| Take a minute to answer the following questions to help you decide which topic best suits your personal interests. 1. What activity do you most enjoy participating in?
2. What is your favorite magazine?
3. What are your future career goals?
4. Do you have any hobbies or do you participate in any sports? If yes, name them.
5. Have you ever completed a scientific research project in the past? If yes, list the title. Use your answers to the above questions to help select a category below. |
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May 2007 Intel ISEF Category
Descriptions
The categories in blue below have been modified with
the goal of better aligning judges and student projects for the judging
at the Intel ISEF. Local, regional, state and country fairs may or may
not choose to use these new categories, dependent on the needs of their
area. Please check with your affiliated fair(s) for the appropriate
category listings at that level of competition.
|
ANIMAL
SCIENCES
Development
Ecology
Animal Husbandry
Pathology
Physiology
Population Genetics
Systematics
Other
BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Clinical & Developmental Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Physiological Psychology
Sociology
Other
BIOCHEMISTRY
General Biochemistry
Metabolism
Structural Biochemistry
Other
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Cellular Biology
Cellular and Molecular Genetics
Immunology
Molecular Biology
Other
CHEMISTRY
Analytical Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
General Chemistry
Other
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Algorithms, Data Bases
Artificial Intelligence
Networking and Communications
Computational Science, Computer Graphics
Software Engineering, Programming Languages
Computer System, Operating System
Other
EARTH SCIENCE
Climatology, Weather
Geochemistry, Mineralogy
Paleontology
Geophysics
Planetary Science
Tectonics
Other
ENGINEERING: Materials and
Bioengineering
Bioengineering
Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Industrial Engineering, Processing
Material Science
Other
ENGINEERING: Electrical &
Mechanical
Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Controls
Mechanical Engineering
Thermodynamics, Solar
Robotics
Other | MEDICINE
& HEALTH SCIENCES
Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
Epidemiology
Genetics
Molecular Biology of Diseases
Physiology and Pathophysiology
Other
MICROBIOLOGY
Antibiotics, Antimicrobials
Bacteriology
Microbial Genetics
Virology
Other
PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Astronomy
Atoms, Molecules, Solids
Biological Physics
Instrumentation and Electronics
Magnetics and Electromagnetics
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Optics, Lasers, Masers
Theoretical Physics, Theoretical or Computational Astronomy
Other
PLANT SCIENCES
Agriculture/Agronomy
Development
Ecology
Genetics
Photosynthesis
Plant Physiology (Molecular, Cellular, Organismal)
Plant Systematics, Evolution
Other
ENERGY & TRANSPORTATION
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering, Aerodynamics
Alternative Fuels
Fossil Fuel Energy
Vehicle Development
Renewable Energies
Other
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
Air Pollution and Air Quality
Soil Contamination and Soil Quality
Water Pollution and Water Quality
Other
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Bioremediation
Ecosystems Management
Environmental Engineering
Land Resource Management, Forestry
Recycling, Waste Management
Other
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
Algebra
Analysis
Applied Mathematics
Geometry
Probability and Statistics
Other
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Team projects consist of 2-3 students that are judged in a multidisciplinary competition for Place, Trip and other awards. |
Don't forget about your school librarian. They possess a wealth of knowledge and can find information about all subjects. | 
The Readers' Guide to periodical literature lists current magazine articles for your bibliography and background research report. | 
If you are looking for newspaper articles on your topic, the NewsBank is a great resource that some libraries have available. |
Invertebrates make great experimental specimens for science fair projects. | 
Don't forget that microbiology projects should be done in a laboratory setting, especially when you are dealing with bacteria. | 
If you are using any hazardous chemicals in your experimentation, be sure to fill out the proper paperwork for your designated supervisor. |
Your title should always clearly state the main idea of your research. By using proper scientific terminology it also sounds professional. | 
Appropriate use of graphs and charts is essential to your display.
However, over using graphs and charts can really distract the judges from your incredible research as well as clutter your board. | 
You can usually display a computer with your set up, but let your fair director know that you will need to be placed by an electrical outlet. |
Some science fairs are held in local malls, where projects are put on display for public viewing. | 
A former OCRSEF participant standing by her award winning project at the State Science and Engineering Fair. OCRSEF has many students that go on to win big prizes and scholarships. |
This project uses excellent photography as well as a great display of apparatus. | 
Some projects you will see at state competitions are 2 & 3 year studies. Continuation projects usually score very well. |
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