<p>This is rather odd. I've participated in one science fair in my entire life. I ended up qualifying for this because there weren't any other biology senior projects during my regional science fair. I talked with the science panel and they told me nothing about how to improve my project. One guy seemed a bit skeptical when I vaguely described one part of the process, though for the most part, they seemed fascinated/impressed.</p>
<p>I need some help though--I want to participate, but I do not want to invest in a $300 plane ticket and wind up with nothing. My project is decent, but what does it take to make it State-science-fair worthy? </p>
<p>This science fair means more than it seems--I've been placed on four waitlists (three of them are top 10 schools). Previously, I applied with one measly leadership title and a couple of mediocre awards. I really think a State-level award like this one will dramatically help my case.</p>
<p>Any advice? I can send you the research report if you pm me.</p>
<p>I’ve gone to and placed at the CSSF a couple times. Important things imo are:</p>
<p>1) Have an engaging display that will hook people in.</p>
<p>2) Make sure it is something unique.</p>
<p>3) Make sure that you have a solid understanding of your project and all the scientific principles surrounding the topic. Judges are selected for your specific category and often probe way deeper than regional or county fairs do. Try to do some background research and maybe print out some of these materials for people to look through.</p>
<p>4) Don’t just summarize your project to the judges. Try to engage with them.</p>
<p>My display at the regionals was absolutely horrible. I did not even know that everybody else would be using those tallish white boards and I did mine on construction paper. I had to tear down a cardboard box and make my own “display” on the spot. lol</p>
<p>What do you mean by unique? I don’t think I can change my project now. </p>
<p>I thought one of the regional judges probed pretty deep already (one of the four judges there–he was really fascinated and tested me on a lot of stuff). </p>
<p>Is the presentation/“engagement” really that important? I thought the merit of the science project was the most important thing? </p>
<p>Also, my project sought out to test for something very small, and specific. Is this bad?</p>
<p>What really separates a good project from an exceptional one?</p>
<p>Of course your project is pretty much set now, but many times I see students mike slight modifications or upgrades to their project before the State Fair. This is not always necessary, it’s just something to do if you have a good idea and the time.</p>
<p>@ Display - Yes, the merit of your project should be the determining factor, but a good display goes a long way. I’m not saying to spend a ton of money and make everything all fancy. In fact, I have seen multiple people spend hundreds on their displays and then walk home with nothing. It’s just that having something to grip people right away is really cool, especially if you build something yourself. Also, it can be very useful for engaging Special Awards judges who have no set grading criteria.</p>
<p>Make sure you have a solid tri-fold or cardboard or foam core or some type of material board. You don’t want to have a piece of construction paper for your project. If you do decide to get a display, make sure you pay attention to the dimension limits – they are very strict about them.</p>
<p>Testing for something small and specific can be okay (depending on what it is), but you may want to be ready to talk about the bigger implications of this small test or better yet thoroughly address the applications on a bigger scale in a “Conclusions” or “Applications” section.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you remake your poster on the real trifolds. Don’t worry about your project being specific, almost all projects are very random but you just have to make it look good.
How much does CSSF help app wise?</p>
<p>Oh definitely, I will use the trifolds. My last poster was just pitiful…</p>
<p>Here is my “main” concern I guess–much of the high school “research” is spoonfed by the individual mentors who work with the students, and my project might possibly fall into that category. My mentor obviously came up with the advanced procedures, and told me which things to test… will this be looked down upon, as in lacking originality/ingenuity/etc? Basically, what are some of the general characteristics that define “good” projects?</p>
<p>I remember stopping by the grand prize winners’ displays at the regional science fair and their projects did not look that much “better” than other projects. oh yea and this one Intel STS Finalist who entered her project did not even receive a first place, because another guy’s project i guess attracted the judges more? I was like :O</p>
<p>So I guess the lesson here is that Intel and real science fairs are looking for different things?</p>
<p>I have seen some strange thing happen (e.g. Someone beating someone in the same category at ISEF and then placing lower than the same person with the same project at CSSF), but don’t worry about that too much – Luck is always going to be a factor.</p>
<p>In terms of mentorship – most kids have significant amounts of help from parents/researchers/teachers whether or not they admit it. Just be sure that you can thoroughly explain all the the parts that you did on your own and that you fully understand everything (i.e. It wasn’t just some guy telling you what to do without you putting any thought into it).</p>
<p>In terms of apps, a solid award from CSSF weaved into your major interests and essays can go a long way.</p>
<p>I mean, any state-level award should “go a long way” right? I should have gotten more involved with this kind of stuff before :/</p>
<p>Why does luck play such a huge factor anyway? I mean, if the judges are so experienced, and the standards are there–is it the presentation/engaging factor again?</p>
<p>“Why does luck play such a huge factor anyway? I mean, if the judges are so experienced, and the standards are there–is it the presentation/engaging factor again?”</p>
<p>That might be a little bit of it, but just in general there can be a factor of luck involved in anything. For example, maybe you will get some judges who worked with something exactly like what you did at some point in their lives and are therefore much more interested in it or maybe you will get a judge who doesn’t have any interest in your topic and just scores you lower for that reason.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about those things though - they are out of your control. Just be passionate about your project and enjoy the experience.</p>
<p>i dunno…personally i hate the state science fair…the judging is so undeterminable. ppl that do really well at isef dont win anything at cssf and there are so few special awards…if you have a great project it might be worth a shot but personally its a frustrating experience and so unpredictable</p>