GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PROJECTS

Final Project Option I: Science Emporium Project

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SCIENCE EMPORIUM PROJECTS

Due Date: 1^st draft, Dec 4; 2^nd draft, Dec. 8;

Presentation: Thursday, Dec 14, 5:00 pm

Interactive Projects: We encourage projects which are interactive, that is, the viewer is able to manipulate portions of the project to "make it work." Interactive projects should be sturdily built and the student should attempt to keep the project in working order during the emporium. These projects will be marked as interactive projects. Please indicate on your entry form if you are entering an interactive project.

Group Projects: Small group projects (2-3 students) are welcome.

Live Animals: No live animals may be exhibited without Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Approval.

Hazardous Materials: No hazardous materials or procedures are allowed (open flame, dangerous chemicals, disease-causing organisms, etc.; check with your instructor or consult MSDS sheets if you are unsure how dangerous certain chemicals are or for ideas on how to contain or use them safely).

Fragile Components: If your exhibit requires an expensive or fragile component, consider bringing it for the oral interview only and including a photograph or drawing of it during the remainder of the science fair.

Extension Cords: Bring your own extension cord if you need one, label it with your name and phone number, and be sure to indicate the need for an electrical outlet on your entry form.

Identification: All science emporium exhibits should have the student’s name(s), Chemistry 103 and project category on the display.

Display Boards: The exhibits for all categories of projects should have a background of some type on which at least the title of the project is mounted; the board should be self-supporting and made of stiff material such as heavy cardboard or foam core (poster board is not recommended unless it is reinforced). School House Express is a good sourcefor boards.Exhibit Size: Make the exhibits as compact as possible; no exhibit can exceed 3 feet side-to-side, 6 feet from top to bottom, or 30 inches front to back (deep).

DEMONSTRATION OF A BIOCHEMICAL

PRINCIPLE

This type of project encourages students to concentrate on a biochemical principle; apply it in one or more ways and share their knowledge with others. Good demonstrations focus on only one chemical principle and use a variety of means to illustrate that principle: e.g., drawings, photos, models, and other visual aides. The best demonstrations involve multiple senses and allow the viewer to interact with the principle directly so be sure your interactive demonstration is sturdy. Your exhibit should attract visitors with an eye-catching display, engage them in learning, and send them on their way with a better understanding of the chemical principle.

Your Demonstration display should contain the following elements:

Title - An intriguing title will capture the viewer’s attention.

Objective - Clearly identify the principle you wish to demonstrate. If you demonstrate a mathematical or physical principal explain how it relates to chemistry.

Explanation - A general statement of how the principle works; you can include a history of how the principle was first discovered to add human interest to your demonstration.

Demonstration - Models, drawings, charts, graphs, photographs, and "hands-on" materials that will help the viewer understand the principle. Each visual aide should be accompanied by an explanation of what it shows or directions for using it.

Application - Give some examples of how the chemical principle impacts the world around us.

Sources of Information - List the resources you used to obtain information for your project including books, magazines, museums, people, etc. You must cite at least 2 technical references (URL's do not count)!

Acknowledgements - List the people who helped you on your project and state what they did. If you have already listed them as a source of information, you do not need to list them again.

Judging criteria for Demonstrations:

The demonstration is focused on one clearly defined Chemical Principle. (15 pts)
The demonstration is based upon thorough research (2 technical references). (15 pts)
Written and oral explanations are clear and correct. (15 pts)
The demonstration is interactive and uses more than one method to convey information. (15 pts)
Application of the principle is explained. (10 pts)
Sources are complete and AT LEAST 2 TECHNICAL REFERENCES ARE CITED (10 pts)
Acknowledgements: All group members contributions are described and show that each member contributed significantly to the project. (10 pts)
The display is easy to understand and appealing to the eye (10 pts)

PROJECT ENTRY FORM

Due Date: 1^st draft, Dec 4; 2^nd draft, Dec. 8;

Presentation: Thursday, Dec 14, 5:00 pm

Fill out a separate entry form for each draft of your project. Group projects must have all the students’ names listed and a description of what each student will do.

Student’s Name (s) _________________________________________________________

Electrical outlet needed? Yes ____ No ____

Interactive exhibit? Yes ____ No ____

Project Title: ____________________________________________________________

Project Description (use continuation pages as necessary):