Sun Valley Science Fair for Honors Biology
January 31, 2012
Sun Valley Science Fair
Goals:
- To foster an enthusiasm for science and learning.
- To encourage the pursuit of academic achievementand science related careers.
Eligibility
All honors students will participate.
Category Descriptions:
The Life Science category includes biology, botany, behavioral sciences, microbiology, health, and zoological experiments. The Earth Science category includes meteorology, geology, astronomy and oceanography experiments. The Physical Science category includes chemistry, physics, energy, consumer science, materials science, and engineering experiments. The Environmental Science category includes ecology and environmental sciences experiments. These are not exhaustive descriptions. Many projects could be placed in multiple categories. Please choose the one you feel best describes the experiment.
Entry Format:
The Sun Valley Science Fair is a poster presentation science fair. Students will be judged solely on the poster presented. There will be no judge interviews. Since it is the goal of the fair to participate in regional and international fairs, the rules, forms and formats are in keeping with guidelines of the Intel ISEF handbook. All forms required to participate in the Delaware County and ISEF fairs should be completed and the requisites for both should be followed.
Poster
The maximum dimensions for any project display is: depth (front to back): 30 inches or 76 centimeters, width (side to side): 48 inches or 122 centimeters and height (floor to top): 72 inches or 183 centimeters. Posters must be free standing, wall space will not be provided. Displays must clearly list the following components: title that states the problem/question, hypothesis, materials, experimental procedure, results & data, conclusions, and a bibliography. There should be no artifacts, models or equipment with the poster other than the abstract and log book. Students’ names should be placed on the back of their display boards and ontheir logbooks. School names must NOT be displayed at all.
Abstract
Students must complete a 250-word, one-page abstract that should be displayed on or with the project board.The abstract must include: the purpose of the experiment, description of the procedures utilized, a summary of the data and results, the conclusions, It may also outline any possible research applications. The abstract should not include: acknowledgments, work or procedures done by the sponsor or mentor, reference to previous work or science fair projects andself-promotions and/or external endorsements.
Log Book
All students must keep a log book throughout their research project. The logbook must be displayed with the project board at the fair.
Fair Date
- January 31, 2012
Location
- Sun Valley High School
- Cafeteria
Set up
- Friday, January 31, 2012
- Period 6 & 7
Judging
- 4:30pm – 7:00pm
Public Viewing and awards
- 7:00pm -9:00 pm
*All project boards need to be removed from Cafeteria by 9:00 pm on January 31, 2012
Sponsors
The Sun Valley Science Fair is sponsored by the Sun Valley Science Department. Fair is in line with rules and procedures as outlined by the Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF). Judging will be conducted by committee of volunteers from science and education institutions from the region.
Timeline
Month / Teacher Responsibilities / Student ResponsibilitiesNovember 4th / Review information packet and requirements with students
Distribute entry forms / Select a topic/Scientific question
Early November
Before 11/18/11 / Review topics with students
Make suggestions/suggest resources
Distribute necessary forms for behavioral and animal experiments / Research topic/background information and form a hypothesis
Record in lab book
Complete and return ALL necessary forms to teacher
Mid November / Review experimental designs prior to students beginning experiments / Develop Research plan with experimental design that test hypothesis
Follow forms located in packet
Late November / Check on student progress with experiment
Check lab books and discuss any concerns / Continue working on experiment
Record materials, lab procedures in lab book for teacher check
Have up to date data in lab book for discussion
Early December / Collect Science Fair Forms
Discuss abstract / Research project should be complete and data should be in lab book. Start working on abstract
Late December / Provide time for peer review of lab report and abstract / Students will review each others abstracts. Make any changes necessary to abstract, lab book and lab report
Early January / Collect lab reports and abstracts for review / Students should complete display boards. Make any revisions to lab report and abstract
Mid January / Work with any students still needing assistance / Make time to meet with teacher for additional help with display board and/or reports
January 30 -31, 2011 / Discuss board set up and judging / Students will set up boards during period 6 & 7 on January 31, 2011
Judging
Student projects will be evaluated by the judges using the criteria outlined below. Students scoring the highest average scores will be awarded first place, second highest will be awarded second place and third highest will be awarded third place.
Judging Rubric
Criteria / No Evidence / Poor / Below Average / Average / Above Average / Superior1. Problem/Title
- Problem is a question that can be answered through experimentation
- Clearly Stated Problem in Title
- Title is distinguished and visible
2. Background
- Background is thorough and related to problem
- Background consists of age appropriate material
- Background utilizes proper scientific vocabulary
3. Hypothesis
- Developed based on the background reading and identifies independent and dependent variables
4. Experimental Procedure
- Provides a detailed description, diagram or photographs explaining experimental set-up
- Materials utilized clearly explained
- Detailed explanation of experimental procedure in an orderly and logical manner
- Tests for the hypothesis
- Tests for one independent variable
- Includes use of control variables and constants
- Demonstratesstudent’s ability to carry out experimental procedure to an age-appropriate level of precision
5. Data & Results
- Ran sufficient trials (at least 3)
- Data organized into tables and charts
- Graphs used to demonstrate trends in data
- Visual evidence of observations provided
6. Conclusions
- Conclusions derived from organized and summarized data
- Data supports conclusions
- Conclusions clearly relate back to hypothesis and background research
- Student addresses any issues with experimental design flaws
7. Log Book
- Original, handwritten and bound logbook
- Provides detailed entries describing procedures, observations, data, conclusions, failures and successes
8. Abstract
- Contains all required aspects
- Summarizes project concisely and accurately
9. Ingenuity & Creativity
- Investigated an original question
- Utilized an original approach or technique
- Presented new or unique ideas
- Presentation was aesthetically pleasing without being distracting
10. Visual Presentation
- Project displayed in a logical and organized manner
- All visual aids (photos, charts & graphs) used enhanced the presentation and were required
11. References
- 5 or more references were utilized
- All references were properly sited
- All references were age appropriate
Notes/General Comments
Positive Attributes:
Opportunities for Improvement:
Required Forms
ALL student applications MUST include the following completed documents:
1)The Sun Valley Science Fair Student/guardian signature page
2)Research Plan.
a)This plan must be typed and include the following
i)Research Question
ii)Hypothesis/Problem/Engineering Goals
iii)Method/Procedures
iv)Bibliography – with a minimum of five major references
3)All schools are required to submit the completed school form with the Father Judge Science Fair Application and research plan for each student’s project.
Additional Forms
Other forms are required for entrance into the Delaware County and the Intel ISEF fair. These may be necessary depending on the nature of the project. The ISEF Handbook is available at These forms include but are not limited to:
1)Checklist for Adult Sponsor (Form #1)
2)Student Checklist (Form #1A)
3)Approval Form (#1B)
a)Sections 1a and 1b
4)Regulated Research Institutional/Industrial Setting Form (#1C), for experiments conducted in a location other than at school, at home, or in the field.
5)Qualified Scientist Form (#2), for experiments involving human subjects, vertebrate animals, potentially hazardous biological agents, and DEAcontrolled substances.
6)Risk Assessment Form (#3), for projects using hazardous chemicals, activities or devices.
7)Human Subjects Form (#4), for research involving human subjects.
8)Vertebrate Animal Form (#5A), for research involving vertebrate animals that is conducted in a Non-Regulated Research Site.
9)Vertebrate Animal Form (#5B) for research involving vertebrate animals that is conducted at a Regulated Research Institution.
10)Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Risk Assessment Form (#6A), for research involving microorganisms, DNA, fresh/frozen tissue, blood and body fluids.
11)Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (#6B), for projects using fresh/frozen tissue, primary cell cultures, blood, blood products and body fluids.
12)Continuation Projects Form (#7), for projects that are a continuation in the same field of study as a previous project.
Resources:
- Delaware Valley Science Fairs:
- The Intel® International Science and Engineering Fair® (Intel ISEF):
- George Washington Carver Fair:
- Science Buddies:
- Science Fair Central:
- Google Science Fair:
Sun Valley Science Fair
Student and Parent Signature page
1. Student Last Name______First Name______
2. Who do you plan to work with?
Partner Name______
Partner Name______
**Please take notice who your child decides to work with. The group will need to get together outside of school to complete the project. Choose accordingly.
** We have read the Science Fair requirements as outlined in this packet and understand that participation is mandatory. I understand that although some class time will be designated to Science Fair, much of the project will be done at home.
*** BOTH SIGNATURES ARE REQUIRED***
STUDENT’S Signature______Date: ______
GUARDIAN’S Signature______Date: ______