90th IJAS Science Symposium/133rd IAS Annual Meeting
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls
Friday, April 21, 2023
IJAS Abstract Submission Deadline: April 3, 2023
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IJAS Presentation Guidelines
2023 IJAS Research Presentations
Iowa Middle and High School Students
Read all of the instructions before submitting your abstract.
Iowa middle and high school students are encouraged to submit abstracts and present their research to Iowa scientists for review and compete for awards.
Eligibility
IJAS school and individual members; including STARR Research Grant and LORAL Trust Grant recipients, students who presented at the State Science and Technology Fair, or regional science fairs, are also eligible to participate.
Project Types
Abstracts are being accepted for individual and team projects. Team projects may have a maximum of 3 members. NOTE: All team members are expected to individually fill out an Abstract Submission Form. One member of the team should be designated to attach the abstract to their form. The other team members should skip that step on the form.
Submission Process
Abstract File Submission
Students are invited to submit abstracts of no more than 250 words to the Iowa Academy of Science by the due date.
IJAS Presentation and Judging
Students will make up to a 10-minute presentation at the IJAS Symposium discussing their research process and the results. Presentations should be 3 to 5 minutes and may include a PowerPoint or similar visual format. The remaining 5 to 7 minutes is used for questions and answers. The presentations will be used by Iowa scientists to review and rank the projects in the following categories: Graduating Senior, 9th to 11th Grade, and Middle School.
The session allows student researchers to summarize and discuss their project with Iowa scientists. This is a unique opportunity for them to receive instant feedback from science professionals in a positive and friendly atmosphere. The sessions are appropriate for the grade level and the experience of the researchers.
IJAS Presentation Guidelines
The presentation will not exceed a maximum time limit of ten minutes. A timekeeper will give the researcher proper notice of the time. No reduction in score will be given for a presentation of less than ten minutes which communicates the project clearly. Scores may be reduced for presentations which go over the time limit by more than a minute. Please allow at least 5 - 7 minutes for a question and answer period as part of your total time of 10 minutes.
The researchers may use notes in their presentation, however reading the report to the judges is considered bad form and will result in a reduction in points.
The researcher shall not be interrupted during his/her presentation. Judges will hold questions until the end of the presentation.
No three-dimensional objects may be used in the presentation. Any two-dimensional representation (charts, pictures, graphs, overheads, power point slides, etc.) may be used, but only to supplement the talk and not to replace the speaker. No videos. No material may be passed to the judges and only a technician may assist with the use of audio equipment.
Upon completion of the presentation, the researcher may be questioned by the judges. Other members of the audience will only be allowed to question the researcher after judging is complete and if there is time.
If you use PowerPoint or other slides, it is suggested that you keep your number of slides to 16 or less.
Suggested information to present includes but is not limited to:
Introduction of the student researcher
Title of the project
Introduction and Problem Statement
Materials and Methods
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Awards
Graduating Seniors
Two $500 scholarships
9th to 11th Grade Students
Two delegates as part of the Iowa delegation to the February American Junior Academy of Science/American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting next February all expenses paid. Funding assistance will be available for two delegates. Two alternates will be chosen to be part of the Iowa delegation and may attend at their own expense.
Middle School Students: 2 Awards - Most Promising Young Scientist, Certificate and cash prize.
Questions
If you have questions please contact the Iowa Academy of Science Executive Director at 319-273-2581 or email craig.johnson@uni.edu.
IJAS Abstract Submission Deadline
April 3, 2023
Middle School
Middle school students (6th-8th grade) have the option to present only in a poster contest or they may make both oral and poster presentations. Students will choose their preference when registering. Posters may be a maximum of 4 ft high by 4 ft wide or smaller - no exceptions. Middle school students stand with their posters during judging.
High School
High school students (9th-12th grade) prepare a 10-minute presentation and a poster describing their research. Posters for 9th-12th grade will be stand-alone during judging. Students will be making oral presentations during poster judging. Posters may be a maximum of 4 ft high by 4 ft wide or smaller - no exceptions. See details and tips below including a suggested template for making your poster.
IJAS Student Observers
All IJAS participants will be honored at the IAS Awards Luncheon and receive a certificate of participation. IJAS members are not required to present research to attend. All IJAS members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Eligibility Requirements
The student doing the presentation must be the one who conducted the research.
No student may present research from a previous year without conducting additional research on the topic during the current year.
Only one project per student will be eligible for prizes.
No student may compete at the middle school or 9th-11th grade levels in more than 3 different years. No student may compete at the senior level more than one year.
A maximum of 3 students may work together on one project. See below for how awards will be split among group projects.
In the 9th-11th grade category, the prize is a trip to the next American Junior Academy of Science Meeting. If a project completed by a group of student's is selected for this award, the student's must either pick one individual to attend the conference, split the award and raise the additional funds for all to attend, or forfeit the award to one of the alternate winners. For the 12th grade category, projects by teams of two students shall be accepted, however a winning team would split one scholarship.
Students must meet the eligibility requirements described above and preregister for the conference in order to compete. Please also bring a photo release form (ijas_photo_release.pdf). The IJAS Registration Page includes the IJAS Photo Release form and options for submitting it to the Iowa Academy of Science.
Poster Content and Format
No rigid format is required however the following is a suggested format:
1. Title and Name
2. Abstract (poster only) TIPS - Writing an Abstract
3. Introduction & Problem Statement
4. Materials & Methods
5. Results & Discussion
6. Conclusions
7. Acknowledgments & References
Poster Guidelines
Suggested Poster Template: template_of_a_science_poster.pdf
The mounting space is four feet wide by four feet high. Larger posters will not be allowed.
The allowed presentation depth of no more than 1/2 inch.
The title and researcher's name should be clearly visible at the top.
An abstract of the project should be in the upper left-hand corner of the poster.
It is suggested that all lettering should be at least 3/8 inch or 26pt font.
Keep in mind that the lettering and illustrations will be viewed from distances of 3ft or more and that judges have limited time at your poster. If you include more information than is necessary to communicate your project, your score will suffer.
Avoid unnecessary details in preparing charts, drawings, and illustrations. Keep everything as simple as possible. A poster that communicates clearly is better than an 'artsy' poster. Color should be used only when it aids in understanding or readability. This doesn't mean don't be creative, it means be sure your creativity serves the purpose - communicating your science!
Numbers, letters, or arrows can be used to indicate a preferred reading sequence.
The poster should be self-explanatory. Students in 6th-8th grade will be at their posters when judged. Posters from 9th to 12th grade students will stand alone.
Projection equipment and electrical outlets will not be provided or allowed in the poster area.
The poster presentation is in essence a bulletin board. It is not an exhibit of the type found in science fairs. There will not be space for equipment, research notebooks, specimens, etc.
Oral Presentation Guidelines
The presentation will not exceed a maximum time limit of ten minutes. A timekeeper will give the researcher proper notice of the time. No reduction in score will be given for a presentation of less than ten minutes which communicates the project clearly. Scores may be reduced for presentations which go over the time limit by more than a minute.
The researcher may use notes in his/her presentation, however reading the report to the judges is considered bad form and will result in a reduction in points.
The researcher shall not be interrupted during his/her presentation. Judges will hold questions until the end of the presentation.
No three-dimensional objects may be used in the presentation. Any two-dimensional representation (charts, pictures, graphs, overheads, power point slides, etc.) may be used, but only to supplement the talk and not to replace the speaker. No videos. No material may be passed to the judges and only a technician may assist with the use of audio equipment.
Upon completion of the presentation, the researcher may be questioned by the judges for a period of up to five minutes. Other members of the audience will only be allowed to question the researcher after judging is complete and if there is time.
If you use PowerPoint or other slides, it is suggested that you keep your number of slides to 16 or less.