Inspiring Innovation in Student Research!

1. Inspiring Innovation in Student Research! September 22, 2015 UNC-Pembroke 1 www.ncsciencefair.org

2. Introductions NC Science Fair Foundation (NCSFF) • Organizing body of the NC Science and Engineering Fair (NCSEF) • 501c3 Non-Profit Organization • The state affiliate of the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) • Sponsor of student competitions and events • Provider of teacher professional development • Website http://ncsciencefair.org/ 2 www.ncsciencefair.org

3. Introductions, cont. • Workshops Sponsored by Biogen Foundation The Biogen Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives and contribute to the vitality of the communities in which we operate. The Foundation puts special emphasis on innovative ways to promote science literacy and encourage young people to consider science careers. The Foundation focuses on STEM education initiatives and is committed to sparking a passion for science and discovery, supporting innovative initiatives, and strengthening efforts to make science accessible to diverse populations. • Our host • Participants – tell us about you –Name –School –Grade level 3 www.ncsciencefair.org

4. Science and Engineering Regional Fairs Across NC • NC has 9 regional fairs feeding into the State Science and Engineering Fair • Different local feeder patterns in different regions • Region 3 has two – 3A and 3B 4 www.ncsciencefair.org

5. What do you think of when you think of a Science Fair? 5 www.ncsciencefair.org

6. Today’s students investigate NEW PROBLEMS and New Solutions 6 www.ncsciencefair.org

7. Why should students participate in an independent research project? • Experience the excitement of inquiry-based science • Learn how scientists approach a problem and seek answers • Teaches lifelong learning skills, organization, and time management • Allows personal development as students become “experts” in their field of investigation • Encourages natural curiosity • Helps you to comply with the Next Generation Science Standards 7 www.ncsciencefair.org

8. Why should teachers have this as part of their curriculum? • Integrate Science Across Curricula Reading & writing in content areas Math analysis of data, graphing, charts Computer skills in presentation, graphs, text Interpretation of scientific data Increase science literacy, student interest in science, and motivation to pursue scientific careers Learn real world skills • New K-12 Next Generation Science Standards states that science education should be built around “Scientific and Engineering Practices” 8 www.ncsciencefair.org

9. Guiding Student Research Ch 4; p The Process for Teachers 68-72 (1) Set a Time Line –Schedule for designing experiment and methods, experimentation, and analysis. –Review of research plans prior to experimentation –Putting together paper or project board –School and higher level competitions (2) Get Parental Support – volunteers, mentoring, (3) Guide students through the process, ask questions (4) Have students present work – local, regional, state 9 www.ncsciencefair.org

10. Guiding Student Research p 77 and 85-89 Transferring Student Work to Graded Assessment • Each portion is assessed separately, not looking at the final complete project for the next Einstein • As we will model today, each portion is reviewed for how well students follow the science and engineering process • Teachers can provide feedback throughout the process and encourage student’s critical and creative thinking • Rubrics for grading each portion can be found in sciencebuddies.org in the Teacher section 10 www.ncsciencefair.org

11. The Process for Students 1. Think about what interests them, their own real world problems 2. Start journal on Research 3. Select Topic 4. Do Background Research 5. Develop Questions 6. Develop a Research Plan 7. Conduct Experiment 8. Analyze results 9. Write up findings 10. Create the Display 11. Present research and findings 11 www.ncsciencefair.org

12. Developing the Project 12 www.ncsciencefair.org

13. Resources • NC Science and Engineering Fair: www.ncsciencefair.org • Science Buddies: www.sciencebuddies.org, information for students, teachers, and parents • ISEF Get Started: http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/participate • ISEF Rules and Guidelines: http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/rulesandguidelines • ISEF Rules Wizard: http://apps.societyforscience.org/isef/students/wizard/index.asp 13 www.ncsciencefair.org

14. Picking the topic the Most Difficult Part • Topic (noun) 1. a subject of conversation or discussion: to provide a topic for discussion. 2. the subject or theme of a discourse or of one of its parts. Rhetoric, Logic. a general field of considerations from which arguments can be drawn. • Should come from something of great INTEREST – Hobby or topic they know something about – Encourage students to think about their environment/their life – Real world applications/something in the news • One to two words • Begin keeping your journal/research log! • Good resource is the “Topic Wizard” on www.sciencebuddies.org • This should give ideas, not a project (your students can use the project suggestions as background information 3. 14 www.ncsciencefair.org

15. Design a Project In groups of 3-4 you will come up with a TOPIC develop a TESTABLE QUESTION create a RESEARCH PLAN and determine how to PRESENT YOUR DATA 15 www.ncsciencefair.org

16. Background Research Research on your problem might include: • Definition and/or explanation of the topic or problem • Definition and/or explanation of terms found in the problem • Information about topics that relate to the problem • Explanation of why it is important to know about this problem While students are doing their research they are looking for questions that they would like to answer 16 www.ncsciencefair.org

17. Conducting Background Research Resources Use the internet but look for “.edu” or “.gov” • NOT ALL INFORMATION ON THE WEB IS CORRECT! • Try using Googlescholar.com for journals Use libraries – local resources and community and other colleges and universities Talk to experts in the field - local and distant (NC Universities, Science Buddies, etc.) Create a bibliography of your sources At least 3 for elementary and 5 for Junior and Senior 17 www.ncsciencefair.org

18. Organize the information from the background research 1) Look at what you have learned 2) Think of questions that were not answered 3) Narrow your focus for your topic to a particular idea 4) Develop the “testable” question! 18 www.ncsciencefair.org

19. Creating a TESTABLE QUESTION • A SCIENTIFIC QUESTION usually starts with: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where • Design a "fair test" that requires you to change only one factor (variable) and keep all other conditions the same – If you cannot design a fair test, then you should change your question • Your science fair project question should involve factors or traits that you can easily measure using a number. Or, factors or traits that are easily identified. Question must address: topic what is being changed/tested what is being measured From Science Buddies 19 www.ncsciencefair.org

20. Create your testable questions “Topic to Experiment” worksheet (PDF in the files provided) • This worksheet allows you to use your background research to guide you in developing your question plants plants Food Temperature Soil Light Water • Remember your question must answer: What is your topic What is being changed/tested What is being measured plants Grow Flower types of water Filtered Rain Tap Take 15 minutes to develop your testable question using this worksheet Once your group has your question, write it on the big pieces of paper flowering Time it takes to flower Does filtered water, tap water or rain water www.ncsciencefair.org help plants flower faster? 20

21. Learn by Doing 21 www.ncsciencefair.org

22. Developing Authentic Inquiry Generating research questions Complex transformation of observations Developing simple controls Developing theories and mechanisms Making multiple observations Multiple studies of the same type Observing intervening variables Multiple studies of different types Using analog models Studying expert research reports Simple transformation of observations 22 www.ncsciencefair.org

23. How is Research Done? The Inquiry Cycle #4 Test & Discover #3 Experimental Design #5 Student Analysis & Dissemination #2 Develop Testable Question #1 Student Curiosity & Interest 23 www.ncsciencefair.org

24. Engineering Design Cycle 24 www.ncsciencefair.org

25. Comparison of the Methods* The Scientific Method The Engineering Process State your question Define a need Do background research Do background research Formulate your hypothesis, identify variables Design experiment, establish procedure Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment Analyze your results & draw conclusions Present results Establish design criteria Prepare preliminary designs Build and test a prototype Test & redesign as necessary Present results www.ncsciencefair.org 25 *Sciencebuddies.org

26. ISEF Areas of Research Life Sciences Plant Sciences Chemistry Behavior & Social Sci. Biomedical & Health Environmental/Earth Robotics Computational Mathematics Systems Software Materials Science Embedded Systems(hardware) Energy – Chem., Physical Engineering 26 www.ncsciencefair.org

27. Developing the Research Plan 27 www.ncsciencefair.org

28. Things to think about • Is this original? • Is this doable? • Materials • Location 1. Home 2. School 3. University 4. Laboratory 5. Industrial Setting 6. Medical Center 7. Field • Mentor – Adult sponsor – Scientist – Local experts 28 www.ncsciencefair.org

29. Developing a Research Plan Back of ISEF Form 1A is how to write a research plan (handout)  Question being addressed – the “testable” question  Hypothesis/Problem/Goal  Description in detail of method/procedures  Written in future tense (BEFORE experimentation)  Fluid process that may require rewriting  What type of data you are planning to collect (what is being measured) • Need to have controls and document factors that influence experiment –Be sure to have large enough numbers to be valid • Need to have limited variables so that you know what is changing and why  How will you analyze the data that you collect 29 www.ncsciencefair.org

30. Rules and Regulations • We follow the rules put forth by ISEF – Can find the complete rules as a PDF in your workshop folder • Why? • Protects students • Protects you • Raises the expectations for quality work • Gets scientists involved in your school • Allows students to compete at higher levels • Develops understanding of how science is regulated in U.S. 30 www.ncsciencefair.org

31. Does your project follow the rules? ISEF rules wizard can be useful to determine forms needed. http://apps.societyforscience.org/isef/students/wizard/ index.asp 31 www.ncsciencefair.org

32. 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 • Local fairs can save paper by using an online system for Forms 1, 1A and 1B. Research plans, abstracts, and other forms need to be in hard copy. • Students who win and go on to the next level will need hard copies of all forms. 32 www.ncsciencefair.org

33. Setting up an Online Research Documentation for Schools • Google doc: http://tinyurl.com/pytm8ys • Allows the teacher to have a spreadsheet with all student information with approvals from parents. • Allows the documentation of approvals without blowing your paper budget! 33 www.ncsciencefair.org

34. What does the SRC check? • No microorganisms for elementary students • No home culturing of microorganisms • Extra forms, if needed – use checklist • Research plan Does plan match checklist and abstract? Bibliographies – 3 for elementary and 5 for Junior and Senior projects Acceptable risk differs – better safe than sorry… Disposal plan for chemicals and microorganisms • Final project – did it follow the research plan? • Plan reviewed and approved before experimentation 34 www.ncsciencefair.org

35. Questions? • Email your Regional Director • Email NC State level SRC through website – src@ncsciencefair.org – 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 www.ncsciencefair.org

36. Begin the experiment • Keep detailed notes of every step and experiment in your journal/research log. Resource: Guidelines for keeping a laboratory notebook (http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~bioslabs/to ols/notebook/notebook.html) • Use data tables or charts as you proceed to help you see trends in data. • Have quantitative data, but also record observational data. 36 www.ncsciencefair.org

37. 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 Bring in the MATH!!! 37 www.ncsciencefair.org

38. Presenting Data • Schematics, illustrations, and flow charts are effective means of explaining how an experiment was conducted or the design concepts for an engineering project. • Tables are a format for presenting raw data or statistical summaries of data • Graphs are used to visually represent data, be sure to choose the proper type of graph • Photographs are particularly useful for depicting an experimental setup, or examples of what results actually looked like. In your groups, take 2 minutes to determine how you would present your findings 38 www.ncsciencefair.org

39. Determining the best way In competitions students will be judged by scientists and engineers working in the field of study thus they will expect to see data displayed in an appropriate manner How to decide? • Refer back to the background research and how that data was presented • http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair- projects/top_science-fair_data_presentation_tips.shtml gives a table of top journals in various fields and links to their style guides 39 www.ncsciencefair.org

40. 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? 40 www.ncsciencefair.org

41. Why have students present their findings? • Good preparation for college and business • Opportunity to compete • Gives students insight into careers • Builds confidence • Increases organizational skills • • • • • Enhances process skills Improves writing skills May be interdisciplinary Requires creativity Improves visual/spatial thinking skills Improves communication skills • 41 41 www.ncsciencefair.org

42. Guiding Student Research p 158- 162 and 181 Ways to present findings • Prepare an Abstract • Written after experimentation and includes: a) purpose of the experiment b) procedure c) data d) conclusions • Ways to present findings: • Written paper ‒ Contains Title, Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion and Works Cited ‒ Resource: http://umech.mit.edu/freeman/6.021J/2000/writing.pdf Bring in the ENGLISH!!! 42 www.ncsciencefair.org

43. Guiding Student Research p 158- 162 and 181 Ways to present findings • Ways to present findings (cont.): • Oral presentation ‒ Prepare your material so that it tells a story logically • Subject: title, authors, acknowledgements • Introduction/overview • Method/approach • Results/information/analysis • Conclusion/summary ‒ Use examples, anecdotes, and significant details ‒ Create continuity so that your slides flow smoothly • Guide the audience through your story Resource: http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~martins/sen_sem/sci_talk/Scientific_talk.ppt 43 www.ncsciencefair.org

44. Ways to present findings • Ways to present findings (cont.): • Poster Presentation ‒ Review rules for display and safety ‒ Provide data notebook and research paper ‒ Board should have: • Title • Background • Hypothesis/Problem • Experiment • Results • Conclusions • Discussion/Future Directions • Abstract (on table) Use more photographs instead of stuff! 44 www.ncsciencefair.org

45. The Display • Major purpose is to effectively communicate: – Question/Goal/Hypothesis – Purpose – Methodology/Design Plan – Experimental outcomes – Conclusions • Clarity and neatness are considered, do not judge on artistic presentation and ability 45 www.ncsciencefair.org

46. The Display • Photo/Image credits must be displayed • Display of photographs other than that of the finalist must have a photo release signed by the subject, and if under 18 years of age, also by the guardian of the subject. Sample consent text: “I consent to the use of visual images (photos, videos, etc.) involving my participation/my child’s participation in this research.” 46 www.ncsciencefair.org

47. NOT Allowed at Project or Booth 1) Living organisms, including plants 2) Soil, sand, rock, and/or waste samples, even if permanently encased in a slab of acrylic 3) Taxidermy specimens or parts 4) Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals 5) Human or animal food 6) Human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine) 7) Plant materials (living, dead, or preserved) that are in their raw, unprocessed, or non-manufactured state (Exception: manufactured construction materials used in building the project or display) 8) All chemicals including water (Projects may not use water in any form in a demonstration .) 9) All hazardous substances or devices [for example, poisons, drugs, firearms, weapons, ammunition, reloading devices, and lasers 10-15 – see more rules…. 47 www.ncsciencefair.org

48. Too big a job for one person 48 www.ncsciencefair.org

49. You need a Team! • Major tasks – Scheduling/Facilities – Website – Guiding student research – Outreach to feeder fairs – Registration – SRC/IRB – Fair Finances – Set-up/Display and Safety – Judging – Awards – Refreshments – Publicity – Sponsors 49 www.ncsciencefair.org

50. Your Team Needs Tools • Many useful tools on NCSEF and ISEF websites. –http://ncsciencefair.org/ –http://www.societyforscience.org/isef • Science Buddies – http://sciencebuddies.org • Using the planning document – ‘Planning your science fair’ folder in the documents you downloaded has helpful documents 50 www.ncsciencefair.org