What is the Saturday Science Fair Prep (SSFP)?
SSFP is a free, Saturday-based program that designed to develop high school and Virginia Tech collaborations for mentoring underrepresented high school students (participants) by Virginia Tech faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates (mentors). The goal of the program is to facilitate research projects and preparation for the Blue Ridge Highlands Regional Science Fair on March 6-7, 2015. For more information about this competition, click here.
Who is eligible to participate in the SSFP?
This program is designed to accommodate students in grades nine through twelve attending Blacksburg High School, Christiansburg High School, or Radford High School who are interested in conducting a scientific research study. To be eligible to participate, applicant must be in one of the following categories:
- An underrepresented minority student (African-American, Native American, Hispanic, or Pacific Islander),
- A female student in fields where females are underrepresented (statistics and mathematics).
- Non-underrepresented applicants may be considered for participation if they come from an academically- or economically-disadvantaged background (below the poverty level).
What are more details about the SSFP program?
The SSFP program will host an initial Saturday workshop for all participants on November 1, 2014. This workshop will be for research planning, experimental design, and library orientation. During this workshop, participants and mentors will develop their schedules to conduct their research projects. Following the initial workshop, participants may use the Saturday research sessions on campus for their primary research location (e.g. mathematical sciences). Alternatively, participants conducting laboratory or field projects (e.g. life or physical sciences) will need to find research locations by working with their mentor.
When participants are ready to prepare their poster boards and presentations, the Saturday research sessions will include support and materials for that process. The elective research session will take place on fall Saturdays on November 1st, 8th, 15th, and December 6th, 2014, and on spring Saturdays on January 24th and 31st, February 7th, 14th, 21th, and 28th, 2015.
Each workshop and research session will be from 10:00am and 3:00pm on the Virginia Tech campus (location to be announced). During these hours, at least a faculty, graduate student, or undergraduate mentor will be present with the participant. Participants will be responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the campus. In each workshop and research session, lunch will be provided to all participants.
Participants are required to attend the initial workshop, but participation in the research sessions is determined by consultation with the participants’ mentors.
In this program, mentors will help participants with the following five areas:
Topic Development
Participants are encouraged to have a research topic prior to attending the initial workshop on November 1st. If a participant does not have a topic, the topic can be developed at that time using research topics that are extensions of research performed by the mentors. The initial workshop will include training on the use of the Virginia Tech library so that this facility is available to the participants.
Experimental Design
Participants will be coached in constructing and stating the experimental design that addresses the objectives of the research project. Mentors and participants will also discuss the research ethics, if any, as well as the research limitations, required equipment, and time frame. Some mentors may allow participants to use their laboratory facilities with supervision.
Statistical Analysis
Participants understand the importance of using statistical inference to produce structured, logical conclusions. Participants will have the opportunity to practice with the statistical methods needed for their respective research.
Project-Board Construction
After the experimentation and data collection for their research, mentors will guide the participants planning the presentation board for the BRSF. This includes understanding the components that appear on the board, the BRSF registration process, and guidelines for constructing the project board. Mentors can also require participants to create an electronic version of the presentation. All supplies, including the project board, will be provided to the participants. Participants will be allowed to store their projects on the campus.
Presentation Skills
In the final component, participants practice their presentations with their mentors. Mentors are responsible for providing constructive ideas that help participants describe their experiment and convey their research to the judges. Participants learn how to respond to possible questions that judges could ask involving their research, as well as learn how to respond to questions that they are unable to answer. Participants understand the importance of establishing a professional stance while presenting, wearing professional attire, and using an active voice while presenting.
When participants are ready to prepare their poster boards and presentations, the Saturday research sessions will include support and materials for that process. The elective research session will take place on fall Saturdays on November 1st, 8th, 15th, and December 6th, 2014, and on spring Saturdays on January 24th and 31st, February 7th, 14th, 21th, and 28th, 2015.
Each workshop and research session will be from 10:00am and 3:00pm on the Virginia Tech campus (location to be announced). During these hours, at least a faculty, graduate student, or undergraduate mentor will be present with the participant. Participants will be responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the campus. In each workshop and research session, lunch will be provided to all participants.
Participants are required to attend the initial workshop, but participation in the research sessions is determined by consultation with the participants’ mentors.
In this program, mentors will help participants with the following five areas:
- Topic Development
- Experimental Design
- Statistical Analysis
- Project-Board Construction
- Presentation Skills
Topic Development
Participants are encouraged to have a research topic prior to attending the initial workshop on November 1st. If a participant does not have a topic, the topic can be developed at that time using research topics that are extensions of research performed by the mentors. The initial workshop will include training on the use of the Virginia Tech library so that this facility is available to the participants.
Experimental Design
Participants will be coached in constructing and stating the experimental design that addresses the objectives of the research project. Mentors and participants will also discuss the research ethics, if any, as well as the research limitations, required equipment, and time frame. Some mentors may allow participants to use their laboratory facilities with supervision.
Statistical Analysis
Participants understand the importance of using statistical inference to produce structured, logical conclusions. Participants will have the opportunity to practice with the statistical methods needed for their respective research.
Project-Board Construction
After the experimentation and data collection for their research, mentors will guide the participants planning the presentation board for the BRSF. This includes understanding the components that appear on the board, the BRSF registration process, and guidelines for constructing the project board. Mentors can also require participants to create an electronic version of the presentation. All supplies, including the project board, will be provided to the participants. Participants will be allowed to store their projects on the campus.
Presentation Skills
In the final component, participants practice their presentations with their mentors. Mentors are responsible for providing constructive ideas that help participants describe their experiment and convey their research to the judges. Participants learn how to respond to possible questions that judges could ask involving their research, as well as learn how to respond to questions that they are unable to answer. Participants understand the importance of establishing a professional stance while presenting, wearing professional attire, and using an active voice while presenting.
Who do I contact for more questions?
Dr. Marlow Lemons
SSFP Program Director
417-C Hutcheson Hall (MC0439)
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Phone: (540) 231-1125
Email: [email protected]
SSFP Program Director
417-C Hutcheson Hall (MC0439)
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Phone: (540) 231-1125
Email: [email protected]
How do I register for this event?
Registration and parental consent are required to participate in this program. To register, scroll back up to the top of the website and click on the Registration tab. After sending your registration, please wait until you receive an email confirming your acceptance into the program. Afterwards, return to this website and print the consent form that is under the 'Consent Form' tab seen above. Print the consent form, sign it, and bring it to the orientation meeting on November 1, 2014.
Please note that a participant is ineligible to win any special awards offered by the mentor’s Virginia Tech department at the Blue Ridge Highlands Regional Science Fair.
Please note that a participant is ineligible to win any special awards offered by the mentor’s Virginia Tech department at the Blue Ridge Highlands Regional Science Fair.