PROJECT CLASSIFICATIONS

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1 The 1st Annual Mad Science of Sacramento Valley Student Science Fair! Friday April 29th, PM-8PM Do you love science? Did you make a science fair project this year? Would you like to show your project to your favorite Mad Scientist? Even if you haven t made one yet, now s your chance to rocket to Science Stardom with Mad Science! PRIZES INCLUDE A FREE FIELD TRIP FOR YOUR ENTIRE CLASS!

2 ELIGIBILITY To be eligible to enter a project, you must be a student aged 5 to 12 in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Solano, El Dorado, Sutter, Yuba or San Joaquin Counties. PHILOSOPHY This science fair is based on a noncompetitive philosophy, which encourages student participation, sharing, appreciation for diversity, and inclusion. The event is designed to be a fun, engaging, inspiring opportunity for students to enjoy sharing their creativity, enthusiasm, and interest in designing, building, researching, and problem solving. We want to encourage young minds to explore science all around them. Each student will stand in front of their project the day of the fair and explain his/her project to fairgoers. In addition, you will be given the opportunity for a private showing with the Mad Science Team or just your favorite Mad Scientist! PROJECT CLASSIFICATIONS Projects will be classified for display into two categories: (K-2) and (3-6) Students may enter the science fair as individuals or as a pair. REGISTRATION PROCEDURE Students wishing to register for participation in the Science Fair should complete the registration form found on our website ( All entries must be received by Friday April 1 st by noon. You may also drop off or mail your form to the Mad Science Lab at 1808 Tribute Road Suite E., Sacramento, CA OR by fax to PROJECT EXHIBITS 1. All exhibits must be confined to a table or floor space not to exceed 4ft wide by 3ft deep (see diagram). Height of exhibits is limited to 8ft meters. Exhibits that exceed the dimensions given may be disqualified. Exhibitors must plan for this allotted space only. 2. Group projects (maximum of 2 students) may be entered under the group leader's name. 3. Construction of exhibits must be sturdy, with moving parts firmly attached. Each exhibit must be self-supporting. If your exhibit requires electricity, please notify us on the application form. The host venue will not provide gas, running water, or any other material. SAFETY RULES 1. Displays must be solidly constructed. Moving pieces, if any, must be firmly attached and present no danger. Switches, cords and circuits must be adequately protected. Cell or battery-fed circuits should be safe both in design and operation. 2. Open flames, live animals, flammable liquids, microbial cultures, plants and soil, biodegradable material and lasers in working order may not be exhibited. 3. No toxic, corrosive or dangerous chemicals are allowed. Substitutes, such as sugar, water, food dyes, salt, flour and molasses, must be used to simulate dangerous chemicals.

3 MANAGEMENT 1. Mad Science of Sacramento Valley reserves the right to assign equally to exhibitors the available display space and to exclude exhibits of a dangerous nature to exhibitors, visitors and the premises. 2. An exhibitor may not leave his or her display unattended during visiting hours, up to the closure of the event. 3. While every effort will be made to prevent damage to exhibits, Mad Science of Sacramento Valley, The Mad Science Group and its entities assume no responsibility for loss or damage to any exhibit or part thereof. AWARDS All Participants will receive a participation ribbon Grand Prize winner(s) will receive a Certificate for a FREE 1-hour workshop for their entire classroom! ($180 value)* *Alternate prizes may be awarded from community sponsors and if any are available, these prizes will be posted on the website no later than 4/25/11. HINTS ON PROJECT DESIGN 1. Each project must be self-supporting. SUGGESTION: Build or buy a 3- section fold science board (These are available at Staples, Michaels, Wal- Mart, etc.) 2. Arrange all project information and material within the allowable space: 4ft (width) x 3ft (depth) x 8ft (height). 3. The title is usually placed at the top of the center panel. Other information that should be displayed on the project board (hand-written, printed, or typed) can include: - The Question or Purpose - Materials - Method or Procedure - Results (can include drawings, photographs, charts, graphs) - Conclusion (what was discovered or learned) If you have questions about these specifications and your science fair project, please contact Elena Michel at Elena@madsciencesacto.com.

4 Childs Name: Project Title: The Scientific Method Worksheet Feel free to attach an additional sheet if more space is needed. (Due 4/28/11) Problem What are you trying to figure out? Write this in the form of a question. Hypothesis What do you think you are going to find out? What might happen? Remember there is no right or wrong answer; this is just an educated guess. Materials List the materials you will use in the experiment Procedures Make a detailed list the steps in your experiment. Results What did you observe when you performed the experiment? Conclusion From what you observed, how would you answer your question or problem? Was your hypothesis correct?

5 Suggested Project Timeline Week 1 - Fill out registration form and send to Mad Science - Choose a topic or problem to investigate - Check resources in a school or public library - Contact experts in the field - Gather all written material you can find on the topic Week 2 - Begin building display unit - Design all visual aids - Take photographs of experiments if needed - Collect items of display Week 3 - Construct background for display - Design and assemble graphs and/or charts - Complete experiments and record final data - Fill out The Scientific Method Worksheet Week 4 - Transport display to Mad Science office and show off your research! Important Dates: Friday April 1 st (12pm) Friday April 1 st Thursday April 28 th Thursday April 28 th Friday April 29 th Applications Due Confirmations ed to parent/guardian Set-up of projects begin Scientific Worksheet Due Science Fair Opens Suggested Sites: Parents, visit these sites for ideas for projects!

6 Mad Science Student Science Fair 2011 Application Form Mad Science use only Date Received: / / Approved: Y N Approval Initial: Student s Name: School: Male Female Grade: Favorite Mad Scientist: (check out the website for a list of all of the current science teachers.) Parent/Guardian Name: Address: Contact Phone: PROJECT TITLE: Individual Project Team Project All applications must be received by April 1 st, 2011 by noon. You will be notified via on April 1 st, if you have been selected to present your display for the science fair event. Please return application to: Mail: Mad Science of Sacramento Valley 1808 Tribute Road Suite E. Sacramento, CA Fax: (866) Elena Michel, elena@madsciencesacto.com

7 Mad Science of Sacramento Valley Student Science Fair Must be completed and turned in with application Rules of Conduct and Release Please read carefully, obtain proper signatures and return. ALL participating students are required to return this form to participate in the 2011 Student Science Fair Rules of Conduct 1. Scientific fraud and misconduct are not condoned at any level of research or competition. Such practices include plagiarism, forgery, use or presentation of other researcher s work as one s own and fabrication of data. Fraudulent projects will fail to qualify for the Mad Science Student Science Fair. 2. The use of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and/or drugs is prohibited. 3. Respect and maintenance of school property is required at all times. 4. Attendance is mandatory during the public exhibition of projects on Saturday. I have read and understand the above rules and agree to adhere to them to the best of my ability. I understand that a consequence of failure to meet these standards may be that I will be sent home immediately at my parents expense. Participating Student s Signature Parent/Legal Guardian Signature Liability for Exhibits Every effort will be made to protect exhibits from loss or damage. However, since the exhibition of projects at the event is open to the public, Mad Science of Sacramento Valley, Mad Science Group and/or its employees cannot and will not accept any liability or responsibility of any nature for any theft, loss or damage to any exhibit or any other property of any Exhibitor. Accordingly, it is recommended that each Exhibitor take all prudent precautions to prevent any theft, loss or damage to his/her Exhibit and/or other property. Each Exhibitor should secure and guard his/her Exhibit and/or other property at all times during the Exhibition, and remove all valuable components, especially those that are easily portable, when the Exhibit and/or other property is left unguarded by the Exhibitor. I have read the above paragraph, and understand and accept that Mad Science and its entities cannot and will not accept any liability or responsibility for theft or damage to my exhibit. Participating Student s Signature Parent/Legal Guardian Signature Publicity Organizations and businesses sponsoring awards at the Mad Science Student Science Fair may wish to publicize their involvement in the event, which may include reports of achievements at the competition by using photographs or information about you. We request your availability and cooperation when contacted, interviewed, photographed and videotaped by the media before, during and after the Science Fair. In addition, limited travel to local media outlets within the Sacramento region may be necessary to accommodate interview requests. Advance notice will be given. Your cooperation is requested but not required. Appropriate information about me may be used for publicity purposes. This includes photographs submitted by me as well as any photographs, videos or likenesses that may be used by Mad Science or the sponsors of awards for the purposes of illustration, advertising or publication in any manner. I also agree that I will cooperate with regard to all publicity in connection with the Student Science Fair Participating Student s Signature Parent/Legal Guardian Signature