2016-2017 Handbook for Participation Junior Division (Grades 5-6) Prince William County Public Schools Science and Family Life Education 703.791.7240
School Board Mr. Ryan Sawyers Chairman Mrs. Lillie G. Jessie Vice Chairman Occoquan District Mr. William J. Deutsch Coles District Mr. Gil Trenum On Deployment Brentsville District Ms. Diane L. Raulston Neabsco District Mr. Justin David Wilk Potomac District Mrs. Alyson A. Satterwhite Gainesville District Ms. Loree Y. Williams Woodbridge District Mr. Shawn L. Brann Acting Member Brentsville District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven L. Walts Superintendent s Staff Ms. Rae E. Darlington Deputy Superintendent Mr. William G. Bixby Associate Superintendent for Middle Schools Mr. David S. Cline Associate Superintendent for Finance and Support Services Mr. R. Todd Erickson Associate Superintendent for Central Elementary Schools Mr. Craig H. Gfeller Associate Superintendent for Eastern Elementary Schools Mrs. Rita Everett Goss Associate Superintendent for Student Learning and Accountability Mrs. Jarcelynn M. Hart Associate Superintendent for Western Elementary Schools Mr. Keith A. Imon Associate Superintendent for Communications and Technology Services Mr. Keith J. Johnson Associate Superintendent for Human Resources Mr. Michael A. Mulgrew Associate Superintendent for High Schools P.O. BOX 389 MANASSAS, VA 20108 703.791.7200 WWW.PWCS.EDU Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) does not discriminate in employment or in its educational programs and activities against qualified individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. PWCS provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual will handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, including Section 504 and Title IX:
Table of Contents Introduction...1 Procedures and Schedule of Events...3 Directions to Prince William County Schools Kelly Leadership Center...8 Categories and Topic Descriptions...9 Project Evaluation and Judging Criteria...10 Rules...11 Appendix A: Registration Process...15
Dear Regional Science Fair Participant: Congratulations on being selected to represent your school at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science Fair! The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with the guidelines for your participation in the regional science fair. The handbook also contains a screen shot of the online registration application and two protocol forms (Appendix A: Registration Process) that you must complete with assistance from your teacher or school science fair coordinator prior to presenting your project at the science fair. We are available to provide you and your parents with additional support as you prepare for the event. Please feel free to contact the Office of Student Learning/Science and Family Life Education at 703-791-7240, if you have questions or require further information. Best wishes as you join other students in presenting your research at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science Fair. I sincerely hope this year s fair is a productive and rewarding experience for you. Sincerely, Julia Renberg Director of Prince William-Manassas Regional Science Fair Supervisor of Science and Family Life Education, PWCS 1
2
Prince William Manassas Regional Science Fair Procedures and Schedule of Events 3
4
Procedures for Registration and Project Set-Up Registration for all participants will be online. Online registration applications will be made available in January, 2017. They will be password protected. Your science fair coordinator will receive a school-specific access code for your school and will assist you with your online submission. To register, enter your legal name, student number, and birthdate (see page 16). Print out a copy of your registration (see page 18) and bring it on the night of project set-up. If your science fair project involved humans or vertebrates, submit protocol forms (see pages 19 and 20) to the Office of Student Learning prior to the regional science fair event. All students must be electronically registered by March 10, 2017. Registration will not be allowed on March 24, the night of project set-up. Protocol forms must be submitted by March 17, 2017. 5
Procedures for the Day of the Fair 1. The project area and our cafeteria, where you could purchase food and drinks, will be open at 8 a.m. Allow yourself plenty of time to arrive to the fair. You must be with your project no later than 9:00 a.m. 2. Your parents will be asked to leave the project area by 9:30 a.m. They may wait for you in the designated area, but they will not be allowed back into the judging area. 3. Judging may take from one to three hours for the interviewing process. A chair will be provided for you, but remember to stand when conversing with the judges. 4. Bring reading materials, school work, and a snack/drink with you to the judging area. Wireless access for personal devices: Login PWCS-EKLC and password FourMyd3v!ces 5. You must leave the building when you receive notification that judging in your category is complete. Please remember to take your project with you. The security of any project left behind cannot be guaranteed. 6. If you are asked to remain with your project after everyone else in your category has been released, this means your project has qualified for further judging. 7. We encourage you to return for the awards ceremony at 4:00 p.m. The fair is an all-day event. Please make arrangements to be present until early afternoon. Please do not request special judging considerations, as we cannot honor these requests. 6
Schedule of Events Saturday, March 25, 2017 Kelly Leadership Center Local Fair Completion/Deadline Friday, February 24, 2017 Registration Deadline Friday, March 10, 2017 4 p.m. Project Set-Up Bring proof of online registration Friday, March 24, 2017 4:30 7 p.m. Regional Science 8 a.m. Students arrive Fair Date 8:30 9:30 a.m. Displays open March 25, 2017 for public viewing 9:30 a.m. Project judging begins 1 p.m. Project judging ends 1 2:30 p.m. Additional judging of selected projects 2:30 p.m. All projects must be removed 2:30 4 p.m. Kelly Leadership Center closed to the public 4 p.m. Awards ceremony 7
Directions to Prince William County Public Schools Kelly Leadership Center 14715 Bristow Road Manassas, VA 20112 PWCS Information: 703.791.7200 From I-95/Rt. 1: Take Va-234 N/Dumfries Rd N. (Travel 7.9 miles) Turn Left onto Bristow Rd/Va-619. (Travel 0.4 miles) The Kelly Leadership Center is on the right 14715 Bristow Rd., Manassas, Va 20112-3945 From I-66: Take Va-234 S via Exit 44 toward Manassas/Dumfries. (Travel 14.5 miles) Turn Right onto Independent Hill Rd. (Travel 0.4 miles) Turn left onto Bristow Rd/Va-619. (Travel 0.6 miles) The Kelly Leadership Center is on the left 14715 Bristow Rd., Manassas, Va 20112-3945 8
Categories Schools with students in Grades 5 and 6 may enter one project per category. Group projects (maximum 2 students) are allowed and can be submitted to represent the category. Category Animal Sciences (AS) Behavioral and Social Sciences (BE) Chemistry (CH) Computer Science (CS) Earth & Space Sciences (ES) Engineering & Mathematics (EM) Environmental Sciences (EV) Medicine & Health (MH) Physics (PH) Plant Sciences (PS) The goal of the Regional Fair is to allow students to exhibit projects that are similar in research focus in each category. Consistent identification of category place across individual schools is extremely important. Please call 703.791.7240 if you have questions regarding the focus of specific project research. We reserve the right to re-assign projects to ensure consistent and fair placement for competition. 9
Prince William Manassas Regional Science Fair The Prince William-Manassas Regional Science Fair follows the point system and criteria employed by the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Background Knowledge (0-10 points) Project shows depth of study (key science concepts; literature review); information is presented clearly, and logically Experimental Design (0-25 points) Question is clearly identified Hypothesis is clearly stated; related to the question Procedure clearly tests the hypothesis Experiment was replicated at least 3 times for reliability Sample size was large enough to conclude it was not chance All variables are clearly identified (manipulated, responding, and controls) Results/Conclusion (0-30 points) Results are presented with chart, table, or graph (including scale, title, labels, and correct units) Results are directly related to the question and hypothesis (support/do not support) Lab notebook contains raw data and orderly recording of data Thorough interpretation of data Conclusion is logical and based on data collected Conclusion includes questions for future research Display (0-10 points) All components are present Evidence of correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling Clarity (0-10 points) Communicates scientific basis of research Describes design principles, explains data analysis procedures, and recognizes study limitations Creative Ability/Originality (0-15 points) Shows creativity and originality in question posed Innovative approach to solving the problem and using equipment Study was within the student s ability range; excessive help not utilized. 10
Prince William Manassas Regional Science Fair Rules 11
12
Project Dimensions Rules for Displaying Projects o 38cm (15 in.) deep, front to back o 91cm (36 in.) wide o 274cm (108 in.) high, floor to top Note: Dimensions represent the maximum allowed space provided for each project. Your display should not exceed these dimensions, but could be smaller in size. Most standard tri-fold boards are made of smooth foam board or of corrugated paper. They are available for purchase at local craft and retailer stores and measure within the specified (36 wide x 48 high) dimensions. Items NOT allowed at a Project Display o Personal student information is not allowed to be displayed. Please remove or cover after your local fair. o While food may be used in experimentation, human and animal food may not be displayed in your project area. Photographs are suitable representations. o Live or dead microbial cultures (bacteria, yeast, molds or other fungi) are prohibited from display. Photographs are suitable representations. o Bare wires or knife switches may be used on circuits of 12 volts or less; otherwise, standard enclosed switches, conforming to safety codes, are required. o Vertebrate organisms or their parts may not be displayed. Exception: microscope slides acquired from biological supply companies and labeled as to their origin. o All chemicals, including water, and their containers are prohibited. Exception: water in an enclosed apparatus. o Dry ice or other sublimating solids are prohibited. o Flames or highly combustible materials are prohibited. 13
Suggested Project Components Project Notebook (Optional) A project notebook contains accurate and detailed notes and information on the progress of your research. Simple Report (Optional) A simple report discusses the components of scientific investigation as outlined by your science teacher. These might include any or all of the following: Visual Display Research Question Literature review Hypothesis Experiment Design Data Analysis and Conclusion A tri-fold display is an at-a-glance summary of the experimental design, results, and conclusion of the research. The Experimental Design Diagram is required for all projects and should be included on the display board or accompany it as a stand-alone item. 14
Appendix A Registration Process 15
16
Registration Application Students who wish to enter the Regional Science Fair must: 1. Register Online Complete the online Prince William-Manassas Regional Science Fair Registration Form (see a screen shot of the registration application on pages 16-17). Remember to use legal names; no nick-names are allowed. Birthdates must be entered in the proper format (mm/dd/yyyy). Print a copy of the registration form and present it at the project set-up. 2. Submit Hard Copies of Relevant Protocol Forms Students who used human participants in their project must submit the Student Protocol for Research Involving Human Participants form (see page 19). Students who used vertebrate animals in their project must submit the Student Protocol for Research Involving Vertebrate Animals form (see page 20). NOTE: These forms must be completed prior to experimentation. Back-dating forms is unethical and unacceptable and is grounds for disqualification from the regional fair. The science fair coordinator and/or teacher is responsible for assisting you with the registration process and submitting required protocol forms to the Office of Student Learning. A hard copy (mailed or faxed) of the documents must be received by the Office of Student Learning by March 17, 2017. 17
18
Online Registration Application (screen shot sample) Science Fair Registration Junior Entry 19
20
21
22
Prince William-Manassas Regional Science Fair - Junior Division Student Protocol for Research Involving Human Participants This protocol sheet must be completed by all students entering a project involving human participants in the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science Fair. Forms may be mailed to Julia Renberg, Director of the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science Fair, Prince William County Public Schools, P.O. Box 389, Manassas, VA 20108, or faxed to 703.831.8755. Please print legibly or type. Participant s Name: School: Grade: Project Category: 1. Explain why human participants are proposed or necessary for this research. 2. Describe why there is no potential risk (physical, psychological, or legal) involved. 3. How will the participants be informed of procedures involved in the investigation? (Informed consent is mandatory.) 4. What is the potential benefit or practical application of this research? Teacher Validation of Approval PRIOR to Research My review of this project plan indicates that there were no risks for this student researcher or for the humans involved in this investigation. Teacher/Supervisor Name (Please Print) Teacher/Supervisor (Signature) Administrator s Initials: 23
24
Prince William-Manassas Regional Science Fair - Junior Division Student Protocol for Research Involving Vertebrate Animals This protocol sheet must be completed by all students entering a project involving vertebrate animals in the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science Fair. Forms may be mailed to Julia Renberg, Director of the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science Fair, Prince William County Public Schools, P.O. Box 389, Manassas, VA 20108, or faxed to 703.831.8755. Please print legibly or type. Participant s Name: School: Grade: Project Category: 1. Explain why vertebrate animals are proposed or necessary for this research. 2. Describe why there is no potential risk (physical, psychological, or legal) involved. 3. Describe animal care procedures to be used during experimentation. 4. What is the potential benefit or practical application of this research? Teacher Validation of Approval PRIOR to Research My review of this project plan indicates that there were no risks for this student researcher or for the vertebrate animals involved in this investigation. Teacher/Supervisor Name (Please Print) Teacher/Supervisor (Signature) Administrator s Initials: 25
26
NOTES 20