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 The Science Fair is... |
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A large-scale event recognized and valued by the entire Quebec education community |
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More than 40 years of discoveries, learning and success |
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A science competition in which more than 12 000 young people under the age of 21 participate each year |
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Experiments, designs and instructional activities developed by young people |
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An adventure that gives young people the chance to explore career possibilities in science and technology |
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A meeting place where participants share their knowledge of and passion for science with other young people and the public |
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An opportunity for young people to present their projects to experienced scientists |
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An event that showcases young talent |
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| The Science Fair is all that . . . and much more! |
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| The scientific process |
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| Whether a project involves an experiment, a design or an instructional activity, certain steps must be followed in order to respect the scientific process. The following are the steps involved in carrying out each type of project. |
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| Experiment |
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| 1. Choosing a topic |
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Observe a phenomenon. |
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How can the phenomenon observed be described in simple terms? |
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What factors seem to influence this phenomenon? |
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What behaviours seem to be interrelated? |
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| 2. Formulating a hypothesis |
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Based on observations made, formulate a hypothesis about how factors influence the phenomenon. |
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| 3. |
Devising an experiment that
makes it possible to verify the hypothesis
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How can the behaviour associated with a single factor be isolated to study its influence? |
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Under what conditions will the experiment be conducted (place, temperature, chemical environment, etc.)? |
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What materials are required (tools, microscope, software, etc.)? |
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| 4. Conducting the experiment: collecting data |
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Under what conditions will the data be collected? |
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Does the experimenter have an influence on the results? |
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How can the results be presented in a clear and coherent way in order to easily demonstrate trends and general behaviours (graphs, tables, diagrams, etc.)? |
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| 5. Analyzing and drawing a conclusion |
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What are the limitations of the experiment? |
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What are the possible sources of error? |
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How can the results be used to better understand the phenomenon and formulate a new, more in-depth hypothesis? |
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What are your recommendations and suggestions? |
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Have you done a synopsis? |
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| Design |
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| 1. Explaining how the device, software or product works |
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What needs are you hoping to satisfy? |
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What is the purpose of this device, software or product? |
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What objectives are you aiming to achieve? |
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| 2. |
Presenting the steps related to the design and development of the device, software or product |
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How is the device, software or product designed? |
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Include drawings in the project report. |
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What materials are needed for its development and operation? |
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How were the parts manufactured (from the simplest to the most complex)? |
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Does the device, software or product have innovative aspects? If so, what are they? |
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| 3. Explaining the performance of the device, software or product |
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Present the results of tests conducted in the form of a synopsis: tables and graphs that will be displayed so that they can be read and viewed by judges and visitors. |
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| 4. Analyzing performance and assessing results |
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Does the device fulfill its designated function and to what extent? |
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How can its performance be improved? |
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What changes could be made to transform the item or extend its use to other areas? |
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| Instructional activity |
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| 1. Choosing a topic |
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Define the research topic. |
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Clearly establish the research objectives. |
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Develop the research topic. |
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Analyze the information collected. |
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Present the topic from every angle to ensure full understanding. |
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| 2. Choosing sources of information |
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Where does the information come from? |
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Give preference to recent sources, scientific journals and meetings with specialists. |
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Be selective. |
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| 3. Giving a quality presentation |
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Prepare a quality presentation. |
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Plan your presentation techniques. |
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Verify your instructional techniques and be thorough. |
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| Rules |
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Rules ensure that the event runs smoothly and are consistent with research standards.
For the complete list of rules, visit: www.cdls.qc.ca or refer to the participant’s guide. |
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| Categories |
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| There are seven science categories at the Science Fair. All projects must fall under one of the following seven categories: |
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Physical sciences |
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Computer science and mathematics |
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Applied science and technology |
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Earth and environmental sciences |
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Social sciences |
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Biotechnologies |
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Life sciences |
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| The category will be determined by the nature of the project. |
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| Types of projects |
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| There are three types of projects: |
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Experiment
Exploring a given topic through experimentation using the scientific method, which involves formulating a hypothesis, verifying it by collecting data and analyzing the results obtained, and confirming or rejecting the hypothesis.
Design (device, software or product)
Designing or improving a prototype, technique, device, etc.
Instructional activity
Studying and elaborating on a given topic by presenting current knowledge of and research related to the topic in as clear and simple a manner as possible. |
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| Various stages of competition |
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Local Science Fairs
The local Science Fairs provide an opportunity to select the best science projects from among participating schools to be presented at the Science Fair Regional Final.
Science Fair Regional Final
Twelve regional Science Fairs are held every March. Young people present their projects to thousands of visitors over several days. At this stage, projects are chosen to represent each region at the Quebec final. The final for elementary-school students from the Greater Montreal area is held in May.
Science Fair - Quebec final
The Quebec final is held in April and brings together the top 95 projects from Quebec. During this event, participants share their findings and present the results of their research to visitors. During the Quebec final, participants are chosen to represent Quebec at the Canada-Wide Science Fair and the MILSET (movement international pour le loisir scientifique et technique)
International Science Fair.
Canada-Wide Science Fair
Held in May, this event brings together hundreds of projects from the different regions of Canada. For an entire week, participants present their projects, meet other participants and visit scientific and tourist sites.
International Science Fair
The MILSET International Science Fair is a biennial event that is hosted each time by a different country. The Quebec delegation is chosen from among participants at the two Quebec finals that precede this international event. |
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| How to register for the Science Fair |
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In early fall, Science Fair promotional kits (posters, brochures, participant’s guides, rules, dates, etc.) are sent to the schools.
Contact your regional science council (CLS) if you haven’t received this material. |
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| Many more activities |
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The CDLS-CLS network is responsible for organizing activities throughout Quebec. They include the Club des Débrouillards, the Science Fairs and the Creative Genius Challenge.
For more information, visit www.cdls.qc.ca |
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| How to reach us |
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The Science Fair is organized by the CDLS-CLS network, which is made up of the Conseil de développement du loisir scientifique (CDLS) and nine regional science councils (CLS).
The mission of the CDLS-CLS network is to promote science and technology among young Quebecers.
Recreational science development council (CDLS)
4545 Pierre-De Coubertin Ave.
P.O. Box 1000, Station M
Montreal, Quebec
H1V 3R2
Telephone: (514) 252-3027
Fax: (514)252-3152
E-mail: info@cdls.qc.ca
Regional science councils (CLS)
Eastern Quebec CLS
300 Allée des Ursulines
Room E-307
Rimouski, Quebec
G5L 3A1
Telephone/fax: (418) 723-5448
E-mail: clseq@globetrotter.net
Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean CLS
414 Collard St. West
Alma, Quebec
G8B 1N2
Telephone: (418) 668-4792
Fax: (418) 668-0265
E-mail: cls@clssaglac.com
Boîte à science – Quebec City CLS
P.O. Box 8732
Sainte-Foy, Quebec
G1V 1H3
Telephone: (418) 658-1426
Fax: (418) 658-1012
E-mail: info@boiteascience.com
Mauricie/Central Quebec CLS
3351 des Forges Blvd.
P.O. Box 500
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
G9A 5H7
Telephone: (819) 374-0970
Fax: (819) 374-3088
E-mail: clsm04@uqtr.ca
Eastern Townships CLS
2955 Université Blvd.
Sherbrooke, Quebec
J1K 2Y3
Telephone: (819) 565-5062
Fax: (819) 565-4534
E-mail: clse@csrs.qc.ca
Greater Montreal CLS
(Lanaudière, Laurentians, Laval, Montérégie, Montreal)
1905 Cadillac St.
Montreal, Quebec
H1N 2T4
Telephone: (514) 251-7636
Fax: (514) 251-9032
E-mail: clsm@qc.aira.com
Outaouais CLS
P.O. Box 1904, Station B
Hull, Quebec
J8X 3Z1
Telephone: (819) 770-5252
Fax: (819) 770-4905
E-mail: clso@cspo.qc.ca
Abitibi-Témiscamingue CLS
445 Université Blvd.
Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec
J9X 5E4
Telephone: (819) 762-0971, ext. 2488
Fax: (819) 797-4727
E-mail: clsat@uqat.ca
North Shore CLS
350 Smith St., Suite 251
Sept-Îles, Quebec
G4R 3X2
Telephone: (418) 962-0959
Toll free: 1-877-962-0959
Fax: (418) 962-0126
E-mail: clsnc@globetrotter.net
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© 2002, Conseil de développement du loisir scientifique (CDLS). This document is distributed by the Conseil de développement du loisir scientifique.
For more information, visit our Web site at www.cdls.qc.ca. |
The opinions expressed in this section are those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of Merck Frosst or its employees. |
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The Science Fair is...
