Student Information
1. Select a topic that lends itself to personal research and experimentation. For example, in the earth and space sciences, this might be a long-term, well-documented, observational study. Become an expert in your topic through reading. Keep a record of your sources, with appropriate page references for use in your bibliography.
2. Plan your research, starting with the statement of a problem or a question to be answered. Formulate a hypothesis. Include the equipment to be used, methodology involved, controls to be employed, sampling techniques, and methods of data collection and handling.
3. Assemble all materials needed for your research. Do your experimental research. Emphasis should be on the scientific principles involved, scientific methodology, and conclusions to be drawn from the activity.
4. Assemble your records, data, photographs, etc. derived from your research. Illustrate your presentation with prepared, carefully-drawn and lettered charts and demonstration materials. Consider the use of photographs.
5. Become familiar with the judging criteria posted on this web site. Prepare your presentation so that it is 5 minutes. Rehearse before an audience so that your talk can be presented in a natural style. If necessary, consult an English teacher for coaching in oral delivery.
6. Prepare an Abstract (a maximum of 250 words) that concisely summarizes your research. This will be available on the day of the Congress for use by the judges. The format for the Abstract is:
Statement of problem
Summary of methods and procedures
Condensed summary of findings
Bibliography (on separate page).
7. Each project will be judged at least three times, each time by a separate LISC judge. Projects being considered for SPECIAL AWARDS may be evaluated by additional judges. The decisions of all judges are final.
8. Project activity and preparation: All projects must be the work of the student(s) exclusively. The teacher or other adult may supervise, but not assist, in the preparation of the project. Major work on all projects must have been done by the applicants between January of the previous year and the date of the congress.
9. Photography and public consent: Student participants, by the act of submitting applications for Congress participation, give consent for the photographing and/or videotaping of the projects and/or the student participants, and for use of the resulting photographs/videos in the information and publicity materials of Long Island Science Congress and/or STANYS, the Science Teachers Association of New York State, as well as the media. If you do not wish to to have your name or photo released to media, you must complete the Media Release Form which can be found on our website under the Congress Instructions tab.
10.Signatures: the Science Congress Approval Form must be signed by:
Student
Parent
Adult Sponsor
*Mentor – if you worked at a registered research institution
School Building Principal
11. Project identification: Projects may be identified ONLY by the project's assigned LISC number.
12. NO SCHOOL IDENTIFICATION OF ANY KIND SHOULD APPEAR ON ANY MATERIALS OR DISPLAYS TO BE EXAMINED BY THE JUDGES (THIS INCLUDES ABSTRACTS AND ANY WRITTEN REPORTS).
13. NO changes of participants and/or projects will be permitted after the application filing deadline. NO substitute projects or surrogate presenters are allowed.
14. Disclaimer: Disqualification by LISC of a student may occur at any time regardless of accurate registration, including after project presentation, due to irregularities or insufficiencies of the project or its application.