Palm Beach Regional Science & Engineering Fair Meeting 2 - September 8, 2016 (Online)
Society for Science & the Public programs: Science News Media Group Science News in High Schools Intel ISEF Broadcom MASTERS 6th 8th Grade Regeneron Science Talent Search Advocate Grant Program Research Teacher Conference
Science News Media Group Science News www.sciencenews.org Science News has been published by SSP since 1922. SN offers readers bold, contemporary, award-winning editorial content, detailed imagery, a blog network, and access to archives going back to 1924 Science News for Students www.sciencenewsforstudents.org Launched by the Society in 2003 as a youth edition and companion to Science News magazine, SNS has content tailored to be accessible and interesting to student scientists and serves as the flagship publication of the Student Science section of SSP s website
The Society s Publications
Science News in High Schools Each High School Receives: Delivery of 10 print copies addressed to science teachers and librarians Login access for entire high school to the Science News and Science News for Students websites An online teacher guide with discussion questions for each issue, to help teachers incorporate the content into their lesson plans and curriculum https://www.societyforscience.org/science-news-high-schools 2015-2016: 270 High Schools 2016-2017: 4,000+ High Schools FREE!
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair In Phoenix, Arizona, May 8-13, 2016 In Los Angeles, May 14 19, 2017 429 affiliated fairs representing 79 countries, territories and regions. Over 1,700 finalists with more than 1,350 projects. 48% Female; 52% Male Finalists compete in 22 STEM categories for over 4 million in awards and prizes. Education Outreach Program for Public Day
Broadcom MASTERS International
Broadcom MASTERS Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars), a program of Society for Science & the Public, inspires middle schoolers to pursue their personal passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) into high school. Finalists earn a trip to the national finals week competition to showcase their science fair projects and compete in a four-day STEM competition that rewards independent research, scientific inquiry, hands-on learning and teamwork.
Broadcom MASTERS Entry: Affiliated Regional Fairs nominate Top 10% of middle school projects to apply online ($75 Affiliation fee) Evaluation and awards 300 semifinalists chosen by over 120 evaluators 30 Finalists selected by Panel of 7 judges, come to DC to compete Team Challenges + Public Day Give $75,000 in Awards to schools
Regeneron Science Talent Search The Regeneron Science Talent Search (Regeneron STS) is the nation s most prestigious science research competition for high school seniors. Since 1942, first in partnership with Westinghouse, then Intel and now with Regeneron, the Society has provided a national stage for the country's best and brightest young scientists to present original research to nationally recognized professional scientists.
Regeneron STS vs. Intel ISEF Regeneron STS Intel ISEF 12th grade (or last year) 9th 12th grade National International Identifying Future Leaders Identifying Top Research Individual Individual or Team Written Research Report 3-Panel Display Essays, Transcripts, Test Scores, Recommendations In-person interviews Research over entire life allowed 1 year of research in last 18mo. No regional competitions Affiliated Fairs No limits by geography Each fair has allotted spots No limits by category Winners in each category Stricter animal rules (no oversight) Oversight of fairs = less strict
Eligibility and Application Eligibility Last year of secondary school (usually 12th) Attending school in the US or some US citizens attending school abroad Individual, independent research from any time and of any duration Human / Animal research falls within rules Application Process Journal-style scientific research report Essays, transcripts, test scores Recommendations
Regeneron STS Application Process Online Application Research Report up to 20 pages Academic Success Essays, short answer, transcripts, test scores Teacher and Mentor Recommendations Take a look at the application Student.societyforscience.org/science-talent-search
Regeneron STS Judging Electronic Applications are submitted directly to the Society Rules Review Check for teams, animal rules, human rules, and originality (plagiarism) Evaluations - Over 120 Ph.D.-level scientists review entries in their subject area Each entry read and scored at least 3 times. Evaluators can change the category of an entry or send for additional review Judging - Top 400 entries sent on to 15-member judging panel They meet in DC to finalize scholars (semifinalists) and choose Top 40 finalists 40 finalists come to DC to compete: Five 15-minute interviews with 3-judge panels all STEM questions Judging at Project Top 10 Awardees announced at Awards Gala
Regeneron STS Institute Week 40 Finalists come to Washington DC Events: Orientation / Media Training Judging Interviews Alumni Dinner Public Exhibition of Projects and Project Judging Outreach event, NIH visit, Janelia Campus of HHMI visit Innovation Dinner (Sponsor) Capitol Hill visits (maybe a White House visit) Awards Gala
Regeneron STS Awards Entrants: T-shirts, laptop stickers, 1-year subscription to Science News, and a digital entrant badges Skill Badges: Research Report and Student Initiative Scholars (Semifinalists) - $2000 Schools of top 300 scholars - $2,000 per scholar Finalists $25,000 Top Ten - $40,000 to $250,000
Regeneron STS Important Dates Application Opens May 1st Transcript and Recommendation Due Date November 9, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time Technical Support Deadline November 15, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time Application Deadline ROCK SOLID November 16, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time Winner Announcements January 4 and January 18 Intel Science Talent Institute - March 9 15, 2017 Public Exhibition of Projects Sunday, March 11, 2017
Society Advocate Grant Program Sponsored by Alcoa and Jack Kent Cooke Provides a $3,000 grant to an adult who is currently working with underserved students completing science research, to help those students enter science research competitions 2015-2016 Pilot 7 Advocates 2016-2017 30 Advocates Science Research Competitions
Society Advocate Grant Program Eligible Uses for Grant Money: Stipend for Adult Mentor Reimbursements for costs solely related to entering science research competitions Display boards, travel, fees, lodging, and cohort retention Future Possibilities Recruit underserved students into existing research programs Expand current research programs Create new research programs Make applications more competitive
Teachers Conference Pilot Year October 2015 570 signed up for lottery 100 selected by lottery to attend all expenses covered 1/3rd each of veteran, intermediate, and novice Teacher-run breakout sessions Starting a Research class Teaching students to write research reports Biosafety hazard approval Placing students in summer programs This Year September 30 October 2, 2016 200 Teachers All expenses covered Piloting of Science News in High Schools
Contact Information All Programs: sciedu@societyforscience.org Regeneron Science Talent Search: sts@societyforscience.org Advocate Grant Program: advocates@societyforscience.org Teacher Conference - Caitlin Sullivan: csullivan@societyforscience.org Broadcom MASTERS Allie Stifel: astifel@societyforscience.org Intel ISEF Lisa Icenroad licenroad@societyforscience.org
Other Science Research Competitions Please visit: http://www.ssefflorida.com/other-competitions.html for a complete and continuously updated list of other competitions your students can participate in. Make sure you let us know when they are competing and how they do!
STATISTICS FOR SCIENCE FAIRS HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR STUDENTS HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF SUCCESS AT PBRSEF
Project Judging at SSEF 1. First, divide projects in orbit and focus groups 2. Use scores to group similar level projects in focus group 3. Discuss top scoring projects to determine overall category winner 4. Last year, much debate over specific project a. Scores ranked from 1st 10th depending on judge b. Upon further discussion, deciding factor came down to use of statistics (incorrect statistics for experimental design) c. Likely would ve placed higher, possibly 1st with correct statistics.
JUDGE S PERSPECTIVE Are there statistics? Are they the right statistics? Does the student understand the statistics? Students don t need to know the underlying calculations being used, just how they work and what they mean
COMMON PITFALLS Experimental design with small sample sizes Using averages to make conclusions about data results without looking at the variability in the data Correlation vs. Causation Extrapolation of data Off-the-shelf programs (i.e. Excel) make statistics easy to use, therefore easy to use incorrectly No statistics at all
ROLE OF TEACHERS/ADVISORS Students are not often familiar with statistics initial exposure Preliminary discussion prior to starting project Good statistical analysis is derived during experimental design Make sure sample size is adequate Understand what tests will help determine significance/validity Reassess statistics as data collection begins Modifications to design may be necessary Find mentor to assist with statistics, if needed
FINAL THOUGHTS Proper use and understanding of statistics are often the deciding factor between the top projects Give your students the upper hand by discussing statistics at the start of the project Review data and industry standards to determine the correct statistical analysis based on experimental design Properly quantify statistical results in the context of project If possible, review statistical procedures/results with students prior to science fair by knowledgeable mentor
Resources for Students Using Statistics 1. Your friendly Math Department! 2. http://www.graphpad.com/quickcalcs/ 3. NCCSTS: Mini Cases on Choosing Appropriate Statistical Tests for Ecological Data http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/collection/detail.asp? case_id=864&id=864
SSEF - Reinforcing Adult Roles Liability - even for adult sponsor! Parents should NOT be serving on the SRC reviewing their child s project! Who is the Chair of your SRC - that person should sign Form 1B Use your Administrator - increase involvement
Regulated Research Institutions - Form 1C Minors working at RRI REQUIRES additional approval from the institute. Please make sure the student has a letter indicating: The student had permission to use the RRI facilities The student has permission to use the data for their Science Fair project (publication).
Human Research Projects 1. Informed Consent a. b. c. 2. All minors need parental consent and minor assent. (High school students aged 18 are still considered minors!) Adults over age 18 need Informed consent. Date: After approval, but before start date. Privacy a. b. c. d. All consent forms remain with the student researcher for 3 years after the study. Adult Sponsor completes Verification of Informed Consent. (# counted = # data points) One REDACTED COPY of a completed informed consent should be included. Redact ONLY the signature (NOT THE DATE)
Updates from State: Zika & Algae Blooms 1. Projects involving student contact with the Zika virus, or any Zika carrier/vector, may only be done by High School students and must be conducted at a Regulated Research Institution. 2. Projects involving student contact with cyanobacterial blooms, or the recent algae bloom in our area must also be done by High School students only at a Regulated Research Institution.
Vertebrate Projects: Mortality Form Mortality must be 0% due to experimental procedures. If a vertebrate dies during the experiment: All procedures STOP until a necropsy is performed by a qualified veterinarian to verify the cause of death is NOT the experimental procedures. If more than 30% of the total vertebrates die (for ANY reason) the experiment is terminated and cannot compete.
Bridge Challenge Please contact: Maria Aparicio (maruchy8@gmail.com) Elizabeth Wenk (Elizabeth.Wenk@palmbeachschools.org) Bridges are checked in the same day as projects, and crushing will be Wednesday morning (during the public viewing day).
Final Thoughts http://www.ssefflorida.com/rules-faq.html Read before you ask! PBRSEF Handbook SSEF Rules Supplement ISEF Rulebook - specific sections! Still not sure - District Coordinator Still not sure - DC will email me