During experimentation, keep detailed notes of each and every experiment, measurement and observation in a log book. Do not rely on memory. Besides, judges love logbooks! Use data tables or charts to record your quantitative data.

When you complete your experiments, examine and organize your findings. Use appropriate graphs to make ‘pictures’ of your data. Identify patterns from the graphs. This will help you answer your testable question. Did your experiments give you the expected results? Why or why not? Was your experiment preformed with the exact same steps each time? Are there other explanations that you had not considered or observed? Were there experimental errors in your data taking, experimental design or observations? Remember, that understanding errors is a key skill scientists must develop. In addition, reporting that a suspected variable did not change the results can be valuable information. That is just as much a ‘discovery’ as if there was some change due to the variable. In addition, statistically analyze your data using the statistics that you can understand and explain their meaning.

Did the variable(s) tested cause a change when compared to the standard you are using? What patterns do you see from your graph analysis that exist between your variables? Which variables are important? Did you collect enough data? Do you need to conduct more experimentation? Keep an open mind – never alter results to fit a theory. If your results do not support your hypothesis, that’s ok and in some cases good! Try to explain why you obtained different results than your literature research predicted for you. Were there sources of error that may have caused these differences? If so, identify them. Even if the results do differ, you still have accomplished successful scientific research because you have taken a question and attempted to discover the answer through quantitative testing. This is the way knowledge is obtained in the world of science. Think of practical applications that can be made from this research. How could this project be used in the real world? Finally, explain how you would improve the experiment and what would you do differently.

A project data book is your most treasured piece of work. Accurate and detailed notes make a logical and winning project. Good notes show consistency and thoroughness to the judges and will help you when writing your research paper. Data tables are also helpful. They may be a little ‘messy’ but be sure the quantitative data recorded is accurate and that units are included in the data tables. Make sure you date each entry.

A research paper should be prepared and available along with the project data book and any necessary forms or relevant written materials. A research paper helps organize data as well as thoughts. A good paper includes the following sections.

• a) Title Page and Table of Contents: The title page and table of contents allows the reader to follow the organization of the paper quickly.
• b) Introduction: The introduction sets the scene for your report. The introduction includes the purpose, your hypothesis, problem or engineering goals, an explanation of what prompted your research, and what you hoped to achieve.
• c) Materials and Methods: Describe in detail the methodology you used to collect data, make observations, design apparatus, etc. Your report should be detailed enough so that someone would be able to repeat the experiment from the information in you paper. Include detailed photographs or drawings of self-designed equipment. Only include this year’s work.
• d) Results: The results include data and analysis. This should include statistics, graphs, pages with your raw collected data, etc.
• e) Discussion: This is the essence of your paper. Compare your results with theoretical values, published data, commonly held beliefs, and/or expected results. Include a discussion of possible errors. How did the data vary between repeated observations of similar events? How were your results affected by uncontrolled events? What would you do differently if you repeated this project? What other experiments should be conducted?
• f) Conclusions: Briefly summarize your results. State your findings in relationships of one variable with the other. Support those statements with empirical data (one average compared to the other average, for example). Be specific, do not generalize. Never introduce anything in the conclusion that has not already been discussed. Also mention practical applications.
• g) Acknowledgments: You should always credit those who have assisted you, including individuals, businesses and educational or research institutions.
• h) References/Bibliography: Your reference list should include any documentation that is not your own (i.e. books, journal articles, websites, etc.). See an appropriate reference in your discipline for format or refer to the Instructions to Authors of the appropriate publication.

Three common reference styles are: APA (American Psychological Association) Style :
   http://apastyle.apa.org/
   http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ This resource, revised according to the 5th edition of the APA manual, offers examples for the general format of APA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/ footnotes, and the reference page.
MLA (Modern Language Association) Format:
   http://www.mla.org/style
   http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/
This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th ed.) and the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (2nd ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.
Chicago Manual of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style presents two basic documentation systems. The more concise author-date system has long been used by those in the physical, natural, and social sciences. In this system, sources are briefly cited in the text, usually in parentheses, by author’s last name and date of publication. The short citations are amplified in a list of references, where full bibliographic information is provided.

After finishing research and experimentation, you need to write an abstract. The abstract needs to be a maximum of 250 words on one page. An abstract should include the a) purpose of the experiment, b) procedures used, c) data, and conclusions. It also may include any possible research applications. Only minimal reference to previous work may be included. The abstract must focus on work done in the current year and should not include a) acknowledgments, or b) work or procedures done by the mentor. See below for an example of an appropriately written abstract. See page 28 of the International Rules for the proper formatting of an Official Intel ISEF Abstract and Certification. Please Note: The Official abstract form is only for those participating in ISEF and may not be required for many Affiliated or local fairs.

Effects of Marine Engine Exhaust Water on Algae Jones, Mary E. Hometown High School, Hometown, PA       This project in its present form is the result of bioassay experimentation on the effects of two-cycle marine engine exhaust water on certain green algae. The initial idea was to determine the toxicity of outboard engine lubricant. Some success with lubricants eventually led to the formulation of “synthetic” exhaust water which, in turn, led to the use of actual two-cycle engine exhaust water as the test substance.       Toxicity was determined by means of the standard bottle or “batch” bioassay technique. Scenedesmus quadricauda and Ankistrodesmus sp. were used as the test organisms. Toxicity was measured in terms of a decrease in the maximum standing crop. The effective concentration - 50% (EC50) for Scenedesmus quadricauda was found to be 3.75% exhaust water; for Ankistrodesmus sp. 3.1% exhaust water using the bottle technique.      Anomalies in growth curves raised the suspicion that evaporation was affecting the results; therefore, a flow-through system was improvised utilizing the characteristics of a device called a Biomonitor. Use of a Biomonitor lessened the influence of evaporation, and the EC 50 was found to be 1.4% exhaust water using Ankistrodesmus sp. as the test organism. Mixed populations of various algae gave an EC 50 of 1.28% exhaust water.      The contributions of this project are twofold. First, the toxicity of two-cycle marine engine exhaust was found to be considerably greater than reported in the literature (1.4% vs. 4.2%). Secondly, the benefits of a flow-through bioassay technique utilizing the Biomonitor was demonstrated. Patent and Copyright Information You may want to consider applying for a patent or copyright if you want to protect your work. You can contact the Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Patent Office, at 1-800-786-9199 for Patent information or the Library of Congress at 202-707-3000 for copyright information.

You want to attract and inform. Make it easy for interested spectators and judges to assess your study and the results you have obtained. You want to ‘catch the eye’ of the judges and convince them that the research is of sufficient quality to deserve closer scrutiny. Most displays or boards have three sections and are free standing. For the most part, the displays are put on a table. Most judges get a chance to look at the board before the interviews. Make the most of your space using clear and concise displays. You never get a second chance to make a first impression! Please be sure to reference the Display and Safety Rules on page 6 of the International Rules and Guidelines; this information is also available on the Society for Science & the Public website at www.societyforscience.org. Helpful hints for display:

• a) Current Year: Make sure the board reflects the current year’s work only. Prior year’s data books are permitted at your project.
• b) Good Title: Your title is an extremely important attentiongrabber. A good title should simply and accurately present your research and depict the nature of the project. The title should make the casual observer want to know more.
• c) Take Photographs: Many projects involve elements that may not be safely exhibited at the Fair, but are an important part of the project. You might want to take photographs of important parts/phases of your experiment to use in your display. Photograph or other visual images of human test subjects must have informed consent (Human Subject Form 4. Please see page 7 of the International Rules). Credit must be given for all photographs.
• d) Be Organized: Make sure your display follows a sequence and is logically presented and easy to read. Reach out to the ‘skim-reader’. A glance should permit anyone (particularly the judges) to locate quickly the title, abstract, experiments, results and conclusions. When you arrange your display, imagine that you are seeing it for the first time. Highlight your results using key graphs that show the relationships of the two variables tested. Use the graphs to give a ‘picture’ of the data for your viewers. These graphs will provide an easier method of viewing the data rather that just seeing the recorded quantitative data.
• e) Eye-Catching: Make your display stand out. Use neat, colorful headings, charts and graphs to present your project. Pay special attention to the labeling or graphs, charts, diagrams, photographs, and tables to ensure that each has a title and appropriate label describing what is being demonstrated. Anyone should be able to understand the visuals without further explanation.
• f) Correctly Presented and Well-Constructed: Be sure to adhere to the size limitations and safety rules when preparing your display. Display all required forms for your project. Make sure your display is sturdy, as it will need to remain intact for quite a while. You must also consider the weight of the project for shipping. It can be very costly to ship a heavy board. Keep your materials light, but strong.
  Please Note: The judges are judging your research, not the display. So don’t spend an excessive amount of time or money on the board. You are being judged on the science not the show!

Judges evaluate and focus on 1) what the student did in the current year; 2) how well a student followed the scientific, engineering, computer programming or mathematical methodologies; 3) the detail and accuracy of research as documented in the data book; and 4) whether experimental procedures were used in the best possible way.
Judges look for well thought-out research. They look at how significant your project is in it’s field; how thorough you were, and how much of the experiment thought and design is your own work.
Initially, judges get their information from your board, abstract and research paper to learn what the project is about, but it is the Interview that will be the final determination of your work. Judges applaud those students who can speak freely and confidently about their work. They are not interested in memorized speeches or presentations – they simply want to talk with you about your research to see if you have a good grasp of your project from start to finish. It is important to start the interview off right. Greet the judges and introduce yourself. You want to make a good first impression. Appearance, good manners, appropriate attire, and enthusiasm for what you are doing will impress the judges.
Judges often ask questions to test your insight into your projects such as: “How did you come up with this idea? “What was your role?”, “What didn’t you do?”, “What further plans do you have to continue research?” and “What are the practical applications of your project?” Remember that the judges need to see if you understand the basic principles of science behind your project or topic area. They want to determine if you have correctly measured and analyzed the data. They want to know if you can determine possible sources of error in your project and how you might apply your findings to the ‘real’ world. Finally, the judges seek to encourage you in your scientific efforts and your future goals/career in science. Relax, smile and enjoy your time to learn from them and accept their accolades for your fine work.

Intel ISEF Judging Criteria (points) Individual Team Creative Ability 30 25 Scientific Thought and Engineering Goals 30 25 Thoroughness 15 12 Skil 15 12 Clarity 10 10 Teamwork 10 10