the OCSESF will progress to the Southeastern Regional Science Fair at UNCW in February (1 or 8), 2014. (numbers are subject to change based on level of participation)

3. Elementary Science Fair Information (Grades 3-5) School-Level Winner Names are due Friday, January 10, 2014 Blue Creek Elementary School, Multipurpose Rooms Wednesday, January 15, 2014 (set-up) Thursday, January 16, 2014

4. Required for All Projects • RESEARCH PLAN (Directions on 2nd page of form 1A) • This is not on a form but needs to be included with all paperwork. This is used for the SRC to assess if all ISEF rules and regulations were followed. • Is to be done prior to experimentation • Should only be one to two pages in length • Please note that data is not to be included • Bibliography – minimal 3 references for Elementary and 5 references for Junior and Senior • Your research plan should reflect what was actually done for your project and the details should match what is written in your abstract. • Must include: • Question or problem being addressed • Hypothesis/Engineering Goals • Detailed description of methods or procedures

5. Required for All Projects -Continued • Checklist for Adult Sponsor (Form 1) • Student Checklist (Form 1A) • Approval Form (Form 1B) • Risk Assessment (Form 3) • Official Abstract (must be on official form and typed; completed once project is finished) These must accompany all projects, some projects may require additional forms

6. ISEF Forms For….. Parents, Teachers, and Fair Organizers

7. What are ISEF Forms • Requiring ISEF Forms protects students and school. • Forms must be reviewed BEFORE Experimentation • http://ncsciencefair.org/index.php/students-a-parents/forms • OCS Elementary and Secondary Science Fairs require all students to have Forms 1, 1A, 1B and 3. Research plans, abstracts, and other forms need to be in hard copy. • Other forms may be required depending on the student project. • Students who win and go on to the next level will need hard copies of all forms.

8. Forms required for all projects • Checklist for Adult Sponsor (1) • Student Checklist (1A) • Approval Form (1B) • Risk Assessment Form (3) • Official Abstract • Research Plan (this is the first thing students do) • 3 references elementary • 5 references secondary ****A RESEARCH PLAN is required that must incorporate all of the relevant topics listed in the Research Plan Instructions. Additionally an Abstract on the official form must be submitted.****

9. Research Plan Provide a typed research plan and attach to Student Checklist 1A. Please include your name on each page. The Research Plan is done prior to experimentation. The research plan for ALL projects is to include the following: • Question or Problem being addressed • Goals/Expected Outcomes/Hypothesis • Description in detail of method or procedures • Procedures: Detail of procedures and experimental design to be used for data collection • Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results that answer research questions or hypothesis • Bibliography: List at least (3- Elementary or 5- Secondary) 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.

10. Student Checklist, Form 1A • This form is required for all projects. It must be completed prior to beginning the experiment/project. • Information form to include contact information (email addresses will be used to contact you about the status of your project), name of project, adult sponsor name and address where research took place. • Fill out ALL information • #6 Dates of actual experimental procedure - 12-month project that occurred within the last 18 months before fair date is allowed. • #7 Explain where the experimental research will be conducted. Universities, research facilities, and industrial settings require Form 1C.  (Note: Pathogens may NOT be cultured at home; Grades 3-8 cannot culture) • #9 Attach a research plan

11. Checklist for Adult Sponsor, Form 1 • This form is required for all projects. It must be completed prior to beginning the experiment/project. • Provided so that the adult sponsor can review what information (and therefore which forms) must be provided. • Check only the boxes pertaining to YOUR project • For #6 be sure to read through this section, check any appropriate boxes, if applicable, AND fill out and attach any additional forms required. • Adult sponsor signature and date required BEFOREexperimentation

12. Approval Form, 1B • This form is required for all projects. It must be completed prior to beginning the experiment/project. • Signature form to sign acknowledging that all rules have been read and plan to be followed. Additionally these statements attest that each of these people (or committees) approves or consents to this project. • Student and parent (this is NOT to be signed by teacher or designated supervisor) must sign BEFORE the start of experiment. • #2 deals with Scientific Review Committee (SRC) signatures. • 2a is SRC approval BEFORE experimentation and is required for projects involving human participates, vertebrate animals and potentially hazardous biological agents (see forms below). • 2b refers to research involving the previous mentioned topics but was conducted at a regulated research institute where the institute’s board reviewed the project BEFORE experimentation. In this case the SRC does not need to review prior to experimentation but a signature is needed for competition. • #3 is SRC signatures before competition at the regional and state levels. ALL projects require this signature.

13. Risk Assessment, Form 3 This form is required for all projects. It must be completed prior to beginning the experiment/project. Filled out  BEFORE experimentation by the student in collaboration with the designated supervisor/qualified scientist.

14. Additional Forms thatmaybe required: • Regulated Research Institutional/Industrial Setting Form (1C) • Human Subjects: • Human Subjects Form (4) • Consent Form • Vertebrate Animals: • Vertebrate Animals Form (5A) • Vertebrate Animals Form (5B) • Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents: • Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Risk Form (6A) • Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (6B) • Continuation Projects Form (7) • Project based on prior research in the same field of study • Continuation aspect should be pointed out in the abstract • Requires submission of previous year’s abstract and research plan

15. Regulated Research Institution/Industrial Settings Form (1C)

16. Human Subjects

17. Vertebrate Animals

18. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS BIOLOGICAL AGENTS

19. Continuation Projects • Project based on prior research in the same field of study • The continuation aspect should be pointed out in the abstract • Longitudinal studies are permitted • Multi-year study • Studies time-based change • Requires form 7 • Requires submission of previous year’s abstract and research plan

20. Adult roles and Responsibilities • Adult Sponsor • Oversees project • Parent, teacher, youth leader, scientist • Qualified Scientist– • Required for some projects (Form 2) • Projects involving • BSL-2 biological agents • DEA-controlled substances • human participants (dependent on project) • vertebrate animal studies • Designated Supervisor • Important for projects involving vertebrate animal; hazardous chemicals, activities or devices; or when a qualified scientist is required but cannot directly supervise

21. ISEF Rules Wizard • ISEF rules wizard can be useful to determine forms needed • http://apps.societyforscience.org/isef/students/wizard/index.asp

22. Science Fair Projects

23. Before Experimenting! • Have research plan reviewed by teacher(mentor) and get any approvals needed by ISEF rules or other groups’ regulations before beginning project! In 2013-2014, all NC students must use the ISEF Forms 1, 1A, 1B, (and form 3 for OCS) plus any required ISEF special forms. Please review NCSEF web site for additional information: www.ncsciencefair.org/index.php/students-a-parents/forms

24. Steps to Finalizing a Student Project For the Science Fair • Complete Research Plan • Complete all required forms (1, 1A, 1B and 3) • Begin Experiment • Analyze Results • Draw Conclusions • Present Finds

25. Begin the experiment • Keep detailed notes of every step and experiment in your journal/research log. • Use data tables or charts as you proceed to help you see trends in data. • Have quantitative data, but also record observational data.

26. Analyze Results • After experiments, examine and organize findings • Use graphs to show data • Identify patterns in data • Look for experimental error and where they could occur. • Look at statistical relationships in data.

27. Draw Conclusions • Did the variables that you tested show or cause a change? • Were you able to see relationships? • Did you collect enough data? • Was your hypothesis supported? • How did your data fit previous information that you found in your background research? • What are practical applications or inferences that you can make? • How would you change the experiment or future research area?

28. Present Findings • Write an abstract of your project. • Prepare a scientific/research paper, PowerPoint, or poster/display board to present your findings. • Have journal/log available. • Present your project to class, school, or organization.

29. Display Boards Size: (we do not enforce at county-level) • Depth (front to back): 30 inches or 76 centimeters • Width (side to side): 48 inches or 122 centimeters • Height (floor to top): 108 inches or 274 centimeters Not Allowed at Project or Booth: • County Fairs: Display Boards only • State Regional Fairs • No living/dead organisms, including plants • Soil, sand, rock, and/or waste samples, even if permanently encased in a slab of acrylic • No sharp objects • No water, • No glass, • No chemicals • Taxidermy specimens or parts • Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals • Human or animal food • Human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine) • No hazardous substances or devices

30. Display Boards - continued • Photographs/images must be cited; labeled with credits for photographer/creator and permission of subjects other than student • Graphs/charts must be cited; labeled with credit for person who made/generated • Pictures off web must be cited • Abstract is not posted on display board, but is displayed vertically • 1C form must be displayed vertically (if form is required) • Data/log books along with research paper in front of display • See ISEF rules for complete regulations.

31. Resources for Science Projects • Science Buddies: www.sciencebuddies.org, information for students, teachers, and parents • Science Project Ideas, information and support for Science Fair: www.scienceproject.com • Science Fair Projects - Project Ideas Demonstrations and Instructions: www.chemistry.about.com/od/sciencefairprojects/Science_Fair_Projects.html • ISEF Science Primer: http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/primer/index.asp • Agricultural Ideas for Science Fair Projects: www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/fair/ideas.htm • Cool Science Fair Project Ideas and Science Fair Projects: www.sciencepage.org/scifair.htm • Nexus Research Group - Science Fair Main page: www.nexusresearchgroup.com/science_fair/sci_fair.htm • Science Projects: www.infoplease.com/homework/sciprojectsfaq.html • Research Project Ideas: Applying Science to Sustainability: www.ithaca.edu/faculty/sallen/Sustainability/research.html • Neuroscience For Kids - science fairs: www.faculty.washington.edu/chudler/fair.html

32. What is an SRC/IRB • Scientific Review Committee • Institutional Review Board • Reviews research plans before competitions. • Local, Regional, State, National/International

33. SRC (Scientific Review Committee) • Reviews some projects before experimentation • Reviews all projects just prior to competition • Membership must include: • a biomedical scientist (Ph.D., M.D., Pharmacist, D.V.M., D.D.S., D.O.) • an educator • one other member

34. Science Review Community (SRC) • Email NC State level SRC through website • The question will be reviewed and answered by several SRC members • We encourage questions even if this is prior to experimentation • ISEF SRC is helpful • If we can’t answer the question we will forward it to ISEF

35. SRC • Sort projects by extra forms required. • Quick review of projects with no extra forms • Form committees by form • Become expert in a section of rules • Use specialists as needed • IRB for all human subjects projects • a veterinarian and/or an animal care provider/expert with training and/or experience in the species being studied for all vertebrate animals projects

36. SRC check for • No microorganisms for elementary students • No home culturing of microorganisms • Extra forms needed – use checklist • Research plan • Does plan match checklist? • Bibliographies – 3 for elementary 5 for Junior and Senior projects • Acceptable risk differs – better safe than sorry… • Disposal plan for chemicals • Final project – did it follow the research plan? • Plan reviewed and approved before experimentation.

37. Recruiting your local SRC • Educate yourself – read the rules • http://www.societyforscience.org/page.aspx?pid=312 • Recruit parents, community college, university, ag extension, professional society, retired professionals. • Train the team

38. The Qualified Scientist • A Qualified Scientist should have earned a doctoral/professional degree in a scientific discipline that relates to the student’s area of research. A PhD, MD or a master’s degree with additional experience and expertise in the student’s area of research is acceptable when approved by a Scientific Review Committee (SRC). The Qualified Scientist must be thoroughly familiar with local, state, and federal regulations that govern the student’s area of research.  • The Qualified Scientist and the Adult Sponsor may be the same person, if that person is qualified as described above. A student may work with a Qualified Scientist in a city, state or country that is not where the student resides. In this case, the student must work locally with a Designated Supervisor (see below) who has been trained in the techniques to be applied by the student.

39. Judging Criteria

40. Forms Due Backby November 7, 2013 • Elementary School-Level Participation 2013-2014 • Secondary School-Level Participation 2013-2014 • These forms can as an attachment with the original email • Forms can be faxed to 455-5401

41. Contact Information • Michele Halley 910-455-2211, ext. 20214 michele.halley@onslow.k12.nc.us • Erika Sypsomos 910-455-2211, ext. 20274 erika.sypsomos@onslow.k12.nc.us Fax: 910-455-5401