Untitled Document
Untitled Document
Upper Miami Valley Science Days - Getting Starting
         
  Useful Links

NEW in 2023 – BEFORE YOU PROCEDE:

YOU MUST REGISTER YOUR PROJECT IN PROJECTBOARD.

The Ohio Academy of Science is providing an updated & improved project software platform called ProjectBoard, which students can use as a place to develop and complete their project from beginning to end, with multiple instructional and resource documents, places to store background research, required ISEF forms, the Research Plan, data collected, Final Report, Abstract, photos, videos and has the ability for students to create their presentation poster. Also includes opportunities for assistance from mentors and peers. For 2024 there is NO COST to the student or school for the use of ProjectBoard.

When ready to register on ProjectBoard, click here.

Creating a Project Account (participation sign-up for District Science Day) only requires completion of your student profile and “Start a (new) Project” If you registered a project on ProjectBoard last year, log into your account and update the information requested (new contact info, new grade, new school, etc.) If you do not have a prior account, then start and complete one. Regardless of having an old account or a new one, every student, or team, must “Start a (new) Project”, including adding a title and photo where instructed.

The Account Creation (student profile and “Start a Project”) must be completed by December 15th, 2023. The project itself does not have to be complete until it is submitted for District Science Day in February.

Account Creation on ProjectBoard is NOT required for County Science Day competition, however, if a project is not registered on ProjectBoard by December 15, 2023, then it will not be eligible for District Science Day, even if that project earns a Superior at the County Science Day.

    
Untitled Document    
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Step-By-Step Project Power Point Tutorial     
   
Click here for a PDF version of the Step-by-Step Turotrial    
     
Excellent resource book for schools and students:     
"STEM Student Research Hamdbook", Harland, Darci J., NSTA Press, 2011     
     
Why Complete a Science Fair Project?     
     
     
First     
   
A science fair project is the ultimate answer to the often asked student: "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, math, 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 science fair project, year after year, through junior and senior high school, the science 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 science 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 science fair is one sure-fire way to build student confidence, challenge potential, and instill the incredible feeling of independent achievement that the successful science fair project provides. 		    
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
         
    Finally    
         
    Science fair projects can pay off in cash and open the doors of academic opportunity.

Well-done projects generally lead to competition and awards at regional fairs and state science fair. Top first-place winners from junior and senior divisions in many fairs are selected as sweepstakes winners and receive cash awards. Additionally, selected top projects go on to compete with other grand prize winners 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 regional fairs 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. 		   
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
         
         
 
 
© 2023  Upper Miami Valley Science Days     All rights reserved    Website by CMD Technologies, LLC