Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair, Inc. Region IX of Louisiana May 2014

Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair, Inc. Region IX of Louisiana May 2014 A YEAR IN REVIEW GNOSEF (Regional Fair) ISEF (International Fair) GNOSEF Strengths Current Business & Future Plans Annette Oertling Ph.D., Fair Director Michelle Sanchez Ph.D., Asst. Fair Director

Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair, Inc. Mission Statement provide a public event to display and recognize area students' research encourage independent student research in science and engineering, promote the understanding and appreciation of sciences, encourage youth to pursue science, math, or engineering careers, stimulate interest and support for science and math programs in area schools, promote collaboration and interaction between area students and scientists and engineers from the community and/or the world.

Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair February 18 th, 19 th, and 20 th, 2014 Junior Division UNO Human Performance Center Senior Division (13 participated / 23 affiliated) Ben Franklin Elementary School Christian Brothers School Haynes Academy * Holy Cross School * John Curtis Christian School * John Q. Adams Middle School Lake Forest Charter School Riverdale Middle School St. Bernard Middle School St. Benilde School St. Rita T.H.Harris Middle School Ursuline Academy * Jr. Division Grand Award Winners Matthew Perniciaro, John Curtis Christian Donovan Carney & David Moses, Benjamin Franklin Elementary Sr. Division Grand Award Winners Caitlyn Kelly - Ben Franklin High School Helene Lovett Lusher Charter School Paris Evans Patrick F. Taylor Academy Pedro Rivera Holy Cross School (Not pictured) (11 participated / 17 affiliated) Archbishop Shaw Ben Franklin High School Chalmette High Haynes Academy * Holy Cross School * John Curtis Christian School * John Ehret High School Lusher Charter School N. O. Charter Science and Mathematics HS Patrick F. Taylor Academy Thomas Jefferson Senior High Ursuline Academy * * both Jr. and Sr. Division Adults pictured : Dean Norman Whitley, UNO Dean Steve Johnson, UNO Dr. Mary Mysing-Gubala, Ben Franklin Dr. Janell Simpson, Patrick F. Taylor Dr. Warren Bernard, Holy Cross Dean Beth Wee, Tulane

Recent Participation in GNOSEF has Remained Consistent (Limited Only by Number of Projects Per Category a School can Submit) 250 # of Projects Entered in GNOSEF 200 150 100 50 Junior Division Senior Division 0 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 Year 25 # of Schools Participating in GNOSEF 20 15 10 5 Junior Division Senior Division 0 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 Year

Local Special Awards AIAA Greater New Orleans Chapter American Petroleum Institute (API) Delta Chapter American Society of Civil Engineers - N. O. Branch American Welding Society - New Orleans Section Bruce J. Heim Foundation/Cancer Assoc. of GNO Dr. Daniel Stewarts Young Scientist Award Dr. James Truett Stewart, Sr. Scientific Method Award Gulf Coast Safety and Training Group Iota Sigma Pi, National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry LaWana Stewart s Hum Dinger Chemistry Award MENSA - (The High IQ Society), N.O. Chapter M.S. Benbow & Assoc./Nat l Soc. Of Black Engr. N.O. Prof. Section N. O. Federal Executive Board N. O. Geological Society New Orleans Section of NACE International "The Corrosion Society Pontchartrain Astronomy Society/Sierra Club, New Orleans Group Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Inc., Delta Chapter Structural Engr. Institute of the Am. Soc. of Civil Engrs-N.O. Branch U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service Women for a Better Louisiana

National Special Awards American Meteorological Society American Psychological Association (APA) ASM International Foundation Association for Women Geoscientists Foundation Broadcom MASTERS GENUIS OLYMPIAD Intel Excellence in Computer Science I-SWEEEP-International Sustainable World (Energy, Engineering, & Environment) Project Olympiad Mu Alpha Theta National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Society of Professional Engineers Ricoh Americas Corporation Society for In Vitro Biology Stockholm Junior Water Prize U.S. Air Force / U.S. Army U.S. Metric Association U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps Office of Naval Research U.S. Public Health Services Yale Science & Engineering Association, Inc.

Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Awards OBJECTIVE Provide incentive to increase student interest, enrollment, and performance in upper level math and science courses through participation in the GNOSEF. AWARDS $10,000 materials and field trip grant divided among eligible high schools* $1,000 scholarships to each of the top 4 winners in the senior division** 2014 School Grant Recipients Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy Benjamin Franklin High School John Curtis Christian Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies * Increase of $2,500 over last year. ** Increase of $250 per student over last year.

GNOSEF Mini-Grants Through the generosity of one of our individual donors, 8 minigrants totaling $443 were provided to students at Franklin Elementary and Ben Franklin High School. The objective was to provide funding for worthy student projects that would otherwise not have the resources to participate. ALL AFFILIATED SCHOOLS ARE ELLIGIBLE AND NOTIFIED! Student projects were evaluated according to the following criteria: Does the project have a basic theme that merits investigation? Is the project appropriate for the grade level of the student? Has the student used the scientific method in outlining his/her investigation? Does the experiment conform to the GNOSEF guidelines?

Student Successes 2014 LA State Science and Engineering Fair (LSEF) SENIOR DIVISION CATEGORY AWARDS (9) Place Category Student School 3 rd animal sciences Sarah E. Benjamin Franklin High Alexander School 4 th animal sciences Caitlyn A. Kelly Benjamin Franklin High School HM animal sciences Bret A. Macklin Pope John Paul II Catholic High School 3 rd behavioral and social sciences Helene Lovett Lusher Charter School 4 th biochemistry Xiaoshu Zheng Benjamin Franklin High 4 th environmental management 2 nd engineering: materials and bioengineering 4 th environmental sciences 4 th medicine and health sciences Abbi Griffith Jack Hopper Alisha Chowdhury Sarah E. Groh Rebecca S. Wang School Benjamin Franklin High School Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies Benjamin Franklin High School Benjamin Franklin High School

Student Successes 2014 LA State Science and Engineering Fair (LSEF) LSEF JUNIOR DIVISION CATEGORY AWARDS (5) Place Category Student School Project Title Matthew John Curtis R. "READY, SET, RAM. " Christian Perniciaro 1 st computer science 2 nd earth and planetary science environme 4 th ntal sciences Scott V. Hawkins Cade C. Windstein mathemati 4 th Linda N. cal Denson sciences medicine 3 rd John H. and health Schmidt sciences Christian Brothers School John Curtis Christian Benjamin Franklin Elementary John Curtis Christian "Geothermal: Free Energy?" "Where is the most Air Pollution in my House?" "Can Sudoku and Flow Free Improve Math Ability?" "Does Genetics play a Factor in being Left or Right Handed?"

Student Successes 2014 LA State Science and Engineering Fair (LSEF) LSEF SENIOR DIVISION SPECIAL AWARDS (4) American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Transportation & Development Institute (T&DI) Paige Fatland, Ben Franklin HS College of Agriculture Caitlyn Kelly, Ben Franklin HS Louisiana Science Teachers Association Rowan Stewart (1 st Place), Ben Franklin HS Louisiana Section of the Air & Waste Management Association Abbi Griffith and Jack Hopper (3 rd Place), Ben Franklin HS LSEF JUNIOR DIVISION SPECIAL AWARDS Ricoh Americas Corporation - Swathi P. Katakam, Haynes Academy

Inspired to Change Our World May 11 May 16, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA Over 1700 students from 70 countries, regions and territories more than $5 million in scholarships and prizes Sunday Monday Tuesday Travel to Los Angeles Pin Exchange Social Register for ISEF Fair Set Up Projects / Safety Inspections Workshops and Seminars Opening Ceremony Final Check for Violations Workshops and Seminars Welcome Event Wednesday Judging Student Mixer Thursday Friday Public Visitation Day Workshops and Seminars Special Awards Ceremony Grand Awards Ceremonies Tear Down Projects Return to New Orleans Caitlyn Kelly Ben Franklin HS Comparison of the foraging habits of juvenile Anolis sagrei and Anolis carolinensis males Paris Evans Patrick F. Taylor Academy How does canopy cover affect Salvinia spp. in Jean Lafitte National Park? Pedro Rivera Holy Cross School Ambient energy Helene Lovett Lusher Charter Alexithymia and Hemispheric Lateralization of Emotional Valence and Verbal Ability History of ISEF Expenses L A 2011 Pittsburg 2012 Phoenix 2013 LA 2014 Lodging $3,249.00 $2048.20 $4,271.40 $4047.38 Airfare $1,330.70 $2313.80 $4,066.10 $3335.50 Meals / Misc $1,029.45 $1,727.78 $2,040.00 $1,865.88 ISEF Reg. $550.00 $700.00 $1,125.00 $1,000 $6,159.15 $6,789.78 $11,502.50 $10,247.88

2014 ISEF Participants Were Busy! Louisiana Delegation ISEF Night at Universal Studios (after a long day of judging!) LaBrea Tar Pits Field Trip ISEF Student Social at LA LIVE

GNOSEF, Inc. Expenses & Income 2011 2012 2013 2014 Teacher Workshop/Kickoff $350 $350 $380 $360 Awards Category Cash Awards $3,905 $3,690 $3,900 $3,760 Teachers $1,100 $1,100 $1,100 $1,100 Medals and Plaques $634 $615 $732 $1,011 SUB-TOTAL $5,639 $5,405 $5,732 $5,871 Expenses Food - Judges and Volunteers $1,469 $1,024 $2089 $2300 Facility Costs (includes table rental) $4,530 $4,600 $4,910 $4920 Supplies $680 $124 $477 $1,101 Operating Costs $750 $555 $655 $885 (fair affl., Sec. of State fees, tax prep., etc.) SUB-TOTAL $7,429 $6,303 $8,131 $9,206 International Registration, travel, housing, food, misc. $6,160 $6,790 $11,503 $10,248 TOTAL COSTS $19,228 $18,498 $25,366 $25,685 TOTAL DONATIONS (excluding dedicated awards) $17,300 $45,190 $38,405 $35,425 Income Expenses -$2,278 $26,342 $12,659 $9,740 Total Income (including dedicated awards)* $28,050 $55,940 $49,948 $60,587* *Includes Patrick F Taylor and Bruce J. Heim awards and in 2014, funds paid by a donor to Projects With Purpose

GNOSEF, Inc. Financial Status Whitney Acct Balance - May 28, 2014 $ 25,135.42 Ameritrade Account (cash) $ 50,004.17 Outstanding Checks (not cashed est.) ($ 4,060) Committed Taylor Awards ($ 22,803.31) Remaining Estimated Expenditures ($ 700) Total Unrestricted Funds $ 47,579.04!!!

2013 CORPORATE SPONSORS Gold Sponsorship Britton Sanderford Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Bronze Sponsorship American Petroleum Institute, Delta Chapter Lockheed Martin National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) International Society of Petroleum Engineers

2013 GNOSEF SUPPORTERS Blue Ribbon The Bruce J. Heim Foundation Red Ribbon Harriet Aguiar Netto Orleans Medical Society Alliance Yellow Ribbon YTD YouTube Downloader Honorable Mention American Welding Society

2013 GNOSEF SUPPORTERS COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS Jefferson Parish Public Schools New Orleans Public Schools Projects With Purpose Telephone Pioneers of Metairie Tulane University University of New Orleans Women for a Better LA

GNOSEF Strengths (CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM) Teacher Workshops Provided training in Core Element 2013 summer institute and September GNOSEF workshop at Tulane and provide mentoring throughout the year. Included technical training for online submission of forms in 2013) Highly Qualified Judges Approximately 150 category and special award judges. Category judges from Agricultural Research Service of the USDA, Chevron, Delgado Community College, Exxon-Mobil Chalmette Refinery, Griffin & Griffin Exploration LLC, Hydrate Energy International, Jefferson Parish, Jefferson Parish Dept of Environmental Affairs, Loyola University, LSU, LSU Health Sciences Center, LSU Medical School, Minerals Management Service, NOAA/National Coast Guard Data Development Center, N.O. Baptist Theological School, NOGS, Small Business School; Southeastern Louisiana University, Southern University N.O, SPAWAR- Atlantic; Tulane Medical School, Tulane University, UNO Safety Judges staffed by NOPS, JPPS, BLaST and WBL Grand Award Judges Tulane, UNO and Core Element

GNOSEF Strengths (CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM) Continued Financial Support from Dedicated Individuals, Corporate and Foundation Sponsors! Allowed us to provide over $25,000 in prizes and awards. Allowed us to engage Projects With Purpose, LLC, which coordinates and facilitates humanitarian projects for corporations, businesses and organizations meeting in cities around the globe. Service Provided by Projects With Purpose ( Took it to a new level - in the words of by Britton Sanderford, who secured their involvement and funded the upgrades) Pipe and Drape, Table Runners and Skirts, Banners and Yard Signs, Volunteer T-shirts - all significantly improved onsite image. Coordinated creation of Twitter Contest Keating Magee Coordinated 33.5 hrs of PR Support from Keating Magee details on next page! Before and After!

PR Support from Keating Magee Created and distributed press release about the GNOSEF; pitched GNOSEF media with emphasis on community and education reporters; handled media queries on behalf of GNOSEF Handled pre-event interview arrangements; prepped and accompanied Fair Director and student participants to morning interview at WDSU TV6 (NBC) Revised and distributed alert to media prior to day of event; continued media follow up throughout event; Calls to media day of event; coordinated all on-site media; assisted with event logistics Worked with event photographer and GNOSEF team to get appropriate photos at awards ceremony; submitted post-event photos of winners to media; monitored media coverage Set up and monitor GNOSEF hashtag (#GNOSEF); created Twitter Contest for GNOSEF student participants (including organizing hashtag points for determining winner); Tweeted throughout GNOSEF

Relevant interviews and media mentions secured by Keating Magee WWL TV4 (CBS) (Viewership: 53,000 households) WDSU TV6 (NBC) (Viewership: 46,000 households) WGNO TV26 (ABC) (Viewership: 16,000 households) NOLA.com (Monthly Impressions: 100,000) http://blog.nola.com/new_orleans/2014/02/winners_announced_in_the_great.html http://blog.nola.com/eastjefferson/2014/02/john_curtis_christian_students.html Also appeared in hard copy of Times Picayune (Circulation: 125,000) The Advocate (Circulation: 28,000) http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/community/crescentcity/7971924-171/johncurtis-sciencefair-winners; Hard copy with GNOSEF winners scheduled to run 3/20/14 Bayou Buzz (Monthly Impressions: 10,000) Project Nola (Impressions not known) http://www.bayoubuzz.com/buzz/item/612832-bacchus-bashuno-scienceengineering-fair-kennedycracks-whip-chamber-events http://www.projectnola.com/the-news/news/60-nolacom/331208-winners-honoredin-the-greaternew-orleans-science-and-engineering-fair Topix (Impressions not known) http://www.topix.com/forum/city/harahan-la/tha8lrnk56pfqhgma

GNOSEF Strengths (CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM) Scientific Review Committee Comprised of professionals from Core Element, Tulane, UNO, NOPS and JPPS Conducted a teacher workshop in September 2013, and provided onsite school support to teachers (new this year using GNOSEF scanner). Reviewed 237 projects prior to experimentation and 259 projects prior to the fair. Increased use of box.com account for direct upload of project documents. Fair Volunteers Provided by WBL, the Telephone Pioneers of Metairie, UNO, Tulane, and Holy Cross. Also, several teachers assisted with operations. Awards Ceremony Power Point Presentation Greg Dobson and Frank Bordelon once again provided technological support for the automated presentation created by Elkhan Akhundov from Abramson.

Current Business - Finance To improve our accounting practices, the position of Treasurer which has access to the assets (e.g. accepts donations and has signature authority on the account) should be separate from the position of Controller which accounts for the assets (e.g. records expenditures and prepares checks but does not sign them). Our current treasurer, Eleanor Berault, has been graciously doing both. Based on a several discussions with Beau Parent, Professor of Accounting at Tulane University, and GNOSEF board members, Michelle Sanchez, Frank Bordelon, and Eleanor Berault, I propose the following changes with regard to GNOSEF finances: 1. I nominate Frank Bordelon to take the position of Treasurer and move that he be given signature authority on the GNOSEF account. He would continue to serve as a liaison with Beau Parent, our accounting advisor, and would be available at the fair to sign all of the award checks, which is the bulk of the checks that we write. He will also continue to handle Special Awards. 2. I nominate Eleanor Berault to a Controller position, where she would continue to issue checks and track expenditures using QuickBooks. Her name would be removed from the account signature card, so she could continue to generate checks using QuickBooks, but would not sign them. This provides a reasonable separation of financial activities. 3. I move that Michelle Sanchez, Assistant Fair Director, be given signature authority on the GNOSEF account. This would facilitate GNOSEF operations, allowing her to manage the assets (e.g accept donations which are sent to Tulane SSE - our official GNOSEF address and sign checks to cover expenditures for the GNOSEF event). 4. I move that we create a Finance Committee to oversee the financial operation of the GNOSEF and assure that we are in compliance with accepted accounting practices. Initially, it would consist of the Treasurer (Frank Bordelon), Controller (Eleanor Berault), Fair Director (Annette Oertling) and Assistant Fair Director (Michelle Sanchez), and would be advised by Beau Parent, Professor of Accounting. This committee will review ongoing financial activities and twice a year will report to the board. 5. I move that single expenditures of $5,000 or more be required to have board approval. Expenditures of less than $5000 may be approved by persons with signature authority as long as it is within the intent of the board-approved budget. (Note that some stated amount is recommended to comply with accepted accounting practices.) Annette Oertling Ph.D., Fair Director

2013-14 GNOSEF Voting Board Members Planning Committee Members 1 Harriet Aguiar-Netto 2 Eleanor Berault 3 Frank Bordelon 4 Cathie Brister 5 Alice Chivleatto 6 Harry Clark 7 Roberto Diaz Del Valle 8 Dana Gonzales 9 Nancy Hopkins 10 Barbara LaNasa 11 Annette Oertling 12 Barbara Pailet 13 Michelle Sanchez 14 Andrea Walker Advisory Members 1 Nick Altiero 2 Mike Benbow 3 Danica Benbow 4 Norma Jean Mattei 5 Norm Whitley 6 Kim Jovanovich 1966 Articles of Incorporation

Current Business - Finance 1. I nominate Frank Bordelon to take the position of Treasurer and move that he be given signature authority on the GNOSEF account. He would continue to serve as a liaison with Beau Parent, our accounting advisor, and would be available at the fair to sign all of the award checks, which is the bulk of the checks that we write. He will also continue to handle Special Awards. Passed 5/29/14

Current Business - Finance 2. I nominate Eleanor Berault to a Controller position, where she would continue to issue checks and track expenditures using QuickBooks. Her name would be removed from the account signature card, so she could continue to generate checks using QuickBooks, but would not sign them. This provides a reasonable separation of financial activities. Passed 5/29/14

Current Business - Finance 3. I move that Michelle Sanchez, Assistant Fair Director, be given signature authority on the GNOSEF account. This would facilitate GNOSEF operations, allowing her to manage the assets (e.g accept donations which are sent to Tulane SSE - our official GNOSEF address and sign checks to cover expenditures for the GNOSEF event). Passed 5/29/14

Current Business - Finance 4. I move that we create a Finance Committee to oversee the financial operation of the GNOSEF and assure that we are in compliance with accepted accounting practices. Initially, it would consist of the Treasurer (Frank Bordelon), Controller (Eleanor Berault), Fair Director (Annette Oertling) and Assistant Fair Director (Michelle Sanchez), and would be advised by Beau Parent, Professor of Accounting. This committee will review ongoing financial activities and twice a year will report to the board. Passed 5/29/14

Current Business - Finance 5. I move that single expenditures of $5,000 or more be required to have board approval. Expenditures of less than $5000 may be approved by persons with signature authority as long as it is within the intent of the board-approved budget. (Note that some stated amount is recommended to comply with accepted accounting practices.) Postponed 5/29/14

Current Business Proposals Under Investigation for the 2015 GNOSEF Projects With Purpose has offered fundraising help with the intent of having a donor fund their services. Sponsorships to Sell: Winners Sponsorship: $12,000 Includes travel to State and International Science and Engineering Fair Sponsor Logo on Winners Uniforms Sponsor mentioned in all media releases related to winners trip to State and International Fairs Event Décor: $7,000 Student Awards: $7,000 PR and Social Media: $6,500 Signage Sponsor: $1,000 Volunteer Program: $1,000 Create a GNOSEF Facebook page well in advance of event Offer 2 Twitter Contest awards for both the Jr and Sr Divisions Create an opportunity to engage the students while they are standing around, waiting to be judged (with no audio)

Current Business Proposals Under Development for the 2015 GNOSEF Recommended and funded by Mr. H. Britton Sanderford, Jr. Rename Teacher/ Mentor award to the $10,000 Teacher/ Mentor award $5000 to Teacher /Mentor ($1K to runner up), and $5000 equipment grant to their high school ($1K to runner up) $4,000 scholarship for a project in Neurobiology/Machine Learning $1K per year, providing student is enrolled and >= B avg. $250 for project materials, based on merit of submitted abstract (limited to first 40 submissions submitted by Nov 1) [GNSEF would accept/ review/ and select] Addendum to presentation on 5/29/14

***** Action Items ***** 2014-15 Pursue proposals under investigation (funding/facebook/student engagement at fair) Review/retype Articles of Incorporation and propose bylaws Document operational policies for GNOSEF Develop long range plan for GNOSEF using as a basis ISEF proposed standards of operation for Science Fair Planning Committees/Boards Consider expanding Jr. Division Categories (8 currently) Forge closer relationship with LSEF to take advantage of resources

IDEAL GNOSEF BOARD President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Fundraising PR / Marketing Website Finance Business Planning EVENT MANAGEMENT Fair Director Assistant Fair Director Teacher Workshop Sci. Review Committee Category Judges Special Awards Project Safety Judging Event Volunteers Logistics Award Ceremony

2014-15 Proposed Calendar September 6 Teacher Workshop and Kickoff October 1 School Affiliation Forms Due October 17 Submit Project for Pre-Approval to SRC December 5 Submit Requested Revisions January 20 Project Registration for GNOSEF Feb 24, 25, 26 GNOSEF (week after Mardi Gras) March 6 Registration Deadline for State Fair (est.) March 23-23 LA Science and Engineering Fair (est. date) May 10-15 International Science and Engr. Fair (ISEF) Pittsburgh, PA