PROJECT

DATE CLIENTOctober 16, 2014 ALABAMA SCIENCE TEACHERS

STEM-IQGEARSEF Orientation

motivation: WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY

• INTRODUCTIONS• WELCOME TO AUBURN UNIVERSITY!• WHAT PROMPTED TODAY’S EVENT?

1. A Task: Revamp AU’s Regional Science and Engineering Fair2. A Program: Science Investigations3. An Article: “The Science Fair: A New Look at an Old Tradition”4. A Need: Guidance and Support for Teachers

• WHY I HAVE INVITED YOU HERE TODAY?• To familiarize you with the process of science fair

motivation: STUDENT BENEFITS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKJ3a1iFMOs

Logistics: Intel ISEF

logistics: from your school to intel ISEF

Local Fair*

Regional Fair

State Fair

Intel ISEF

6-12 6-12

9-129-12

• Public, private, & home schools• Grades 6 - 12 eligible • 5 regionals in Alabama• State fair hosted by UAH

logistics: ALABAMA FAIRS

Local Fair

Regional Fair

State Fair

Intel ISEF

6-12 6-12

9-129-12

• Service Region = 19 AL counties

•~60-80 projects (many are teams)

•~100 students• 5 - 7 counties represented

•2 senior division winners advance directly to Intel ISEF

•~25% of projects advance to state

logistics: GEARSEF REGIONAL

• Did YOU ever do a Science Fair Project?• Today’s science fair projects...• Engage students in the scientific research process: •Develop a testable question•Find a way to test the question:• Materials • Methods/Procedure•Collect data•Interpret the results•Communicate the findings:• Display Board• Verbal Communication• Research Paper

logistics: WHAT IS SCIENCE FAIR?

PROJECT DISPLAY BOARD INTERVIEW WITH JUDGES SCIENCE DATA BOOK OR JOURNALRESEARCH PAPER (OPTIONAL)

logistics: WHAT ARE COMPONENTS OF A PROJECT?

logistics: Divisions

JUNIOR DIVISIONGRADES 6 - 8

• Explore a topic of their own choosing• Develop a question and hypothesis• Design a fair test• Collect data in a data table• Choose an appropriate graph type to display information• Develop a cohesive conclusion:

• Does data support or void the hypothesis?• Are there sources of error in experimentation?• Are there other questions the student could

explore after testing?

• Communicate the results of the study with an effective display board

SENIOR DIVISIONGRADES 9 - 12

• Explore an original and unique topic of their own choosing• Conduct background research on the topic• Develop a question and hypothesis• Design a fair test• Collect data in a data table• Choose an appropriate graph type to display information• Develop a cohesive conclusion:

• Does data support or void the hypothesis?• Are there sources of error in experimentation?• Are there other questions the student could

explore after testing?

• Communicate the results of the study with an effective display board

• Communicate the results of the study with a well-developed research paper (recommended)

logistics: Categories

CATEGORIES: GRADES 6 - 8

• Animal and Plant Sciences• Behavioral and Social Sciences• Physical Science• Engineering and Energy• Medicine and Health Sciences

CATEGORIES: (GRADES 9 - 12)

• Animal and Plant Sciences• Behavioral and Social Sciences• Cellular, Molecular, and Microbiology• Chemistry and Biochemistry• Engineering, Computer Science, and Math• Energy and Transportation• Environmental Sciences• Medicine and Health Sciences• Physics and Astronomy

Successful Projects

logistics: Fair Day Judging

INTERVIEW CRITERIA

• Creative Ability - 30 points• With regard to questions, investigation, data, and approach

• Scientific Thought - 30 points• With regard to design, variables/controls, and conclusions

• Thoroughness - 15 points• With regard to coverage, replication, awareness of area research, and completeness of notes

• Skill - 15 points•With regard to the students skills and ability to have independently completed the project

• Clarity - 10 points• With regard to discussion/written work and the display

successful projects: WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?

SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS:• Are creative

• Creative questions are the core of a good project • Creative project design or procedures• Creative approach to a problem or question

• Employ Scientific Thought• All possible variables are addressed through scientific testing and/or background research• Controls are well developed and executed correctly• Conclusions are supported by scientific evidence and background research• The project has been designed and carried out using acceptable research practices

• Are Thorough• Thorough background research provides a foundational understanding of a subject area• Adequate numbers of replications to ensure that the results are not random (min. 3)• Thoroughness in note-taking and research paper (if applicable)

• Require Age-Appropriate Skill• Skillfully planned and executed project at the appropriate level• Independently led projects at the appropriate level for that student

• Are Clearly Communicated• Clearly displayed results• Clearly and concisely written summaries, abstracts, research papers• Clearly able to speak about their project

successful projects: BUILD THE SKILLS

SKILLS NEEDED FOR SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS:• Background Research Skills

• Background Information• Scientific authority

• Real inquiry skills• Setting up a correct Experimental Design

• Communication Skills • Oral Communication• Written Communication• Correct Scientific Language

Build Research Skills

implementation: BUILD RESEARCH SKILLS

STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO...

1. Research information related to a subject or topic.2. Determine if the information source is reliable.3. Read non-fiction articles for:• Meaning of the main article• Meaning of any graphs, data tables, pictures, etc.• List evidence that supports the claim(s) made in the article• Develop questions at the end of the article

implementation: BUILD RESEARCH SKILLS

IN THE CLASSROOM... (IN PREPARATION FOR SCIENCE FAIR)

Have students do mini-research projects in which they:1. Search for information online2. Determine if the information source is reliable

Have students practice reading non-fiction articles by:1. Writing short answer responses about the article2. Hosting whole-class discussions about the article3. Writing summaries of the article

Build Inquiry Skills

implementation: BUILD INQUIRY SKILLS

STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO...

1. Develop their own questions2. Form their own hypothesis3. Develop an experimental design setup (materials & procedures)• Record data into a data table• Interpretation and presentation of data (through graphs etc.)

implementation: BUILD INQUIRY SKILLS

IN THE CLASSROOM...

Have students practice the experimental design process• Develop the question, hypothesis, etc.

Communication Skills

implementation: BUILD COMMUNICATION SKILLS

STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO...

1. Speak with scientific authority about their project topic2. Use appropriate scientific language when applicable3. Write technically about their project including:4. An abstract5. A conclusion6. A research paper

implementation: BUILD COMMUNICATION SKILLS

IN THE CLASSROOM...

1. Encourage students to continually summarize and question during all labs:2. Verbally (to the teacher, peers, whole class)3. Written 4. Have students do mini-research projects in which they:• Present results to the class (powerpoint, posters, prezi, etc.)• Teach Technical Writing

implementation: PAPERWORK

INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB)

What is an IRB?An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee that, according to federal regulations (45-CFR-46), must evaluate the potential physical and/or psychological risk of research involving humans. All proposed human research must be reviewed and approved by an IRB before experimentation begins. This includes review of any surveys or questionnaires to be used in a project.

Who is on the local IRB?An IRB must consist of a minimum of three members and:a. an educatorb. a school administrator c. include an individual who is knowledgeable about and capable of evaluating the physical and/or psychological risk involved in a given study.

implementation: PAPERWORK

SCIENTIFIC REVIEW COMMITTEE (SRC)

What is an SRC?A Scientific Review Committee (SRC) is a group of qualified individuals that is responsible for evaluation of student research, certifications, research plans and exhibits for compliance with the rules and applicable laws and regulations at each level of science fair competition.

Who is on the local SRC?Most proposed research projects involving vertebrate animals and/or potentially hazardous biological agents must be reviewed and approved BEFORE experimentation.An SRC must include three persons and:a. a biomedical scientist b. an educatorc. one additional member