Seminars


2010 Seminar Presenter Schedule

 

Eligibility:

All entered SSTFI exhibitors meeting Scientific Review Committee (SRC) and Display & Safety Committee (DSC) approval are eligible to participate in seminar competition in one of eight divisions.

Seminar Divisions:

6th Grade Individual
7th Grade Individual
8th Grade Individual
Senior Individual (9-12 grade)

To compete in one of the above individual divisions a student must currently be enrolled int that grade level and be displaying an individual science fair exhibit at the current year SSTFI.

6th Grade Team
7th Grade Team
8th Grade Team
Senior Team (9-12 grade)

To compete in one of the above team divisions students must currently be enrolled in that grad level and be displaying a team science fair exhibit at the current year SSTFI.

Project Class:

Individual divisions may enter in one of two classes:
  • Biological Science
  • Physical Science
Team divisions may enter in one class:
  • Team

Seminar Entry Procedures:

To enter the student(s) must submit:
  • SSTFI Seminar Entry Form completed during online Student Registrations
  • Research paper that clearly states:
    • Research Problem
    • Procedure or Experimental Design
    • Research Data
    • Research Summary & Conclusion

ONLY COMPLETE RESEARCH PAPERS WILL BE CONSIDERED -- Please see example on the Student Page

Continuing Project Rule:

Students who are presenting a project that is a continuation of a project exhibited last year may present a paper based on additional research conducted this year. The focus of the presentation must be the result of the additional research that has been conducted.

Research Paper Submission Guidelines:

Only ELECTRONIC copies of papers will be accepted!

Email copy to aspence@iastate.edu

  • pdf version preferred
    • If unable to send as pdf the following are acceptable:
    • Word Document (if using the newest version of Word please save down to Word2003)
    • PowerPoint Document (again need to save down to Word2003)  NOTE: PowerPoint suggests it may not be a complete research paper!)
  • Please save document as:  Firstname_lastname
  • For teams save document as:  lastname1_lastname2

Presentation Selection (Based on Research Paper Review)

The best eight papers in each class of each division will be selected for presentation.

There will be up to 96 research papers selected for presentation.
  • (8)  6th Grade Individual Biological
  • (8)  6th Grade Individual Physical
  • (8)  6th Grade Team
  • (8)  7th Grade Individual Biological
  • (8)  7th Grade Individual Physical
  • (8)  7th Grade Team
  • (8)  8th Grade Individual Biological
  • (8)  8th Grade Individual Physical
  • (8)  8th Grade Team
  • (8)  Senior Individual Biological
  • (8)  Senior Individual Physical
  • (8)  Senior Team

These students will be notified by the SSTFI Seminar Chairperson either by:

  • Telephone call (in following order until someone is notified)
    • 1. School
    • 2. Teacher Home
    • 3. Student Home
  • E-mail notification

E-mail addresses and home phone numbers are encouraged to speed the notification process.

The research paper will be evaluated by a panel of judges on the basis of scientific merit.

Presentation Submission:

Each student/school will be responsible for providing their own computer.  The SSTFI WILL provide LCD projectors in each room; however, if you prefer to use your own LCD that is also acceptable.  Screens and an audio/visual cart with plug-ins will also be available in each room.  Any other equipment that may be needed for your presentation you will need to provide.

  1. Presenters are permitted into the event room (during the Seminar Room & Presentation Check) to deliver and set up their event equipment and materials.  Presenters will NOT be allowed to practice the speaking component of the presentation in the Seminar Room -- this time is for equipment checks ONLY.
  2. Five minutes (5) will be allowed to set up immediately prior to the presentation.  Points will be deducted for exceeding the five minutes to setup. (.1 point/second)
  3. Ten (10) minutes will be allowed each presenter in which to describe the research.  Points will be deducted for presentations exceeding ten minutes (.1 point per second overtime).
  4. Five (5) minutes will be allowed for questioning by the judges.  ONLY judges will be allowed to ask questions.
  5. Screens will be provided on-site for this event.  Set-up and technical difficulties must be handled by student presenters only (in the Junior High levels 6, 7 & 8 grades the Adult Supervisor/Teacher may help if there are problems).  The SSTFI will provide computer support persons that may also provide help to either Junior or Senior High students.  This event is based on the student presenters understanding the entire process of presenting a research paper including the technical components of putting together the presentation.

The Presentation:

Presentation Format:
  • Each student will have a scheduled time
  • Five (2) minutes will be allowed for computer set-up
  • Ten (10) minutes will be allowed for the presentation
  • Five (5) minutes for questions.
    • Only judges will be allowed to ask questions of the presenter.
  • Use of audio-visual aids is encouraged.

Room Set-Up:

  • Each room will be equipped with:
    • LCD Projector 
    • Screen
    • AV Cart 

The presenter must provide any other equipment such as computer, easels, slide projectors, overhead projectors, etc.

The research presentation will be evaluated by a panel of judges on the basis of scientific merit and excellence of presentation.

Alternate Presentation:

Students must have an alternate presentation method in case of equipment failure.  The Seminar Chairperson reserves the right to ask a presenter to utilize an alternative presentation format in the event that it takes the presenter longer than 10 minutes to set-up equipment.

Example: Student(s) should have power point presentation also printed as overheads as an alternate method of presentation.