2021 News

Timeline

• December 8, 2020: COVID-19 promised to keep stalking the land the world in 2021. The EISEF board of directors decided to hold the 2021 Fair online, just like in 2020 — except that this year, we would have over 9 weeks to prepare instead of 9 days.
• February 9: We announced the online Fair.
• February 13: The first student submitted a registration.
• February 25: The first student submitted an online presentation.
• March 1: The final student registration: 108 in total.
• March 3: The first judge submitted a score for a project.
• March 13: The final online presentation submitted.
• March 18: The final judging score: 406 in total, with at least 3 scores for all projects.
• Match 19: We announced our senior finalists.
• March 20; (The normal date for EISEF 2021) We interviewed the senior finalists and picked 2 to be our Senior Champions.
• March 21: We sent email newsletters to announce our award recipients and to summarize the Fair — oh wait, that’s what you’re reading.

Meet our 2021 Senior Champions

SB10: Jasmyn Hoeger, Dyersville

Meena Ramadugu, Cedar Rapids

We named them Champions. Now they’ll go on to participate in the International Science and Engineering Fair online.

Statistics

• 133 students presented their 108 exhibits.
• They came from 17 schools.
• 55 judges watched and scored their presentations.
• They received 103 awards in all.

Lists

• All the presentations and awards from the fair.
• Award recipients, sorted by award.
• Award recipients, sorted by school.
• EISEF’s 2021 Photo Album.

Beckman Cath HS, Dyersville

EISEF: Senior Champion

EISEF: Class I, Senior

EISEF: Class II, Junior Teams

EISEF: Class II, Senior

EISEF: Honorable Mention, Senior

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 4th Year Student

American Meteorological Society: Outstanding Achievement

ASM Materials Education Foundation: Outstanding Exhibit in Materials Science

Association for Women Geoscientists: Outstanding Achievement

Inspiring Excellence: Alan B. Adams Meritorious Achievement

NASA Earth System Science Award: Outstanding Achievement

Ricoh Corporation: Ricoh Sustainable Development

US Navy and Marine Corps: Naval Science

Inspiring Excellence: Alan B. Adams Teacher Award

Central Lee HS, Donnellson

EISEF: Class I, Senior

EISEF: Class II, Senior

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 4th Year Student

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 5th Year Student

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 6th Year Student

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 7th Year Student

Stockholm Jr. Water Prize: Outstanding Achievement

Central Lee MS, Donnellson

EISEF: Class I, Junior Biological

EISEF: Class I, Junior Teams

EISEF: Class II, Junior Physical

EISEF: Honorable Mention, Junior Physical

EISEF: Honorable Mention, Junior Teams

Broadcom Masters: Outstanding Achievement

Inspiring Excellence: Alan B. Adams Meritorious Achievement

US Metric Association: Award of Merit

Danville Jr-Sr HS, Danville

EISEF: Junior Champion

EISEF: Class I, Junior Biological

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 7th Year Student

Broadcom Masters: Outstanding Achievement

Inspiring Excellence: Alan B. Adams Meritorious Achievement

Holy Trinity, Ft Madison

EISEF: Honorable Mention, Junior Physical

EISEF: Honorable Mention, Senior

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 5th Year Student

Inspiring Excellence: Alan B. Adams Meritorious Achievement

Hoover MS, Waterloo

EISEF: Class II, Junior Physical

Kennedy HS, Cedar Rapids

EISEF: Senior Champion

EISEF: Class I, Senior

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 4th Year Student

Society for In Vitro Biology: Outstanding Achievement

US Agency for International Development: Science Champion

Yale Science & Engineering Association: Most Outstanding Exhibit

Keokuk HS, Keokuk

EISEF: Honorable Mention, Senior

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 4th Year Student

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 6th Year Student

American Psychological Association: Outstanding Achievement

US Navy and Marine Corps: Naval Science

Keokuk MS, Keokuk

EISEF: Junior Champion

EISEF: Class I, Junior Physical

EISEF: Honorable Mention, Junior Biological

Broadcom Masters: Outstanding Achievement

Inspiring Excellence: Alan B. Adams Meritorious Achievement

Lemelson Early Inventor Prize: Outstanding Achievement

US Navy and Marine Corps: Naval Science

LinnMar HS, Marion

EISEF: Class I, Senior

Maharishi Sch., Fairfield

EISEF: Class I, Junior Physical

EISEF: Class I, Senior

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 5th Year Student

Broadcom Masters: Outstanding Achievement

Cedar Rapids Audubon Society: Outstanding Achievement

Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers: Outstanding Achievement

US Navy and Marine Corps: Naval Science

Oak Ridge MS, Marion

EISEF: Class I, Junior Physical

Broadcom Masters: Outstanding Achievement

Cedar Valley Amateur Radio Club / Collins Amateur Radio Club: Outstanding Achievement

Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf

EISEF: Class I, Senior

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 5th Year Student

Washington HS, Cedar Rapids

Stockholm Jr. Water Prize: Outstanding Achievement

West HS, Iowa City

EISEF: Class I, Senior

EISEF: Honorable Mention, Senior

American Meteorological Society: Outstanding Achievement

Cedar Rapids Audubon Society: Outstanding Achievement

Cedar Valley Amateur Radio Club / Collins Amateur Radio Club: Outstanding Achievement

Mu Alpha Theta: Outstanding Achievement

NASA Earth System Science Award: Outstanding Achievement

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Outstanding Achievement

Stockholm Jr. Water Prize: Outstanding Achievement

US Navy and Marine Corps: Naval Science

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EISEF: Junior Champion

EISEF: Senior Champion

EISEF: Class I, Junior Biological

EISEF: Class I, Junior Physical

EISEF: Class I, Junior Teams

EISEF: Class I, Senior

EISEF: Class II, Junior Physical

EISEF: Class II, Junior Teams

EISEF: Class II, Senior

EISEF: Honorable Mention, Junior Biological

EISEF: Honorable Mention, Junior Physical

EISEF: Honorable Mention, Junior Teams

EISEF: Honorable Mention, Senior

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 4th Year Student

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 5th Year Student

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 6th Year Student

EISEF: Participation Achievement Award: 7th Year Student

American Meteorological Society: Outstanding Achievement

American Psychological Association: Outstanding Achievement

ASM Materials Education Foundation: Outstanding Exhibit in Materials Science

Association for Women Geoscientists: Outstanding Achievement

Broadcom Masters: Outstanding Achievement

Cedar Rapids Audubon Society: Outstanding Achievement

Cedar Valley Amateur Radio Club / Collins Amateur Radio Club: Outstanding Achievement

Inspiring Excellence: Alan B. Adams Teacher Award

Inspiring Excellence: Alan B. Adams Meritorious Achievement

Lemelson Early Inventor Prize: Outstanding Achievement

Mu Alpha Theta: Outstanding Achievement

NASA Earth System Science Award: Outstanding Achievement

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Outstanding Achievement

Ricoh Corporation: Ricoh Sustainable Development

Society for In Vitro Biology: Outstanding Achievement

Stockholm Jr. Water Prize: Outstanding Achievement

Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers: Outstanding Achievement

US Agency for International Development: Science Champion

US Metric Association: Award of Merit

US Navy and Marine Corps: Naval Science

Yale Science & Engineering Association: Most Outstanding Exhibit

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EISEF judging wrapped up last night at midnight. We compiled the scores and selected the best senior projects as our Senior Finalists. Then we learned of a scheduling issue, so we invited Jacob Hohl to be a ninth Senior Finalist. Here’s the revised list:

1. SB04: Shreya Khullar, West HS, Iowa City
   « Dendrochronological Data Analysis to Measure Climate Sensitivity and to Develop Paleoclimate Reconstructions »
2. SB10: Jasmyn Hoeger, Beckman Cath HS, Dyersville
   « Novel Mammalian Fibroblast Cell Culture Media Technique for Ultraviolet Cell Reduction »
3. SB22: Siri Pothula, Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf
   « The Effects of Simultaneous and Sequential T2 and T4 Phage Application on the Growth of E. coli »
4. SB25: Meena Ramadugu, Kennedy HS, Cedar Rapids
   « Comparison of Nickel Chelator to Current Triple Antibiotic Therapy to Treat Helicobactor pylori Infection »
5. SP11: Libby Knipper, Beckman Cath HS, Dyersville
   « Efficacy of Antimicrobial Polylactic Acid Plastic Food Storage Films »
6. SP13: Shristi Sharma, Maharishi Sch., Fairfield
   « Phase II: Predicting Early Onset Alzheimer’s With Wearable Technology »
7. SP14: Tyler Salrin, Beckman Cath HS, Dyersville
   « Design of Raman Spectrometer for Analysis of Graphitized Sucrose on Silicon Dioxide »
8. SP15: Pranav Chepyala, LinnMar HS, Marion
   « Effect of Gastric pH on Oral Thyroid Medication »
9. SB31: Jacob Hohl, Central Lee HS, Donnellson
   « The Effects of Timed Lighting on the Nutritional Value of Brassica napus Pabularia: Microgreens vs. Leafy Greens »

On Saturday, March 20, 2 panels of judges will interview the finalists by videoconference and select the best 2 as our Senior Champions. The Champions will then participate in ISEF online.

EISEF judging wrapped up last night at midnight. We compiled the scores and selected the best senior projects as our Senior Finalists:

• SB04: Shreya Khullar, West HS, Iowa City
  « Dendrochronological Data Analysis to Measure Climate Sensitivity and to Develop Paleoclimate Reconstructions »
• SB10: Jasmyn Hoeger, Beckman Cath HS, Dyersville
  « Novel Mammalian Fibroblast Cell Culture Media Technique for Ultraviolet Cell Reduction »
• SB22: Siri Pothula, Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf
  « The Effects of Simultaneous and Sequential T2 and T4 Phage Application on the Growth of E. coli »
• SB25: Meena Ramadugu, Kennedy HS, Cedar Rapids
  « Comparison of Nickel Chelator to Current Triple Antibiotic Therapy to Treat Helicobactor pylori Infection »
• SP11: Libby Knipper, Beckman Cath HS, Dyersville
  « Efficacy of Antimicrobial Polylactic Acid Plastic Food Storage Films »
• SP13: Shristi Sharma, Maharishi Sch., Fairfield
  « Phase II: Predicting Early Onset Alzheimer’s With Wearable Technology »
• SP14: Tyler Salrin, Beckman Cath HS, Dyersville
  « Design of Raman Spectrometer for Analysis of Graphitized Sucrose on Silicon Dioxide »
• SP15: Pranav Chepyala, LinnMar HS, Marion
  « Effect of Gastric pH on Oral Thyroid Medication »

On Saturday, March 20, 2 panels of judges will interview the finalists by videoconference and select the best 2 as our Senior Champions. The Champions will then participate in ISEF online.

In the meantime, visit the Video Presentation List?. There you can watch the finalists’ video presentations. You might learn something about science, and about how to improve your own science fair project for 2022.

At 4:26 PM today, Bill Gober of EISEF issued this plea:

Google Drive how to make public.pdf Δ

We received the following announcement from the Summer STEM Institute:

Welcome to EISEF 2021!

Thank you for joining us here online in the second year of COVID-19. We hope you can judge our students’ video presentations.

How is this year different from other years?

• We’ll probably have fewer projects than at a normal, in-person Fair.
• We’ll have a higher proportion of seniors than normal.
• All you have to judge them by is their video presentations (or slideshows with voice-over) and photos of their display boards. You can’t talk to them, ask questions, or ask them to slow down or speak up.
• And worst of all, we can’t even offer you donuts, fruit, coffee, or iced drinks.
• It’s not all bad — you’ll have more time to judge:
  • 3 hours in a normal year
  • 3 days in 2020
  • 2 weeks (almost) this year

Thank you for your dedication!

The judging process

Time frame and deadlines

• Monday, March 1. This is the last day for students to register their projects; they should start submitting their video presentations.
• Monday, March 8. This is the last day we’ll accept video presentations. You can judge any project as soon as the student submits their video presentation.
• Thursday, March 18 at 11:59 PM. This is the last day for you to submit your scores.
• Sunday, March 21. We’ll announce our award recipients by email newsletter.

How to prepare

1. If you’re new to judging at EISEF, watch our Orientation/Training Video.
2. Read our Judging Guide.
3. Review the Judging Score Sheet. You’ll be filling out this form as you evaluate the projects.
4. Find the Video Judging Form?. That’s how you’ll submit your scores to us when the time comes.
5. Try not to evaluate the projects for the quality of the videos. You need to judge the student and the science project, not the camera work. Some students are better at making videos, or have resources that the others don’t.

Judging a project

1. Select, watch, evaluate a project.
   1. Print a copy of the Judging Score Sheet.
   2. Visit the Video Presentation List? and select a project to judge.
      1. Write the exhibit number and the student name(s) on the score sheet.
   3. Click on the links to bring up the video, the poster board, and the student photo.
   4. View the presentation; review it, if you like. Carefully look over the poster and the data on it.
      1. Useful tip: In the YouTube Video link is a CC button on the bottom right. Click it, and you turn on auto-generated closed captioning of the presentation. It works surprisingly well.
   5. Based on the presentation and poster, fill out the score sheet.
2. Submit your evaluation to us using the Video Judging Form?.
   1. Your name identifies you, so we can credit you for judging this year.
   2. Your email address also identifies you, and lets the form send you an email receipt for the score.
   3. The project’s exhibit number, from the Video Presentation List?.
      The student name(s) are just to help you confirm that you’re selecting the correct exhibit number.
   4. Your score for the project and presentation.
   5. Constructive comments for the student(s). The students and their adult sponsors really prize these!
      See the Judge’s Comments to Exhibitors for examples of what you might say.
   6. Proofread your data.
   7. Submit the form.

Possible questions

When and how do I get my judge number?

You don’t need one for online judging. On the Video Judging Form? you’ll enter your name and email address; that’s enough so we can credit you with judging in 2024.

How many projects should I judge?

Aim to judge at least 6 projects, more if you have time. After all, judging goes on until March 18, 2021 — in normal years you have only 3 hours.

What if I run out of interesting projects in my preferred division?

Well then, judge some uninteresting projects, or pick some in a different division.

Without the Wall Charts, how can I tell which projects are covered and which need my attention?

Every student deserves to be properly judged. Observe the Score Count column on the Video Presentation List?, and pick projects that have low counts or zero. We will monitor the progress of the judging and take measures to even out the Score Counts.

What sorts of projects should I avoid?

We want to avoid the appearance of favoritism. So don’t judge students you know, or from your home town, or where you live now. This page will tell you the students’ school and city.

How can I judge all my projects consistently?

You should pick all your projects, view each of them, and mark up a score sheet accordingly — without submitting the score. This should give you some perspective, so you can judge the projects consistently against each other. Then you can review the projects (if you need to), revise your scores, and submit them. In a normal year you have barely 3 hours to judge all your projects, so you can’t work this way; this year you have up to 3 weeks, so you can.

Can you mail me a 2021 EISEF pin?

It’s impractical (costly, time-consuming) to mail a pin to each of you individually. If you come judge at EISEF 2022, we’ll have 2020 and 2021 pins available for you. Call it an incentive to come back.

Here’s what you need to do to register for EISEF in the time of COVID-19:

• Read the For Students And Teachers page and follow its directions.
• Check the Forms Guide to find out what forms and certificates you need to fill out and when.
• Finish your experiment and complete your paperwork.
• Visit the Student Registration Form, follow the link, fill out the form and submit it.
• Send us copies by email of your Student Signature page and all your other paperwork. The deadline is March 1, 2021.
  • What to do if you’re late.
• Check the status of your entry on the Status of Projects page. We update the page manually, so you may not appear for a day or two.
• When your project becomes Accepted and has an exhibit number, it’s time to submit your presentation for our judges to watch online. Visit the Video Submission Form? and follow the instructions there.
• Our judges can start watching and scoring your presentation as soon as you submit it. Here’s the schedule:
  • You submit your presentation by March 8, 2021.
  • Judging closes on March 18.
  • We announce the Senior Finalists on March 19 and interview them on March 20.
  • We announce all the award recipients on March 21.
  • We mail or deliver your awards to your adult sponsor during the following week.

Best wishes on finishing your project and meeting your deadlines. Here’s hoping we can see you in person at EISEF 2022!

Because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, EISEF will again be online — just like SSTFI in Ames and ISEF. We’ll operate very much like in 2020, except that the pace/schedule will be less hectic, and our standards will be tighter:

• You’ll register your project.
• When we’ve Accepted your project, you’ll submit a video presentation of your project, a PDF of your exhibit poster, and a photo of yourself with your exhibit.
• The judges will watch your video presentation and submit scores for your project.
• When we close the judging, we’ll compile the scores and determine who gets EISEF Class awards.
• Special judges will interview the Senior Finalists by Zoom meeting.

Here’s the schedule we plan to follow:

Monday, March 1	2400 hrs CST	Student registration closes
Monday, March 8	2400 hrs CST	Exhibit Video/Photo presentation submission closes
Thursday, March 18	2400 hrs CDT	Judging closes
Friday, March 19	afternoon and evening	Tech testing of interview/Zoom process with Finalists and their judges
Saturday, March 20	morning and afternoon	Finalist interviews via Zoom,
Sunday, March 21		Awards announced

We’ll send you detailed instructions shortly.

Send your questions about this to: .

The Iowa Junior Academy of Science is calling for student research proposals from Iowa middle and high school students. The program provides research funding and proposal feedback to Iowa middle and high school students from Iowa scientists and science educators. Contact Craig Johnson (319–273–2581) for more information, or check out their website: http://www.scienceiniowa.org/iowa-junior-academy-of-science,

Location and date of this year’s Fair: Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids, on March 20, 2021, COVID-19 permitting.

Come to Attend the first EISEF Board meeting and see what it takes to put on a science fair!

• When and where:
  • Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 5:30 PM
  • By videoconference (email for details)
• The Calendar of Events shows the meeting dates for the whole season.

This year’s ISEF will take place virtually. Visit the ISEF Website for more information.

Senior students & adult sponsors: You need to review the ISEF rules—they’ve changed for 2020.

• The International Rules and Guidelines FAQ has a section “Can I use last year’s forms?” (It strongly recommends using the current year’s forms.)
  • The EISEF Forms Guide requires you to use the current ISEF forms.