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ESF Outreach & Syracuse City School District proudly present
2012 ESF Environmental Challenge
Science Fair and Career Exploration for 7th & 8th grade students

Past Environmental Challenges

Science Around Central New York

Wednesday, March 14, 2012, At ESF and the SU Carrier Dome

Congratulations to all this year's participants! Thank you to the 100+ volunteers who make this event possible!

The Environmental Challenge is a science fair and career exploration opportunity designed especially for all Syracuse City School District seventh and eighth grade students.

Environmental Challenge encourages:

Student projects that support and extend 7/8th grade science curriculum
Student research, scientific inquiry, and critical thinking
Students to begin exploring science and science-related careers
Students to explore and understand the urban environment and its relationship to the global environment
Eligible students to participate in the Greater Syracuse Scholastic Science Fair

Important Changes:

This year’s theme for the Environmental Challenge is Science Around Central New York.
To add emphasis to the career exploration component, students must include a section in their project about what career (broadly relating to science) is related to their project’s question, and what employers in Central New York offer similar careers.
The Career and Employer Categories will be added to the project evaluation rubric = 20% of the overall project score.

Rules and Guidelines to Follow:

Projects should conform to ISEF rules regarding HUMAN SUBJECTS, VERTEBRATE ANIMALS, POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS BIOLOGICAL AGENTS, and HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS, ACTIVITIES or DEVICES. http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/rulesandguidelines
The ISEF forms are not required unless projects fall into non-exempt areas of the categories above. ESF Outreach recommends avoiding projects requiring an Institutional Review Board (IRB) for Human Subjects or a Scientific Review Committee (SRC) for Vertebrate Animals, Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents, and Hazardous Chemicals, Activities or Devices.
Schools are responsible for all student projects the require IRB and SRC review under ISEF rules. ESF Outreach is unable to review or support projects and the IRB/SRC process.
Projects that entail combustion of any sort are strongly discouraged. There should be no demonstrations of combustion/flammability at the Science Fair; it will result in immediate disqualification and confiscation of materials.
No liquids or food items should be brought along with projects. (Carrier Dome field rule)

Teachers and Student Information

New Rules and Guidelines and Suggestions for Successful Projects (PDF)
Science Project Planning Sheet (PDF)
Environmental Challenge Rubric (criteria) (PDF)
Registration Forms (school and student forms, download and print) (PDF)
Students are encouraged to also present their projects at the Greater Syracuse Scholastic Science Fair on Sunday, March 25th.

Volunteer Judge Information

Judge Invitation (PDF)
Parking and Directions (PDF)

Take the opportunity to influence the lives of young scientists! The encouragement and interest shown by volunteer judges is an essential part of the Challenge experience. Co-sponsorships, recognized on our website and printed materials, are available for organizations with groups of 3 or more judges.

Special Thanks to: