SSTFI Finalist Places 1st in Category at Intel ISEF

If you follow our Facebook page this is certainly old news; however, Pavane deserves some recognition on the Blog as well!

Congratulations to Pavane on her success at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair!  Pavane was one of two first place category winners in the Category of Plant Sciences!  This is an amazing accomplishment.

Iowa Delegation to the Intel ISEF (representing all 3 Iowa Fairs - EISEF, WISEF and SSTFI)

Congratulations to the entire Iowa Team - they all represented Iowa well!

SSTFI - INTEL ISEF PRESS RELEASE: (to download the pdf version click HERE)

TOP STATE SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY FAIR OF IOWA STUDENT EARNS TOP HONORS AND $5500 IN SCHOLARSHIPS AT THE INTEL INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

• The world’s largest high school science research competition, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of Society for Science & the Public, announced its top winners in Pittsburgh, Pa
• Pavane Lakshmi Gorrepati, 18, of Bettendorf, IA (Rivermont Collegiate School) received 1^st Place honors and a $3000 scholarship in the category of Plant Sciences for her research project titled: “Impact of Allelic Diversity of Wx and ALK Genes on the Nutritional Characteristics of Rice and the Evaluation of Rice Starch Biosynthesis in the Hybrid Y58S Male Sterile Breeding Line.”
• Pavane Lakshmi Gorrepati, 18, Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf, Iowa earned the Monsanto Award for Innovation in Plant Science First Award of $2,500

PITTSBURGH, Pa., May 18, 2012 – Pavane Gorrepati, 18, of Bettendorf, Iowa was awarded first place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the Plant Sciences Category for her project entitled:  “Impact of Allelic Diversity of Wx and ALK Genes on the Nutritional Characteristics of Rice and the Evaluation of Rice Starch Biosynthesis in the Hybrid Y58S Male Sterile Breeding Line.”

Pavane utilized a molecular marker- based genetic analysis that looked at the three main determinants of rice eating and cooking quality.

Pavane’s Abstract:

Rice (Oryza sativa) is the world’s most important cereal crop for human consumption. Hybrid rice, characterized by high yield, has made great contributions to safeguarding food security around the world. However, hybrid rice shows poorer grain quality in comparison to conventional rice. With the development of improved living standards of people all around the world, a better understanding is needed of the factors that contribute to the grain quality and nutrition of hybrid rice. In this study, a molecular marker-based genetic analysis looks at the three main determinants of rice eating and cooking quality (ECQ) “amylose content (AC), gel consistency (GC) and gelatinization temperature (GT) “ in conjunction with allelic variants of two genes, Wx and ALK, known to play a role in ECQ. The outcome confirms that the AC is controlled mainly by Wx locus, and also indicates that GC is controlled by Wx gene or by one locus tightly linked to this gene. Similarly, the ALK locus was shown to play a major role in regulating GT. I also reported the successful introgression of the elite Wx gene into the key male sterile line, Y58S. The improved line should immediately improve nutritional status for countries around the world.

Pavane was the top winner at the 2012 State Science + Technology Fair of Iowa (SSTFI) held in Ames this past March.  As the top project she earned an all-expense paid trip from the SSTFI to attend the Intel International Science + Engineering Fair.

Society for Science & the Public, a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to

public engagement in scientific research and education, owns and has administered the
International Science and Engineering Fair since its inception in 1950, as the National Science Fair.

Elizabeth Marincola, president of Society for Science & the Public said, “They (the winners) and all the other finalists here this week further demonstrate how a background of STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math] education creates the breeding ground for creativity and ingenuity that will help solve the pressing issues of the future.”

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair includes some of the most

promising rising student entrepreneurs, innovators and scientists from around the world. Finalists are selected annually from hundreds of affiliated fairs. Their projects are then evaluated onsite by more than 1,200 judges from nearly every scientific discipline, each with a Ph.D. or the equivalent of 6 years of related professional experience in one of the scientific disciplines.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2012 is funded jointly by Intel and the Intel Foundation with additional awards and support from dozens of other corporate, academic, governmental and science-focused organizations. To learn more about SSP, and its programs and publications, visit www.societyforscience.org, follow on Twitter, or visit the Facebook page.

To get the latest Intel education news, visit www.intel.com/newsroom/edu

The SSTFI is a non-profit organization hosted by Iowa State University and sponsors include: Iowa Biotechnology Association, Iowa Energy Center, Iowa Space Grant Consortium, Iowa State University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Iowa State University College of Engineering, Iowa Medical Society, Monsanto, Vermeer and the Pella Rolscreen Foundation. 

For a complete list of sponsors and awards, the schedule of events and more information regarding the SSTFI please visit our website:  www.sciencefairofiowa.org


For more information regarding the SSTFI please visit our website at www.sciencefairofiowa.org

Award Winners List Posted

Thanks to ALL of you and your students for such a great SSTFI!  Judges and sponsors could not say enough great things about your students and their projects!

The Award Winners List is posted on-line.  There are a number of locations you can check the information. 

The Homepage: www.sciencefairofiowa.org
The Press Page: http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/press.html
The Awards Page: http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/awards-and-scholarships.html

It is in an excel file that you can manipulate.  Right now it is sorted by school and then by exhibit number.

If your student(s) need an extra award claim form for any of the CASH prizes that were given out – please go to: http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/awards-and-scholarships/monetary_and_scholarship_Claims.html

Winners should have received the claim forms in their certificate packets.

Please remember when filling these out that teams share the cash award.  The award claim sheets are due by June 30, 2012.  Any received past this date will not be processed.

2012 Sponsor Thank You’s:
Please be sure to send Thank you’s for our sponsor packets!  Sponsors do appreciate these and it helps us build on future financial success.  The date for submission is on the Thank you list that was provided in your teacher registration packets and in the school packets that should have been picked up following the Grand Award Ceremony.  OR – this year you can download the excel file from the website if you would like to do a mail merge.

The Homepage: www.sciencefairofiowa.org

The Awards Page: http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/awards-and-scholarships.html

Thank you all for supporting the 2012 SSTFI!   


For more information regarding the SSTFI please visit our website at www.sciencefairofiowa.org

What to Wear?

What to wear is a question I get more often than one could ever imagine.  Not just by students and teachers but by judges and even sponsors.  So I thought I’d throw some considerations your way as you make travel plans.

As your students pack for the big SSTFI weekend the SSTFI Staff would like to remind students to throw in clothing that makes them feel comfortable and confident when it comes to presenting. 

·        Thought should be given to whether or not what a student chooses to wear would make the judge(s) feel comfortable talking to them. 

·        One should also consider what one will look like up on a huge screen above the stage for all to see. 

·        Once this is considered also consider that our major $10,000 plus sponsors sit in the front rows below the stage with an upward view where short skirts can show more than a student may mean to show a corporate sponsor.  Knee length is always a good rule of thumb or nice fitting dress pants.

We are not asking or advocating that students spend money on new clothes – it is not expected to be a suit and tie event because we know some students do not have this type of attire and some do not feel comfortable in it.  We are simply asking that some thought be put into what is appropriate.  If you look at the two days of the fair many consider Friday a more casual day where school science t-shirts are fun to see – business casual is also very appropriate.  Our SSTFI Staff are asked to wear SSTFI t-shirts with nice jeans or khakis on Friday.  Of course a student may dress above this level.  Many consider Saturday a more professional day where many students do choose to wear suits (especially at the SH level). 

If you have senior high students presenting you should know that the large donors/scholarship sponsors will be on the floor Friday afternoon if that lends itself to a different choice in attire.  Teachers with FFA Members – Friday for the Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair – FFA Official Dress is very appropriate but not a requirement.

Research shows that people who dress in attire they feel good in and is appropriate for the occasion/event will have more confidence and poise.

Comfortable judges (without clothing distractions) and confident students is a good goal.

If you want a good resource for business attire definitions and protocols (geared towards interviews) this was a good site:  http://www.career.vt.edu/Interviewing/InterviewAppearance.html

I especially like this statement: “Dressing nicely and appropriately is a compliment to the person you meet, so if in doubt, err on the side of dressing better than you might need to.”

Just some thoughts as bags are packed.

For more information regarding the SSTFI please visit our website at www.sciencefairofiowa.org
All photos: Dan Welk at Click! Photography

On Site Registration Information

Please view the On-Site Registration Instructions.  These may also be found at: http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/fair-schedule.html (see ON SITE REGISTRATION FLYER)

On this same page you will find:

• Schedules
• Floor Maps with Exhibit Numbers
• Ames Maps
• Ames Information
• T-shirt and Pin designs
• Workshop Flyers

The Fair Office/Emergency Contact Number During the fair is listed on the above web page, the front page of the website and in the On-Site Registration Instructions. This number is for you, your students, parents, and school officials to contact us in case of emergency or in case they cannot reach you.  Phone Number:  515.294.0950

Other Items:

• Inclement Weather – the SSTFI will proceed as scheduled regardless of weather (not that it looks like we have to worry this year).  Please understand there is no way we can reschedule the event.  Therefore if there is threatening weather we can work with you to help find accommodations in Ames either before or after the event.  Regardless – you need to follow your schools guidelines when it comes to traveling in poor weather.

• On-line SRC Violations – As long as you see the word approved in the on-line teacher project review it means you have met the requirements for preapproval by the SRC.  The way the data management system works we cannot “erase” the prior missing paperwork but we do update the approval status.  Please understand – just because it says Not Approved does NOT mean your student cannot participate – it means they have not met SRC paperwork requirements and MUST have the paperwork with them at registration!

• SRC Paperwork during SRC/DSC Floor reviews – ALL projects are required to have a complete set of paperwork with them at their projects during the Friday morning reviews.  At registration the SRC will COLLECT the Missing Paperwork so the SSTFI maintains a COMPLETE SET.  Therefore you will need two copies of missing paperwork – one to turn in and one in the complete set at the project!  To view what the reviewers will be looking for please visit:  http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/Rules/Scientific_Review_Committee.html 

• NEW!!!! – DSC Floor Reviews – We are changing how we process floor reviews this year.  In an effort to make the process easier on our volunteers and the students there will only be ONE set of reviewers on the floor.  This means only one piece of paper that will be checked off http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/assets/files/SSTFI2012/ViolationInstr.pdf.  If there is an approval sticker and reviewers initials at the bottom of the sheet means project is approved.  If NOT the project needs to have the violations that are noted fixed before being approved for competition.  If there is no sheet on the table at all after set up it means a reviewer has not been to the project to do a review yet.  Hopefully this process will relieve a lot of Friday morning confusion.

• Size Requirements – We hate to tell students they have to cut their project down or remove items – please be sure you have viewed our size requirements prior to attending the fair: http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/Rules/Project_Size.html 

• Photo Requirements – Another area reviewers will be looking for are photo references.  Be sure you understand our photo rules: http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/Rules/Use_of_Photos.html

• Abstract – make sure all projects have an abstract displayed!  Needs to be vertically displayed – this can be on the board/backdrop or standing in a frame on the table. 

• Seminar Presentations – Just a reminder to any student giving a presentation:  Presenters are responsible to have their own computer (or schools may bring one computer to share between all their presenters).  The SSTFI will provide LCD Projectors, AV carts, and screens.  It is suggested that a back-up method also be available (burned on CD or saved on flash drive/small external hard drive, etc).  You may bring your own LCD projector if a student would be more comfortable using it instead – just remember there is not a lot of time to switch out/set up technology.  To view the complete set of seminar presentation rules visit: http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/seminars.html

·        Hy-Vee Express [located on upper concourse; east side – Hilton] will be open both on Friday and Saturday from 11 am – 3 pm.  If you prefer not to go off campus or unable during lunch this concession will be offering pizza, chips, sandwiches, pop (and possibly popcorn and candy).  Please remember outside food and drink are not allowed (other than water bottles and small snack items students may need).

·        Anyone who helps with judging is provided a free meal on us and get to throw their school name into the school incentive drawing!

·        If you are looking for Exhibit Numbers prior to the fair they may be found at: http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/press.html [click the Title List Link].  These are supposed to show up on teacher project reviews but they don’t seem to be so you can go here to find them.

·        QUIZ BOWL & PICTIONARY VOLUNTEERS – During the Saturday morning award ceremony pre-session we are going to play a fun teacher vs. student Science Fair Quiz Bowl. 

·        We are seeking 4 teacher and 4 student volunteers. 

·        This is meant to be fun and entertaining – but you know better than us which students would enjoy playing along. 

·        Also, we will again do a science fair Pictionary prior to the Friday evening award ceremony – looking for teacher and student volunteers here as well!

·        If you or any of your students are interested let me know! 

• Project Drops – If you have projects that will not be attending you may send me these names anytime and I will remove them from the system.  Be sure though because once I remove them they are out of the system for good – it is permanent.

We look forward to seeing you all at the end of the week!

For more information regarding the SSTFI please visit our website at www.sciencefairofiowa.org

New Charge for Senior High Luncheon on Saturday

Senior High Teachers/Adult Sponsors:

The SSTFI is having to make some serious decisions this year due to the loss of sponsorship.  Please note this is not due to the sponsors thinking your students are not a worthy cause it is due to the economic climate causing some sponsors to restrict or even to be unable to give sponsorship dollars.  This, in addition to the increase in exhibitor numbers, is causing us to rethink certain areas of the fair. 

To help with the monetary shortfall we will NOT be offering a FREE luncheon for the Senior High students on Saturday.  We will still offer the luncheon as an option – but it will not be mandatory – students are not required to eat the luncheon.  We will keep the same pasta buffet that we have offered in the past that includes a vegetarian option.  Students are allowed to take what they want and may have seconds if any remains.  However, we will now charge a small amount for the meal to help cover costs.  We will be asking $5.00/student ($7.00/adult) to help cover the meal cost.  (The actual cost of the meal is $13.50 per person).  If this is not acceptable for a school you are free to find other options for your student(s).  You may NOT bring outside food into Scheman or Hilton.  However, students may eat on the steps or lawn.

You do not need to register in advance to eat – students will be able to pay anytime on Friday at the registration desk in Hilton (preferably AFTER registration) or they can pay on Saturday in line.  Students will be given a ticket to use to enter the buffet line.  Again, the pasta meal includes a couple types of pasta, a couple types of sauce (one or more vegetarian), a salad, bread sticks and a drink (tea or lemonade).  Teachers and adult sponsors are welcome to eat with their students for the adult cost of $7.00.  Our scholarship sponsors have been invited to the luncheon and they will be eating with the students during this time as well (they of course are our guests).

We will also not be providing the cookie break on Friday for the Senior High.  They will still have a break time but we will not be providing refreshments.  If enough of you think your students would like something set out for a small snack (cookies and lemonade) we would have to charge a small fee ($2/$3).

IF you have a significant number of students who will NOT be attending the luncheon please let me know so I have a better idea of the amount of food to order.  It will not help our bottom line if suddenly half of the students don’t eat but I still order the food.

I realize many of you already have budgets set for the event and we are very sorry for this last minute notice.  We wanted to wait on some additional sponsorship requests.  Please know we have been submitting and reaching out to new sponsors but it takes time and lots of no’s sometimes before finding a new supporter.  We will not take anything away from the awards that go to students and will do everything we can to keep the event free of across the board registration costs.  There are some things we may end up cutting next year that were already ordered for this year.  We looked at what would affect the fewest students.  Rather than cutting the entire meal since it is such a tight time frame we want to continue to offer it just at a small cost that would be similar to eating out at a fast food establishment.

We ask for your understanding in this.  It is our goal to continue to strive to make the fair a positive and educational experience for all students.

FOOD ALLERGIES:

IF you have students attending the luncheon who may have food allergies or restrictions or need a gluten free meal please let me know and we can have this ordered.

For more information regarding the SSTFI please visit our website at www.sciencefairofiowa.org

Abstract Review

The following is the annual ABSTRACT Explanation.  For photo references on how to display an abstract with the board please keep reading.

Ways the SSTFI asks for abstracts:

1. Typed in the on-line registration for each project
2. Submitted in hard copy with SRC paperwork
3. Displayed vertically on the project (board or table) at the fair.

Why do we ask for the abstract in 3 different ways? (short answer)

1.  The typed in version during on-line registration is used exclusively for judging purposes
2. The hard copy submitted with SRC paperwork is used exclusively by the SRC in addition to the research plan to ensure they have a full understanding of the research.
3. The abstract on the project at the fair is used by many people – judges, the general public, SSTFI staff.

The abstract tells the research story and is a VERY IMPORTANT component to the research project! 

The following are in depth answers to how we use them:

1. Typed version during on-line registration
• Many of our scholarship sponsors and special award sponsors request a copy of the project entry database 2 weeks prior to the fair to review.  They will be sent this Wednesday along with the floor layouts (some special award sponsors build their entire judging route/plan from this information)
• They utilize titles, abstracts and the award categories selected on-line to narrow down their list of projects they want to meet with.
• Our special award sponsors want to talk to as many students as possible; however, they also know they cannot talk to all 500 projects.  They want to ensure their focus is narrowed prior to judging at the fair.
• This does NOT mean that they don’t take a look over the projects while at the fair.  During judging  orientation they are encouraged to at least walk around and note any projects on their lists they may have missed in the initial paper review.
• That said they do truly appreciate having abstracts to review to help narrow the list slightly.  Sometimes a title alone cannot completely express what the research is about.
• Our special award chair also is asked by other sponsors to put together lists for them before they arrive and she also uses titles, abstracts and the marked award categories.
• In addition, we will print all of the abstracts and place them in a binder in the fair office for review if judges wish to review something further at the fair either before going out or to review after judging the projects.
• We often receive press calls and this book is also used by us to give reporters an idea of what is out on the floor.  Granted often a catchy title will draw their eye but some also utilize the abstract info.
• SENIOR HIGH – this is very important for senior high students and teachers to know.  The senior high judging committee merges the abstracts into their print function when pulling together and printing the judging forms.  Every senior high judging form has the abstract printed on the reverse side.  This abstract is directly pulled from the database.
• How do the judges use these?  Saturday am before the students arrive during the judging review they review the forms and read abstracts either before or after reviewing the floor projects.  The first item they are instructed to read when reviewing the floor projects are the abstracts on the project.
• During the final discussions judges also have the judging forms in front of them and an abstract can help refresh their memory regarding the projects being discussed for finalists.  This is just a help – in cases of serious discussion or argument the judges go back out on the floor.
• The SSTFI does NOT make this field on the on-line registration a required field because we realize not all students have one completed at the time of registration.  At this time we also don’t have the ability functioned in for students or teachers to add this in after submission. 
• If you send me an electronic copy that I can cut and paste I am able to update your project on-line entries.   I am happy to do this up to Monday, March 26^th. (see below for further instructions) After the 26^th the database will be locked down, cleaned one last time in order for participation certificates and judging forms to be printed.
2. SRC Paperwork
• The SRC sometimes needs information regarding the research that they can only find in the abstract.  The research plans give good insight but an abstract also provides valuable information.
• If you did not submit a hard copy the SRC will list it as an SRC violation and you be asked to submit a copy to their booth at the fair.
3. Vertically Displayed at the Project
• This is often the first piece of information the judges on the floor look for.  The abstract can give valuable information as well as an overall view of the research.
• Our Display and Safety Committee and the floor will be looking for these abstracts at the projects and will have a student type or write one if it is not there.
• The abstract can give the general public a good idea of what a project is about.
• The abstract does NOT have to be attached to the project board.  It is also allowable to have it vertically displayed on the project table.  Many people use picture/document frames or pamphlet holders when displaying the abstract on the table.

Example 1:  Abstract placed directly on the board.
Pros: Easy to see/find; good eye location for judges
Cons: Space can be at a premium on the board; not always room; often abstracts need modification and this can make it difficult to change

Example 2:  Abstract placed in a frame and set on table.
Pros: Easy to see/find; judges can pick it up to easily read; allows more space on board for other items; if the abstract is modified it is easy to change; protected
Cons: Cost of the frame; it is possible for it to accidently walk off (although very rare)

Example 3:  Abstract attached directly to table front (usually with tape or push pin)

Pros: Visible; leaves space open on board and on table; easy to change out if modifications are made; no cost for frame

Cons: Hard for judges/people to read without bending over; can be easy to accidently tear or fall off the edge

Although example 3 is not always the ideal for the abstract this is the best option for the other forms that should be vertically displayed (Form 1C and Form 7).

In summary:

• Yes, we need it 3 different ways
• Yes, we utilize each version very differently
• Yes, the abstract is important
• Yes, if you are exhibiting in Senior High competition it is in your best interest to submit an electronic copy

You have until Monday, March 26^th, 2012 to e-mail me an abstract to update your on-line entry. 

PLEASE check your teacher list http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/teachers/get-project-report.html to ensure the abstract wasn’t already entered before sending to me!

I will only accept these in some electronic version.  It can be in the body of the email, it can be an attachment (preferably Word or pdf).  The only thing I require is -- YOU MUST have the PROJECT ID listed in the e-mail and with the file or I will send it back to you.

For more information regarding the SSTFI please visit our website at www.sciencefairofiowa.org

Win a $200 Best Buy Gift Card!

This year the SSTFI will again be giving away a $200 Best Buy gift card for a school to use for their science/science fair program.  During the Grand Award Ceremony on Saturday evening we will draw a school’s name from the cards entered into the drawing.

How does your school earn cards?

Encourage past participants, school alumni, parents and chaperones attending the 2012 SSTFI from your school or supporting your program to volunteer/or attend in the following areas:

• Assist as a Display and Safety Reviewer (Friday am) – this earns a school triple cards!
• Attend the Open Forum (Saturday am)
• Attend the Statistics Workshop (Saturday)
• Assist as an SSTFI Judge – this earns a school double cards!
• Assist as an SSTFI Volunteer – this earns a school 1 card per 2 hour shift!

For those of you who might have people interested in helping on Friday morning as a DSC reviewer below is the schedule (not only will they earn triple cards – we’ll treat them to coffee and morning treats):

8:30        Display & Safety Committee (DSC)

               --Volunteer Registration & Orientation

               --Coffee & Refreshments

Enter through SE corner door  OR South Doors of Hilton Coliseum

Meet in Fair Office (Johnny’s on Upper Concourse – old basketball office)

o    Need 20 Volunteers

9:00        DSC Reviews START

               --Junior High & Senior High

                    Paperwork needs to be taken to SRC Booth

10:45      DSC Violation Checks

               --Junior High & Senior High

§  Students MUST check project prior to attending the Welcome Ceremony

§  IF a project is in violation students MUST REMAIN at the PROJECT until cleared!

§  Students with NO Violations MUST clear the floor and attend Welcome Ceremony

11:30      ALL DSC Violations Cleared

n  Junior High

n  Senior High

If you have anyone that would like to sign up in advance please send them to our on-line volunteer registration: http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/alumni/volunteer-registration.html

We can always use the help.  We always need volunteers to help man the information desks!  And we will take as MANY PEOPLE as possible on Friday morning.  Just think the more reviewers we have the faster we’ll get your students cleared and ready for judging!

For more information regarding the SSTFI please visit our website at www.sciencefairofiowa.org