The Morgan State University

THE THIRTY-FOURTH ANNUAL

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

SCIENCE-MATHEMATICS-ENGINEERING FAIR

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL HANDBOOK

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An Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Affiliate

Table of Contents

Science-Mathematics-Engineering (SME) Fair History…….…………………….…….3

Current Mission ………………………………………………………………………….3

Schedule of Events …………………………………………………………………….....4

SME Steering Committee Members .……………………………….……………….…...5

Contact Information ……………………………………………………………………..5

Why Complete a SME Fair Project ..…………….…………………………………... 6 -7

Who May Enter ………………………………………………………………………….8

Entry and Exhibition Rules ..…………………………………………………..……..8-10

Student Responsibilities ………………………………………………………………...10

Parent Responsibilities ………………………………………………………………10-11

Judges ……………………………………………………………………………...... 11

Judging Criteria ……………………………………………………………………11 - 12

Getting Started ……………………………………………………………………..13 - 14

Suggested Timeline for Development ……………………………………………..15 - 16

of Research Projects

Typical SME Fair Timeline …………………………………………………………….16

Elements of a Successful Research Project …………………………………………17-19

Helpful Hints ……………………………………………………………………...... 20-21

Presentation to Judges …………………………………………………………………21

Official Entry Forms ………………………………………………………………22 - 32

Science-Mathematics-Engineering (SME)

Fair History

The first Annual Morgan State University Science Fair was held on May 8, 1981 in the McKeldin Center Ballroom. The objectives of the first Fair were: to identify and encourage promising and creative students in science; to provide an opportunity for students to have practical experience in developing a good science project; to develop a good cooperative relationship between the Morgan State University Comprehensive Science Education Department and area Maryland High Schools and to provide an opportunity for Science Education majors to experience the planning and logistics for organizing and implementing a Science Fair.

Several schools participated in the first Fair. The Fair was open to students in grades 8 through 12. Junior Division (Grades 8-9) and Senior Division (Grades 10-12) trophies and certificates were given in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth and Planetary Science.

Since 1988, Morgan’s Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education (CEMSE) governs the Fair. The Fair is open to students in grades 6 through 12 Junior Division (6-8) and Senior Division (9-12) in the categories of Physical Science, Biological Science, Mathematics and Computer Science, Earth and Environmental Science, Engineering and Team Projects. Student/Teacher workshops and school visitations are continuously provided for those in need. The Fair received affiliation with the International Science and Engineering Fair in 1993. Starting in 1999, winners from the Junior Division participate in the National Discovery Young Scientist Challenge sponsored by Discovery Communications Inc. with Science Services. In 1996 a Winner’s Corner was established for the exhibition of projects from elementary school students for recognition only. Every year, since 1993, the top winners and their teachers from the senior division of the Fair each receive an all expense paid trip to participate in the International Science and Engineering Fair. The team projects are encouraged to build team cooperation, research skills and better communication among students.

As an incentive for the students to participate in their respective school SME fair and the Morgan State SME Fair, an array of prizes and awards including scholarships, trophies, certificates and monetary funds are given annually.

Current Mission

· Identify and encourage promising and creative students in science, mathematics and engineering

· Provide opportunities for students in grades 6-12 to have practical research in developing a quality science-mathematics-engineering project.

· Maintain a good cooperative relationship between science, mathematics and engineering departments of Morgan State University and Baltimore Area secondary schools.

· Provide an opportunity for science, mathematics and engineering majors to experience the planning and logistics of organizing and coordinating a science-mathematics-engineering fair.

Schedule of Events

The Thirty-second Annual Morgan State University Science-Mathematics-Engineering Fair is being presented in the Hill Field House on March 14-15, 2014.

Science-Mathematics-Engineering Fair Steering Committee

Dr. Kevin Peters Dr. Russell Kelley

Morgan State University Retired, Morgan State University

Dr. Cecelia Wright Brown Ms. Corliss Riddick

University of Baltimore Morgan State University

Mrs. Sharon McClain Gibson Dr. Anasuya Swamy

Retired, Baltimore City Public Schools Retired, Morgan State University

Mr. John Hires Mrs. Willilexia Royal Cox

Retired, Baltimore City Public Schools Retired, Baltimore City Public Schools

Mr. Charles Matthews Mr. Douglas Parker

Retired, Baltimore City Public Schools Retired, Baltimore City Public Schools

Mrs. Delores Biggs Mrs. Lois S. Waters

Retired, Baltimore City Public Schools Baltimore City Community College

Dr. Gabrielle McLemore Ms. Kathryn Dyson

Morgan State University Morgan State University

Ms. Tia Bossiwa Ms. Camille Hinmon

Baltimore City Public Schools Baltimore City Public Schools

Mr. Bryan Thomas Ms. Gloria Hayes

Baltimore City Public Schools Retired, Baltimore City Public Schools

Ms. Khadijah Mitchell Mr. Marc Martin

Graduate Student, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore City Public Schools

Mr. Lydell Henry Mr. Marcus Wolfe

Beat the Street Graduate Student, Morgan State University

Ms. Maureen Sullivan Mr. Luke Anderson

Maryland Science Center Mollo LLC

Mr. Pete Yancone Ms. Billie Partlow

Maryland Science Center Retired, Baltimore City Public Schools

Contact Information

Corliss Riddick Phone: 443-885-3134

Morgan State University FAX: 443-885-8234

E-mail:

Why Complete a SME Fair Project?

First

A science fair project is the ultimate answer to the often-asked student question: "Why do I need to learn this stuff, anyway?"

It integrates, into one functional activity, virtually all of the skills and arts that are usually taught separately (sometimes not at all or without obvious "purpose") in many schools. When brought to completion, the project is an amalgamation of reading, writing, spelling, grammar, mathematics, statistics, ethics, logic, critical thinking, computer science, graphic arts, scientific methodology, self-learning of one or more technical or specialty fields, and (if the project qualifies for formal competition) public speaking and defense in front of expert judges. It is, perhaps, the only educational activity that allows students to teach themselves, to take from the established information what they need to discover something exciting and new, and to identify and choose the tools that they need to conduct and conclude their project. When a student completes a SME fair project, year after year, through junior and senior high school, the SME fair process yields mature, self-confident, skilled, and competitive young leaders who have career goals and the preparation, discipline, and drive to attain them.

Second

A SME fair project can be self-validating and exciting because it is not just practice. It involves real discovery of little known or even unknown information.

It develops personal power of importance in students, where perhaps none or little existed before. The project usually is based on scientific questions or interests that the students already have, and allows them to develop the questions independently into formal, testable, solvable problems. When such studies are undertaken in earnest, the students often become driven by their projects. Learning the outcome and finding the answer can be an electrifyingly powerful moment of discovery. It proves to students, and to others, that they were successful and that they did it on their own! The result? An ordinary student is motivated to become an excellent student, and an excellent student to become a scholar. Of all the programs that a school might offer a student to improve self-esteem, it seems that participation in a SME fair is one sure-fire way to build student confidence, challenge potential, and instill the incredible feeling of independent achievement that the successful SME fair project provides.

Finally

SME fair projects can pay off in cash and open the doors of academic opportunity.

Well-done projects generally lead to competition and awards at Intel® ISEF-affiliated regional fairs. First-place winners at regional fairs usually have the opportunity to compete for additional awards in the Morgan State University Science-Mathematics-Engineering Fair. Top first-place winners from junior and senior divisions in many fairs are selected as sweepstakes winners and receive cash awards. Additionally, selected senior sweepstakes winners (the best of the best) go on to compete with other grand prizewinners from throughout the world for substantial cash and scholarship prizes at the annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Perhaps most importantly, however, graduating high school students with records of awards for original research or engineering at the regional fair and beyond, have a distinct advantage over other college applicants in being considered and accepted by the schools of their choice. This is because science fair honors rank high among the screening factors used by admissions officers at most top universities.

Lastly, students who participate in Morgan State University Science-Mathematics-Engineering Fair have their projects evaluated by top local scientists from research and industry. Participants whose projects are judged to be worthy of international competition will be judged by the top scientists of the world. Imagine your student discussing a project with a Nobel Prize winner. The exposure and self confidence such an opportunity generates cannot be quantified.

The following statement is excerpted, with thanks, from the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair Web site.

Who May Enter

Any student in grades 6-12 enrolled in a school (public, private or parochial) or being home schooled in Baltimore City with the exception of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.

Division I

High school students, Grades 9 through 12

Division II

Middle School students, grades 6 through 8

Note to prospective participant

The project must be original and must result from the student’s own interest and research.

I. General Categories for Project

A. Physical Science (Chemistry, Physics)

B. Earth/Planetary and Environmental Science

C. Biological (Life) Science dealing with animal and/or plant life.

D. Mathematics and Computer Science

E. Engineering

II. Team Projects

Teams may consist of up to three (3) members. Each team should appoint a team leader to coordinate the work and act as the spokesperson. However, each member should be able to serve as a spokesperson, be fully involved with the project, and be familiar with all aspects of the project.

Team projects compete against each other in an interdisciplinary category.

The team should submit one abstract. The final work should reflect the coordinated efforts of all team members and will be evaluated using the same rules and similar judging criteria as the other categories.

Entry and Exhibition Rules

Individual schools have the responsibility of selecting projects to be exhibited in the Morgan State University Science-Mathematics-Engineering Fair.

Participants chosen to represent their individual school in the Morgan State Science-Mathematics-Engineering Fair must submit an Official Entry Form to the Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education on or before Monday, February 10, 2014.

Each participant must submit one copy of the Summary of the Project (Abstract Form 2014) on or before February 10, 2014. The abstract form is a single page containing:

1. Title of the Exhibit

2. What the participant intended to accomplish by the project

3. Steps taken in the preparation of the project

4. Conclusions reached. The abstract must be computer generated or typed in the third person. A second copy of the abstract must be displayed with the project.

All exhibits must be durable and safe. Movable parts must be firmly attached. Where electrical equipment is used, the display must operate on 110-volt alternating current (AC), single phase. Each such exhibit must be provided with at least 10 (ten) feet of extension cord with popular style parallel, or male plug. Battery operated circuits need not be so treated. Live, warm-blooded animals, plants, dangerous chemicals, open flames, explosives, poisonous reptiles and arachnids, may not be exhibited. Morgan will not provide facilities for running water, gas or compressed air for exhibits.

Exhibits may consist of a demonstration model, an experiment, a working mechanism, or of charts, diagrams, or collections with a scientific objective. These must be no larger than 76 cm (30 inches) deep (front to back) by 122 cm (48 inches) wide (side to side) and no higher than 274 cm (108 inches) including table thus meeting International Science Fair specifications. No backing or rear display board of any kind will be provided for the exhibit. Tables at the Fair are slightly less the 91cm (36 inches) and it is suggested, though not required, that exhibitors construct displays like a miniature stage affair, with three sides and a floor.

The participants will be responsible for setting up and removing his/her display. Neither name of exhibitor nor name of school shall appear on exhibit before or during the judging. A number and slot will be assigned to each exhibit based upon division, category and order in which entry blanks are received, for identification prior to the judging.

No Exhibit May Be Dismantled Before 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 15, 2014.

Individual schools should send all forms to:

Morgan State University

C/O Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education

1700 E. Cold Spring Lane

101 Banneker Hall

Baltimore, Maryland 21251-0001.

OFFICIAL ENTRY FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED BY:

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2014

Participants are to set up projects in the Talmadge Hill Field House on the campus of Morgan State University between the hours of 5:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M, Thursday, March 13, 2014 and

7:00 A.M. – 9:00 A.M. Friday, March 14, 2014.

Viewing by the public will commence at 10:00 A.M., Friday, March 14, 2014. Judging will take place Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. The Exhibition Hall will be closed to everyone with the exception of judges, participants and Science-Mathematics-Engineering Fair Committee members. Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participants at 1:00 P.M. The Hall will be reopened to the general public from 1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. All Projects Should Be Left In Place Until 2:00 P.M.

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at the Awards Banquet for participants, parents and teachers to be held in the:

Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom, New Student Center

7:00 P.M.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Awards

The winners will be awarded trophies and other prizes.

Student Responsibilities

1. Each participant will bear full responsibility for his/her project. (Setting-up/removal).

2. Each participant must assume full responsibility for his/her own project as to damage or injury to participant or viewers.

3. Only students that participate in the Science Fair Judging on Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. will be invited to attend the Awards Banquet unless other arrangements have been made with the Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education, Morgan State University.