Guidelines

Texas JSHS Home
Registration Forms and Guidelines
Sample Abstract
Biography and Photo Guildelines
Research Paper Guidelines

Texas Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
January 17— 19, 2008 ~ Texas A&M University

ABSTRACT GUIDELINES/CATEGORIES/HELPFUL HINTS

Summary of Abstract Requirements Abstracts may be no longer than one page, single spaced, 1 inch margins in typewritten form in 10 or 12 point font (Times or Times New Roman). It must be adequate in length but not exceed these specifications. Please do not stretch text or add unnecessary spacing. An electronic copy should be submitted with on-line registration process. The abstract should include student name, school name, sponsor name, research discipline and research project title ("Abstract" is NOT a title). Keep a copy for yourself. Please follow these instructions. Remember that you will be pre-judged solely on the quality of your abstract - a good quality abstract is critical.

CATEGORIES

ANIMAL & PLANT SCIENCES
Agriculture/Agronomy
Development
Ecology
Genetics
Animal Husbandry
Pathology
Physiology
Populations Genetics
Animal Systematics
Photosynthesis
Plant Physiology (Molecular, Cellular,
Organismal)
Plant Systematics, Evolution
Other

BEHAVIORAL & SOCIAL SCIENCES
Clinical & Developmental Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Physiological Psychology
Sociology
Other

BIOCHEMISTRY
General Biochemistry
Metabolism
Structural Biochemistry
Other

CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR
BIOLOGY
Cellular Biology
Cellular and Molecular Genetics
Immunology
Molecular Biology
Other

CHEMISTRY
Analytical Chemistry
General Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Other

COMPUTER & MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
Algebra
Analysis
Applied Mathematics
Geometry
Probability and Statistics
Algorithms, Data Bases
Artificial Intelligence
Networking and Communications
Computational Science, Computer
Graphics
Software Engineering., Programming
Languages
Computer System, Operating System
Other

EARTH & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Astronomy
Climatology, Weather
Geochemistry, Mineralogy
Paleontology
Geophysics
Planetary Science
Tectonics
Theoretical or
Computational Astronomy
Other

ENGINEERING, ENERGY & TRANSPORTATION
Electrical Eng., Computer Eng., Controls
Mechanical Engineering,
Robotics
Thermodynamics, Solar
Bioengineering
Civil Engineering, Construction Eng.
Chemical Engineering
Industrial Engineering, Processing
Material Science
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering,
Aerodynamics
Alternative Fuels
Fossil Fuel Energy
Vehicle Development
Renewable Energies
Other

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Bioremediation
Ecosystems Management
Environmental Engineering
Land Resource Management, Forestry
Recycling, Waste Management
Air Pollution and Air Quality
Soil Contamination and Soil Quality
Water Pollution and Water Quality
Other

MEDICINE & HEALTH SCIENCES
Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
Epidemiology
Genetics
Molecular Biology of Diseases
Physiology and Pathophysiology
Other

MICROBIOLOGY
Antibiotics, Antimicrobials
Bacteriology
Microbial Genetics
Virology
Other

PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Atoms, Molecules, Solids
Biological Physics
Instrumentation and Electronics
Magnetics and Electromagnetics
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Optics, Lasers, Masers
Theoretical Physics,
Other

Abstract Guidelines Please read carefully before preparing your abstract! An abstract is a concise summary of the research. It is not merely a general description of what the research is about. It should be assumed that the reader is knowledgeable in the broad category of the topic, but not necessarily an expert in the specialty of the project. Scientists and engineers inform others of their research results by writing journal articles and by giving "papers" at meetings. Abstracts are prepared to serve either or both of the following purposes:

To enable a reader to decide whether this topic is of sufficient interest to warrant taking the time to read the entire paper or to go hear the presentation.
To acquaint a reader with recent research results without the need to read the entire article or hear the paper.

The following elements should be included in a proper abstract:

The title should be brief and descriptive. The statement of the problem tells the reader what specific questions are addressed in the study. The variables and limitations are identified. The intent and objectives of the research effort are made explicit in this statement. The purpose states the usefulness of the study. It answers the question why the project was undertaken.The hypothesis is an educated guess that shows the relationship between a set of observed facts and a theory. The hypothesis limits the scope of the investigation and unifies the research design. The procedure provides a brief summary of what was done.
The conclusions provide a concise statement of the outcomes of the investigation. They should be written in non-technical language and be related directly to the hypothesis. The conclusions should identify unsolved aspects of the original problem or any new problems identified.

There is no "standard" or required arrangement for the parts of an abstract; its statements may be in whatever sequence enables the most information to be conveyed in the fewest words. Its sequence can be, and frequently is, totally different from that of the paper. A good abstract usually must be drafted and redrafted — eliminating, adding, rearranging the words.

Helpful Hints

State results, conclusions, or findings in a clear, concise fashion. However, make sure that you describe your project adequately. You have a whole page - make sure you use it.
Assume that the reader has a good general technical vocabulary but avoid use of highly-specialized words or abbreviations. Remember that he/she may not be an expert in the specialty of the paper.
Use past tense and third person in describing completed research, present tense when stating existing facts and what is in the paper.
Incorrect spelling and poor sentence structure will discourage interest in your project.
If reference to procedure is essential, try to restrict it to identification of method or type of process employed.
Financial sponsorship mentioned in the paper is concisely credited in the abstract: "Research supported by ......".
Note: This is different from science fair rules.
Have your sponsor(s) read your abstract to make sure it communicates well. This is the greatest difficulty most students seem to have. Remember selection of papers for presentation is based on your ABSTRACT!
Use Abstract Guidelines to confirm that all parts of your abstract are present.

A good abstract is written to summarize the research paper. The abstract should accurately convey the essential nature of the research conducted and the most significant conclusions reached. A further purpose of the abstract is to attract the interest and curiosity of the non-specialist reader and thus encourage exchange, discussion and elaboration between various authors and between authors and readers.

SAMPLE ABSTRACT

Student Name:
Sponsor Name:
School Name:
Category (use selection to right):

Genetic Transformation of Sweet Potato

Sweet potato is considered the sixth most important food crop in the world and has high nutritional value for humans. However, pests, diseases, and environmental factors prevent the crop from reaching its maximum agricultural potential. Improvement of the sweet potato is highly limited by conventional breeding methods. Recombinant DNA technology offers a means for manipulation of the sweet potato genome to integrate valuable traits. Critical parameters of electroporation (voltage of current and digestion of cell wall) and particle bombardment (helium pressure and gold particle distribution) were examined for efficient DNA transfer.

Electroporation resulted in less damage and higher recovery of tissue after DNA delivery compared to particle bombardment. Transformed cells were identified with two marker genes: Beta-glucoronidase (GUS) and Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). Cells expressing GFP were easily identified due to uniform protein distribution and allow the monitoring of the cell developmental pattern, unlike cells expressing the GUS gene.

Using the optimized conditions derived from the present study, sweet potato can be genetically improved for increased crop productivity and nutritional value.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH AND PHOTO GUIDELINES

Write your own biographical sketch (~100 words). We reserve the right to edit as necessary.

Provide an electronic photo (jpeg format). Photos should have light-colored backgrounds.

Please name files that you submit electonically:
for Biographical Sketch: lastname_firstname_bio.doc (Word document)
for photos: lastname_firstname_photo.jpg (JPEG format)

Sample Biographical Sketch:

John Rodriquez
Rodriquez, 16, is a 1997 Texas Merit Scholar and a senior at Texas High School. He is the President of Science Club, President of FFA, Student Council President, Board Member for the Chess Club and a Committee Chair for the Theater Arts Enhancement. John is also a National Merit Semifinalist and an officer in the National Honor Society. His sponsor is Ms. Consuela Martinez and his advisor is Ms. Kay Stevens at DuPont.

RESEARCH PAPER GUIDELINES

The research paper will be used during the judging process. All research paper presenters are required to submit a PDF of their research paper to the Educational Outreach and Women's Programs Office (outreach@science.tamu.edu) by the deadline. Your paper must be printed in 12-point font. Do not forget to include a cover sheet. Your research paper will be part of your final score, as well as your presentation. Your judges will receive a copy of your paper prior to the competition. Please refer to the suggested format. The research papers WILL NOT be returned to you!

Paper length should be 10-20 pages. It may not exceed 20 pages. Pages over 20 will be removed and NOT given to the judges.

Parts of the Research Paper:
Cover Sheet
Please use a cover sheet for your research paper. Make sure your title matches the title submitted with your abstract. Cover Sheet MUST include your name and school.

Acknowledgment of Major Assistance
Include a statement on where and when the research was done and acknowledge those who assisted you with the study.

Table of Contents
List the topics and sub-topics in order and the page numbers on which they start. Add to the table of contents a list of all graphs, tables, and other representative figures. These should have a title and page number.

Introduction
A number of items are included in this section. Keep in mind though, you are writing the introduction to provide background, details, or the setting of your specific research problem. Assume that the reader will be scientifically literate, but he or she may not be familiar with the details. First in the introduction, state the purpose of the research study. Secondly, state the hypotheses that you are testing. Describe what is already known about the research.

Materials, Methods, and Procedures
State the materials, methods, and procedures used to conduct the research in a step-by-step manner. This section should be written specifically enough to that the research could be replicated

Results (Data or Findings)
Present the results of your research findings in logical order. Use graphs, tables, and/or other representation. Tables and graphs should be numbered separately and include captions. Numbering will enable you to refer to them in text quite easily.

Even though you may present your results in a graphic form, you must explain in text the important features of each table, graph, etc. This is also the appropriate place to report the results of statistical analysis of your data. Remember to report the type of statistical test used.

Discussion and Conclusions
You interpret your results in this section. First, restate your hypotheses, and explain how your data either supported for rejected your initial research questions. Discuss your research findings in relationship to what is already known about the research problem (reported in the introduction section). Draw conclusions based upon your research findings (as reported in the results section). Your conclusions can include relevant, subjective observations or comments, but do state that these are speculations.

Acknowledge any limitations, which affect the research results. For example, what further experiments need to be performed? Statistical techniques used to manipulate the data may have limitations. Some of the treatment effect might have bee caused by a random, uncontrolled intervening variable. Again, acknowledge these limitations and other factors over which the researcher had not control, and state how these might have influenced the study outcomes.

Literature Cited
This is a list of citations for every article cited in your text. Endnotes are needed for all direct quotations and for all important statements of facts or opinions that are taken from written sources. Figures, dates, descriptions of situations, scientific data, opinion, representation and the like which are presented to advance the subject of the paper need a stated source. Check with your sponsor or other advisors if you need further advice about the format for endnotes.

Appendices
In some cases, you may wish to include large tables of raw data in your report. You should include such items in an appendix at the very end of your research report. Label and paginate your appendices. These pages are included in the 20 page count.

Supervising Scientist Certification (if applicable)
Please use the form provided and place this page as the second to last page of your research paper. You must have Acrobat® Reader® installed to view the attachment.

Statement on Outside Assistance (if applicable)
Please use the form provided and place this page as the last page of your research paper. You must have Acrobat® Reader® installed to view the attachment

Educational Outreach and Women's Programs
College of Science ~ Texas A&M University
3257 TAMU ~ 517 Blocker Bldg.
College Station, TX 77843-3257
979.845.7363 ~ Fax 979.845.6077
outreach@science.tamu.edu