Archive for High School Science Fairs

Seven Massachusetts Students Receive Grand Awards at Intel ISEF

May 18, 2012 editor High School Science Fairs, ISEF, Science Fairs
Photo: US students join those from other countries in an opening ceremonies celebration.

 

The Massachusetts delegation to the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) racked up five third-place awards and two fourth-place awards at today’s Grand Prize Ceremony in Pittsburgh, PA.

Third Place

Name: Emily Hu
School: Lexington High School
Project: “The Effects of Mindful Decision Making on Post Decision Regret”
Description:  The purpose of this experiment is to determine a relationship between mindful decision-making and post decision regret. The main objective is to confirm that both trait and state mindfulness produces less post decision regret.

Name: Dominick Zheng
School: Boston Latin School
Project: “Mast Cell-Restricted Tryptase-Heparin Complexes Hinder Coagulation”
Description: Mouse mast cell protease-6 (mMCP-6) and its human ortholog tryptase-beta (hTryptase-beta) are found to prevent blood coagulation by proteolytically destroying fibrinogen, and are more effective anticoagulants than heparin on a weight basis.

Name: Anish Athalye
School: Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science
Project: “Cooling without Electricity: Engineering a New Refrigerator”
Description: A novel cooling technology based on the adsorption cycle was invented and proven to work. In addition, full scale prototypes were engineered and shown to achieve enough cooling effect for the application: medicine refrigeration in developing countries.

Name: Richard Housley
School: Boston University Academy
Project: “Emergency Convulsive Seizure Detection and Notification System”
Description: This project focuses on the creation of a convulsive seizure detection and notification system; it is capable of sending emergency text messages when a convulsive seizure is detected.

Name: Sneha Subramaniam
School: Westborough High School
Project: Engineering a Novel Hydrogel Matrix for Bone Cell Regeneration
Description: The goal of this project was to engineer a low cost and low risk alternative for bone cell regeneration through tissue engineering techniques. An mTG crosslinked gelatin hyrogel was used as a scaffold and its effectiveness quantified by biomineralization.

Fourth Place

Names: Hao Shen & Surya Bhupatiraju
School: Lexington High School
Project: “Investigating the Spread of the Influenza A Virus: A Phylogetic Analysis of the H1N1 Subtype”
Description: We explore H1N1 using a phylogenetic analysis of its NA gene. We identified two different strains of H1N1 in 2009, its path throughout the US during the 20th century, and isolated the time and nucleotide location where resistance to a drug was acquired.

Name: Julia Knowles
School: Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science
Project: “Flushed Away with Gray: Engineering the Gray Water Toilet”
Description: This project comprises a device that was designed to collect gray water that would be automatically used to flush the toilet and, at the same time, be easily adaptable to an existing domestic bathroom.

Congratulations to these award-winning students and to the entire Massachusetts delegation!

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Judging Is Underway at MSSEF’s 63rd Annual High School Fair

May 4, 2012 editor High School Science Fairs, MSSEF

The 2012 Massachusetts State High School Science & Engineering Fair has begun!  About 350 volunteer judges received training this morning on the finer points of the job, and have made their way into MIT’s Johnson Athletics Center (JAC) to meet their assigned students.  Results of the judging will be tabulated this evening and winners will be announced during the awards ceremony tomorrow evening. Billy Costa, host of High School Quiz Show and well-known radio personality, will MC.

With half a million dollars in prize money and scholarships at stake, there’s palpable energy in JAC today!  The science fair will be open to the public tomorrow, May 5th, from 12:30-3:00.  Bring the family and check out these amazing student projects!

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High School Fair Participants on FOX25!

May 2, 2012 editor High School Science Fairs

Youth And Innovation: MA State High School Science & Engineering Fair: MyFoxBOSTON.com

High school seniors Loreen Louiny and Reshma Patel from Stoughton High School and senior Ricky Housley from Boston University Academy had a moment in the spotlight this morning, describing their science fair projects on FOX25 TV.  All three are headed to the 63rd annual Massachusetts State High School Science & Engineering Fair at MIT this weekend.  Loreen and Reshma have entered their team project, “Will White Roofs Reduce Global Warming?” and Ricky will be showcasing his “Emergency Convulsive Seizure Detection and Notification System.”  The public is invited to visit MIT’s Johnson Athletics Center on Saturday, May 5th from 12:30 until 3:00pm to see these projects and hundreds more!

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State Science & Engineering Fair Seeks Judges

March 1, 2012 editor High School Science Fairs, MSSEF

Thanks to Conor Powers-Smith of Falmouth Patch for helping to spread the word about MSSEF’s judge recruitment efforts! Hundreds of students spend many hours perfecting their projects for the big day. Volunteering as a judge is just a several-hour commitment, but the experience lasts a lifetime.

If you have a four-year college degree in a STEM subject and work in a related field, you’re qualified to join the judge pool at the High School Fair on May 4th!  Registration is easy through MSSEF’s online form.
Via falmouth.patch.com

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Scenes from a High School Science Fair: North Attleboro, MA

February 2, 2012 editor High School Science Fairs

From a homemade, working hovercraft (left) to an examination of the impact of weather on mood, the projects on display at the North Attleboro High School Science Fair on Wednesday represented admirable hard work and creativity.

This year saw 47 entrants in the school’s fair, more than double the number of students that participated last year. The students whose projects rank in the top 18 at the school will go on to the regional competition, and the top winners there will have a shot at the state science fair at MIT, scheduled for May 3-5.  Good luck!
Via www.thesunchronicle.com

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Everett High School Science Fair!

January 13, 2012 editor Curious Minds Initiative, High School Science Fairs, MSSEF

Great things are happening in the Everett, MA Public Schools.  Of particular note: The Everett High School Science Fair, held on January 12.  Exhibitions in biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics offered answers to some intriguing questions.  How does the application of heat affect a pineapple’s enzyme activity?  Are naturally optimistic people more capable than pessimists of telling a fake smile from the real thing?  Is organic or synthetic fertilizer more conducive to plant growth?  What drinks have the most dramatic impact on blood pressure?

Featuring 109 projects, the fair represented the work of well over 125 students, who either submitted individual projects or partnered with a friend on the effort.  Many of them expressed their interest in STEM subject matter.  “Science is my favorite subject in school… along with English,” said 9th grader Wendy Ralon, whose project, “The Eggsperiment,” examined the behavior of chickens’ eggs in a variety of liquids.  “I think it’s interesting and fun to figure out how things work.”

The Everett High School Science Fair is a product of a new initiative — Project Engage! — a program designed through a multifaceted collaboration of professionals, including representatives from the Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF), the Intel Corporation, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the Massachusetts Academy of Sciences, the Everett Public Schools, and the Marlborough Public School system — the latter as a “mentoring” school district. “[MSSEF's] role is to help with professional development and help students be part of the science fair system, which, for many students, becomes a pathway to college,” MSSEF Executive Director Cora Beth Abel said.

Project Engage! — or Engage Everett! as it’s called locally — involves Everett Public School students in grades 6 through 12 in independent science and technology research experience, with the goal of building a culture of research in school districts across the state. The initiative aims provide students with the skills they need to tackle scientific questions and invent solutions.  It does so by putting students into the role of the scientist.  The program is being modeled in Everett, with the goal of expanding across the Commonwealth.

Here’s a two-minute slideshow that highlights some of the projects on display at this year’s Everett High School Science Fair.  Congratulations to all the entrants on their hard work and inquiry!

 

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Science Fair as a Family Affair

December 22, 2011 editor High School Science Fairs, Middle School Science Fairs, Science Fairs


While science fair preparations may seem intimidating or even downright overwhelming for students, good planning and some strategic parental guidance can help mitigate the stress.  Furthermore, parents can be extremely useful when it comes to choosing a project. “Parents are usually in the best situation to know what fascinates and inspires their kids,” says parent Kathleen Bethel.  For some simple yet valuable things parents can do to help during science fair season, read on.
Via www.sciencenewsforkids.org

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2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair Dates and Information

December 9, 2011 editor High School Science Fairs, Middle School Science Fairs, MSSEF, Science Fairs

PhotobucketThe 2012 Massachusetts State High School Science & Engineering Fair will take place Thursday, May 3 – Saturday, May 5 at MIT.  Students in grades 9-12 from all Massachusetts public, private and parochial schools — as well as home-schooled students — are eligible to enter through their schools.

The Massachusetts Middle School Science and Engineering Fair will be held Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Worcester Technical High School.

How the High School Fair Works
Each school may send two outstanding student projects directly to the Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF) State Fair: One individual and/or one team project (2 or 3 student members to each team).  In addition, the top winners from each school Science Fair can qualify for your Regional Fair, and top Regional winners may also enter the State Fair.  See the MSSEF website for Regional Fair information.

How to Apply
Students register online. Registration forms for Massachusetts high schools will be available on the MSSEF website starting on March 1, 2012 (on or after March 1) to log in and register.  Please contact the MSSEF office (617-491-1500) if your school does not have access to the Internet.

Deadline
Online registrations must be completed within five (5) days of your School Fair or Regional Fair (whichever is later), and no registration materials will be accepted after March 26, 2012.

Important!  Approvals Needed Before Research Begins
Many student research projects require approval from the Regional Scientific Review Committee (SRC) BEFORE experimentation can begin. These projects include research that involves human subjects, toxic substances, vertebrate animals, work in a non-school setting, etc.

Have Questions?
See a list of Regional SRC Directors
See the Science Fair Manual, forms and detailed instructions for the forms
Or email MSSEF

Important Dates
March 1, 2012: MSSEF online registration opens; forms available at www.scifair.com
March 26, 2012: Deadline for online MSSEF Registration is March 26, 2012 at midnight
May 3 – 5, 2012: Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair at MIT, Cambridge

Also: Please check with your Regional Fair SRC director regarding final dates to submit Forms and Research Plan for approval prior to experimentation.

Need Help?
The MSSEF website contains many useful hints and resources, including the High School Manual.  We encourage you to read the Manual as it contains important information for teachers and students.

You can also email questions to:
info@scifair.com (general questions)
registration.problems@scifair.com (online registration questions)
src@scifair.com (scientific review questions)

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Mentor, Father to Two MA Science Fair Alums Praised by Lt. Governor Timothy Murray

October 18, 2011 editor High School Science Fairs, MSSEF, STEM Education

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray recognized Dr. John Schneeweis, a Massachusetts physician and proud father of two former Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair competitors, for his dedicated involvement with STEM education at the Annual STEM Summit this morning.

Dr. Schneeweis, who works as a family physician in Leominster, has helped to mentor Wachusett Regional High School students working on science research projects.  His own daughter and son won recognition at their respective MA Science & Engineering Fairs at MIT (in 2007 and 2010).  Dr. Schneeweis’s daughter is currently a college student, and his son is finishing high school.

Dr. Schneeweis believes it’s vital that students learn to present ideas in a logical way and develop the skill of critical thinking. “Both are skills vital to success in the future,” he says.

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Report: Afterschool Programs Boost STEM Learning

October 13, 2011 editor High School Science Fairs, Middle School Science Fairs, STEM Education

More good reasons for students to participate in science fairs: In September, the Afterschool Alliance released a new report assessing the impact of STEM learning in afterschool programs. “STEM Learning in Afterschool: An Analysis of Impact and Outcomes” found that the nation’s urgent need for students to learn science, technology, engineering and math skills can get a significant boost from afterschool programs. Specifically, attending high-quality STEM afterschool programs results in improved attitudes toward STEM fields and careers, increased STEM knowledge and skills, a higher likelihood of graduation among students.

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