The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
From Stepping Up
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The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair attracts over 1500 high school students from 40 countries. Unlike the Canada Wide Science Fair, Team Canada requires a lengthy application process. Sixteen students are chosen by an expert panel to represent Canada at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair each year. This usually includes 12 individual projects and 2 team projects. For more information, take a look at the YSF website. [ http://www.ysf.ca/Competitions/TeamCanada/]
Note that a some regional fairs in Canada send their award winners directly to the Intel ISEF. Be sure to check whether your regional fair does this. If your region sends finalists directly to the Intel ISEF, you *cannot* compete for a place at ISEF through YSF Team Canada AND your region. Students may apply for a place at ISEF through YSF Canada OR the regional organization, but not both.
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Do You Make the Grade?
To be eligible for Team Canada you must be:
- a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident
- currently attending grade 9-12 or, in Québec, secondaire III, IV, V or Cégep
- able to present your project in English
The Application Process
Applying to Team Canada is a six part process.
1. Tell YSF that you are planning to apply. Send an email to team.canada@ysf-fsj.ca. If you don't already have a mentor, the National Mentorship Program can help you connect with a someone who can be reviewing your proposal before you begin experimentation.
2. Log into your online account. Once YSF receives your intent to apply, you will be sent a confirmation email with login information for the Team Canada IISEF Applicant Account. In this account, you will be asked to provide contact information, a tentative title for your project, and to download, complete the re-upload the IISEF forms required for your project.
3. Complete the application phase of the project by December 15th! All projects for Team Canada need to be approved before you begin your work. Complete all parts of the online application described in step two ASAP, but no later than December 15th.
4. Begin working on your project. Once the online application is complete, start work on your project. A short-list of candidates will be prepared by January 31st.
5. If you are selected as a final candidate. If you are chosen as one of the short-listed candidates, you will be sent an email. This email will detail the requirements for the final submission. Your role in the online application will also change to Team Canada Candidate and you will be asked to provide further information regarding your project including a report and a Powerpoint Presentation.
6. Selection Day Team Canada Finalists for 2008 will be chosen on Sunday, March 16th, 2008.
For more information, follow this link to the YSF website. [1]
Note: the following are examples of excellent 5-page reports of Canadian projects that were selected and that placed at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
www.oaml.com/PDF/040201.pdf --> "Using Viruses to Kill Cancer", Natalie Raso. 3rd Place Grand Award, Medicine and Health (2005)
http://quark.physics.uwo.ca/teamcana/2005/adrian_veres.pdf --> "Logic Genomics", Adrian Veres. 1st Place Grand Award, Biochemistry (2006)
http://quark.physics.uwo.ca/teamcana/2005/dustin_hughes.pdf --> "It's Raining... Carbon?", Dustin Huges. 3rd Place Grand Award, Environmental Sciences (2005)
http://quark.physics.uwo.ca/teamcana/2005/sami_obaid.html --> "Dopaminergic Neurons from Bone Marrow Stem Cells: An Acceptable, Potential Therapy for Parkinson's disease", Sami Obaid. 2nd Place Grand Award, Medicine and Health (2005)
http://quark.physics.uwo.ca/teamcana/2004/lang_report.pdf --> "Optical Tactile Sensors for Medical Palpation", Pencilla Lang. 3rd Place Grand Award, Engineering (2002)
Paperwork Nightmare
When applying for Team Canada, you will have to do a TON of paperwork. Use the checklist on the Society for Science website to help you decide which forms you need. [2] International Science and Engineering Fair forms are perhaps the most complicated forms you will ever have to fill out in your high school career. Below are some tips for filling out these forms.
1. Always double check your dates. One of the most common mistakes made on IISEF forms involve incorrect dates. Remember, the start date for your project should be AFTER the form review dates.
2. Make sure your dates are in the correct format. All dates should be written in the format, 11 Dec 2007.
3. Use the ISEF Forms Instructions, available from the Download section of the registration site. This is a checklist for each of the ISEF forms. These are so complicated and detailed, that less than one person per year on average fills them out correctly the first time, so it is important to have the instructions by your side as you complete each form. This will ensure you are one of those unique applicants who fill in the correctly forms the very first time.
4. Make copies of everything! You don't want to lose all the time you spent on the paperwork because your computer decides to be silly. Just in case, keep your copies until the process is finished, because computers on the other side of the application process can decide to be silly, too.
5. When in doubt, complete the form. If you are not sure whether you need a specific form for the fair, its always a good idea to submit it and let the committee decide whether it is relevant or not.
The Big Day
So, you've been shortlisted as a Team Canada candidate. Selection day is coming up. What should you do? Here are some tips for Selection Day.
1. Review your notes. Before selection day, its always a good idea to go over your notes from the research. Make sure you know all the terms, concepts, theories etc. that you have used in your project and can explain them to someone. Its good to try and explain complex principals from your project to someone who has limited knowledge about your project.
2. Don't panic! Like most people, you will probably get nervous before your phone interview. Take a deep breath and hope for the best. The interviews usually last around 15 minutes. Try your best to keep your calm and answer the questions confidently.
3. Expect the unexpected. Many times, during the interview, the interviewer will ask you personal questions regarding your project like "How you came up with the idea?" or "What do you like most about your project?". Be prepared to answer these questions.
4. Know your stuff. Many students know all the specific details about their project, but forget the big picture. Make sure you are confident in explaining the broader fundamental concepts related to your project.
5. Have your files handy. Sometimes, you may be asked a question which refers to a specific slide or part of your research paper. It is always helpful to have your Power Point Presentation and Research Paper handy just in case.
What to Expect
Getting there: Team Canada meets at a predetermined location in the Toronto area. From there, the team will head to the Ontario Institute of Technology for the next two days. Here, each finalist presents their project to professors at the institute and gets feedback. There is also a media workshop before the big media event the following day. After this, the Team heads to Toronto. A media event is held. The following day, the entire team travels to IISEF from the airport.
Accommodations: During the week, you will be staying in dorms and hotels. When at the Ontario Institute of Technology, you will be sharing a dorm room with another member from the team. In Toronto and at IISEF, you will be sharing a hotel room with another member of the team.
Food: At IISEF, you will usually be eating your meals with your team unless there is a banquet or social event. Team Canada members eat at restaurants or at the hotel. You will be given "meal money" in the beginning for when you are not eating with the entire group.
Setting up your project: Unlike CWSF, you cannot get a project display board at the fair. Some students bring their board with them while others ship it beforehand. If you have shipped your board, it will be waiting at your booth when you arrive. You will have time to setup your project, followed by a safety inspection.
Judgment Day: Judging day at IISEF is similar to CWSF in many respects. The dress code is business formal so remember to dress appropriately. Judges will have a time limit in which to judge your project after which they must move on to their next project. Remember to fit your presentation in the given time, still leaving time for some questions. Since judges have gone through your project, it may be helpful to ask them whether there is a specific area they would like you to go into detail on.
Having fun!: During the week, you will have the chance to visit attractions with your team. Whether it be rock climbing or a snowball fight at the top of a Sandia Peak in Albuquerque, there are many chances to have fun. The week also includes several banquets and cultural shows at the award ceremonies.
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