Prince William-Manassas Regional

Science and Engineering Fair

March 2021

Handbook for Participation

An International Science and Engineering Fair Affiliate

Sponsored by:

School Board

Babur B. Lateef, M.D.

Chairman At-Large

Ms. Loree Y. Williams

Vice Chairwoman

Woodbridge District

Mrs. Adele E. Jackson Mrs. Lillie G. Jessie Ms. Diane L. Raulston

Brentsville District Occoquan District Neabsco District

Mrs. Jennifer T. Wall Mr. Justin David Wilk Mrs. Lisa A. Zargarpur

Gainesville District Potomac District Coles District

Benjamin Kim Caroline Silvera

Student Representative Student Representative

Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Steven L. Walts

Superintendent’s Staff

Mr. Keith A. Imon

Deputy Superintendent

Mr. William G. Bixby

Associate Superintendent for Middle Schools

Mr. Al Ciarochi

Associate Superintendent for Support Services

Dr. Donna L. Eagle

Associate Superintendent for Human Resources

Mr. R. Todd Erickson

Associate Superintendent for Central Elementary Schools

Mrs. Rita Everett Goss

Associate Superintendent for Student and Professional Learning

Mr. Matthew Guilfoyle

Associate Superintendent for Communications and Technology Services

Mrs. Jarcelynn M. Hart

Associate Superintendent for Western Elementary Schools

Mrs. Denise M. Huebner

Associate Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services

Mr. Michael A. Mulgrew

Associate Superintendent for High Schools

Mr. Nathaniel Provencio

Associate Superintendent for Eastern Elementary Schools

Mr. John M. Wallingford

Associate Superintendent for Finance and Risk Management

P.O. BOX 389 ⚫ MANASSAS, VA 20108 ⚫ 703-791-7200 ⚫ WWW.PWCS.EDU

Prince William County Public Schools does not discriminate in employment or in its educational programs, services, and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age,

marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Table of Contents

Handbook for Participation _____________________________________________________ 1

Introduction _______________________________________________________________________ 1

Procedures and Schedule of Events ____________________________________________________ 2 Sponsor Release Form ______________________________________________________________________ 4 Categories and Topic Descriptions ____________________________________________________________ 5 Project Evaluation/Judging Criteria: Grades 6-8 _________________________________________________ 6 Project Evaluation/Judging Criteria: Grades 9-12 ________________________________________________ 7 Project Awards and Recognition of Merit ______________________________________________________ 8

Rules and Policies _________________________________________________________________ 10 Project Components ______________________________________________________________________ 11

Appendix ________________________________________________________________________ 12 Registration Process ______________________________________________________________________ 12

Project Application _____________________________________________________________________ 13 Student Protocol for Research Involving Human Participants - Grades 6–8 ________________________ 16 Student Protocol for Research Involving Vertebrate Animals - Grades 6–8 ________________________ 17 Student Protocol for Research Involving Potentially Hazardous Chemical Substances, Activities, or Devices ____________________________________________________________________________________ 18 Student Protocol for Research Involving Biological Materials (Micro Specimens and Biological Tissues) _ 19

1

Introduction

Dear Regional Science and Engineering Fair Participant:

Congratulations on being selected to represent your school at the Prince William-Manassas

Regional Science and Engineering Fair (PWMRSEF)!

The science team in the Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) Office of Student

Learning is available to provide you with additional support as you prepare for the event. Please

feel free to contact us via e-mail if you have questions or require additional information.

Best wishes as you join other students in presenting your research at the PWMRSEF. I sincerely

hope this year’s fair is a productive and rewarding experience for you.

2020 Grand Prize winners (in an alphabetical order) for the Senior Division: Shan Lateef,

Eleanor Sigrest, and Delaney Walts, all from Prince William County Public Schools.

2020 Grand Prize winner for the Middle Division: Victoria Salley from St. Francis of Assisi

Follow us on Twitter @PWMRegSciFair and @PWCSScience for future important

announcements and photos of the event!

Sincerely,

Julia Renberg

Director, Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Supervisor of Science and Family Life Education, PWCS

2

Procedures and Schedule of

Events

The deadline for registration and submission of e-projects and all necessary

protocol forms: February 19, 2021

Judging will take place virtually, aligning with the 2021 Virginia and International

science fairs, March 13-20, 2021

Public announcement of winners: March 22, 2021

It is recommended that affiliated local school fairs are also be held virtually.

Registration for the Regional Fair

• Online registration site will be opened on February 1, 2021. A school-specific access

code will be provided to your school’s science fair coordinator in January.

• The online registration must take place at the school under the supervision of your

school’s science fair coordinator.

• To register, enter your student ID, legal name, birthdate, and any other required

information. Review your entry and submit the registration. Ask your school science fair

coordinator to check the school report to ensure you are officially registered.

Submission of Projects

• Prior to submission, review our tutorials on how to make an effective PPT and a video

presentation, and how to upload required e-components of your project to the

RocketJudge platform for electronic judging: https://flipgrid.com/pwcsciencefair

• Submit your project’s e-components, using the following links:

Middle Division (Grades 6-8): https://rocketjudge.com/register/BPT2SWSk

Senior Division (Grades 9-12): https://rocketjudge.com/register/RiyYuq3T

• Read and sign the “Sponsor Release Form” (p. 4). Have your parent/guardian sign the

form. Submit the form to your school’s science fair coordinator.

Our policies are vertically aligned with the Intel ISEF to ensure compliance and consistency at

all levels. Projects that do not adhere to the safety/sanitation guidelines will be disqualified.

3

• Grades 6-8: If your science fair project involved humans and/or other vertebrate animals,

potentially hazardous substances, activities, or devices, or micro specimens or biological

tissue (Appendix), submit the appropriate protocol form(s) to your school’s science fair

coordinator so she/he could send us the forms by February 19, 2021.

• Grades 9-12: ISEF protocols and other documents should have been completed and

approved through the Scienteer management system. Check with your school’s science

fair coordinator to ensure that your project has been “promoted” to the regional fair in the

Scienteer.

Suzi Griffith contact information:

griffisp@pwcs.edu

703-831-8755 (fax)

No later than by 4 p.m. on February 19, 2021, the following must be completed:

1. All students must be electronically registered for the regional fair;

2. All e-projects must be uploaded into the RocketJudge platform;

3. Senior Division: ISEF forms must be “promoted” in the Scienteer;

4. Middle Division: Protocol forms must be emailed or faxed to Suzi Griffith

in the Office of Student Learning; and

5. All signed “Sponsor Release Form” must be emailed or faxed to Suzi

Griffith in the Office of Student Learning.

4

Prince William – Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Sponsor Release Form

Organizations and sponsors may want to contact students to whom they have awarded prizes

(such as monetary gifts, invitations to events, and announcements of winning projects in their

professional publications). The Prince William - Manassas Regional Science and Engineering

Fair will release your contact information only with your permission.

Please read the following release. Complete and sign this form. Obtain your parent/guardian’s

signature. Then, submit the form to your school’s science fair coordinator.

__________ You have my permission to release the following personal information to the

sponsor of any prize I may win at the Prince William - Manassas Regional Science and

Engineering Fair.

(PLEASE PRINT):

Student’s email: ____________________________________________________________

Student’s phone number: ______________________________________________________

Student’s home address: ______________________________________________________

__________ You do NOT have my permission to release any personal information to the sponsor

of any prize I may win the Prince William - Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

Please note that refusal to provide any information may result in forfeiture of prizes awarded.

______________________________ ______________________________

Student’s Name (Please Print) Student’s Signature

______________________________ ______________________________

Parent/Legal Guardian Signature Date Signe

For Science Fair Use:

Project Number: _______

5

Categories and Topic Descriptions

Schools with students in Grades 6–12 may enter two projects per category.

Group projects (maximum 3 students) are allowed and can be submitted to represent the category.

Category Name and

Abbreviation

Topic Descriptions

Animal Sciences (AS) genetics, physiology, pathology, and systematics

Behavioral and Social Sciences

(BE)

human clinical and developmental psychology, cognitive

physiological psychology, and sociology

Biochemistry (BI) chemical processes within and relating to living organisms

Chemistry (CH) analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry,

and physical chemistry

Computer Science (CS) algorithms/data bases, artificial intelligence, networking and

communications, graphics, simulations/virtual reality,

operating systems, and software engineering

Earth and Planetary Sciences (EP) climatology, weather, geochemistry, mineralogy, tectonics,

paleontology, and geophysics

Engineering (EN) civil, constructional, chemical, industrial, electrical,

computer, and mechanical engineering, materials sciences,

bioengineering, and robotics

Environmental Sciences (EV) air, soil, and water pollution/quality, bioremediation,

environmental engineering, land resource management,

recycling and waste management

Materials Sciences) (MS)

(New Category)

product testing, product development (biomaterials,

ceramic and glasses, composite materials, computation and

theory, electronic, optical and magnetic materials,

nanomaterials, polymers)

Mathematics (MA) probability and statistics, and applied mathematics

Medicine & Health Sciences (MH) disease diagnosis and treatment, epidemiology, human

genetics, and pathophysiology

Microbiology (MI) bacteriology, virology, and microbial studies

Physics (PH) Newtonian physics, instrumentation and electronics, nuclear

and particle physics, optics/laser, and theoretical physics

Plant Sciences (PS) agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy

and evolution, plant physiology, plant pathology, and plant

genetics

*Denotes categories that usually involve experimentation with vertebrate animals and/or human subjects and may use potentially hazardous

chemical or biological materials; as such, they require completed protocol forms before experimentation

6

Project Evaluation/Judging Criteria: Grades 6-8

Title (0-5 points)

➢ A statement that relates the independent and dependent variables is included

Experimental Design (0-42 points)

➢ Constants and control group (if appropriate) are identified (7 pts)

Materials and Procedures (0-10 points)

➢ Materials and equipment list are provided (5 pts)

➢ Steps of the procedures are enumerated (5 pts)

Results (0-15 points)

➢ Data table with titles, labels, units (5 pts)

➢ Graph with correct scale, titles, labels, units (5pts)

➢ Interpretation of data; explanation of results (5 pts)

Conclusions (0-10 points)

➢ Includes two new discoveries/new learnings (2 pts)

Creativity (0-10 points)

➢ Demonstrates innovative ideas (5 pts)

➢ Visual presentation is organized, complete, neat (5 pts)

Interview (0-8 points)

➢ Understanding of relevant science, interpretation, limitation of results (4 pts) ➢ Clear and thoughtful responses to questions (4 pts)

➢ Question is identified (7 pts)

➢ Literature Review is provided (7 pts)

➢ Hypothesis is stated and relates to the question (7 pts)

➢ Independent variable is identified (7 pts)

➢ Dependent variable is identified (7 pts)

➢ Includes a summary of the investigation (2 pts)

➢ Explains the purpose of the investigation (2 pts)

➢ States the results, including whether hypothesis was supported or not supported

by the data (2 pts)

➢ Identifies potential errors (2 pts)

7

Project Evaluation/Judging Criteria: Grades 9-12

Research Question (0-10 points)

➢ Clear and focused purpose

➢ Identifies contribution(s) to the field

➢ Testable using scientific methods

Design and Methodology (0-15 points)

➢ Well-designed plan and data collection methods

➢ Variables and controls defined, appropriate, and complete

Execution: Data Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation (0-20 points)

➢ Sufficient data collected to support interpretation and conclusions

Creativity (0-20 points)

➢ Project demonstrates significant creativity in one or more of the above criteria

PowerPoint Slides (0-10 points)

➢ Logical organization of material

➢ Clarity of graphics and legends

Video (0-25 points) ➢ Understanding of basic science relevant to project

➢ Understanding interpretation and limitations of results and conclusions

➢ Degree of independence in conducting project

➢ Recognition of potential impact in science, society, and/or economics

➢ Quality of ideas for further research

➢ For team projects, contributions to and understanding of project by all members

➢ Systematic data collection and analysis

➢ Reproducibility of results

➢ Appropriate application of mathematical and statistics methods

The point system and criteria are established by

the International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF)

8

Project Awards and Recognition of Merit

There are a variety of ways students can be recognized by organizations and sponsors at the

PWMRSEF for their research efforts in science and engineering.

Categories

• Participants will submit their projects in one of the 14 categories, such as Animal

Sciences, Behavioral and Socials Sciences, Biochemistry, etc. (page 5) Judges will

evaluate submitted projects electronically, using the criteria established for the middle or

the senior division (pages 6 and 7).

• Judges will award one first, second, and third place and up to three “honorable mentions”

in each category. All winners will receive a medal and drape, each a different color

signifying the awarded place. First place projects in each category will also be presented

with a trophy. All participants will receive a certificate of regional fair participation.

• First place projects will compete to be named a grand prize winner: one in the middle

division and two in the senior division. Grand prize winners will receive a plaque.

Qualifying students will be interviewed by grand prize judges virtually on Sunday, March

21, 2021 by a scheduled appointment. Students will receive e-notification of the

interview appointment on Saturday, March 20, 2021.

• Senior division: two grand prize projects, as well as the first and second place winners in

each senior division category, will qualify to compete in the virtual Virginia State

Science and Engineering Fair (VSSEF). Finally, grand prize winners will represent the

PWMRSEF at the Intel International Science and Engineer Fair (ISEF).

• Middle division: any regional science fair participant is given the opportunity to

participate in Broadcom Masters national competition. To compete, complete an online

application.

Organizations

• National and local science and engineering organizations will judge student projects

according to unique criteria to recognize exemplary research projects in specific career

fields. For example, an organization may be seeking research conducted in the field of

geoscience, which may include projects in physics or earth science.

• Organizations will use their own judges and provide student awards: monetary awards,

invitations to an organization’s banquet, medals or ribbons, etc. It is important for

students and parents to sign and submit the “Sponsor Release Form” (page 4), so that the

PWMRSEF could share contact information of winning projects with these organizations.

9

• For the 2020 PWMRSEF, participating organizations included:

American Meteorological Society

American Psychological Association

Association for Women Geoscientists

Biophysical Society

Federal Water Quality Association

Keep Prince William Beautiful

Mu Alpha Theta

MWCOG Clean Air Partners

NASA Earth System Science Award

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Office of Naval Research-U.S. Navy and Marine Corps

OSA, the Optics Society, and IEEE Photonics

Prince William County Service Authority

Ricoh USA, Inc.

Society for In Vitro Biology

Society of Women Engineers

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

U.S. Air Force

US Metric Association

US Stockholm Junior Water Prize

YALE Science and Engineering Association

10

Rules and Policies

11

Project Components

The following e-components are to be submitted for judging at the 2021 Prince William-

Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair (PWMRSEF):

Grade 6 – 8

➢ PowerPoint presentation (no more than 10 slides)

➢ Video presentation of the PPT slides (no more than 7 minutes)

Grades 9 – 12

➢ Abstract

➢ PowerPoint presentation (no more than 10 slides)

➢ Video presentation of the PPT slides (no more than 7 minutes)

Abstract

An abstract is a summary (250 words, maximum) that includes the purpose of the research,

an overview of the procedures followed, results of data collection, and conclusions based

on the data. It may also include any possible research applications. Abstracts will be

provided to the judges for their review prior to the day of the competition.

Students must follow requirements in the International Science and Engineering Fair

requirements. Visit page 27 of the ISEF rules and guidelines

(https://student.societyforscience.org/rules-all-projects) for guidelines on writing and

samples of abstracts.

Attention: Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair and other neighboring regional fairs

might have different submission guidelines. Students are encouraged to preview

PWMRSEF tutorials prior to preparing and submitting their projects on the following site:

https://flipgrid.com/pwcsciencefair

12

Appendix

Registration Process

13

Project Application

1. Register Online

• Complete the online Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering

Fair registration form (screenshot of blank online registration on following page).

• Remember to use legal names as no nicknames are allowed.

• Birthdates must be entered in the proper format (mm/dd/yyyy).

• Your teacher or science fair coordinator should confirm that your registration was

submitted successfully.

2. Submit Hard Copies of Relevant Protocol Forms to Your School Science Fair

Coordinator (Grades 6-8, Appendix)

• Students who used human participants must submit a copy of the “Student

Protocol for Research Involving Human Participants” form.

• Students who used vertebrate animals must submit a copy of the “Student Protocol

for Research Involving Vertebrate Animals” form.

• Students who used potentially hazardous substances, activities, or devices must

submit a copy of the “Student Protocol Research Involving Hazardous Substances,

Activities, or Devices” form.

• Students who used potentially hazardous biological materials must submit the

“Student Protocol for Research Involving Micro Specimens and Biological

Tissue” form.

3. Ensure Relevant Protocol Forms are promoted to the Regional Fair in the

Scienteer by Your School Science Fair Coordinator (Grades 9-12)

4. Submit a Hard Copy of “Sponsor Release Form” to Your School Science Fair

Coordinator (Grades 6-12, (p. 4)

5. Upload e-project components to the RocektJudge platform (Grades 9-12):

Middle Division (Grades 6-8): https://rocketjudge.com/register/BPT2SWSk

Senior Division (Grades 9-12): https://rocketjudge.com/register/RiyYuq3T

Your school science fair coordinator must supervise and assist you

with the registration process and submission of required protocol forms.

14

2021 Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair

15

16

Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair Student Protocol for Research Involving Human Participants - Grades 6–8

This protocol sheet must be completed by all students entering a project involving human

participants in the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

Forms may be e-mailed to Suzanne Griffith at the Office of Student Learning (griffisp@pwcs.edu)

or faxed to 703-831-8755.

Please print legibly or type.

Participant’s Name: ____________________________________________________________

School: ___________________________________________ Grade: ____________________

Project Category: ______________________________________________________________

1. Explain why human participants are proposed or necessary for this research.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe why there is no potential risk (physical, psychological, or legal) involved.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

3. How will the participants be informed of procedures involved in the investigation? (Informed

consent is mandatory.)

___________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

4. What is the potential benefit or practical application of this research?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Teacher Validation of Approval PRIOR to Research

My review of this project plan indicates that there were no risks for this student researcher or for the

humans involved in this investigation.

Teacher/Supervisor Name (Please Print)

Teacher/Supervisor (Signature)

Administrator’s Initials: ________

17

Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair Student Protocol for Research Involving Vertebrate Animals - Grades 6–8

This protocol sheet must be completed by all students entering a project involving vertebrate

animals in the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

Forms may be e-mailed to Suzanne Griffith at the Office of Student Learning (griffisp@pwcs.edu)

or faxed to 703-831-8755.

Please print legibly or type.

Participant’s Name: ____________________________________________________________

School: ___________________________________________ Grade: ____________________

Project Category: ______________________________________________________________

1. Explain why vertebrate animals are proposed or necessary for this research.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe why there is no potential risk (physical, psychological, or legal) involved.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

3. Describe animal care procedures to be used during experimentation.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

4. What is the potential benefit or practical application of this research?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Teacher Validation of Approval PRIOR to Research

My review of this project plan indicates that there were no risks for this student researcher or for the

vertebrate animals involved in this investigation.

Teacher/Supervisor Name (Please Print)

Teacher/Supervisor (Signature)

Administrator’s Initials: ________

18

Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Student Protocol for Research Involving Potentially Hazardous Chemical

Substances, Activities, or Devices

Certain Hazardous Biological and Chemical Materials are prohibited/restricted at PWCS.

Prior to filling in this form, please check for details with your Science Fair Coordinator.

Please print legibly or type.

Forms may be e-mailed to Suzanne Griffith at the Office of Student Learning (griffisp@pwcs.edu)

or faxed to 703-831-8755.

Participant’s Name: ________________________________________________________

Grade: ____________________

Project Category: __________________________________________________________

1. Provide a list of chemicals/activities/devices and explain why they are proposed for

this research.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. Describe potential risks and protective measures to be followed, including disposal.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

3. Are any of them prohibited at Prince William County Public Schools per the 2020-

21 PWCS Student Code of Conduct? (If yes, list the names and amounts to be

used).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

4. What is the potential benefit or practical application of this research?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Teacher Validation of Approval PRIOR to Research

My review of this plan indicates that:

1) No substances from the PWCS 2020 -21 Science Safety Plan “Prohibited Substances List” will be used; and

2) There are no risks involved or that the potential risks are properly recognized and will be minimized to an

acceptable level through the use of administrative controls and/or personal protection equipment.

Teacher/Supervisor Name (Please Print)

Teacher/Supervisor (Signature)

School Administrator’s Initials: ________

PWMRSEF Science Review Committee Approval

19

Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Student Protocol for Research Involving Biological Materials (Micro

Specimens and Biological Tissues)

Certain Hazardous Biological and Chemical Materials are prohibited/restricted at PWCS.

Prior to filling in this form, please check for details with your Science Fair Coordinator.

Please print legibly or type.

Forms may be e-mailed to Suzanne Griffith at the Office of Student Learning (griffisp@pwcs.edu)

or faxed to 703-831-8755.

Participant’s Name: ____________________________________________________________

Grade: ____________________

Project Category: ______________________________________________________________

1. Specify microorganisms (yeast, mold, or probiotic bacterial cultures) or biological tissues

(urine, blood, muscle, bone, etc.) that you plan to use and explain why they are proposed

for this work.

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe potential risks involved and personal protective measures to be followed.

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

3. What is the source of your biological tissues or microorganisms?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

4. Describe disposal procedures.

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

5. What is the potential benefit or practical application of this research?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Teacher Validation of Approval PRIOR to research

My review of this plan indicates that the student understands proper techniques for handling and that

there are no risks for the students while working with identified biological agents.

Teacher/Supervisor Name (Please Print)

Teacher/Supervisor (Signature)

School Administrator’s Initials: ________

PWMRSEF Science Review Committee Approval