INFORMATION SHEET – 2010 Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair

Please note this year’s program is being held in the Campus Center on the IUPUI campus, Indianapolis, Indiana, and is a one day event taking place on Saturday, March 27, 2010. 

Registration

All Pre-registration must be completed by the Regional Fair director or their designee. On-site check in opens at 8:00 A.M. The schedule with other information about the State Fair is on the website www.sefi.org/hsef. The Annual Program will be distributed at registration.

Student Participant Information

• Twenty-four Finalist candidates are invited to exhibit. These students are the top two high school winners at their Regional Science Fair. All Finalists are invited to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair, May 10-15, 2009 in Reno, Nevada.
• Thirty-six Senior candidates are invited to exhibit. They are the runner-up high school participants at their Regional Science Fairs. The top two winners competing in this division will join the Indiana Delegation as Hoosier Fair winners and compete at the 2009 International Science and Engineering Fair in May.
• Twelve Team candidates (one from each Regional Fair) are invited to exhibit.  They are the top high school team projects at their Regional competition.  The top team project will also join the Indiana Delegation as Hoosier Fair winners and compete at the 2009 International Science and Engineering Fair in May.
• Sixty Junior candidates are invited to exhibit. They are the top five student winners in grades 4-8 at their Regional Science Fairs. The Junior division will be judged for prizes and awards.
• All students are required to sign the liability waiver form and submit it during registration. All participating students will receive a gift of $50 following the meeting to help defray expenses for traveling to the State Event.
• All students must be present at the HSEF in order to be eligible to receive any prize or award.

FINALISTS AND THEIR TEACHERS MUST BE PRESENT FOR THE ENTIRE EVENT, INCLUDING THE POST FAIR MEETING TO DISCUSS THE TRAVEL ITINERARY AND OTHER INFORMATION. FAILURE TO ATTEND THE EVENT IN ITS ENTIRETY WILL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF TRAVEL AND HOUSING SUPPORT FROM THE FOUNDATION.

Research Exhibit Forms for students in grades 9-12

• The Finalist, Senior and Senior Team student exhibitors will be required to bring all of their research forms (International Rules for Pre-collegiate Student Research) that pertain to their research project. Bring the original forms and one (1) copy for submission to the HSEF Scientific Review Committee. All projects must be approved by the Hoosier Fair SRC Committee prior to the judging. You should also bring any notebooks containing data for the project. In addition, Finalists and Seniors should bring a copy of your abstract printed on the “official form” provided in 2009-2010 Society for Science and the Public's International Rules Guidebook. The website www.societyforscience.org/isef contains the International Rules Guidebook and the project forms which you will need.
• The exhibit floor will be open for setting up exhibits at 8:00 A.M. on the day of the event. Following set-up the project forms should be submitted to the SRC Committee for approval.
• Junior student exhibitors can set up their exhibits at 8:00 A.M.  The Junior abstract must be submitted electronically as part of the registration process to the SRC Committee. In addition, any other forms that were used in the research project should be presented to the SRC after setup.
• All students should bring their social security numbers with them to registration. (All care will be taken to ensure the privacy and security of this information). No awards will be given without the submission of the social security number.

Awards and Scholarships

All students will be recognized and honored with a medallion during the Awards Ceremony. Placement awards will be given to the Best of Show Projects in the Finalist, Senior, Senior Teams and Junior Divisions. Numerous special awards will also be presented along with the Foundation scholarships.

Scholarship applications will be sent to all 12th grade presenters who have been invited to attend the Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair. The applications will be collected as part of the registration process. If the Scholarship committee selects you for an interview, you will be notified during judging session. There are three SEFI scholarships offered at the HSEF. Each scholarship is named for one of the Foundation's original founders and leaders. This year's scholarships carry a value of $6,000 to be used for the first year of a college or university enrollment at an Indiana institution. Additional information will be provided in the scholarship application form sent to eligible participants.

Judging

There are two judging sessions where all students will be judged twice by an expert panel of judges. The judges will be top level scientists, engineers and educators with previous science fair experience.

Luncheon

A luncheon will be arranged for students and their sponsors/teachers. Please note that limited extra lunches will be available, regional fair directors are receiving instructions. All additional lunches will need to be purchased through the regional fair directors at a cost of $20 each. When all lunch tickets are accounted for, no additional lunches will be available. There are several nearby establishments for visiting guests to plan for lunch.

Feedback and Awards Program

The feedback session for students and teachers will be presented prior to the Awards Program. The feedback sessions are very helpful and all participants are encouraged to attend.

Housing
Individuals requiring rooms on Friday evening, March 26, 2010 will need to make their own arrangements. NO HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE BY THE FOUNDATION.