Volunteer Signup

Project of the Year Award

$5,000 in the Senior Division, $2,500 in the Junior Division
Senior Division: S0906, Shiloh S. Curtis
Grade 11, Laughing Thunder Academy, Sunnyvale, CA, Santa Clara County
Advisor: Dr. Youssef Ismail from Schmahl Science Workshop, San Jose.
Project: Enabling Situational Awareness: A Hat-Based Hands-Free Haptic
Navigational Aid for the Visually Impaired

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2014 Special Awards

Excellence in Environmental Education Award – For …. One award in each division. Award is $500. Presented by the California Environmental Education Foundation.
Junior Division: J1018, Ananya Karthik, Santa Clara County

Math and Science Teachers Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Computer Science Studies– For achievement in mathematics and software studies. This is a tribute to all mathematics and science teaching professionals. Limited to projects in the Senior Division. Award is $500. Presented anonymously.
Award: S1416, Nitya Mani, Santa Clara County

Raytheon Junior Achievement Award – For those projects which demonstrate the greatest potential with ability of achieving technological breakthroughs in the six areas of computer science, electrical engineering, materials engineering, mathematics, mechanical engineering, and physics. Limited to projects in the Junior Division. Award is $500. Presented by the Raytheon Asian Pacific Association (RAPA) – Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems Company.
Award: J0906, Raghav Ganesh, Santa Clara County
Award: J1315, Holly M. Jackson, Santa ClaraCounty

Science Teachers Award for Excellence in Electronics and Electromagnetics Studies – For achievement in electronics and electromagnetic studies. Limited to projects in the Junior Division. Award is $500. Presented anonymously.
Award: J0906, Raghav Ganesh, Santa Clara County

Silicon Boule Award – For distinctive performance in the physical sciences. This award has been presented annually since 1995 and was originally an end piece of an ultra pure monocrystalline silicon boule. Limited to projects in the Junior Division. Award is a TRW custom designed silicon die for the space program which became an enabling technology for the CAT scan. Presented by Dale L. Hall, Senior Engineer Scientist, retired, TRW Space & Electronics.
Award: S0928, Amulya Vadlakonda, Santa Clara County

SPIE Optics & Photonics Award – For the project best demonstrating scientific research and engineering applications of optical, photonic, imaging, and optoelectronic technologies. One award in each division. In the Senior Division, First Place receives $800, Second Place receives $500. The Junior Division Award is $500. Award includes a one year membership in SPIE, and a certificate. Presented by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics.
Senior Division, First Place: S0527, Emily S. Wang, Santa Clara County

UCLA Brain Research Institute Award – For outstanding science projects in all areas of neuroscience from molecules to mind. One award in each division. Award is $500 and a certificate. Presented by the UCLA Brain Research Institute (BRI).
Senior Division: S0422, Pravin Ravishanker, Santa Clara County
Junior Division: J0501, Mythri Ambatipudi, Santa Clara County.

2014 Recognition Awards

Clinical Chemistry Award – For interesting and original projects that impact the future of clinical chemistry. Three awards in each division. Award is $250 in the Senior Division, $150 in the Junior Division. Presented by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, Southern California Section.
Senior Division: S0525, Sriram Somasundaram, Santa Clara County.

Plant Cell Biology Award – For scientific achievement in the fields of cell and molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, or technology development that will impact our understanding of plant cell biology. Limited to projects in the Senior Division. Award is $100. Presented by the Center for Plant Cell Biology of the University of California, Riverside.
Award: S0527, Emily S. Wang, Santa Clara County.

Plug In America EV Excellence Award – For the best project demonstrating the benefits of plug-in vehicles or advancing the science of vehicle electrification. Award is $200 in the Senior Division, $100 in the Junior Division. Presented by Plug In America.
Junior Division: J0934, Shaya Zarkesh, Santa Clara County

Society of Petroleum Engineers Superior Technical Achievement Award – For outstanding technical achievement in projects relating to the development of oil and/or gas resources, mechanics, subsurface fluid flow, and production of those or other energy resources through wellbores, or in projects of a technical nature requiring a high degree of independent thinking, which could be applied to the advancement of the field of petroleum engineering research and/or development. First Place is $200; Second Place is $100. Award includes a certificate. Presented by the Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
First Place: J0609, Anusha Ghosh, Santa Clara County.

UCLA Brain Research Institute Award – For outstanding science projects in all areas of neuroscience from molecules to mind. Two place awards in each division. First Place award is $100, and Second Place award is $50. Presented by the UCLA Brain Research Institute (BRI).
Senior Division, First Place: S0518, Natalie Ng, Santa Clara County
Senior Division, Second Place: S0521, Swetha Revanur, Santa Clara County

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Category Awards –

Congratulations to the following students who won category awards at the California State Science Fair.  The competition took place April 29, 2014 at the California Science Center at Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA.

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First Place Award Winners

Second Place Award Winners

Third Place Award Winners

Fourth Place Award Winners

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Special & Recognition Awards

Below are links to the forms which financially-sponsored Students and Chaperones need to complete and bring with them when the SCVSEFA-chartered bus departs San Jose for the trip to CSEF on April 29th.  Sponsored students include:

• high school Grand Prize Alternates
• middle school Isabelle Stone Best Biological Science Project Award winners
• middle school Castro Family Best Physical Science Project Award winners

In addition, non-sponsored students travelling in the SCVSEFA-contracted bus must also complete the “RISK” form below.

STUDENT Forms:

• STUDENT Behavior Risk form
• STUDENT Medical Release form

CHAPERONE Forms:

• CHAPERONE Responsibilities
• CHAPERONE Risk Release

PARKING Map and form:

• Map for parking at El Paseo Shopping Center
• Request for overnight parking at El Paseo Shopping Center

Teacher (or other Adult Sponsor)

Normally an Adult Sponsor is a student’s teacher. This individual must have a solid background in science and should have close contact with the student during the course of the project.

The Adult Sponsor is responsible for working with the student to evaluate any possible risks involved in order to ensure the health and safety of the student conducting the research and the humans and/or animals involved in the study. The Adult Sponsor must review the student’s Student Checklist (1A) and Research Plan to certify that that: a) experimentation is within local, state, and Federal laws and ISEF rules; b) forms are completed by other required adults; and c) criteria for the Qualified Scientist adhere to those set forth below.

The Adult Sponsor must be familiar with the regulations that govern potentially dangerous research as they apply to a specific student project. These may include chemical and equipment usage, experimental techniques, research involving human and/or vertebrate animals, and cell cultures, microorganisms, or animal tissues. Regulations must be discussed with the student when completing the Research Plan. Some experiments involve procedures or materials that are regulated by state, federal or non-U.S. national laws. If not thoroughly familiar with the regulations, the Adult Sponsor should help the student enlist the aid of a Qualified Scientist.

The Adult Sponsor is responsible for ensuring the student’s research is eligible for entry in the Synopsys Championship and that the student carries out experimentation safely. The responsibility for student safety shifts to a qualified scientist or designated supervisor if such forms are submitted.

Designated Supervisor

The Designated Supervisor is an adult who is directly responsible for overseeing student experimentation. The Designated Supervisor need not have an advanced degree, but must be thoroughly familiar with the student’s project, and must be trained in the student’s area of research. The Adult Sponsor may act as the Designated Supervisor.

The Qualified Scientist

A Qualified Scientist should have earned a doctoral/professional degree in a scientific discipline that relates to the student’s area of research. A PhD, MD or a master’s degree with additional experience and expertise in the student’s area of research is acceptable when approved by a Scientific Review Committee (SRC). The Qualified Scientist must be thoroughly familiar with local, state, and federal regulations that govern the student’s area of research.

The Qualified Scientist and the Adult Sponsor may be the same person, if that person is qualified as described above. A student may work with a Qualified Scientist in a city, state or country that is not where the student resides. In this case, the student must work locally with a Designated Supervisor (see above) who has been trained in the techniques to be applied by the student.

Related ISEF web page: Roles and Responsibilities of Students and Adults

First and Foremost

ANY PROJECT IN VIOLATION OF SCVSEFA, ISEF OR CALIFORNIA EDUCATION RULES AND REGULATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Avoid Science Fair Projects That Are Unlikely to be Accepted

1. Effect of colored light, music, or talking on plant growth (OK at middle school if variables included)
2. Crystal growth (OK at middle school if variables included)
3. Effect of cola, coffee, etc. on teeth (OK at middle school if variables included)
4. Strength/absorbency of paper towels (discouraged because seen often)
5. Most consumer product testing of the “Which is best?” type (OK grades 6–8 only)
6. Astrology projects
7. Maze running (unless there are variables and controls)
8. Any project that boils down to simple preferences
9. Optical Illusions
10. Planaria worm regeneration (unless project has variables and >10/group)
11. Detergents vs. Stains (OK at middle school if variables included).
12. Basic solar collectors or ovens (OK if engineering design variables included)
13. Acid rain projects (To be considered, thorough research into the composition of acid rain and a scientifically accurate simulation of it would be necessary.)
14. Basic flight testing, e.g., planes, rockets (OK if variables are included)
15. Battery life comparisons (plug-in and run-down type)
16. Any project involving the distillation of alcohol. (NOT PERMITTED)
17. Pyramid power
18. Color choices of goldfish, etc.
19. Basic chromatography (OK at middle school if variables are included)
20. Wing, fin shape comparison (OK if mass is taken into consideration)

Avoid Projects that Lack a Measurable Endpoint

Results should be expressed in units of growth, size, mass, speed, time, volume, frequency, replication rate, chemical product analysis, etc.

Avoid Overly-Common Projects

The following projects may meet all requirements but often do not win awards because they are too commonly encountered by judges. With frequently done projects, acceptance may be granted if they have an original twist with exceptional thoroughness and solid scientific method.

1. Comparison of plant growth in different fertilizers
2. Rusting of nails in different pH solutions
3. Comparison of strength in different bridge designs
4. Strength of paper towels

Projects Taken from the Internet

Projects taken directly from the Internet are considered plagiarism, and may be disqualified. Judges may identify projects similar to examples posted on the Internet and they will be ranked low for creativity. Examples of projects from sites such as www.sciencebuddies.org are good sources of inspiration, but the idea for your project should be original.

Scientific fraud and misconduct are not condoned at any level of research or competition. This includes plagiarism, forgery, use or presentation of other researcher’s work as one’s own and fabrication of data. Fraudulent projects will fail to qualify for competition in the Synopsys Championship and subsequent affiliated fairs. SCVSEFA reserves the right to revoke recognition of a project subsequently found to have been fraudulent. Students who have their projects removed from competition for fraud or misconduct may not enter the Synopsys Championship the following year.

Thank you for your volunteer interest form. You should expect a confirmation soon, and an email or phone call about a month before the fair.

Lunch to be determined

We provide you with lunch on whichever day(s) you volunteer.

• Wednesday March 13: Sign up here.
• Thursday March 14: You will select one of several available lunches after you arrive at the Convention Center.

Judging?

If you said you were available for project review and are a person with Biological Science or Bioinformatics background, please consider volunteering as a judge at the fair. To do this go to the Judges page of this website (info & signup at  http://science-fair.org/judges-3/

Questions?

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns at fairmanager@science-fair.org.

Participant Ethics

All participants including students, parents, teachers, judges, volunteers and employees are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards.

Student researchers, as well as adults who have a role in their projects,  must follow the Rules and Guidelines for participation in the Synopsys Championship and abide by the ethics statement on Form 1B and the SRC Ethics Statement.

Judges must follow the Conflict of Interest policy stated on the Judges page.

Harassment

The Santa Clara Valley Science and Engineering Fair (SCVSEFA) is committed to providing an environment for students, volunteers, and employees free of harassment of any kind. SCVSEFA will not tolerate harassment of students, volunteers, employees or anyone else associated with the Synopsys Championship.

Unacceptable Conduct

Any harassing conduct that interferes with a student’s, a volunteer’s, or an employee’s ability to participate in the Synopsys Championship or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for a student, volunteer, or employee is unacceptable.

Harassment may be verbal, visual, or physical in nature. Specific examples of prohibited harassing conduct include, but are not limited to: slurs, jokes, statements, notes, letters, electronic communication, pictures, drawings, posters, cartoons, gestures, unwelcome physical contact, assault, or persistent, repeated requests for exceptions to Synopsys Championship rules, policies, or guidelines.

Consequences

Students who violate this policy may have their project removed from competition or awards rescinded. Harassment by parents may result in their child’s project being removed from competition or awards rescinded.

Volunteers, including judges, who violate this policy will be asked to leave the Synopsys Championship and will be removed from our list of volunteers. A volunteer Director who is found to have violated this policy will be removed from the Board.

Any employee who, after an investigation, is found to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Reporting Incidents of Harassment

If you feel that you have been harassed or feel you have witnessed harassment, please report the incident to any member of the SCVSEFA Board of Directors.

A subcommittee of the Board of Directors will investigate the complaint and attempt to resolve the issue sensitively, promptly and effectively and, if warranted, take appropriate corrective action. Every effort will be made, to the extent possible, to maintain confidentiality.

Procedure for Filing a Concern/Suggestion

1. Send a signed, written message describing the suggestion or concern to the fair manager or a director of SCVSEFA.
2. If the initial response is not adequate, please request clarification from appropriate subcommittee.
3. If response is still not adequate, please request discussion time at a future SCVSEFA Board of Directors meeting.

Procedure for Board Member Receiving a Concern/Suggestion

1. If you are knowledgeable on the question/issue, please attempt to answer. Please blind copy the appropriate committee members. If you are not knowledgeable, please forward to the appropriate board/committee member to answer.
2. If the issue does not appear to be addressed or resolved, the appropriate subcommittee will review the issue/responses and provide additional information, copying President-elect or designated SCVSEFA Board of Director’s recipient.
3. If the issue is still not resolved and board meeting time is requested, the subcommittee provides history and background and recommended guidance.

Mailing Address

SCVSEFA
P.O. Box 307
Los Altos, CA 94023

Email Contact Form

The Student Researcher

The student researcher is responsible for all aspects of the research project including enlisting the aid of any required supervisory adults (Adult Sponsor, Qualified Scientist, etc.), obtaining necessary approvals (SRC, IRB, etc.), following the Rules & Guidelines of the Synopsys Championship, and performing the experimentation, engineering, data analysis, etc.

Scientific fraud and misconduct are not condoned at any level of research or competition. This includes plagiarism, forgery, use or presentation of other researcher’s work as one’s own, and fabrication of data. Fraudulent projects will fail to qualify for competition in the Synopsys Championship and ISEF. Both the Society for Science & the Public and SCVSEFA reserve the right to revoke recognition of a project subsequently found to have been fraudulent.  Students who have their projects removed from competition for fraud or misconduct may not enter the Synopsys Championship the following year.

Thank you to all the Judges, Students, Teachers, dedicated Volunteers, and Sponsoring Organizations who made the 54th Annual Synopsys Championship a success March 13, 2013. The Synopsys Championship Awards Ceremony was held on April 7.

Awards Ceremony photos from volunteers
Student Winners List by School
Student Winners List by Category
Teacher Awards
School Awards
ISEF Winners 2013
CSSF Winners 2013
ISWEEEP WINNERS 2013

Student Winners Summary

These are the Grand Prize winners of the Synopsys Championship announced at the Awards Ceremony at California’s Great America . They won an expense paid Trip to Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (Phoenix, AZ. May 12-17).

These are the Grand Prize Alternate winners of the Synopsys Championship announced at the Awards Ceremony at California’s Great America. These high school students won an expense paid trip to the California State Fair. April 15-16, 2013 in Los Angeles.

These are the Middle School Special Prize winners of the Synopsys Championship announced at the Awards Ceremony at California’s Great America. These middle school students won an expense paid trip to the California State Fair. April 15-16, 2013 Los Angeles.

The following students were Winners of the International Sustainable World (Engineering, Energy & Environment) Project Olympiad Award. The award is the opportunity to compete at the I-SWEEEP event May 8-12, 2013 in Houston, TX.

Outstanding Teacher & School Awards were the following:

High School Top Schools (plaque award)
Lynbrook High School, San Jose
Monta Vista High School, Cupertino
Harker – Upper Campus, San Jose

Middle School Top Schools (plaque award)
Stratford Middle school, San Jose
JLS (Stanford) Middle School, Palo Alto
Stratford Middle School, Santa Clara

Top High School Teachers (plaque and cheque for $1000)
Amanda Alonzo (Lynbrook High School, San Jose)
Anuradha Sarkar (Leland High, San Jose)
Chris Spenner (Harker – Upper Campus, San Jose)

Top Middle School Teachers (plaque and cheque for $1000)
Neha Makhijani (Stratford Middle School – San Jose)
Thuy-Anh Nguyen (Challenger School , Sunnyvale)
Sumizah Qureshi (Granada Islamic School, Santa Clara)

Most Promising New teacher (plaque award)
Thomas Artiss (Harker Midddle School, San Jose)