Information for Teachers
Introduction
Teachers, especially at the middle school, are the main reason that students decide to do a science fair project. Many teachers require some type of science project for science class. Possible projects include a working model or diagram of a scientific principle, duplication or demonstration of someone else's work, or a novel research project. Only the last two, the research project and demonstration or duplication of someone else's work, would be categorized as appropriate for science fair participation at the regional level.
Participation in a science fair should be a learning experience. A school science fair offers a student the opportunity to work on a research project, to devise and test a hypothesis, and to explain her/his project before a select group of professionals.
Early in the school year some attention should be given to helping the students get started on their research projects. Some class time should be directed at helping students begin activities such as selecting a topic, developing a research plan, and locating materials and resources.
Time allocation for working on projects in class should be determined by the teacher in order to encourage student participation, answer questions, and assist students through the early phases of the project. School and public libraries, universities, institutions, and professional organizations are possible resources.
Provide students with a timeline for completion of tasks (i.e., research plan, topic, materials needed, data collection., etc.). This timeline should reflect course requirements as well as regional fair deadlines.
All students must submit a detailed research plan for teacher approval prior to any experimentation. It is strongly recommended that each school conduct a science fair and formally recognize and award exceptional participants at the local level. The regional fair should be only for those students who have demonstrated excellence at the local school fair.
Send a letter to parents giving school science fair as well as regional science fair information. Details of obligations to be met by students should be included in this letter. Emphasize the numerous opportunities for students to receive recognition and awards at the regional fair. Communicate to students that completion of a regional science fair registration form represents a commitment to participate in all regional science fair activities.
Teacher Training 2008
We provide free, on-site training "Successful Science Fair Projects", to groups of middle and high school teachers in our service area. The length of the training ranges from 1 hour to 4 hours, depending on the number of training modules selected (each one is 30 minutes in length). Training may be scheduled for any weekday or Saturday. We can provide certificates for continuing education credits, if needed.
Modules: Science Fair Basics, How to Organize an In-School Science Fair, How to Conduct Approved Experiments with Human Subjects, How to Conduct Approved Experiments with Animals, How to Conduct Approved Experiments with Biological Materials, The Science Fair Poster, The Science Fair Data Book, What Science Fair Judges Really Want
How to Participate in SASEF
Our Service Area
Any public, private or homeschooled student in the SASEF Service Area may enter an exhibit in the SASEF if certain qualifications are met (see below). This project year includes research conducted from January 2008 to Feb 2009. A $5.00, non-refundable fee is required for each participant.
SASEF Service Area:
Middle School (Grades 6-8): Junior Division
For middle school students to qualify for the Junior Division competition, exhibits must have been evaluated at the school or county level and have placed in the top 10-20% of all exhibits. Please contact us for possible exceptions. If your middle school fair winners compete in a county-wide fair, it is essential that you follow up and encourage the county winners from your school to enter the SASEF.
High School (Grades 9-12: Senior Division
Any high school student may enter an exhibit in the SASEF. Most high schools do not have school fairs, nor do they compete at the county fair. Therefore, the only requirement in that the student have a teacher, parent, or outside scientist serve as project mentor. In addition, all students participating in a Resarch Methods class in any high school is eligible to compete in SASEF.
Team Projects
Team projects compete in their categories. Team projects can includes research in any scientific discipline. Team may have up to three members. Note: Teams may not have more than three members at a local fair and then eliminate members to qualify for the SASEF. A Team Project cannot be converted to an individual project. A new member may not be added to a continuing Team Project, but two original team members may continue their research if the third member no longer participates.
Each team should appoint a team leader to coordinate the work and act as spokesperson. However, each member of the team should be able to serve as spokesperson, be fully involved with the project, and be familiar with all aspects of the project. The final work should reflect the coordinated efforts of all team members and will be evaluated using the same rules and similar judging criteria as the categories.
Timeline for Science Fair Projects
Aug - Sep:
Student selects research topic, begins literature review in library
Oct:
Student completes literature review; writes hypothesis, objectives, and methods and materials; prepares data book; completes necessary paperwork such as human subjects forms
Nov - Dec:
Student completes experiment, analyzes data, writes report and abstract.
Entry forms available on SASEF website.
Jan - Feb:
In-school fairs may be held at this time (if held after the Feb 28th deadline, then students qualify for the following year's SASEF, not this year's); winners selected to participate in SASEF
Students complete data book
Student uses online entry site to complete and print entry forms
Student mails SASEF entry forms (if qualified to enter) to SASEF, 2506 EJ Chapman Dr, Univ Tenn, Knoxville, TN 37996-4531 - - DUE FEB 28th
Mar:
Student and teacher are informed about acceptance into SASEF (listed on this website), all paperwork issues must be resolved
Student prepares poster; practices for judge interviews
Apr:
SASEF during first week
May:
ISEF (our top two Senior Division projects and Team Project (optional) qualify for expense-paid trip to ISEF)
SASEF Rules
Rules for scientific experimentation are necessary to protect both the student researcher and their human or animal subjects. To satisfy the requirements of an affiliated fair, SASEF must abide by the rules and guidelines of the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), sponsored by the Society for Science and the Public. The rules, including a Rules Wizard, are found at http://sciserv.org/isef/about/rules_regulations.asp.
In general, we highly recommend that middle school students do not conduct experiments with either human or vertebrate subjects, and that there be few if any hazardous substances involved. This helps to avoid additional paperwork to enter the SASEF. Middle Schools are not expected to have an Internal Scientific Review Board or Scientific Review Committee. The SASEF has a board that can be used for approvals of middle school projects, if required.
High Schools that participate in the SASEF are required to have a Internal Scientific Review Board or Scientific Review Committee (contact us if you need help setting one up). This is a standard committee that every high school should have. Projects must have all approved paperwork submitted at the time of entry.
Project Categories
We follow the guidelines of the ISEF for project categories and descriptions. They can be found at: http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/students/research_categories.asp
We ask that the student choose a category on the SASEF entry form. However, if we determine that the category selected is not the best choice, we will contact the student or the teacher about a possible change of category.
Entry Guidelines
We are using an online entry form printing tool. Starting in January, 2009, students will be able to complete their online entry form and print it out to mail to us with the entry packet. A printed form with signatures is required by ISEF, which is why we cannot do everything completely online. Mail to SASEF, 2506 EJ Chapman Dr., Univ Tenn, Knoxville, TN 37996-4531.
A typical entry packet from a middle school student contains:
- SASEf entry form (1 page, created on website) - signed by student, parent
- Junior Division project plan (1 page, created on website) - signed by student, teacher and parent
- Typed Research Plan - title, abstract, hypothesis, objectives, procedures, bibliography (generally 2-3 pages total)
- $5.00 entry fee (cash or check made to SASEF)
A typical entry packet from a high school student contains:
- SASEf entry form (1 page, created on website) - signed by student, parent
- ISEF Form 1 Checklist for Adult Sponsor (linked from our webpage) - signed by adult sponsor
- ISEF Form 1A Student Checklist
- Typed Research Plan - title, abstract*, hypothesis, objectives, procedures, bibliography (generally 2-3 pages total); be sure to include information relevant to human subjects, vertebrate animals, recombinant DNA, or hazardous materials if used in your experiment - the more information, the better
- ISEF Form 1B - Approval Form - signed by student, parent
- Additional forms, if required (human subjects, etc.)
* Student may also use the official ISEF abstract form, but it is not required
***If the project requires SRC (Scientific Review Committee - for hazardous substances or vertebrate studies) or IRB (Internal Review Board - for human subjects) review, the high school must organize a review committees - either one of each (IRB, SRC) or a single, combined IRB/SRC board. Most high schools have such a board because of other activities. However, the middle or home school does not need to form its own committees. The SASEF has a regional-level SRC/IRB, and this group will review your research plan for you. The deadline for submitting your research paperwork to SASEF for SRC/IRB approval is December 20. It is best to submit your plan well before this deadline, though, in case it needs revision before it can be approved. ***
Display Guidelines
When students arrive at the fair, they must check in with the SASEF desk, where they will receive their table number. This is the spot (about half or an 8 foot table) for the display. We follow strict guidelines for display materials, expecially since we often have young children stop by on field trips. The complete guidelines can be found at: http://www.scisvc.org/isef/aff_fairs/aff_regulations.asp
However, in general, they are:
DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME OR SCHOOL or any part of your display or papers.
Your display makes the first impression on the judges. Your display is a special way to "tell a story." You need to show what you were trying to find out, what you did, what results you got, and finally what conclusions you reached. The detailed description of all of this is your report. Your display is the summary, or essence, of all of this. It should be enough to inform at a quick look, and stimulating enough to call for a second, longer look. Being clear is the whole aim of the display. Choose carefully what you include in your display. Avoid needless clutter. A simple display with few key items is the most effective. Keep the amount of writing on the actual display board to a minimum. While your exhibit board summarizes all of your research, judges will also read the research papers. Include the papers in the display and your experiment log book.
Your display should include the following:
- your title
- the problem or question you tried to solve
- your hypothesis
- background information on your project and topic
- your objectives, what you wanted to learn
- an abstract
- the materials you used
- the methods you followed
- the results of your experiment
- your conclusions
EXHIBIT PHOTOGRAPHS AND DRAWINGS: Use pictures, drawings, and photographs. You have heard that one picture is worth a thousand words. It is true. If you have a camera, take photographs of the progress of your project. You should photograph specimens from your experiments since most cannot be displayed. Color is preferable to black and white. Don’t staple or glue the photographs to your board; mount them on matt board or cardboard.
In preparing any drawings or charts, avoid materials that smudge. If you use anything that might smudge, keep it covered until the last possible moment. Do not mount your photographs and drawings in an arbitrary fashion, but arrange them in an eye-catching way. Some displays lose their appeal because too much is included. Avoid too much color or gaudy combinations; they detract from the appeal of your exhibit.
Remember, the judges do their first evaluation of your project based upon what they can learn from your display. A picture without an explanation is easily misunderstood. For each picture, graph, or model, a brief description should be written.
As you assemble your display, lay everything out before attaching anything to your backboard. Arrange everything so that nothing on the board will be blocked from view. When everything is just the way you want it, attach it with glue.
Be sure your display meets the size requirements. Oversized projects will be disqualified.
WHAT ELSE TO EXHIBIT: If you exhibit a model, it should be neat and attractive. Place your complete report, materials used in the investigation, or samples from your experimental group on the table in front of the exhibit.
WHAT TO EXCLUDE FROM YOUR EXHIBIT: A large number of items on display does not mean your project is more comprehensive or detailed. Display only the materials that convey the most information. You cannot exhibit anything considered hazardous to the public. Many things you might not consider hazardous, cannot be exhibited. Check the safety and display rules and regulations before you arrive at the SASEF.
Maximum Size of Display at the SASEF 76 cm (30 in) deep Notes: 1) Fair provided tables at SASEF will not exceed a height of 91 cm (36 in). |
Not allowed at Project or in Booth
- Your name or school name on any part of the display
- Living organisms
- Taxidermy specimens or parts
- Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals
- Human or animal food
- Human/animal parts of body fluids (for example, blood urine) (exceptions: teeth, hair, nails, dried animal bones, histological dry mount sections, and completely sealed wet mount tissue slides)
- Laboratory/household chemicals including water (exceptions: water integral to an enclosed apparatus or water supplied by the Display and Safety Committee)
- Poisons, drugs, controlled substances, hazardous substances or devices (for example: firearms, weapons, ammunition, reloading devices)
- Dry ice or other sublimating solids
- Sharp items (for example: syringes, needles, pipettes, knives)
- Flames or highly flammable display materials
- Batteries with open-top cells
Allowed at Project BUT with the Restrictions Indicated
- Dried plant materials if permanently sealed in acrylic or other similar material
- Soil or waste samples if permanently sealed in acrylic or other similar material.
- Empty tanks that previously contained combustible liquids or gases must be certified as having been purged with carbon dioxide.
- Any apparatus with unshielded belts, pulleys, chains, or moving parts with tension or pinch points may not be operated.
- Class II lasers:
a) may be operated only by exhibitor.
b) posted sign must read "Laser Radiation: Do Not Stare into Beam."
c) must have protective housing that prevents access to beam.
d) must be disconnected when not operating. - Class III and IV lasers may not be operated.
- Large vacuum tubes or dangerous ray-generating devices must be properly shielded.
- Pressurized tanks that contain non-combustible materials may be allowed if properly secured.
- Any apparatus producing temperatures that will cause physical burns must be adequately insulated.
SASEF Requirements and Recommendations
- A project data book and research paper are highly recommended.
- Prior years' data, written material or visual depictions may not be displayed on the vertical display board.
- Participants using audio-visual or multi-media presentations (for example: 35 mm slides; videotapes; images, graphics, animations, etc. displayed on computer monitors; or other non-print presentation methods) must be prepared to show the entire presentation to the Display and Safety inspectors before the project is approved.
- The only photographs or visual depictions of identifiable or recognizable people allowed are photographs of the participant, the participant's family, or persons for which consent forms are readily visible on the table or in front of the vertical display board.
- No photographs or any other visual depictions may be included in any manner at a project or in the booth if they are deemed visually offensive by the Scientific Review Committee, the Display and Safety Committee, or the SASEF. This includes, but is not limited to, visually offensive photographs or visual depictions of invertebrate or vertebrate animals, including humans. The decision by any one of the groups mentioned above is final.
Web Resources
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Science Fair Primer
Teacher Grants
Could you use a little extra money to help your science or engineering program grow?
The Endowment Committee of the Southern Appalachian Science and Engineering Fair invites teachers to submit grant proposals for up to $400.00. The purpose of these grants is to encourage the development of innovative science and engineering instructional programs and materials by science teachers served by the SASEF area. Teachers who have demonstrated interest and involvement in the SASEF by having one or more students participate in the SASEF in recent years are eligible. Some examples of suitable topics for proposals are: purchase of science and engineering equipment and materials, attendance at specific meetings for professional development, symposia or similar activities.
Your proposal should be typed and brief (no more than two pages). Your proposal should include specific details of how the money would be spent and how your students would benefit. Proposals will be considered on a biannual basis and deadlines for submission are November 1st and April 1st.
You may submit your proposals electronically (in either Microsoft word or rich text format) to:
Teresa L. Fulcher at tfulcher@pstcc.edu
or by mail to:
Teresa Fulcher
Pellissippi State Technical Community
College Natural and Behavioral Sciences
10915 Hardin Valley Road
Knoxville, TN, 37933
Shortly after the deadline for submissions, the SASEF Endowment Committee will meet to consider the applications. Winners will be notified prior to January 1 or June 1, depending on the submission date. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Teresa Fulcher by e-mail tfulcher@pstcc.edu or phone 865-539-7048.