<p>Wow... information/rule overload.</p>
<p>I didn't realize earlier that we apparently don't have to give a formal talk, which is a nice surprise. (I'm not sure how I envisioned 40 talks happening along with everything else, anyway.)</p>
<p>Ahh, I thought we all had to do both talks and posters. Interesting. I have yet to see the packet (was not at the house where it was sent to today).</p>
<p>ok so, to keep track, who here is going to be in D.C.? Me, Flierdeke...any others?</p>
<p>Alright, I've begun blogging. For the curious, check out stsfinals.blogspot.com. I'll be updating throughout the coming months, and I'll try to make it as helpful a resource for future STSers as possible!</p>
<p>Okay, random question for ALL intel-ites, just because I'm curious:
how much support did you guys get from your respective schools - reseach classes, helpful science teachers, facilities, anything I'm not thinking of? Or, rather, was your research self-iniated/did you seek out the above things on your own?</p>
<p>My school has a research program. Picks out 24 kids from each freshman class to do research for the last three years of HS (about 10-15 remain by senior year to submit to STS). It's very young--my class is only the 3rd graduating class under the program (excluding the occasional lone student who worked one-on-one with a teacher, before the program started). It's fairly successful--this year we had 4 semifinalists, 5 last year, and 4 the year before, although I'm only our second finalist ever, and the first under the official program (the first was in 2002, before the program started up).</p>
<p>The great thing about research programs at high schools (at least, the good ones) is that they introduce you to the world of research. Once you know about it, and the basics of how it works, it's up to you what to do with it, but I know that if it weren't for my school, the idea of working with a real astronomer and conducting truly novel research may never have even come to mind. The average high school student simply doesn't know of these opportunities.</p>
<p>Nearly none whatsoever. My school cares about sports, debate and AP's, little more. I got some tech support, a teacher proofread my report, another discussed some essay ideas with me, and the two wrote me recommendations. That's all. Don't get me wrong -- the problem is not in the teachers (who are ridiculously awesome, smart, and committed to education), but rather in the school administration/bureacracy.</p>
<p>BTW, anyone know when the semifinalist survey is due? I could look it up, but I'm really lazy...</p>
<p>I think it's due February 9th, along with the other stuff.</p>
<p>Lessee... I got a recommendation from one teacher at my school, but didn't discuss any of the application or research with him. My school's involvement is that they're getting money (and that that teacher is happy for me). But I got loads of support from RSI :)</p>
<p>Can you enter the same project into the Siemens and Intel Science Talent search?</p>
<p>What's the difference between ISEF and ISTS? Can you enter the same project in both?</p>
<p>I confirm that, Kim. Hooray for procrastination!</p>
<p>General question: If you make STS finalist from IL (3 finalists), what are your odds of making JSHS or ISEF?</p>
<p>Anybody know the answer to my last post?</p>
<p>Just the first part--yes, you can enter the same project in Seimens and Intel STS.</p>
<p>Does anyone else know the difference between ISEF and STS?</p>
<p>STS is what we're doing. ISEF is a giant international science fair -- completely different. STS is centralized; ISEF is distributed. Check out the websites.</p>
<p>An sts finalist will almost definitely get to ISEF. JSHS only takes 2 presenters per state, so it could be a bit more competitive.</p>
<p>Isn't it ironic, though, that the ISEF winner gets half of what an STS winner gets? It's kinda funny, really. </p>
<p>And what are ISEF-affiliated fairs?</p>
<p>Cooljoe--No, it really isn't. STS is much more prestigious and rigorous than ISEF.</p>
<p>Hey, guys, a quick question,
when we present our posters to the each judges at Washington, do we need to give a short introduction about our project first?</p>
<p>Hmmmm...what's the deal with presentation anyway? What do we have to do?</p>