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High School Science Fair

Learning, Doing and Sharing Science
Have a Science Project Idea on your mind....

Have a Science Project Idea on your mind....

Something new.... Science Projects Demystified

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has just released a video series designed to take teachers, students and parents through the sometimes mystifying process of crafting a science fair project. This six-part video series features JPL scientist Serina Diniega, engineer Arby Argueta and educator Ota Lutz, who team up to take viewers step by step through the project design process, from generating an idea to communicating the final results in an attractive display. Visit http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/sciencefair/ to watch the series, download related resources and to find notes for teachers and parents.

Remember... It's never to early to begin thinking about and working on your science fair project ideas! The following resources, tips, and ideas have been gathered to help you along your way. Let's start with the purpose for doing a science fair project…
The "Classic" path....
Scientific Method
1. Identify the problem Choose Project IdeaProject Type,   
Topic Validation
2. Conducting a Review of the Available Literature   Project Research
3. Developing your Hypotheses    

  How to develop a working Hypothesis  and   Experimental Design step 1 & step 2

  Project Samples


4. Designing your Experimental Procedure
5. Data Collection and Analysis
6. Drawing your Conclusions
7. Sharing your Findings Display & presentation
  The Display
 Presentation and Evaluation
AAE Rubrics:  K-1, 2-4, 5-6, 7-12 (being developed)
AAE Community Science Festival: What, How, When, Where, Then What?...

AAE Community Science Festival: What, How, When, Where, Then What?...

AAE Community STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Festival: What, How, When, Where, Then What?...

WHAT:
The AAE school community hosts only one K-12 'STEM Festival' each year.

HOW: Each grade level can 'elevate' up to 8 'quality' student projects for consideration and display at the annual 'AAE Community STEM Festival'. By late January each year, each grade level will select a team to identify, by the first week of February, the students and their projects that will represent their grade level by being 'elevated' for display at the 'AAE Community STEM Festival' in early to mid-February. Here is a copy of the rubric that we use to assess the qualifications and quality of student work for a 'science project'. Rubrics for technology, engineering and math based projects will be created soon by using a PLC K-12 science team approach (1/2016).

WHEN
:The 'AAE Community STEM Festival' will be held during the third week of February each year on the Mojave River Campus [generally mid-week on a Wednesday].

WHERE: The 'AAE Community STEM Festival' will be held on the Mojave River Campus [location TBD each year]. Projects will be available for display from 5:30-6:00 pm on the evening following their judging. Awards will be given out in the C Building @ 6:00pm.

THEN WHAT?: Generally, the AAE annually receives an opportunity to 'elevate' six of the best 4th through 12th grade students and their projects, to display their work together with other student representatives from San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono counties at the annual 'SIMS Science and Engineering Fair' (SIM SEF). This event is generally held during the 1st week of April (which falls during the 2nd week of the AAE's 'Spring Break'). Student and their projects that are 'elevated' to this honor, will need to complete a written and online application (along with their parent's and teacher's assistance) by the 5:00 pm Friday of 2nd week of March [this deadline varies from year to year and need to be verified by early February each year before the application period opens [generally on a Tuesday during the 2nd week of February]. Current SIM ISEF materials can be found at one of these websites (please note that they are updated annually with new materials by late Fall each year): SBCSS1
SIM SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR Coordinator, Teacher & Parent Stuff

SIM SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR Coordinator, Teacher & Parent Stuff


  • Historically, the AAE (for grades 4-12) is given only 6 project 'slots' or opportunities to enter 6 worthy project to the SIM SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR (SIM SEF).
  • The 'common' SIM SEF project categories for each grade band are as follows:  grades 4-5 ,  grades grades 6-8 and grades 9-12 (descriptions). Please encourage students to view these lists and the following descriptions before picking project.

    • Categories that have the fewest entries have a greater chance of winning higher recognition.

  • Here are some 'Display and Safety Regulations' to abide by before preparing your project to bring to the SIM SEF.
  • At the SIM SEF, student projects will be judged using the criteria described in this document.
  • This document describes what students can expect during when they are interviewed by SIM SEF judges.
  • The current SIM SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR' materials can be found at one of this website (please note that they are updated annually with new materials and sometime the url changes as well): SBCSS

    •  Resources to be looking for include the most current: 

      • Regulations and Information Packet (generally a '.pdf' file) which can be found here. Here is a copy of the SIM SEF 2017 Handbook.

        • Here is a link to a 'practice' copy (Google.doc) of the 'old' online 'RIMS' Science Fair Student Project Application. Feel free to make a copy and modify it for your use if you would like.
        • SIM SEF offers online student registration. WE DO NOT OFFER PAPER REGISTRATION. For the 2016-2017 school year online registration is open December 1, 2016 thru March 2, 2017 (closes 9:00 a.m.). Students may obtain the website address from Mrs. Johnston, our new AAE K-12 School Site Fair Coordinator or go to http://tinyurl.com/SIMWebpage. All information must be completed accurately and all applicable forms and certifications to your project must be turned into your District/Affiliate Fair Coordinator. In addition to turning in certifications and related forms to your District/Affiliate Fair Coordinator you must also submit your Signature Card by 9:00 a.m. on March 2, 2017.

        • Signature Cards are to be signed and given to our School Site/Affiliate Fair Coordinators with all certifications and related forms. The School Site/Affiliate Fair Coordinator will then also sign the Signature Card certifying that they have possession of all necessary documents for that given project to participate in the SIM SEF.

        • Here is a copy of the 2016-17 SIM SEF student project Application Acceptance Criteria.

      • At the present time, the SIM SEF coordinators have not compiled a "Students' Guide to Participation, (generally a '.pdf' file) for the SIM SEF. Note, this is a 2013-14  version for the old 'RIMS Inland Science and Engineering Fair'.
      • A Student Schedule and Map for the Event Day (link to be added at a later date) will be made available closer to the day of the event for the upcoming SIM Science & Engineering Fair.
      • SIM SEF 'Key Dates' outline for the upcoming event in San Bernardino can be found here. Here is a direct link to the document for the 2016-12 SIM SEF event.
SIMS Annual Science & Engineering Fair

SIMS Annual Science & Engineering Fair

  • The Annual SIM SEF for students representing schools in San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono counties will now be held at the Auto Club Speedway, 9300 Cherry Avenue Fontana, CA 92335, during the first week of April each year . For the timing of this year's event go here for the most updated information (generally in the 'Key Events' document (a .pdf). The 4-12h grade awards presentation will now beheld (as of 1/2017) on the National Orange Show, in the Valencia Room, on
    689 S. E Street San Bernardino, CA  92408. For the timing of this year's event go here.
  • For the latest information regarding this year's ANNUAL SIM SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR the current materials can be found at one of these websites (please note that they are updated annually with new materials): SBCSS1 and SBCSS2.
Required SIM SEF Forms...

Required SIM SEF Forms...

Any SIM Science and Engineering Fair project application will need the following Certification FORMS  IF  your project...
  • Used Human Subjects... Guidelines of Compliance of Research Involving Human Subjects,
    • Form: Certification of Compliance of Research Involving Human Subjects
  • Used Living Organisms... Guidelines of Humane Treatment of Live Vertebrate Animals, Guidelines
    • Form Name: Certification of Humane Treatment of Live Vertebrate Animals
  • Used Living Tissues... Guidelines of Tissue Sample Source
    • Form name: Certificate of Tissue Samples
  • Used 'Professional Research Support Form'... This form is required of all projects completed partially or entirely within the facilities of a professional research organization, whether academic, industrial, or government. Include this form and any attachments with your application. Complete the top two lines before delivering the form to your research advisor.
    • Form name: Professional Research Support Form

    NOTE: The forms provided above are copies of ones used for past science fair events. For the current forms find and download the current versions of the 'SIM SEF 2016-2017 Handbook' from the SBCSS website.

Online Registration for SIM SEF & State Science Fair Information

Online Registration for SIM SEF & State Science Fair Information

Online Registration...

  • Generally opens during the 1st week of December (as of 12/2016) and closes during the 1st week of March @ 9:00 am.
    PLEASE NOTE: Generally this link is NOT/Open available until December each year.
    • The signup fee (not entry) for the 'elevated' students and their projects has been $40/student payable to SBCSS.
    • All students in grades 4th thru 12th can register on-line at this link (Note: this link is only activated and up-to-date during the open registration period). The 'Instruction for Application/Registration' that students, parents and/or teachers will need to have on hand when filling out the online registration form can be found here.
      • Note: 'Hard copies' of the online Application are no longer needed. The 'division' breakdowns are:
        • Elementary Division (grade 4-5th grade)
        • Junior Division (grade 6-8th grade)
        • Senior Division (grade 9-12th grades
    • Abstracts are require for online registration. Here are some examples to help guide you in writing yours.
      • Local Science Fair Informationfor San Bernardino, Inyo, & Mono counties
        • For additional information contact:
          • STEM Coordinator
            Mr Kim Terry @ 909.386.2636 or by email @ Kim.Terry@sbcss.net.
          • Superintendent of Schools Office
            • 601 North E Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0020
            • For additional information, please contact: Mr. David Maya by e-mail or by calling (909) 386-2630
    Other Venues & for Student Science Projects & Resource Links

    Other Venues & for Student Science Projects & Resource Links

    Did you know that there are other 'venues' for student research and their science projects...

    Here are a just a few...

    Opportunities and Deadlines...
    • AAE 9-12 Integrated Science Honors
    Resources Links