This is my first time doing a engineering fair, and I’m not exactly sure what to expect. How should you present your project differently than a science fair? Or should you try and implement the two ideas together?
I am well aware of the engineering design process, but am confused as how to present everything. I had a pretty small sample size- around 10 people. (The group of people I am making the product for is a minority group and it is hard to come across/ make an experiment with lots of people, it would require lots of planning months ahead.)
I definitely see ways I could improve the product, but do I use data to support that (kinda like in a science fair) and their comments? Somewhere I read it was important to mention comments by participants in your experiment for engineering fairs… but I’m not sure. Yet another reason why I’m confused on how to present the information.
Also, what are some other tips you have for success?
Why all the concern about high school engineering fair success? Look at it as an opportunity to learn.
@colorado_mom I think it’s natural to want to succeed. Yes, hard work doesn’t always equate to success. But when you put so many hours into something, you want to try to do the best you can.
@MaineLonghorn Can you move this to the high school forum? They may have more advice to offer.
@AroundHere Yes, I do have data besides their opinions. I was planning on breaking down the data piece by piece to show what was most effective and what was least effective.
Would a redesign count as “this is what I would change in the future to make my product better” type thing?
I also changed my idea (not the purpose) of my design after a bit of research because I realized I was going way over my head in the fact that I just didn’t have enough resources and knowledge to pull that type of thing off. Would this count as redesign too?
Both of those will be useful to include, but ideally you have actually tested a couple iterations of a design, so you can say option A has these test results while option B was better/worse in these ways. Judges like the hands on part a lot, but anything that shows you went through the engineering process, rather than just trying one thing and writing it up, is good. If you don’t have time to retest what you would do in the future, be sure to have sound reasoning as to why the new product would be expected to be better.
@AroundHere Yeah I don’t have time to do that unfortunately. But I do have data to support why this new addition would be beneficial on the next design.
And I just thought about what you said earlier… this is a design to help improve something that already exists. I did take a poll beforehand with the participants to see what they thought of how the product was currently without introducing the addition. That’s sort of a comparison of two designs. Unfortunately, with what I am testing, there are multiple different types of it, which makes it very hard for this particular population to adjust to one thing that will overall help them. So I had to compare it beforehand with the “most widely used” version of it. I am trying to improve the versatility of the device and make it more universal and therefore helpful.
Sorry, first time doing an engineering fair. Schools always talk about science fairs way more often than engineering fairs.
Be sure to talk to your fellow engineers at the fair. If you get lucky, you’ll meet people who have done it before who can give you feedback and tips for next time.
@AroundHere My school is having a pretty small science and engineering fair, but I know that that’s important. (: Using feedback previous judges gave you is always a good way to look smarter when you go onto the next round, or even prepare for the next time.
Also, do you think judges understand about having a hard time finding a sample size? The people this product is for is for those with a certain disability. They only make up 1% of the U.S. population, and it’s even harder finding some who have at least some experience with what I’m trying to improve.
Actually, the only reason why I was able to have the resources to do this project is because I know people that have that disability, and was able to contact professionals in that field. That’s why we need so many people from different backgrounds and cultures in engineering. (((:
Engineering projects often don’t have sample sizes. Real-world testing is going to be a huge bonus in your case. (This is a side effect of the ISEF rules requiring a safety review before any testing involving humans. It can be easier to do a project if you can find a way to leave the humans out.)
As far as judges are concerned: They tend to be all over the map - sometimes crit sheets are very detailed and helpful, sometimes there’s just the minimum check marks. Sometimes the judge really gets what you’re trying to do, sometimes they don’t.
But, the students who bring top projects are almost always very enthusiastic about what they’ve done and will talk your ears off! I always try to interview students who brought awesome projects for insights into how they did what they did.
@AroundHere, ok, so my sample size won’t necessarily make or break me then for moving onto the next round?
I’m really hoping to make it to district’s, because you are allowed to work on your project more if you need to. I would hope to test my next prototype idea then.
Sorry, I am very passionate about this project and hoping to break awareness to the importance of this.
I think testing your device with 10 users will be a plus, again assuming you followed all fair rules regarding safety of human subjects.
Ok. Thank you so much!
@AroundHere Have you by any chance judged science and engineering fairs? You know a lot about this kind of thing!
Not at the ISEF level or anything. I’m a homeschooling mom so I’ve judged homeschool fairs. Also have one kid entering her 9th year of science fairs (she’s a junior).
Oh wow! That’s quite an accomplishment of your daughter! Congrats to her!
And thank you for taking time out of your day to help explain things to me! 
@AroundHere
Any more advice before I present in the next few days???
I have a hard time getting myself to do this… but it usually works best if you practice your presentation. Try it yourself first. Then practice in front of parents or friends.
Practice in front of others or record yourself Thats what I plan on doing for my speech class. Gotta present next week, will start tommorow. Its only like 2 minutes,so I am guessing yours will be longer.
The best speech I ever gave in my college speech class was one practiced in front of my boyfriend. (A few years later we married - he probably still remembers smiling about my speech on robotics, with hand movements for pitch, roll and yaw)