What is sci-ber-palooza!?
sci•ber•palooza! - noun (síbar-palooza!)
1. a one-of-a-kind virtual science fair for 5th and 6th graders offering cash prizes, recognition and a great way to learn about science.
Each year, the non-profit Synopsys Outreach Foundation provides support to over 115,000 northern California K-12 students preparing science projects, including students at your school. We’d like to showcase the work of some of these students in a first-ever event: a virtual science fair. Students can compete for cash prizes and recognition with nothing more than access to email, a camera and a phone.
What are the PRIZES?
-Fifth Grade-
1st Place:
$250 to the student
$150 to the school
Hon. Mention:
$200 to the student
$100 to the school
-Sixth Grade-
1st Place:
$250 to the student
$150 to the school
Hon. Mention:
$200 to the student
$100 to the school
Here's how it works:
(1) Students submit a brief entry form by the May 1, 2008 deadline;
(2) Submissions are screened by a panel of judges and finalists are chosen;
(3) By phone, finalists will be interviewed by the panel of judges, just as they would be at a traditional science fair.
Who can enter?
Students in 5th and 6th grades only. Individuals and group projects with up to 3 participants. No class projects. Just one project per class, please.
Each teacher can enter one 5th grade project and one 6th grade project--but no more than that.
Why a virtual science fair?
This is a unique way to involve young students in a science fair competition with no cost and minimal hassle for the students, teachers, and parents. It is a simple way to take an exceptional science project and elevate it to a new level outside the classroom and the school.
What are the prizes?
Fifth Grade:
First Place: $ 250 to the student, $ 150 to the school for classroom science
Hon. Mention: $ 200 to the student, $ 100 to the school for classroom science
Sixth Grade
First Place: $ 250 to the student, $ 150 to the school for classroom science
Hon. Mention: $ 200 to the student, $ 100 to the school for classroom science
What is the role of the teacher/parent?
Teachers and parents may provide technical assistance in completing the entry form. Substantive help with the articulation of the project is prohibited. Remember, students who are chosen as finalists will be questioned by the judges. If the work is not the student's, in whole or in part, it will be clear to the judges and the entry will be eliminated from the competition.
How are the projects judged?
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges chosen by the Synopsys Outreach Foundation. Finalists will be selected and interviewed by telephone. We hope to notify finalists by mid-May.