Transcript The Orange County Science & Engineering

The Orange County
Science &
Engineering Fair
An Investment in the Future of
our Youth
Promoting STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math
Education and Experience for
Orange County Youth
What is the Orange County Science &
Engineering Fair?
• Orange County Science & Engineering Fair
(OCSEF) is the official science and engineering
fair representing all of Orange County
• Annual competition for Grades 6-12
• Integrates with STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Math) initiatives
• Non-profit, 501.c.3 foundation operated by
volunteers
• Web Site: www.ocsef.org
OCSEF Goals
• Support “hands-on” science and technology
education in Orange County Schools
• Enable students to learn how to conduct
research on a project of interest to them
• Encourage students to demonstrate critical
thinking, organization, and communication
skills
• Promote careers in science and engineering
• Increase science literacy among the general
population
How Does the OCSEF Meet its Goals?
• Provide incentives for middle school and high school
students to conduct science and engineering projects
• Conduct an annual science & engineering fair where
students display projects and discuss them with judges
• Provide opportunities to interact and network with
working scientists and engineers
• Conduct summer workshops for teachers who want to
start science fair programs in their schools
• Conduct workshops for students to prepare them for
science fair program
Brief History of the OCSEF
• Founded in 1955 by the Orange County Science
Teacher’s Association.
• First Fair held at Santa Ana College, May 4 &
5, 1955.
• Cal State Fullerton and the Orange County
Fair and Exposition Center have also hosted
the OCSEF.
• Nearly 26,000 student entries since 1955.
How is the OCSEF Organized?
• Open to 6th – 12th grade Orange County students
• Two Divisions
– Junior (grades 6 - 8)
– Senior (grades 9 - 12)
• All branches of science and engineering are
represented in 17 Senior and 18 Junior categories
• Individual and group projects are allowed
• Students present projects to teams of judges during the
Fair
• Top projects receive awards from OCSEF Board
and/or technical societies, corporations, and
foundations (Special Awards)
Project Categories
•
• Applied Mechanics / Structures &
Mechanisms / Manufacturing
•
• Behavioral Sciences
•
• Biochemistry / Molecular Biology
•
• Botany
•
• Chemistry
• Earth Sciences / Physical Environments•
•
• Electricity & Electronics
•
• Environmental Science / Ecology
Environmental Engineering
•
• Product Testing
Fluids / Aerodynamics /
Thermophysics
Mathematics / Software
Microbiology / Cell Biology
Pharmacology
Physics / Astronomy
Physiology
Social Sciences (Junior Only)
Zoology
Botany Applications
OCSEF Student Benefits
• Opportunity to demonstrate original thought
and creativity and build confidence in working
in science or engineering
• Hands-on experience of completing a science
project
– Approximated but not easily duplicated in
the class room.
• Augments classroom education and makes
science and engineering real and interesting
OCSEF Student Benefits (Continued)
• Opportunity to develop verbal and written
communication skills
• Some students are able to network with scientists and
engineers in sponsored research projects
• Prizes, awards, & recognition provide lasting
motivation and may aid in gaining admission to top
universities
• Students with best projects invited to compete in CA
State Science Fair, Broadcom MASTERS, and Intel
International Science & Engineering Fair
OCSEF Links to Other Competitions
School
Sci Fair
CA State
Sci Fair
District
Sci Fair
OCSEF
Broadcom
MASTERS
Intel
ISEF
Parent Help
How?
Student’s
Interest
World
Problem*
Investigative
Question
Science
Category
Measurable
Data
Information About Topic
Research Help
• www.futurity.org
• www.ocsef.org
• Google
• www.sciencebuddies.org
• Abstracts and complete articles
What We Know
• Investigative Question will determine project
category. Should be concise and clear.
• Avoid Commercial Product Testing Category
– unless unique, novel, or original *
• Use formal title: “Effect of Gamma Rays on
Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds”
• Avoid stand alone /informal (unless as byline to
above): “Flower Power”
Road to OCSEF
• Score 40+ / 4+ on St. Anne judge rubric
• Demonstrate scientific method
• Project is replicated.
• Replicate = Reproducible = Trials
• Extra: Creative, unique, novel, original,
and relates to something much bigger.
More Help
• After school 8th period science fair
tutorial
• After school science fair help sessions
TBA
• This PowerPoint will be placed on St.
Anne Science Fair web page
• www.ocsef.org
St. Anne Awards @ OCSEF
2007 - 2013
2007- 2013 Total
2007- 2013 1st
2007- 2013 2nd
2007- 2013 3rd
2007- 2013 HM
2007- 2013 Special
Other St. Anne Award Winners
2013:
• 1 Broadcom MASTERS National Semi-Finalist – AJ Takata, St. Anne ‘14
2012:
• 1 Broadcom MASTERS National Semi-Finalist – Ryan Allen, St. Anne ‘14
2012 – 2013:
• 8 Broadcom MASTERS nominees
• 9 Calif. State Science Fair qualified
2009:
• 1 Honorable Mention Winner at Calif. State Science Fair
Prior to 2007:
• 2 First Place Winners at Calif. State Science Fair