Tips on Writing a Synopsis

A synopsis gives the essence of the project in brief. Ideally a synopsis should not exceed 250 words. Judges and other viewers should have a fairly accurate idea of the project from reading the synopsis. The synopsis must focus on the current year's research and give only minimal reference to previous work as applicable. Details, discussions and acknowledgements should not be included in the synopsis, but may be put in the longer research paper or given on the project exhibit board.

The following should be the elements in your synopsis:

a) Purpose of the experiment:

• An introductory statement of the reason for investigating
  the topic of the project
• A statement of the problem and/or the hypothesis being studied

b) Procedures used:

• A summary of the key points and an overview of how the
  investigation was conducted
• A synopsis does not give details about the materials used unless they greatly influenced the procedure or had to be developed to conduct the investigation
• A synopsis should only include procedures done by the student. Work done by a mentor (such as surgical procedures) or work done prior to student involvement must not be included

c) Data:

• This section should provide key results that lead directly to the
  conclusions you have drawn
• It should not give too many details about the results nor include tables or graphs

d) Conclusions:

• Conclusions from the investigation should be described briefly
• The summary paragraph should reflect on the process and possibly state some applications and extensions of the investigation

Tips on Writing a Good Screening Report

The Screening Report should present an accurate idea of your project to the judges during the screening stage. It is a very important document and you need to fill it in completely, to indicate the what, why & how of the project.

It would include the following details:

• Origin of the idea
• Objectives
• Place of research and time frame followed
• Type of work done
• Present status of the project leading to future research plans
• Focus on the research methodology followed and the various resources utilized
• Important experimental results as quantitative values with proper units
• Key diagrams and graphs to support your research
• Financial aspects of the project including comparative costs with similar, available products and technology would help gauge the feasibility of the idea
• The Judges would also like to know your creative contribution and the unique aspects of the project

Tips for Parents

• Give encouragement, support, and guidance
• Make sure your child feels it is his/her project. Make sure the work is primarily the work of the child
• Realize the main goal of a science fair project is to help your child use and strengthen the skills he/she has learned and develop higher-level skills
• The main goal should not be the ribbon or prize
• Provide transportation to libraries, nature centers, or universities that can help your child find project information
• Locate Internet access, either at home or at a school or library
• Help your child design a project that is safe and properly supervised
• Help at your local school Science Fair.  Contact your child’s teacher to volunteer
• Help your child plan a mutually agreed upon timeline to prevent a last minute project. It is suggested you allow at least 12 weeks to conduct an experiment and prepare the presentation.
• Do not worry or get upset if your child doesn’t win a prize at the Science Fair.  The skills the child has gained are worth all the effort
• Help your child begin to plan for next year

What is NOT accepted as an SRPC Project

Of the thousands of entries that we receive every year, many do not make it past the screening stage because they do not follow the scientific method are not research projects or innovative ideas.  Typical examples of projects that are not selected are:

• Merely repeating an experiment in your science textbook.  For e.g. generating oxygen from hydrogen peroxide solution, germination of seeds etc. 
• Writing an essay on a science topic. For e.g. uses of nuclear energy
• Making a wild hypothesis without personally doing any experiment or showing proof to support the concept. For e.g. a new data compression algorithm, method to separate oil from water, invisible garments, etc.
• Making unsubstantiated claims that violate known laws and principles of science. For e.g. perpetual motion machines, generating energy out of nothing etc.
• Toxicity studies and experiments that use the death of animals (even mice)
• Simple posters and models explaining science/technology principles e.g. model of a hydroelectric power station, models illustrating pollution control etc.

Important Do’s and Don’ts
Choosing a guide
You can take guidance from your teachers, research scientists or any qualified person who is capable of guiding your research project.  The guide will have to certify that the work has been done under his/her supervision, that no laws have been violated and that necessary care has been taken while carrying out research on living organisms, human subjects, recombinant DNA, controlled substances, non-human vertebrate animals, human and animal tissues, pathogenic agents, etc.
Conducting research for the project
Students are allowed to conduct experiments at home, in school or in laboratories of research institutions, universities, and colleges or at other recognized research facilities.  The data reflected in the report must not be more than 12 months old.  However, the project could be an extension of earlier work done by the student.

Restrictions on Human, Animal Subjects, controlled and Hazardous Substances

Human subjects

• Research must be reviewed and approved by organizers before experimentation begins
• Both the student and the organizers must carefully evaluate psychological and physical risks
• Informed consent is strongly recommended for all the project suing human subjects and is required for all subjects when the risk is determined as more than minimal by the organizers

Recombinant DNA

• Non-exempt rDNA studies must be conducted in a registered research institution under the direct supervision of a qualified scientist
• Non-federally registered laboratory (including school laboratory) under direct supervision of a trained teacher or qualified scientist

Controlled substances

• Students must adhere to all federal and state regulations governing controlled substances
• Students under 21 may not purchase and/or handle smokeless powder for science projects
•  

Non-human vertebrate

• Research must be reviewed and approved by the organizers before experimentation begins
• Alternative to the use of vertebrate animals for research must be explored
• All animals must be legally acquired from reputed animal breeders
• Experiments involving laboratory animals cannot be conducted in a student’s home; the governing organizers for behavioral studies can make exceptions
• Proper animal care must be provided daily including weekends, holidays and vacations
• Experimental procedures that cause unnecessary pain or discomfort are prohibited
• Experiments designed to kill vertebrate animals are not permitted.  Students may not prefer, euthanasia, except in emergency situations
• LD (50) or higher in any group or subgroup is not permitted
• Alcohol acid rain, insecticide, herbicide and heavy metal toxicity studies are prohibited

Human and animal tissue

• Human blood (and products) must be documented free of HIV and hepatitis viruses.  And/or must be handled by acceptable containment procedures applicable to blood borne pathogens
• Students using their own blood do not need HIV or hepatitis certificates
• For the purpose of student research, all body fluids, including saliva and urine (but excluding hair), are not to be considered tissues

Pathogenic agents

• Micro-organisms collected, isolated, and/or cultured from any environment should be considered potentially pathogenic

Online Resources

There are a number of excellent websites providing information on how to select and develop a research-based science project.  One very comprehensive website is www.sciencebuddies.com, which provides science project ideas, topic selection help, detailed guidance and planning, an online bulleting board and a lot more.