Teacher Section

 

WHY SHOULD STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN SCIENCE DAYS?

*Participation in science days helps students develop basic skills they will use daily throughout their life—to sense and clarify problems that exist, to conduct research, to find creative solutions to problems, and to communicate.

*Participation in science day gives students the opportunity to develop the skills, attitudes, and knowledge that will help them be comfortable and successful in an ever changing scientific, technological society.

*Preparing students for citizen participation in the development of science and technology policy and the utilization of science in everyday life are worthwhile goals often ignored in school curricula, that are achieved through a student research project.

*Science days offer students the opportunity to define a problem and to design an experiment that will attempt to solve or investigate that problem, thus enabling the student to learn through discovery a topic of their own interest.

*Students can win special recognition for achievement, certificates, cash awards and college scholarships.

*Top students can advance to the Buckeye Science and Engineering Fair, State Science Day and the International Science and Engineering Fair  

SUGGESTED CALENDAR

Sept-Oct    Students should begin background work and decide on project

 Fill out forms necessary for project that need to be approved before research begins: All projects need Checklist for Adult Sponsor/Safety Assessment Form (1), Student Checklist/Research Plan (1A),(be sure to include research plan attachment) and Approval Form (1B). Sign and date Form 1 and IB and make certain other signatures and dates are on Form 1B. Please also note that Form 1A has two parts. For information on the forms and a form wizard that will lead you through their completion go to the Science Service site. Have students fill out forms online, print out copies, and sign.  This will make printing more legible and avoid name misspellings. Please note that two more forms must be completed when your entries are sent in--an individual or team registration  and a consent and release agreement.

Sept-Oct.  tba  Attend Science Fair workshop at the downtown Toledo-Lucas County Library or a branch library, 6:30-8:30 Free. Refreshments at 6pm.

Oct-Nov    Approve project and/or send to Local Scientific Review Committee or Institutional Review Board (Scroll down for information about these committees).  All required forms must be signed by appropriate people before experimentation begins.  Make duplicate copies for your files.

Keep the original forms (or make certain parents keep them). When entries are mailed in make certain original signed Individual/Team Registration Form and Consent and Release Agreement are sent in; all other submitted forms should be copies. Make copies of all forms  making sure all forms are signed and dated properly. Advise students to make copies for display at their projects on NWDSD. Those competing at State Science Day will need a similar set of forms to complete state registration immediately after the completion of district competition. Make certain students have copies of all forms and understand that they are to have them available at their project on Science Day.

Nov. 1st  Deadline to pre-register your intent to participate in NWDSD 2008. This is not a deadline for entry, but simply information to help us plan for Science Day.    The advantage of pre-registering is that you will receive help through the whole process.  If you missed the pre-registration deadline please contact the Director, Mark J. Camp and we will try our best to help with your science day planning, etc.

Oct-Dec    After project is approved, students:

Obtain judges for local fair

Dec-Feb     Local fair at your school, school district, county, etc. Arrange for judges for NWDSD. 

Feb 25, 2008  Deadline for receipt of registrants and entry fees for NWDSD.  These should be superior projects. Make certain all necessary forms are completely filled out and included. Every project will require an individual or team registration form, Form 1, Form 1A and attachment, Form 1B, Consent and Release Agreement, and Abstract (Scroll down on homepage for links to forms). Also submit a list of judges representing your school. Closer to NWDSD check with your judges to make certain they will be representing your school. Have emergency backups in case some have a change in plans.  We can never have enough judges.

Around NWDSD make certain participants receive NWDSD flyer and map and know the calendar of the day's events.

Mar 29, 2008    NWDSD at UT     Support your students by judging at NWDSD or attending as a spectator.

Make certain students are reminded to:

Make certain qualifying students know how to register for State Science Day. We will mail your school's certificates after Science Day.

May 10,  2008 State Science Day at OSU

Newer Rules and Updates

  • Projects are totally poster displays; no equipment, apparatus, materials, or specimens are permitted at student tabletop displays. No materials, except photos, may be fastened to the display boards.  Only research reports and data compilations are allowed on tables. Obviously this eliminates the need for electricity.  Battery-powered computers are permitted if necessary for simulation, modeling or animation integral and essential to the project results; unessential PowerPoint presentations are not permitted. The score of a student's project may be impacted by the violation(s) if either the physical dimensions or physical items rules are not followed.

Local Scientific Review Committees and Institutional Review Boards

In order to properly oversee science project research each participating school should have a Scientific Review Committee (SRC) and/or Institutional Review Board (IRB).  The SRC is a group of at least one biomedical scientist, science teacher, and other qualified individual that is responsible for evaluation of student research, certifications, research plans, and exhibits for compliance with NWDSD/ISEF rules and guidelines.  An IRB is a committee of at least one science teacher, one school administrator, and one psychologist, psychiatrist, medical doctor, physician's assistant, or registered nurse that reviews research plans involving human subjects to determine potential physical or psychological risk. Please note that teachers or adult sponsors cannot serve as Chair of these committees to avoid obvious conflict of interest scenarios. These committees must meet to review and approve or reject research plans before experimentation begins and again before NWDSD. Projects that do not comply will be ineligible for participation at NWDSD. If your school does not have ready access to the above committee members they may consider combining with other schools and forming joint SRC's and IRB's or contacting the NWDSD Director Mark J. Camp for help.

You may act as the SRC assuming projects do not present any recognized research risks or issues.  When in doubt however, contact the NWDSD Director.

The District level SRC and IRB will review the projects upon registration to NWDSD.  Failure to comply to ISEF standards will result in disqualification.

Typical, and some non-typical, SRC/IRB Violations-What not to do!

From NWDSD 2003-2007, in no particular order:

 

HOW DO I ENTER STUDENTS IN  DISTRICT SCIENCE DAY?

  1. Read the information included on the Ohio Academy of Science (http://www.ohiosci.org) and NWDSD  (http://www.eeescience.utoledo.edu  (click on Science Day) web pages including: the Ohio Academy of Science  Standards, which contains instructions, judging criteria, and research reports..  Be sure to review the following:
                        a.  The Rules for the Northwest Ohio District 2 Science Day

                         b.  Rules for Research Involving Live Vertebrate Animals,                Human Subjects, hazardous substances, pathogenic organisms, etc.

                        c.   Sponsored Awards List (this list often is not finalized until Jan.) 

                        d.   Abstract Writing

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.

    2.   Have students identify a topic or problem to study and begin the research project  as soon as possible.   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.  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). Later complete the Individual Registration or  Team Registration  form and  Consent and Release Agreement and abstract. Make certain students keep the originals of all except the Individual/Team Registration and Consent-Release Agreement.  They should make 3-4 copies; one to be sent to NWDSD, one to be at their project on NWDSD, one to be used for State Science Day entry if they qualify,and another for your files, if you so desire. The original signed Individual/Team Registration and Consent-Release Agreement forms must be sent to NWDSD. 

    3.  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. Check Science Service's forms wizard for a guide to what forms are required for different research areas. 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), Vertebrate Animal Form (5),  Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Form (6A), and Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (6B).  If a project is a continuation of research from a previous year, Continuation Form (7) will need to be included. 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  It is assumed that participating teachers will be familiar with these requirements due to attending the several workshops that have been offered.  If you are a new teacher and are not familiar with the requirements please contact the Director. Failure to complete forms will lead to disqualification . Classroom 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.

    4.   Have student 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 entire report is not to be sent in; just a copy of the one page abstract and the summary report as prescribed  on Form 1A Attachment Plan. The student(s) must 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 the 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 the hypothesis.

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

d) Summary of the results obtained from the experimentation.

e) The conclusions drawn from the results.

f) The importance or potential applications the research offers.

Make certain the abstract is a true abstract.  Abstracts should include the key points, be brief and concise and contain complete sentences.  Abstracts should only provide necessary information needed to understand the project's basic points and importance. Abstracts and Research Plans are not one the same; they are separate forms.

The abstract should be 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.

    5.   Have students set up a physical display. This is a poster display (36" wide x 30" deep) exhibiting data tables,  diagrams, graphs, models, reports, etc.  No equipment is to be displayed at the exhibit site; only the poster setup and supporting paper documents.

    6. Conduct a local science fair at your school or at the school district or county level. This allows  students to practice their oral presentations before NWDSD. As a general rule schedule this event sometime in January.  The NWDSD date varies because of space utilization, but we’ll always have enough time to process your entries if you hold your local fair early. You should have your local fair no later than   Feb. 23, 2008 because entry forms will be due on Feb. 25,  2008. [Please mail them (or deliver them to The University of Toledo, Bowman-Oddy Laboratory, Room 3024 or 3042) so that they arrive by this date. Entries must be in by this date.  No exceptions!

  7. Enter winners (Superior rated projects)of your local science fair in the Northwest Ohio District 2 Science Day by downloading  forms from the NWDSD website.  Include all necessary forms  plus an individual or team registration form.  Again, if you lack Internet access contact Director Mark J. Camp at 419-530-2398 and necessary forms will be mailed.

  1. Have students complete all parts of individual or team registration. Please make sure students have answered all questions pertaining to name, school, address, grade, project information, and project type and all signatures are present. Be certain forms are typed or printed legibly. We must be able to decipher spelling of names. Be certain project title fits division it is to be judged in. Tell students that most of the forms can be filled in online and then printed out.
  2. Have students choose one sponsored award category in which they wish to be judged. To view available sponsored awards click here.Write the name of the award in the "Sponsored Awards" section of the entry form. Teachers please sign. All qualified students, if so interested, may sign up for the BGSU District Science Day Scholarshipand/or the Tillotson UT District Science Day Scholarship in addition to another award. All projects may also be considered for a number of overall awards.
  3. Make sure abstract is sent in with each entry.
  4. Each school is required to provide one judge per five students entered in Northwest Ohio District 2 Science Day. These must be sent in with student entries. Please use the on-line judging form (currently under repair) at our website or provide Director Mark  J. Camp, (419-530-2398 Mark.Camp@utoledo.edu with names. We count on these judges! We also need any individuals who would like to judge in selected fields of interest. PLEASE, VOLUNTEER!
  5. Collect registration fees from each entrant. The entry fee for NWDSD  is $20.00 per student. The entry fee for team projects (see below)  is $20.00 per individual student i.e. $40 for two person team and $60 for three person team. Checks made out to Northwest Ohio District Science Day must accompany entries. Send entries to:

                            Dr. M. J. Camp, Dept of  EEES, MS # 604, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606-3390

CAN TEAMS OF STUDENTS ENTER  DISTRICT AND STATE SCIENCE DAY?

The Junior Academy Council of OAS endorses the concept of team projects at District and State Science Days. The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) has also adopted the idea.

Rules for team projects for grades 7-12 at NWDSD  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. A  50 point rating scale is used for teams including a category for teamwork.
  3. Each student on a team, and in attendance, will receive the district’s usual recognition.
  4. Points will be deducted for non-appearance of any team member on the day of judging.
  5. Teams will be eligible for local sponsored awards; monetary awards will be divided among team members.

HOW ARE STUDENTS JUDGED IN NORTHWEST OHIO DISTRICT 2 SCIENCE DAY?

Professionals in the fields of science, mathematics, engineering, and education, volunteer their time to judge on Science Day. The judge’s use the criteria set by the Junior Academy Council of the Ohio Academy of Science, and all judges’ decisions are final. The criteria are:
                    -Knowledge Achieved
                    -Effective Use of Scientific Method
                    -Clarity of Expression
                    -Originality and Creativity
Students 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.

In order for a participant to have a reasonable chance of qualifying for state competition he/she/ must score some combination of 10s and 9s in each of the four judging categories -- knowledge achieved, use of scientific method, clarity of expression, and originality & creativity -- totaling a 36-40 or equivalent team point total. i.e. a higher superior rating. In order to assure quality student performances at State Science Day please note that judges will be looking for the following:

    1. A Student Research Plan (1A) displayed with an 8-10 page research report. Report must be neat and well organized. Although in most cases judges will not be able to critically review all aspects of the report, any spelling and grammatical errors, notable lack of scientific method, and absence of pertinent references will lower ranking.

    2. All completed forms including special forms for live vertebrate animals, human subjects, recombinant DNA, controlled substances, hazardous substances and devices, human and nonhuman animal tissues, or pathogenic agents..

   3. A well written complete concise abstract.

 4. All superior projects must be free of errors in spelling and grammar on the display board

   5. Verbal presentations of participants receiving 38-40 or team equivalent superiors must be completed without reading from note cards or reports or presenting memorized speeches. Appropriate questions from judges must be adequately answered. Participants must be comfortable with terminology and have a thorough knowledge of their research.

    6. If project involves experimentation, a control or controls must be present and explained. A minimum of  3 sets of data must be part of the analysis.

WHAT ABOUT REJUDGING?

 Two judges will judge each project following  Ohio Academy of Science standards.  If each judge grants a total score within any one rating category (Superior, Excellent, Good, or Satisfactory), that specific rating (Superior, Excellent, Good, Satisfactory) will be granted to the student and no rejudging is permitted. Rejudging is automatic and is permissible only if all three of the following conditions apply:

a. the judges' final ratings are in different categories,

b. the average of the judges' scores is in the lower category, and 

c. if the judges differ in their total points by more than five points.

HOW ARE STUDENTS CHOSEN TO ATTEND STATE SCIENCE DAY?

Each district in the state of Ohio has a quota  for students who can participate in  the State Science Day at the Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. 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).
  1. Alternates will be selected via random drawing following the same guidelines as above.

ALL STUDENTS INTENDING TO COMPETE AT STATE SCIENCE DAY MUST ATTEND THE AWARDS CEREMONY OR HAVE SOMEONE REPRESENTING THEM ATTEND IN THEIR PLACE. STATE QUALIFIERS WILL BE GIVEN AN ENTRY PACKET AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY AND MUST MAIL THIS IN WITH RESPECTIVE FEES AS INSTRUCTED IN THE PACKET. PLEASE TELL STUDENTS TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH EACH ENTRY PACKET IMMEDIATELY AS THERE ARE IMPORTANT DEADLINES GIVEN. FORMS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY     April 1, 2008.

State Science Day for 2008 will be held at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, May 10,  2008. For information on State Science Day go to http://statescienceday.osu.edu/ or http://www.ohiosci.org/ssd.htm The cost of State Science Day is $50.00 per student. 

WHERE CAN I GET HELP  SETTING UP A SCIENCE FAIR PROGRAM?

Materials including books, pamphlets, and videos about conducting science fairs are available from:

The Ohio Academy of Science
1500 W. third Avenue
Columbus, OH 43212
Telephone: (614) 488-2228
Email: OAS@IWAYNET.net
Website – http://www.ohiosci.org

Science Day Guide by Joanne Zinser Mann

Intel ISEF Teacher Guide

Also check the following websites for more information on science fairs and just a small sample of the numerous sites available:

Agricultural Ideas for Projects

http://physics.usc.edu/~gould/ScienceFairs a library of links to hundreds of science fairs around the country and world

Science Fair Videos

 

Other Important Dates

April 11-13, 2008   Annual Meeting Ohio Academy of Science - The University of Toledo

May 10, 2008     State Science Day - Ohio State University, Columbus

 

 

Summary Check Sheet for Teachers