Student Section

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO ENTER  DISTRICT SCIENCE DAY?

  1. Participate in a science fair at your school, school district, or at the county level and rank among the better projects in the fair (Usually this means receiving a superior ranking.). If you would like to participate but your school, district, or county does not offer a science fair opportunity you will need the recommendation of a science teacher familiar with your research. Please contact the Director of NWDSD, Mark  J. Camp for special permission to enter. 
  2. Read the information included on the Ohio Academy of Science (http://www.ohiosci.org) and NWDSD (http://www.eeescience.utoledo.edu) webpages including: the Ohio Academy of Science  Standards, which contains instructions, judging criteria, research reports, and tips on oral presentations. If you do not have Internet access please contact Director Mark J. Camp (419-530-2398) and information will be mailed to you. Please request this early in the school year, so adequate time remains.
       3.    Identify a topic or problem to study and begin the research project  as soon as possible, preferably in the Fall.   Place the research project in one of the following categories: behavioral science, biochemistry, botany, chemistry, computer science, earth & space science,, engineering science, environmental science, mathematics, medicine & health, microbiology, physics, or  zoology. Be sure to complete Checklist for Adult Sponsor/Safety Assessment Form (1) before experimentation begins.  Signatures are required before you start your project. Then complete Student Checklist/Research Plan (1A) individual or team version) and Approval Form (1B). Note that Form 1B must pass review from the District Scientific Review Committee (SRC). Also complete the Individual Registration  or Team Registration Form and  Consent and Release Agreement and abstract. If your project is a continuation of research from last year, please fill out Continuation Form (7).  Be certain original consent-release agreement is sent in with your registration to NWDSD; keep a copy. Make 2-3 copies of all forms and keep originals in a file at home. A Forms Wizard is maintained by the Science Service that you might find handy in determining what forms are required. Please fill out the forms online, print copies, and sign.  Please use 2007-08 forms.

    4.  If a project involves research at a registered research institution or industrial setting and/or involves research  with nonhuman vertebrate animals, human subjects, pathogenic agents, controlled substances, recombinant DNA, human and nonhuman animal tissue, and/or hazardous substances and devices additional forms must be completed and submitted with each registration. These forms  may  include Registered Research Institutional /Industrial Setting Form (1C), Qualified Scientist Form (2),  Risk Assessment Form (3),  Human Subjects and Informed Consent Form (4),  Nonhuman Vertebrate Animal Form (5),  Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Form (6A), and Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (6B).  These forms are detailed, require certain signatures, have time restraints, and must be carefully adhered to. If you have any questions or problems  please contact the Director Mark J. Camp at 419-530-2398 or Mark.Camp@utoledo.edu   Failure to complete forms will lead to disqualification . Your science teachers may approve research plans in lieu of review by a Local Scientific Review Committee, if the proposed research does not involve recognized research risks or issues. Note working with humans, even just having them answer questions, involves additional forms. Also, using many chemicals, even common household products like bleach require approval and extra forms. Do not use pets for animal research.

 5.   Write a detailed report. The report usually includes a title page; table of contents; abstract; introduction (problem and hypothesis to be investigated); methods and materials of investigation; analysis of collected data; conclusions or implications; graphs, tables, and diagrams; and references.    The detailed report is not to be sent in; just a copy of the one page abstract and the abbreviated report of the Research Plan Attachment (second page of Form 1A.

Submit an abstract containing no more than 250 words.  A heading must contain the project title and name(s) of the author(s). The heading does not contribute to the word count.  The purpose of the abstract is to provide a summary of your project that will inform interested individuals of the contents.  The wording must be written in a manner that any scientifically-minded individual, who may not be familiar with your topic, can understand the project's important points.  The following should each be summarized in a few sentences:

a) Background information  necessary to understand the abstract and its importance.

b) The problem that was investigated and your hypothesis.

c) Outline of the materials and methods used in your experimentation.

d) Summary of the results obtained from your experimentation.

e) The conclusions drawn from your results.

f) The importance or potential applications your research offers.

In your abstract do not be concerned with including all the details.  The key point to remember when writing an abstract is to keep the wording brief and concise.  Use complete sentences.  Abstracts should only provide necessary information needed to understand the project's basic points and importance.

Please note the abstract is a brief synopsis of the pertinent techniques used and a summary of the findings, it is not the same as the report which goes into greater detail of the research process and results.

  6.   Set up a physical display. This is a tabletop poster display (36" wide x 30" deep) exhibiting tables, diagrams, graphs, photos, etc.  It may extend no higher than 7 feet, measured from the floor. Free-standing floor exhibits are not permitted. No equipment is to be displayed at your exhibit site; only the poster setup and supporting paper documents. No equipment or specimens are to be attached to your display boards. Battery-powered computers may be used only for simulation, modeling, or animation integral and essential to the project results or data display and not for general PowerPoint presentations. Information such as postal, web, and e-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers are allowed for the exhibitor only.  The only photographs or visual depictions of identifiable or recognizable people allowed are photographs of the exhibitor, photographs taken by the exhibitor (with permission of individuals received), or photographs for which credit is displayed (such as from magazines, newspapers, journals, etc.) The score of your project may be impacted by the violation(s) if either the physical dimensions or physical items rules are not followed.

7.  Complete NWDSD registration as instructed by your teacher(s). Entries are due at the University of Toledo by Feb. 25, 2008. Make certain all necessary forms are completed and filled out in their entirety, including abstract and registration fee of $ 20 per entrant. Make checks out to Northwest Ohio District Science Day and address entries to:  Dr. Mark J. Camp, Dept. of  Environmental Sciences, MS # 604, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606-3390

8. Team projects are permitted for grades 7-12 at District 2 Science Day. The rules are as follows:

  1. A team is limited to three (3) students. All students on a team must play an active role in the science experiment. Individuals should not be used solely for writing reports, making displays, etc.
  2. Each student on a team, and in attendance, will receive the district’s usual recognition.
  3. Points will be deducted for non-appearance of any team member on the day of judging.
  4. Teams will be eligible for local sponsored awards; monetary awards will be divided among team members.

9.    Sign up for a sponsored award and have other opportunities to be recognized. To view the 2008 sponsored awards click here. 

10.    Projects will be judged by professionals and well qualified individuals in the fields of science, mathematics, engineering, and education who volunteer their time to judge on Science Day. The judges use the following criteria set by the Junior Academy Council of the Ohio Academy of Science:
                    -Knowledge Achieved
                    -Effective Use of Scientific Method
                    -Clarity of Expression
                    -Originality and Creativity
You  receive between 1 and 10 points for each of the four categories. The points are summed to form a rating category. The minimum number of points for each rating is:
                    -Superior 36
                    -Excellent 24
                    -Good 12
                    -Satisfactory 4

Team projects are judged in the four above categories plus a fifth category, teamwork.

11. If you receive a superior at NWDSD you may qualify to participate at State Science Day. Each district in the state of Ohio has a quota  for students who can participate in  State Science Day at the Ohio State University in Columbus, OH on May 10, 2008. The quota for our district in 2007 was 116 . The procedure for choosing students to fill this quota is:

  1. All 7 to 12th graders with 40 points, in descending grade order (i.e. 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7) are chosen first.
  2. All 7 to 12th graders with 39 points, in descending grade order are chosen next.
  3. Next, students with 38 points are chosen in descending class order (grade 12,11,10,9,8,7).
  4. Then, students with 37 points are chosen in descending class order (grade 12,11,10,9,8,7).
  5. Finally 7 to 12th graders with 36 points in descending grade level are chosen.
  6. If there are more qualifiers in the final grade/numerical score division than quota positions, the final group will be determined by random draw (i.e. If there are 5 positions and 8 freshmen with 37’s, the 5 participants will be determined by random draw of these 8 students).
  7. Alternates will be selected via random drawing following the same guidelines as above.

      YOU OR A DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE MUST ATTEND THE AWARDS CEREMONY IF YOU PLAN ON GOING TO STATE SCIENCE DAY. YOU WILL BE GIVEN AN ENTRY PACKET AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY AND MUST MAIL THIS IN WITH RESPECTIVE FEES AS INSTRUCTED IN THE PACKET, POSTMARKED BY TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2008. PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH EACH ENTRY PACKET IMMEDIATELY AS THERE ARE IMPORTANT DEADLINES GIVEN.   the Entry fee is $50.00.  

Be advised that you will need internet access to complete SSD registration forms.   Please contact Director Mark J. Camp at 419-530-2398 or Mark.Camp@utoledo.edu if you have problems.

Deciding on a Project or Research Area

Numerous books and web sites are available.  Just remember that  rules and stipulations are not the same in all science fairs; so follow the ones for NWDSD. Below are some suggested web sources; just a sampling of what can be found. They each include many other links. Good luck!

Intel ISEF - tips and advice

National Student Research Center - with links to many sites

Agricultural Project Ideas

Virtual Science Fair  for the younger student

More Science Project Ideas

Timetable for NWDSD March 29, 2008