How to Win OSSEF – Oklahoma State Science & Engineering Fair

Here’s how to do well at the Oklahoma State Science & Engineering Fair (OSSEF) and work your way toward the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). This guide covers the strategies and tips to maximize your chances.

What is OSSEF?

The Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair (OSSEF) promotes science education across Oklahoma. It oversees the state’s 8 regional fairs, hosts the state competition, and sends Oklahoma students to compete at the international level, ISEF.

Categories at OSSEF

• Life Sciences
  • Animal Sciences: animal behavior, genetics, and ecology.
  • Cellular Studies: cellular processes and functions.
  • Ecology: interactions between organisms and their environment.
  • Genetics: heredity and genetic variation.
  • Physiology: bodily functions and systems.
• Behavioral and Social Sciences
  • Cognitive Psychology: memory, perception, and decision-making.
  • Sociology: social interactions and group dynamics.
• Biochemistry
  • Medicinal Biochemistry: drug development and interactions.
  • Structural Biochemistry: the three-dimensional structures of biomolecules.
• Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • Climate Science: climate change and its effects.
  • Water Science: water quality, availability, and conservation.
• Microbiology
  • Bacteriology: bacteria and their roles.
  • Virology: viruses and their behavior.
• Physical Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering: applying engineering to healthcare.
  • Biomedical Devices: designing medical devices for new treatments.

Application requirements for OSSEF

OSSEF participants may use the ISEF forms and rules (all grades) or the MS-EZ forms and rules (grades 6-8 only).

Not sure what forms and approvals you need before starting a project? ScienceFair.io can help you determine the forms and approvals required for your project.

Winning tips at OSSEF

1. Use the resources from the OSSEF website

There’s no single formula for OSSEF, but this checklist for the journey to state is a useful starting point:

1. Identify a mentor.
2. Design and run a science fair project.
3. Participate in your local science fair.
4. Compete in your regional fair.
5. Advance to OSSEF and register by the deadline.
6. Find and complete the required forms.
7. Prepare for the interview and presentation with OSSEF judges.
8. Present your work.

The OSSEF resources page goes into more detail on each step. The tips below cover mentorship, your project, and the judging criteria.

2. Choose a strong research idea

Pick a topic you’re genuinely passionate about. Your project should be original, address a real-world problem, and show your scientific thinking.

Think about current global challenges, gaps in existing research, or new solutions to common problems. Once you have a rough idea, refine it with thorough background research to make sure it’s both novel and feasible.

Use the ScienceFair.io idea-generation system to develop a strong research idea.

Developing a strong research idea can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be. In this video, Rishab walks you through how to find a good STEM project idea step by step:

Play

3. Prepare a strong presentation

Your presentation is your chance to shine. Build a well-organized display board that clearly communicates your research question, methodology, results, and conclusion.

Practice your oral presentation thoroughly:

• Be clear and concise.
• Show enthusiasm for your project.
• Anticipate likely questions and prepare answers.
• Use visual aids effectively.

Here are a few guidelines for shaping and running a science fair project.

Problem statement

Pick your topic and get a sense of what you want to study. Ideas might come from hobbies or problems you see that need solutions. With limited time and resources, focus on just one or two specific questions. Write a concise statement of the problem and what you do and don’t already know about it, and consider what the solution might be.

Research your topic

Learn everything you can about your topic from the library and online. Observe related events, gather existing information, and look for unexplained or unexpected results. Talk to professionals in the field, reach out to companies for specific information, and obtain or build any equipment you need.

Organize and plan

Organize what you’ve learned and narrow your thinking to a particular idea, using your background research to guide you. Think about what you hope to prove, how you’ll do it, what you need, what might go wrong, and where you can get help. Outline these key points to guide you, and be ready to adapt.

For more tips

For the best guide on making a science fair poster that impresses judges, watch this video. It features insights from Rishab Jain, Harvard student and ISEF winner.

Play

4. Understand the judging criteria

Access the OSSEF judging criteria here.

5. Conduct thorough research

Solid research is the backbone of any winning project. Here’s how to do it well:

• Literature review: start with a thorough review of existing studies to understand your topic’s context.
• Use reputable sources: scientific journals, academic books, and trusted online resources.
• Data collection: use reliable, valid methods and gather enough data to support your conclusions.
• Analysis: analyze your data with appropriate statistical or qualitative methods, and be ready to explain it clearly.

Mastering the scientific method (or engineering design process)

OSSEF rewards a rigorous approach. Follow these steps to keep your project on track.

Scientific method:

1. Question: identify a problem that intrigues you.
2. Research: investigate what’s already known.
3. Hypothesis: form a testable prediction.
4. Experiment: test your hypothesis and collect data.
5. Analyze: interpret your data and see if it supports your hypothesis.
6. Conclusion: draw conclusions from your findings.

Engineering design process:

1. Define the problem: identify a need or challenge.
2. Research and design: explore possible solutions and design a prototype.
3. Test and evaluate: assess your prototype and make improvements.
4. Communicate: document and present your findings clearly.

6. Seek mentorship

A mentor can give you valuable guidance, helping you refine your research question, troubleshoot experiments, and prepare your presentation. The right mentor’s experience can be a game-changer.

A mentorship program like ScienceFair.io’s A-Z Science Fair Program gives you expert guidance to maximize your chances of winning.

Conclusion

Winning at OSSEF takes dedication, thorough research, and effective presentation. Follow these guidelines and put in consistent effort, and you’ll greatly improve your chances. Remember, the journey of scientific discovery is as valuable as the destination.

Good luck!