Included in This Package Are

SCIENCE FAIR 2012

Thank you for taking an interest in the annual Father Michael Goetz Science Fair! This will give you an excellent opportunity to exercise your creativity, ingenuity, and scientific curiosity as you make Goetz history. This package will provide you with the tools necessary to get started on your scientific venture. There are also opportunities to win prizes for exceptional exhibits in the junior and senior divisions.

Included in this package are:

1. Rules and Regulations

2. Experiment/exhibit proposal form

3. Grant request form (Optional)

4. Permission form

Every applicant or group (limit of 3 per group) must complete and submit one proposal package to Ms. Grembowicz or Ms. Chudolinski in the science department (room 247). The package must include the Experiment/exhibit proposal form, the optional grant request form, and permission form. Please staple all items that are to be submitted in one neat package.

Important Dates:

Proposal Due: November 3, 2011

Proposal Approval Returned To Participants: November 10, 2011

Science Fair Date: March 2012

Peel Regional Science Fair: April 14-15, 2012

Important Websites:

Peel Regional Science Fair http://www.peelscience.ca/

Canada Wide Science Fair http://www.cwsf.youthscience.ca/

PRESENTATION AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Participants may select from a wide variety of materials, including bristol board, pre-constructed corrugated cardboard and foam-core board. Students are expected to attach all information securely to the backboard.

If you are interested in participating the 2012 Peel Region Science Fair you may be required to redo your display to meet regional science fair safety regulations.

The project should include the following:

1. 50 word abstract

2. 1 page summary

3. 2 page project report

The 50-word abstract is used at the awards ceremony to describe award-winning projects to the audience. The judges use the 1-page summary to get an overview of the project before the students present. The 2-page project report is a detailed description of the full project; pictures, data tables/graphs, are not included as part of the page count and may be added in an appendix.

DIVISIONS

When registering, students must select one of 3 divisions in which to be judged.

§ physical and life sciences

§ biotechnology and environmental sciences

§ engineering and computing sciences

Sometimes classification of a project is difficult because it crosses divisions. Students should choose the division they believe to highlight the strength of their work.

CATEGORY

There are 2 categories of projects based on school grades:

§ junior (grades 9 and 10)

§ senior (grades 11 and 12)

TYPE

There are three types of projects that help judges characterize the nature of the work: experiment, innovation, study.

EXPERIMENT

Involves the testing of a specific hypothesis with the control of significant variables. Judging emphasis is on the experimental design and analysis of the data.

INNOVATION

Involves the development and evaluation of new devices, models, techniques or approaches, usually in technology, engineering or computers. Judging emphasis is on the design process, application of scientific and engineering principles or human benefit.

STUDY

Involves the collection and analysis of data from sources other than the student’s own work to reveal evidence of a fact, situation or pattern. Judging emphasis is on insightful analysis.

Judges at the Science Fair will be looking at a combination of written information and the student presentation. Successful students will be able to demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge for the scope of their project. The project should exhibit qualities of excellence and creativity.

Rules And Regulations

§ Group exhibits may be accepted with a maximum of 3 students. Each group must submit one proposal and a permission form for each student in the group. (Please note that if you want to participate in the Peel Regional Science Fair, you may only be an individual presenter or you may be in a group of 2 students.)

§ All exhibits, including all accessories must be confined to a table or floor space not to exceed the following dimensions: Height - 3.5 m, Width (side to side) - 1.2 m, Depth (front to back) - 0.8 m.

§ Remote controlled vehicles or other apparatus that may present a trip hazard will be restricted. Demonstrations involving powered aircraft whether tethered or free flying may be held at an allotted time slot negotiated with the Science Fair Committee.

§ An exhibitor may not leave his/her display unattended during the hours of the exhibition.

§ Reasons for disqualification of a project include, but are not limited to: incorrigible safety violations; violation of animal use regulations; plagiarism; conduct injurious to the moral tone of the fair; and/or behavior which puts other people or their property at risk.

General Safety

§ Construction of the exhibit must be sturdy with moving parts firmly attached. Each exhibit must be self-supporting. Electricity from the outlets will be supplied but no gas or water outlets will be provided. Switches and cords must be the approved variety and circuits must be protected by fuses. Cell or battery fed circuits should be both safe in design and operation.

§ Compressed gas cylinders are not allowed.

§ The length of hoses or extension cords is to be kept to a minimum and out of the way to eliminate tripping hazards. Use duct tape for securing. DUCT TAPE IS YOUR FRIEND!

§ Aisles and exits should not be obstructed.

§ Moving exhibits should be restricted to the regulation display space. If more space is needed for the purpose of demonstration during judging only, the organizing committee will try to provide the student with extra space; however, requesting the space requires the exhibitor(s) to consult with the organizing committee well before the exhibition.

§ Open flames should not be used.

§ Disconnect all electrical exhibits at the end of the viewing period.

§ An insulating or electrician’s tape is required at the point where the wire enters any enclosure.

§ Any enclosure must be non-combustible. All non-current carrying metal parts must be grounded.

§ Lasers may not be operated during public viewing.

Regulations

§ The following hazardous biological materials may not be displayed:

o Radio-isotopes or compounds containing radio-isotopes

o Biological toxins

o Microorganisms. The use of mixed cultures obtained from the environment (e.g. Soils, mouth swabs) are acceptable for experimentation but not for display.

o Cells or tissues infected with animal viruses.

§ No cultures are allowed for exhibition. Photographs or simulated cultures may be used.

§ Experiments too dangerous to display in the public viewing, may be performed earlier and videotaped under appropriate supervision and safety precautions for purposes of demonstration.

§ Student’s investigations are subject to the same laws, ethics and regulations as any other research. In the Criminal Code of Canada, the Animals for Research Act of Ontario, and similar legislation in other provinces, all vertebrates are afforded protection.

§ Lower orders of life (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, insects, plants and inverterbrae animals) can be used in experimentation to reveal valuable basic biological information, however, they may not be displayed. Photographs may be used.

§ Vertebrae animals (birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians) are not to be used in any active experiments, which may be deleterious to the health, comfort or physical integrity of the animals.

o This permits the observation of wild animals, animals in zoological parks, farm animals and pets. Only animals acquired from biological supply houses may be used in “experiments”. Animals from pet stores or from one’s own breeding program may not be used for these purposes.

§ Behavioral experiments with positive rewards are permissible only if the animal is not placed in a stress situation.

§ The only parts of vertebrae animals that may be displayed are those that are naturally shed by an animal, which must be properly prepared and preserved. Soft tissue specimens are not acceptable.

§ Photos, videos or slides of organ tissue samples may be used.

§ Research involving human beings must involve the principals of informed consent. No human tissues or fluids are to be used in a science fair project due to the associated ethics and possible health hazards.

§ Patented materials must be cited (e.g. McDonald’s burgers)

§ Biological experimentation is subject to legal restrictions including, among others:

o Criminal Code of Canada, Section 446 Cruelty to Animals

o Health of Animals Act, Bill C-66

o Animals for Research Act (Ontario)

o Regulations for Housing, Care and Treatment of Animals Used for biological or Medical Purposes (Alberta); and,

o Guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care

PART A: OVERALL EVALUATION

EXPERIMENT / INNOVATION / STUDY
An investigation undertaken to test a scientific hypothesis experimentally. The variables, if identified, are controlled to some extent. / The development and evaluation of innovative devices, models or techniques or approaches in technology, engineering or computers (hardware or software). / A collection and analysis of data to reveal evidence of a fact or a situation of scientific interest. It could include a study of cause and effect or theoretical investigations of scientific data.
Check
Level 1 / Duplicate a known experiment to confirm the hypothesis. The hypothesis is totally predictable. / Build models (devices) to duplicate existing technology. / Study existing printed material related to the basic issue.
Level 2 / Extend a known experiment through modification of procedures, data gathering, and application. / Make improvements to or demonstrate new applications for existing technological systems or equipment and justify them. / Study existing printed material related to the basic issue.
Level 3 / Devise and carry out an original experiment. Identify and control some of the significant variables. Carry out an analysis using graphs or simple statistics. / Design and build innovative technology or provide adaptations to existing technology that will have human benefit and/or economic applications. / Carry out a study based on observations and literary research illustrating various options for dealing with a relevant issue. Include appropriate analysis (arithmetic, statistical, or graphical) of some significant variable(s).
Level 4 / Devise and carry out original experiment research, which attempts to control or investigate most significant variables. include statistical analysis in the treatment of data. / Integrate several technologies, inventions or designs and construct an innovative technological system that will have human and/or commercial benefit. / Correlate information from a variety of significant sources, which may illustrate cause and effect or original solutions to current problems through synthesis. Identify significant variable(s) with an in-depth statistical analysis of data.

PART B: PROJECT ASSESSMENT

Your project will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Scientific Thought and Knowledge

· Is there a well-defined objective or purpose given for the project?

· Does the student understand the scientific or engineering principles, laws, or theories related to the project at a level appropriate to the project?

· Does the student have clear ideas for further research or applications?

Experiment

Are the Significant variables recognised and controlled?

Are observations clearly and logically organised?

Is the conclusion valid based on the data collected?

Innovation

Does the design effectively address the problem identified?

Does the student demonstrate refinement/improvement to the design?

Is there a viable commercial application or significant human benefit?

Study

Did the student gather data from suitable sources?

Has the student amassed the appropriate and relevant data sample?

Is there strong evidence of a fact, situation or pattern of scientific interest?

Originality/Creative Ability

· Does the project demonstrate originality at a level appropriate to the student?

· Does the project show resourcefulness and creativity in the design?

· Does the investigation of the phenomenon or the design process incorporate a novel approach?

· Is the data obtained, analyzed or interpreted in an original way?

Display

· Does the display use a clear and logical approach to explaining itself?

· Does the exhibit make appropriate use of various media? (Equipment and gadgets that are simply decorative will be ignored and may be counted against the exhibit).

· Are charts, diagrams, graphs etc. Used in a meaningful way, which supports the presentation?

· Does the exhibit demonstrate good workmanship? (ie. Does everything work as it should?)

Presentation

· Does the student communicate his/her knowledge and understanding?

· Does the student demonstrate that he/she has completed the project as independently as could be expected for his/her age/grade?(Adult guidance, advice, and supervision of hazardous work is appropriate, but excessive adult involvement counts against the exhibit).

SCIENCE FAIR 2012 PROPOSAL

GROUP MEMBERS

DIVISION

¨ physical and life sciences

¨ biotechnology and environmental sciences

¨ engineering and computing sciences