The Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair

Science-Technology-Engineering-Math

Inquiry-Based Learning at it's Best!

Welcome to the Fair

HONORS DIVISION

        

2020

Friday, February 28, 2020

Project Drop Off 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

 

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Student Project Presentations Arrive at 7:45 am

 

Open to students in Grades 9-12 who live in or go to school in St. Louis City or St. Louis County.
Students who have completed advanced-level research opt in with teacher approval.
Students entering the Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair may not also enter a Science Fair in a neighboring community.

 

 

With thanks to Webster University
Hosting location of the 2020 Honors Division!

Honors Division - Why?

• Showcase your research to PhD’s, MD’s and professionals in the science field and experience authentic science research
• Close to $50,000 in scholarships and awards each year.
• Add to your college application or resume:  “Honors Division-Semi-Finalist,” “Honors Division Finalist” or “ISEF Finalist!”
• A chance to place in the top two with a designation of ISEF Finalist with an all-expense paid trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair.
• Prepare for college and professional poster presentations and become a “college-ready STEM-capable” student.
• Improve test scores with science literacy and scientific method experience
• Meet like-minded teens.
  
  

Registration Deadline

Registration is easy!  Students register independently.
To register, student needs to submit all completed forms (see below).
Be sure safety forms are signed before you begin your research.
SCAN FORMS as a PDF (not jpg), e-mail in one-email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Registration Deadline:  FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 by midnight - all forms need to be completed/signed and received by the Academy of Science – St. Louis

 

 

Rules

The Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair - Honors Division follows the rules and requirements of the International Science & Engineering Fair.  All students need to follow these rules and for safe research. 

• Open to students in Grades 9-12.
• Students must NOT have reached age 20 on or before May 1, 2020
• Eligible Students live in OR are enrolled in St. Louis City or St. Louis County Schools (public/private/parochial/home school) in Grades 9-12 self-select in with teacher recommendation.
• Students who compete in the Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair, may NOT also compete in a neighboring ISEF affiliated science fair.  For example, if you enter the Academy of Science - St. Louis Science fair, you may not also compete in the Mastodon Science Fair.

CLICK HERE for complete list of ISEF rules and requirements.

What forms do I need to register?

To determine the forms that you need, click here for “forms wizard”
In addition to the ISEF forms (be sure to include your research plan) from the “forms wizard“, all students need to complete:
2020 Honors Division entry application
2020 Media and Photo Release

CLICK HERE FOR HELPFUL OVERVIEW OF "WHAT FORMS DO I NEED!"

Submit all required completed/signed forms together by FRIDAY, January 31, 2020


FORMS FAQ's:

Q.  Do I need to submit the abstract form located on the ISEF forms page?
A.  You can use the ISEF form (you do not need a seal), or type up on a word doc.   If you choose to type up on a word doc, be sure to include all of the information that is on the ISEF form.  Note:  250 word limit.

Q.  Will I be disqualified if I misunderstood and miss sending in a form?
A.  No, we will review each students paperwork (it will take a few days), and will e-mail you if you are missing any paperwork.  You can then complete, scan and send in.

Register:

SCAN AND E-MAIL:  Scan completed and signed forms and e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

(Note:  scan forms and save as a PDF, do NOT take a photo of the form- photos of forms will not be accepted)  Must be RECEIVED by MONDAY, January 31, 2020 by midnight.  Photos of forms will not be accepted.

Important

• Be sure to obtain signatures early, some professionals are unavailable during part of December and January.
• Signed/Approved and properly date forms (identify date as first verbal/written approval).
• HELPFUL:  ISEF has a Rules Wizard which you can use to determine what forms you need to fill out BEFORE you start your science project.

Honors Division Dates & Location

Friday, February 28, 2020 (Project Drop Off)
Open for project drop off from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm


Saturday, February 29, 2020 (Student Project Presentations)
(Student present projects to judges) 
Students arrive 7:45 am.   Competition ends at approximately 5:00 pm. 

Location:  Webster University, Browning Hall, Interdisciplinary Science Building

Overview

The Honors Division of the Academy of Science – St. Louis Science Fair is a collegiate level research studies competition for Grades 9-12 by students living in St. Louis City or St. Louis County (public/private/parochial/home school).

Research Period

Each project must cover research done over a maximum of 12 continuous months between January 2019 and February 2020.  Continuation projects need approval from Peggy James Nacke before beginning research.  Additional approvals will be required.

Individuals or Teams

Students may compete as individuals or as teams of 2 students.  Open to students in Grades 9-12 who live in or go to school in St. Louis City or St. Louis County.  Both students in a team need to be enrolled in St. Louis City or St. Louis County Schools (public/private/parochial/home) and/or live in St. Louis City or St. Louis County.

Who?Eligibility

• Students live in OR are enrolled in St. Louis City or St. Louis County Schools (public/private/parochial/home school) in Grades 9-12 self-select in with teacher recommendation.
• Rule:  Students who compete in the Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair, may NOT also compete in a neighboring ISEF affiliated science fair.  For example, if you enter the Academy of Science - St. Louis Science fair, you may not also compete in the Mastodon Science Fair.
• Students need to have a science teacher from their school sponsor participation in the Academy of Science-St. Louis Science Fair – Honors Division
• Teacher Sponsor will review safety requirements and required forms to make sure students comply.  For Teacher Recommendation, teacher signs the Honors Entry Application.
• For the Honors Division, the school does NOT need to register (the school does need to register for K-12 Fair held at Queeny Park).
• Students register individually (or as a team of 2) to compete in the Honors Division.
• Student must NOT have reached age 20 on or before May 1, 2020.

Judging

Projects for the Honors Division are judged by scientists from Bayer and other local scientific and educational institutions.  Judging Rubrics:  use scoring rubrics as a guide as you develop your project.

Judging:  Morning Round I - will consist of three 20 minute interviews.  Judges will work in teams but will score independently.  This is your time to explain your project to the judges.  Judges may ask questions.  At the end of the 20 minute round, time will be called before the next round of interviews begins.  There will be a few minutes between each round.

Judging:  Final Round - top 10 students will present their projects to an interdisciplinary panel of judges, one-at-a time (students will present in alpha order by last name).  Students will have up to 15 minutes to present their projects which will include questions from judges.  Note:  entire presentation including questions/answer period will not exceed 15 minutes per project - ideally broken down to a 10 minute presentation allowing for 5 minutes of questions from the judges.  For the afternoon round, keep in mind that there will be about 25 judges (usually sitting theatre style) listening to you describe your project.

Your strength in both rounds is to be able to talk about your project explaining your hypothesis, your procedures and outcome and what you learned.  

Display and Log Book

Your display (poster) is a visual representation of your research.  Poster should be able to "stand alone" and can be purchased at most office supply stores (i.e. cardboard tri-fold).  If you choose to use a flat display on a tri-pod, the student needs to supply the tripod and the display needs to fit into the space of a six foot table. 

Students are encouraged to bring their logbook which shows the progress of their research from beginning to end.  A research paper is acceptable, but not required.  Powerpoint presentations and hand-outs are NOT allowed.

Judges will be viewing your project before you arrive on Saturday.  Be sure your display and log book is a clear depiction of your research. 

Scoring Rubrics

2020 Honors Division AM Scoring Rubric
2020 Honors Division AM Engineering Scoring Rubric
2020 Honors Division PM Final Round Scoring Rubric

Compliance

All projects in the Honors Division must adhere to rules set forth by the International science and Engineering Fair and the Academy of Science – St. Louis Science Fair.  Be sure to read and abide by the rules.

Additional Approval

Projects involving human subjects, vertebrate animals, potentially hazardous biological agents need approval by a Scientific Review Committee or Institutional Review Board.

• IF YOU ARE WORKING IN AN INSTITUTIONAL LAB, your memtor will sign as the SRC/IRB PRIOR to experimentation.
• IF YOU ARE WORKING IN A SCHOOL, your science teacher will sign as the IRB PRIOR to experimentation. The science teacher will head up a school IRB which will consist of the science teacher, a school administrator (principal or vice principal) and a medical or mental health professional (which may be a medical doctor, nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, doctor or pharmacy, registered nurse, psychologist, licensed social worker).  The medical or mental health professional on the IRB may change depending on the nature of the study.  This person must be knowledgeable about and capable of evaluating the physical and/or psychological risk involved in a given study.  IMPORTANT:  After the IRB approval, ALL projects completed at home or in a school involving human subjects, vertebrate animals, potantially hazardous biological agents need the approval of Peggy James Nacke PRIOR to experimentation.
• Additionally, all forms will be reviewed and signed by the Academy of Science – St. Louis Science Fair SRC after we have received completed forms.

Click in the ISEF (Intel Science and Engineering Fair) rules wizard.  The Rules Wizard has been designed as a first step to help you determine what forms and approvals are necessary before beginning your science fair project.

Awards!

The top 2 students from the Honors Division will be given the opportunity to represent the Academy of Science – St. Louis Science Fair at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) with expenses paid, or may opt for scholarship award instead!  ISEF will be held in Anaheim, CA, from May 10-15, 2020.  These students will have the opportunity to meet scientists, engineers, and mathematicians from all over the world.

Additionally, all Honors Division students are invited to bring their projects to the K-12 Academy of Science – St. Louis Science Fair in April to compete for additional scholarships and awards

 

 

 

Helpful Links

Click here for helpful links.

 

 

 

This could be you!  CLICK HERE for ISEF Video

 

 

For Questions contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 314-533-8291