STUDENT GUIDELINES

1. Select a topic that lends itself to personal research and experimentation. In the earth and space sciences, this might be a long-term, well-documented, observational study.

2. Become an expert in your topic through reading. Keep a record of your sources, with appropriate page references for use in your bibliography.

3. Plan your research, starting with the statement of a problem or a question to be answered. Formulate a hypothesis. Include the equipment to be used, methodology involved, controls to be employed, sampling techniques, and methods of data collection and handling. Long Island Science Congress winners selected as NYS Science Congress participants are required to submit a 2000 word scientific paper on their project. Note that the NYS Science Congress requires the project to be reviewed by a Science Review Committee before the project is begun so that you should clarify this with your liaison teacher before beginning your project. Details of these requirements are available at www.STANYS.org.

4. Assemble all materials needed for your research.

5. Do your experimental research. Emphasis should be on the scientific principles involved, scientific methodology, and conclusions to be drawn from the activity. See paragraph #3 above about the NYS Science Congress requirements.

6. Assemble your records, data, photographs, etc. derived from your research.

7. Illustrate your presentation with prepared, carefully-drawn and lettered charts and demonstration materials. Consider the possible use of photographs.

8. Become familiar with the judging criteria posted elsewhere on this web site.

9. Prepare your presentation so that it does not exceed eight minutes. Rehearse before an audience so that your talk can be presented in a natural style. If necessary, consult an English teacher for coaching in oral delivery.

10. Prepare a minimum of five (5) copies of both your Abstract (a maximum of 250 words) and bibliography, each on a separate page. These must be available on the day of the Congress for use by the judges. Do not indicate your school name. The format for the Abstract is:
" Statement of problem
" Summary of methods and procedures
" Condensed summary of findings
" Bibliography (on separate page)

11. Each project will be judged at least twice, each time by a separate LISC judge. Projects being considered for SPECIAL AWARDS may be evaluated by additional judges.

12. The decisions of all judges are final.

13. Project activity and preparation: All projects must be the work of the student(s) exclusively. The teacher or other adult may supervise, but not assist, in the preparation of the project. Major work on all projects must have been done by the applicants between June of the previous year and April of this School year.

14. Photography and public consent: Student participants, by the act of submitting applications for Congress participation, give consent for the photographing and/or videotaping of the projects and/or the student participants, and for use of the resulting photographs/videos in the information and publicity materials of Long Island Science Congress and/or STANYS, the Science Teachers Association of New York State, as well as the media.

15. Scientific paper (SENIOR DIVISION ONLY): Those selected as a result of LISC participation to enter the State Science Congress MUST write a scientific paper of about 2000 words for submission with their State Science Congress application materials. The format of the paper is
Introduction
Definition of problem
Review of literature relating to the study
Experimental design
Description of the data collected
Analysis of the data
Conclusions and discussion
Need for further study
Literature cited when appropriate
List of references or bibliography
Footnotes

16. Signatures: Your liaison teacher and Principal must sign the Checklist. No student signatures are required.

17. Project identification: Projects may be identified ONLY by the project's assigned LISC number. Place this number on the project. NO SCHOOL IDENTIFICATION OF ANY KIND SHOULD APPEAR ON ANY MATERIALS OR DISPLAYS TO BE EXAMINED BY THE JUDGES (THIS INCLUDES ABSTRACTS AND ANY WRITTEN REPORTS).

18. Proper date: Projects and presenters must be present on the proper date and in the proper location at the proper time.

19. Assigned location: Projects are to be set up only in their specific assigned locations. They must not be moved to other locations. It is the entrants' responsibility to be present with their projects during the entire judging period. NO changes of participants and/or projects will be permitted after the filing postmark deadline. NO substitute projects or surrogate presenters are allowed.

20. Participants must remain in Nold Hall during the Congress. They may not wander around the campus. They may not leave the campus until they leave for the day. They are to be supervised by assigned persons from their own schools.

21. Order: Participants should keep all areas they use and all parts of the building neat and clean. All debris, trash, and unwanted materials must be placed in proper waste receptacles. All spills must be cleaned up promptly. All property must be respected, properly used, and cared for.

22. Food and/or beverages must NOT be consumed in the exhibit area. They are restricted to designated areas outside of the exhibit room.

23. Table space is limited to 90 cm x 70 cm per project. NO floor space or other table space will be available. Violators will be disqualified and NOT accepted for judging.

24. No electricity will be available for any project, nor will any extension cords be permitted.

25. Equipment ,apparatus and materials not directly related to, and necessary for, proper project presentation should not be brought to the Congress.

26. Security: Participants must assume responsibility for the protection of their belongings and all parts of their project displays at all times. Participants should assure that if it is necessary to be away from their projects at any time a neighbor or teacher is watching their belongings and projects for them.

27. Disclaimer: Registration by the LISC does not prohibit the disqualification of a student at any time, including after the project is presented at the Congress, due to irregularities or insufficiencies of the project or its application.