Children’s Science Congress

DR LALIT SHARMAMEMBER

NATIONAL ACADEMIC CORE COMMITTEE (CSC 2014, 2015)

What is CSC?

A program of NCSTC, DST, Govt. of India

Team of 2 to 5 childrenFrom age group of 10 to 17 yearsGuided by teachers, any expertUndertake project work using methods of

scienceOn a local problem under a focal and sub-

themeProject evaluated for innovativeness,

simplicity and practicality

CSC project Innovative, simple, practical and inexpensive

Outcome of a team work

Based on exploration of everyday life situations

Survey/observation/experimentation/combination of all

Analysis based on scientific methodology with definite output

Attempt to take on a problem related to society, locally

Definite follow-up plans

Children’s Science Congress Common Evaluation Criteria

Originality of the idea (10 / 5)

This covers originality (uniqueness / novelty) of the idea that attempts to answer specific question related to focal theme

Relevance of the project (10 / 5)

How relevant the project is to focal theme and sub-theme

Understanding of the issue (15 / 15)

Refers to extent of knowledge in relation to the project idea

Data collection and analysis (15 / 15)

Systematic data collection using relevant tools (interviews / questionnaire)

Sufficient sample size

Analysis includes tabulation, categorization, application of simple statistics

Experimentation / validation (10 / 10)

Conducting of experiments / field study and validating by methods of science

Experiment should be simple, self-developed,

inexpensive

Interpretation and problem solving attempt (10 / 15)

Extent to which proposed hypothesis and local issue have been addressed through the project

Team work (10 / 5)

Work division, cooperation, sharing among and beyond team members

Background correction (10 /-)

Weightage given to those from difficult geographical situation, have poor infrastructure and limited facilities

Oral presentation / written report (10 / 10)

Evaluated separately

Proper presentation, interaction, use of aids

Proper documentation, orderly, neatly

Follow up and action plan (- /10)

Has the message been conveyed to community?

How it has been communicated?

Is it going to be continued involving more people?

Any action plan suggested?

Improvement over previous level (- / 10)

To encourage for continuous involvement

At National LevelParameters Attributes

ORAL PRESENTATION

Originality of idea and concept 05

Relevance of the project to the theme 05

Understanding of the issue 05

Data collection and analysis 10

Experimentation / validation 10

Interpretation and problem solving attempt 05

Presentation 10

At National LevelParameters Attributes

WRITTEN REPORT

Data collection / analysis, representation 15

Methodology / experimental design 15

Discussion / conclusion 10

POSTER

Layout 05

Logical framework 05

Project Work:A local problem / issue identified

Work carried out in a well-marked local or geographical area

Observations recorded in a log book

Project could either be survey / observation / experimentation / combination

Data collected are subjected to analysis

Conclusions are drawn after proper analysis of data

Inferences are made

Solutions to the problem are suggested

Action plan for follow up devised

Use of living objects, harmful and inflammable substances is restricted

Documented as a report and presented orally at district, state and national levels

Written Report :Report to be handwritten

in any scheduled language on A-4 size (21 cm x 31 cm or 8.3” x 11.8”) plain paper

Word limit is 2500 (lower group) and 3500 (upper group)

Elements of written report :

Cover page, Abstract, Form-A, Index, Introduction, Aims and Objectives, Hypothesis, Work plan, Methodology, Observations, Results, Data analysis, Conclusion, Inference, Solution, Future plan, Acknowledgements, References and Appendix

Log book is a must, reflects team work, to be submitted along with report

COVER PAGE22nd Children’s Science Congress

(CSC-2014)

Focal Theme: Understanding Weather and Climate

Title of the Project(Should be informative, specific, concise and self-

explanatory)Names and addresses of Team Leader

Other MembersGuide Teacher

DistrictState

(To be written in English or Hindi ONLY)

ABSTRACTOne of the most important elements of a

scientific reportWord limit is 250 words (one A-4 size page)Summary of the report / work done including

– question investigated– the methods used– the principal results and – conclusions

Wording should be clear and precise

(Abstract in English is mandatory)

REGISTRATION FORM - ADistrict __________ State __________

Particulars of the Team Leader:Name Date of Birth Std/Class Sex Rural/Urban Residential address School address

Title of the project: Sub-theme: Language used:

Particulars of other team members: Name Residential address Sex Std/Class Date of Birth

Name and address of the Guide:

Name and signature of the Head of the Institution/District Coordinator

INDEX

Contents page to have separate sections for subject matter (all the components of the report) figures (include titles given to chart (pie-chart), or graph, or photograph, or illustration or map) and tables (include titles or headings of your observation, result or data analysis tables )

INDEXS. No. Topic Page

No. 01 Introduction 01 02 Aims and objectives 02

list of figures –S. No. Title Page

No. 01 Graph showing variation in temperatures 09 02 Pie-chart showing distribution of land forms 11 03 Photograph showing collection of fossils 13

list of tables –S. No. Title Page

No.

01 Temperatures recorded during one month period 12 02 Varieties of butterfly species observed 14 03 Electric power consumption in homes 16

INTRODUCTIONAt the top Title of the Project should be

mentionedTitle should be informative, specific, concise, understandable and self-explanatory

The introduction should haveRelevant background informationNeed statement focusing on the overall issue, problem, or core / research questionOne or two but not more than three paragraphs

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Should define very specifically Why this project has been selected?How this problem / issue would be addressed?

Keeping in mind that there isLimited time period and Limited localized geographical area

Avoid repeating introduction

HYPOTHESIS

In one or two statements, hypothesis should give an idea, based on known facts that has not yet been proven, about the problem selected

WORK PLAN

Define work plan, in schematic form or as a flow chart, preferably with time schedules

It might get deviated from schedule due to unforeseen circumstances, but having such a guideline always help

METHODOLOGY

After work plan, decide upon method of research in proposed work; survey/observation/ experimentation

Survey Involves using questionnaire for data collectionQuestions should be specific and in logical orderOn an average 20 relevant questions should be

asked Sample size of 50 – 100 people should be included

in the studyInclude a copy of questionnaire

METHODOLOGY

ObservationsThough a part of survey work, may

or may not have questionnaire Recording of observations during

field studies are included in this type of methodology

METHODOLOGY

ExperimentationDone with own hands, either in the

laboratory or at home or in the field Design of the experiment with proper

controls, number of readings, set of conditions, parameters, mathematical formula to be included

Detail experimental procedure, analytical techniques also to be included

OBSERVATIONS

This part contains all the observations or data collected related to survey, observation, and / or experimentation, ONLY

RESULTS

Results are the presentation of data collected during survey, observation and / or experimentation

Presentation could either be in the form of charts, graphs, maps, figures or tables etc

Should be simple to understandResults only describe and not

interpret findings

DATA ANALYSIS

Data presented under the results are analyzed, using principles of mathematics

Here only analysis part is shown

CONCLUSION

After project completion, final opinion is derived, based on the data analysis, is what forms the conclusion

INFERENCE

Inference, in fact, is the truthfulness of the opinion formed based on the outcome of the project

Check-point for hypothesis– accepted / rejected

SOLUTION

Since the problem selected is socially relevant, this part will highlight how the findings influence or have an impact on the society at large

FUTURE PLANS

For taking the work further, from where it has been concluded, future plans provide stepwise guidelines

It shows that the problem undertaken is open-ended

It ascertains continuity of efforts, gives sense of commitment

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

An expression of gratefulness or thankfulness for the help received from different quarters; family and friends, any motivator, elders / seniors / peers, experts or resource persons, even a librarian, farm workers, people interviewed, laboratory assistants, photographer, anyone for that matter

A true reflection of team work

REFERENCES

All the resource material like books, newspaper articles / clippings, or internet, or even personal interview are to be mentioned

References, under each section, are given in alphabetical order

REFERENCES

For books -Name of the author(s)/editor(s) starting

with surnameTitle of the book (underlined) Edition (if available) Page numbers referredPublisherPlace and Year of publication

REFERENCESFor articles -Name of the author(s) starting with surnameYear of publication (within brackets) Title of the article (in italics) Title of the book / magazine / newspaper (underlined) Edition (for books, if available) Issue and volume numbers (for magazines) Page numbers referred PublisherPlace and Year of publication Or internet source starting with www.website referred

 

REFERENCES

For personal interviews -Name of the person(s) interviewedDate with month and year and Place of the interview

APPENDIX

All the letters, certificates issued by the concerned authorities and / or survey sheets (filled up questionnaire) are to be attached at the end of the report

Each such document should bear a number, viz., appendix 1, appendix 2, and so on

LOG BOOK

This is one of the most important but neglected written documents

It is the mirror reflecting activity Provides all the answers related to

the projectCovers minute to minute recordings,

mentioned on daily basis, successes and failures, contacts and impressions

Oral Presentation:

Time limit is 8 minutes followed by interaction for 2 minutes

Maximum of four charts or posters (55 cm x 70 cm) / LCD projector can be used

Loud enough with clear diction

EXPECTATIONS FROM EVALUATORSCHILD SCIENTISTS ARE FROM 10-17 YEARS AGE GROUP, WHO NEEDS ENCOURAGEMENT

UNDERSTAND THEIR CAPABILITIES & CAPACITIES AND PROVIDE CONSTRUCTIVE INPUTS & POSITIVE FEEDBACK

APPRECIATE & VALUE EFFORTS, INNOVATIVENESS & CONFIDENCE

THEY SHOULD RETURN MOTIVATED & INTELLECTUALLY RICH

EVALUATE SUBJECT MATTER, SCIENTIFIC CONTENT & NOT GADGETS, MODELS OR ORATORY SKILL

AVOID UNWARRANTED COMMENTS, COMPARISON WITH SENIORS, DISTRACTION DURING PRESENTATION

INTERACT, BUT DO NOT TEST WHAT THEY DO NOT KNOW RATHER HELP IN BRINGING OUT WHAT THEY KNOW

Than’Qdrlalitsharma9@gmail.com

93 222 64 173