WHAT’S REALLY NEW? WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE CATEGORIES???? TIM FINO & KATHY KITZMANN FAIR DIRECTORS MDSTA – NOVEMBER 7, 2015 Science & Engineering Fair.

WHAT’S REALLY NEW? WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE

CATEGORIES????

TIM FINO & KATHY KITZMANNFAIR DIRECTORS

MDSTA – NOVEMBER 7 , 2015

Science & Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit

CATEGORIES – LOTS and LOTS

www.sefmd.org Entry Form Info Category Desc(also on the home page)

Same Categories as the International Science Fair

Categories will be grouped together for judging

Categories (* = no category change)

Animal Sciences (previously was Zoology)Biomedical and Health SciencesBiochemistry*Biomedical & Health SciencesCellular and Molecular BiologyChemistry*Computational Biology and BioinformaticsEarth and Environmental SciencesEmbedded SystemsEnergy: ChemicalEnergy: Physical

And still more Categories (*=no change)

Engineering MechanicsEnvironmental EngineeringMaterials ScienceMathematics *Microbiology *Physics and AstronomyPlant Sciences (previously was Botany)Robotics and Intelligent MachinesSystems SoftwareREFER TO THE WEB SITE FOR DESCRIPTIONS AND SUB- CATEGORIES!!!!

Animal Sciences (ANIM)

This category includes all aspects of animals and animal life, animal life cycles, and animal interactions with one another or with their environment. Examples of investigations included in this category would involve the study of the structure, physiology, development, and classification of animals, animal ecology, animal husbandry, entomology, ichthyology, ornithology, and herpetology, as well as the study of animals at the cellular and molecular level which would include cytology, histology, and cellular physiology.

Subcategories: Animal Behavior - Ecology - Physiology Cellular Studies - Genetics - Systematics and

Evolution Development - Nutrition & Growth - Other

Behavioral & Social Sciences (BEHA)

The science or study of the thought processes and behavior of humans and other animals in their interactions with the environment studied through observational and experimental methods.

Subcategories: Clinical & Developmental - Sociology & Social

Psychology Psychology - Other

Cognitive Psychology Physiological Psychology

Biochemistry (BCHM)

The study of the chemical basis of processes occurring in living organisms, including the processes by which these substances enter into, or are formed in, the organisms and react with each other and the environment.

Subcategories: Analytical Biochemistry - Structural Biochemistry General Biochemistry - Other Medicinal Biochemistry

Biomedical & Health Sciences (BMED)

This category focuses on studies specifically designed to address issues of human health and disease. It includes studies on the diagnosis, treatment, prevention or epidemiology of disease and other damage to the human body or mental systems. Includes studies of normal functioning and may investigate internal as well as external factors such as feedback mechanisms, stress or environmental impact on human health and disease.

Subcategories: Disease Diagnosis - Nutrition Disease Treatment - Physiology &

Pathology Drug Development & Testing - Other Epidemiology

Cellular & Molecular Biology (CELL)

This is an interdisciplinary field that studies the structure, function, intracellular pathways, and formation of cells. Studies involve understanding life and cellular processes specifically at the molecular level.

Subcategories: Cell Physiology - Molecular Biology Genetics - Neurobiology Immunology - Other

Chemistry (CHEM)

Studies exploring the science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter not involving biochemical systems.

Subcategories: Analytical Chemistry - Materials Chemistry Computational Chemistry - Organic Chemistry Environmental Chemistry - Physical Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry - Other

Computational Biology & Bioinformatics (CBIO)

Studies that primarily focus on the discipline and techniques of computer science and mathematics as they relate to biological systems. This includes the development and application of data-analytical and theoretical methods, mathematical modeling and computational simulation techniques to the study of biological, behavior, and social systems.

Subcategories: Biomedical Engineering - Computational

Pharmacology Computational Biomodeling - Genomics Computational Evolutionary - Other

Biology Computational Neuroscience

Earth & Environmental Sciences (EAEV)

Studies of the environment and its effect on organisms/systems, including investigations of biological processes such as growth and life span, as well as studies of Earth systems and their evolution.

Subcategories: Atmospheric Science - Geosciences Climate Science - Water Science Environmental Effects - Other

on Ecosystems

Embedded Systems (EBED)

Studies involving electrical systems in which information is conveyed via signals and waveforms for purposes of enhancing communications, control and/or sensing.

Subcategories: Circuits - Optics Internet of Things - Sensors Microcontrollers - Signal Processing Networking & Data - Other

Communications

Energy: Chemical (EGCH)

Studies involving biological and chemical processes of renewable energy sources, clean transport, and alternative fuels.

Subcategories: Alternative Fuels - Microbial Fuel Cells Computational Energy Science - Solar Power Fossil Fuel Energy - Other Fuel Cells & Battery Development

Energy: Physical (EGPH)

Studies of renewable energy structures/processes including energy production and efficiency.

Subcategories: Hydro Power - Thermal Power Nuclear Power - Wind Solar - Other Sustainable Design

Engineering Mechanics (EMNC)

Studies that focus on the science and engineering that involve movement or structure.  The movement can be by the apparatus or the movement can affect the apparatus.

Subcategories: Aerospace & Aeronautical - Industrial Engineering

Engineering Processing Civil Engineering - Mechanical

Engineering Computational Mechanics - Naval Engineering Control Theory - Other Ground Vehicle Systems

Environmental Engineering (ENEV)

Studies that engineer or develop processes and infrastructure to solve environmental problems in the supply of water, the disposal of waste, or the control of pollution.  

Subcategories: Bioremediation - Recycling & Waste

Management Land Reclamation - Water Resources

Management Pollution Control - Other

Materials Science (MATS)

The study of the characteristics and uses of various materials with improvements to their design which may add to their advanced engineering performance.  

Subcategories: Biomaterials - Electronic,

Optical, & Magnetic Materials

Ceramic & Glasses - Nano Materials Composite Materials - Polymers Computation & Theory - Other

Mathematics (MATH)

The study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. The deductive study of numbers, geometry, and various abstract constructs, or structures.  

Subcategories: Algebra - Number Theory Analysis - Probability &

Statistics Combinations, Graph Theory - Other

and Game Theory Geometry & Topology

Microbiology (MCRO)

The study of micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, prokaryotes, and simple eukaryotes as well as antimicrobial and antibiotic substances.

Subcategories: Antimicrobial & Antibiotics - Microbial

Genetics Applied Microbiology - Virology Bacteriology - Other Environmental Microbiology

Physics & Astronomy (PHYS)

Physics is the science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two. Astronomy is the study of anything in the universe beyond the Earth.

Subcategories: Atomic, Molecular, - Magnetics, Electromagnetics

& Optical Physics & Plasmas Astronomy & Cosmology - Mechanics Biological Physics - Nuclear & Particle

Physics Computational Physics & - Optics, Lasers, Masers

Astrophysics Condensed Matter & Materials - Quantum Computation Instrumentation - Theoretical Physics

Plant Sciences (PLNT)

Studies of plants and how they live, including structure, physiology, development, and classification. Includes plant cultivation, development, ecology, genetics and plant breeding, pathology, physiology, systematics and evolution.

Subcategories: Agronomy - Pathology Growth & Development - Physiology Ecology - Systematics &

Evolution Genetics/Breeding - Other

Robotics & Intelligent Machines (ROBO)

Studies in which the use of machine intelligence is paramount to reducing the reliance on human intervention.

Subcategories: Biomechanics - Robot Kinematics

Cognitive Systems - Machine Learning Control Theory - Other

Systems Software (SOFT)

The study or development of software, information processes or methodologies to demonstrate, analyze, or control a process/solution.    

Subcategories: Algorithms - Programming

Languages Cybersecurity - Operating Systems Databases - Other

OTHER BIG CHANGES

SRC Forms, especially #4 (Human Subjects) – see next slide

Category Description Abbreviations Sub Categories may be added Team Projects (in Senior Division, judged with

category; in Junior Division, judged as Team) Team Quota (Jr Div=4, Sr Div=none) Overall Quota =50 (total of ALL projects/school)

SRC Form #4 (Human Subjects)

KEY DATES for 2016 Fair

Sat, Nov 21 – 1:00-3:00 PM – Presentation at Detroit Public Library on doing a SF projectTue, Dec 1, 5:00 PM – Deadline for: - Early Affiliation - SRC paperwork for Senior Div StudentsFri, Feb 12, 2016: 11:59 PM – Entry Form Deadline

And now – QUIZ TIME!!!

- A pseudo random selection of past participant abstracts will be displayed. Use the resources you have to determine the appropriate CATEGORY and SUBCATEGORY. Hint – all the abstracts received a first place or higher award

8th Grade (41654)

My project will use shredded copy paper, cardboard, newspaper, butcher paper to make a recycled paper product. I will then test the tensile strength, ink absorption and brightness of each product. My hypothesis is that the butcher paper will produce the best recycled paper product because it is the most homogenous raw material. Recycled paper comes from these sources. High quality paper still uses new resources, virgin paper, so it has a higher impact on the environment. If we can separate these recycled paper product streams then we can use less virgin wood pulp to create high quality paper. This would have a positive impact on the environment both in the short term and in the long term.

7th Grade (42272)

My purpose was to figure out what shape of parachute would float down the slowest. My hypothesis was that the square parachute would float down the slowest.I gathered all materials.I cut the cloth into a rectangle,square,triangle and round shape.I got cloth for my parachutes and used strings which were attached.Then I attached paperclips to the parachutes for weights.I did the experiment and recorded the time for its descent.

I dropped the parachute and the square got 3.66 seconds which was the highest time for descent, therefore the slowest.So my hypothesis was correct.My hypothesis was that the square would drop the slowest.After doing the experimentation I found that my hypothesis was correct.My experiment will benefit society for paratroopers and skydivers.If the paratroopers need to descend quickly they will know not to use square parachutes

12th Grade (42058)

Biodegradable orthopedic implants have recently gained attention because they facilitate the avoidance of multiple surgeries. Although polymeric bone plates have been found attractive due to their ability to last up to a couple of years and degrade by hydrolysis, their low Young’s modulus is a limitation. Magnesium and its alloys, on the other hand, have strong potential for orthopedic implants due to their established biodegradability, biocompatibility and bioabsorbability. This investigation focused on the magnesium alloys, AZ31, AZ61 and AZ91, for bone plate application during fracture fixation. The purpose was to assess the time for dissolution of the magnesium alloy bone plates, manipulate design features to suit a desired healing time, and evaluate the impact of degradation on the mechanical performance of the implant. The hypothesis was: If the corrosion rates of the alloys are known, then the alloys could be engineered for biodegradable bone plate applications through the manipulation of design to accommodate time for healing. The mechanical performance could potentially be predicted based on degradation kinetics. To test this hypothesis, the corrosion rate of AZ31 was established in prior experiments. Corrosion data of AZ61 and AZ91 from literature was also used. These data were utilized to manipulate bone plate geometry and determine the material’s longevity in the human body. The change in the mechanical performance of the degrading plate was assessed. The hypothesis was proven to be correct. The chosen magnesium alloys could be engineered as candidate materials for biodegradable bone plate applications through intelligent manipulation of design

10th Grade (41369)

RoadAnalyzer is an app that accurately records data from the in-phone accelerometer and GPS tracker to a file, which displays that data in Excel. When driving over gravel roads, the accelerometer detects change in movement while going over divots and potholes in the road. The information is then saved onto the phone inside of a designated file. This file, a CSV (Comma-Separated Value) file, can easily be opened in Excel or any other spreadsheet programs. The data from the files, specifically the gravity vector and the Y-value of the acceleration, are used to determine the bumpiness of the gravel road, and the need of the road being graded.The data stored in the CSV files also includes GPS location, so that the specific gravel road that the data was collected from can be easily determined without human error. This information can be useful because you can determine if a specific city or county’s gravel roads are consistently worse than others and for what reason.This program was used to compare gravel roads across the southeastern part of Michigan. The control used in the experiment was the newly paved portion of I-96, while Napier Road was a gravel road in good condition. Old Michigan Road, a road in Belleville, was used a gravel road in poor condition. Using these three roads, the data produced from the program can easily be observed and show how speed and the up-and-down acceleration of the car widely varies.The program can be used to maintain better gravel road conditions. By using this app, data can be produced to tell which gravel roads need to be graded. This app can potentially save vehicle owners thousands of dollars in car repairs if gravel roads are kept in good condition.

8th Grade (32918)

In this experiment, I demonstrated how the shape or structure of a capacitor would affect its capabilities. I hypothesized that if the shape or structure of a capacitor is changed, then its capacitance ability will be altered. To accomplish this, I made three homemade capacitors using wax paper and aluminum foil, each set up in a different shape or structure. I then charged the three capacitors with the same type of battery for the same amount of time. Lastly, a multimeter was used to measure the amount of millivolts discharged by each capacitor. I concluded that the shape or structure of a capacitor does alter its abilities, and that the biggest factor of how the shape or structure changes capacitance is the area of the aluminum plate contact through the wax paper. For example, what we called the "rolled" shaped capacitor, the one with the most area contact between the aluminum plates, discharged a maximum voltage of 1902 millivolts, while the "tube" shaped capacitor, the one with the least area contact between the aluminum plates, only discharged a maximum voltage of 78.9 millivolts.

8th Grade (35633)

It is controversial whether electromagnetic fields (EMF’s) produced by cell phones are harmful, causing cancer and tumors. Anything that has electrical current produces EMF’s. In our modern day society we have become dependent on electrical devices which have greatly increased our exposure to EMF’s. Many of these devices are carried on or close to our bodies: in pockets, in under-garments, in purses/bags, attached to belts or held in your hand. It is not unusual to see people with a cell phone in hand, as if it is a permanent body part. The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate which type of cell phone has the greatest effect on the body’s voltage. If I measure the body voltage with a multimeter, while using different types of cell phones, I hypothesize that the smart type cell phone will have the greatest effect on the body’s voltage because it uses more electricity to operate. To control ambient EMF’s, lights, electrical devices, and WiFi were turned off. A test subject with a surface electrode on their neck was attached to a multimeter, with the Com terminal attached to ground. Subject placed bare feet on a grounding pad to zero their body voltage. Feet were removed from pad and a baseline voltage was recorded. Subject placed an activated cell phone to their ear. The body voltage was recorded. Procedure was repeated with 8 different cell phones. The hypothesis was supported with smart phones increasing the body voltage 5 times more than basic cell phones

Key to previous categories

ID Previously  41654 Chemistry  42272 Physics  42058 Engineering  41369 Computer Science  32918 Physics  35633 Medicine & Health