Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Regulations about research involving humans or animals.
2. Restrictions on the display of subject materials or organisms
3. How Student Research Proposals Are Evaluated
4. SABC Project Judging Criteria
5. Requirements for a lab journal
6. Exhibit displays
7. Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge Safety Regulations
8. Exhibit Safety Check
9. Sample Projects From Past Competitions
10. National Competition
1. Regulations about research involving humans or animals.
You are not permitted to use humans or other living vertebrate animals as research subjects for the SABC competition. Student investigations of biological processes are subject to the same ethics, laws and regulations as any other research. In the Criminal Code of Canada, the Animals for Research Act of Ontario, and similar legislation in other provinces, all vertebrates used for research, are afforded protection. The Act also covers animal use in educational exhibits, classroom and laboratory teaching. Valuable biological information that is relevant to the higher orders of life can be obtained by investigating lower orders (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, insects, plants and invertebrate animals).The SABC Proposal Evaluation Committee will also reject any submissions that propose the use of vertebrate animals (birds, fish, mammals, reptiles,amphibians) as subjects in experiments.Cells and animal parts (including organs, tissues, plasma or serum) purchased or acquired from biological supply houses or research facilities may be used in science fair projects, but must not be displayed at the competition. Evidence of the source of the materials (e.g., bill of sale) must be available at the display.If the acquisition involves salvage from another research project, where the animal has been killed for other legitimate purposes in a legal and humane manner, then the disposition to the science fair project must be part of the original research proposal, and such disposition must have been approved by the Research Committee or the Animal Care Committee of the institution involved. Reference to the original project should be made on the science project display.If the acquisition involves salvage from the food industry, then the source must be acknowledged.
Students and teachers should confirm that the proposal conforms to the policies of their particular school boards regarding experimental materials if some of the research will be done in school laboratories.
Any experiments involving cell or tissue cultures from human beings and other vertebrate animals will be passed through the SABC Proposal Evaluation Committee to ensure compliance with the regulations and restrictions in their jurisdiction, some of which are listed below. If necessary, SABC will refer the project to appropriate authorities cognizant of current regulations and relevant aspects regarding scientific merit, for guidance and suggestions for performing the work.
Biological experimentation is subject to legal restrictions including, among others:
- Criminal Code of Canada, Section 446, Cruelty to Animals;
Convention for International Trade on Endangered Species;
Canadian Wildlife Service;
Health of Animals Act, Bill C-66;
Guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care;
Animals for Research Act (Ontario).
Top of page
2. Restrictions on the display of subject materials or organisms
The primary concern at the SABC competition is that of public safety. Many subject organisms and materials that may be used acceptably in your research under the supervision and approval of your mentor and his/her institution, are not permissible for exhibition purposes at the SABC competition. Simulations or photographs can be substituted.
The following are regulations regarding hazardous biological and chemical materials that will be enforced.
- Live micro-organisms and vertebrate or non-vertebrate animals are prohibited. Use photographs or other visual media.
- Cells and animal parts (including organs, tissues, plasma or serum) purchased or acquired from biological supply houses or research facilities may be used in science fair projects, but must not be displayed at the competition. Evidence of the source of the materials (e.g., bill of sale) must be available at the display.
- The only parts of vertebrate animals that may be displayed are those that are either naturally shed by an animal or parts properly prepared and preserved. Soft tissue specimens are not acceptable if they are preserved in formaldehyde, a dangerous chemical excluded under the chemical safety section of these guidelines. Sealed tissue samples on microscope slides are permissible.
- Plant tissues that are known to possess allergens or have been treated with herbicides/pesticides or infected with viruses must not be displayed.
- Chemical agents in the following categories must not be at the competition site.
Biological toxins. (e.g. venom)
Toxic and corrosive chemicals. (e.g. formaldehyde, acids)
Radio-isotopes or compounds containing radio-isotopes at activities above normal background
3. How Student Research Proposals Are Evaluated
Many submissions are rejected immediately because they propose the use of animals in contravention of the SABC regulations. Please see the section on “Regulations about research involving animals ” (# 2 above).
The research proposals will be evaluated by the SABC Evaluation Committee based on the following criteria:
1. Clarity and Soundness of Objective (20%)
Is there a clearly defined objective that is sound, logical and “realistic to accomplish”?
2. Design and Feasibility of Experiment (50%)
Could these experiments provide results that would lead to answer(s) for the question(s)? Are these experiments feasible?
3. Relevance of Proposal (10%)
Does this research proposal have any relevance within the broad definition of biotechnology?
4. Skill Level Requirement (10%)
What is the difficulty level of carrying out the proposed experiments?
5. Presentation of Proposal (10%)
How clearly and well presented is this proposal?
4. SABC Project Judging Criteria
Originality and Scientific Merit 30%
In this section the judges will evaluate the projects overall relevance to the life sciences, as well as the degree of originality and creativity demonstrated by the students. Critical to this will be an assessment of the extent to which the ideas have been generated by the students. Judges must also assess the level of science represented by the project, (e.g. grade level, university level, etc.)
- Relevance to the life sciences (biotechnology) 10%
- Originality and innovation 15%
- Level of science 5%
Project Execution 30%
Judges should evaluate the projects experimental design, protocols, data collection and analysis. The students command of techniques and skills must beassessed along with the validity of their conclusions.
- Experimental design and protocols 10%
- Results: Data collection and analysis 10%
- Command of techniques and skills 5%
- Validity of conclusions 5%
Communication 40%
a) Project display
Judges should evaluate the display as a summary of the project and its conclusions. They should also evaluate the display in terms of its layout and clarity in illustrating the scientific techniques involved in the research.
- Project Summary 5%
- Clarity and layout 5%
b) Oral Presentation
The judges will assess the students oral presentation in terms of the level of scientific knowledge demonstrated and their ability to explain and defend their conclusions.
- Demonstration of scientific knowledge 10%
- Ability to explain and defend conclusions 10%
c) Lab journal
The judges should evaluate the lab journal for its completeness and its representation as a chronological record of the research progress.
- Lab journal 10%
5. Requirements for a lab journal
Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge Lab Book Checklist
Each student team is required to submit a lab journal for part of their project evaluation. The type of lab book required is one that is easily obtainable at stores such as Staples or Office Depot. The recommended type is a Blueline Hard Cover Flush-cut Composition Book (7 1/4? x 9 1/4?). They sell for under $10.
For a scientist the lab book is a record of everything connected with his or her research. It is a record of the procedures, observations and results of ongoing research and it is a place to record those ideas that occur to a scientist as he or she thinks about the work. It is a record of when ideas were born in case there is a dispute over patents or intellectual property. There are some standard procedures common to most institutions. These are listed below and are the organizational and procedural aspects of keeping a lab book. As well, there are some expectations as to the kinds of content expected. These are in the checklist that judges will use to assess your lab books.
Procedure
Before you begin any entries, number every page of your lab book consecutively in the upper right hand corner of each page. Do not leave out any pages.
Date every page of the book as you use it and every entry if doesn’t start on a new page.
If you make a mistake, cross it out with a single stroke and initial it. Do not remove any pages from the book.
Do not use white out or liquid paper.
Glue a copy of the experimental procedure or protocol in the notebook the first time you use that procedure.
Do not leave empty pages between experiments. Just write “continued on page ##” where you end and “continued from page ##” where you begin again.
Start a new page for each different experiment or project.
Glue diagrams and photos in at the appropriate place and initial the corner of the photo or diagram.
Have your mentor sign the lab book indicating that he or she has seen it.
* SABC reserves the right to assign available display space to exhibitors equally and to exclude exhibits that may be dangerous to exhibitors, visitors and the premises.
* A safety checklist is included in this FAQ section.
* The SABC regional coordinator or designated safety inspector has the authority to disqualify a display.
* The display should be a presentation of results, not a demonstration of the experiment.
Dimensions
All exhibits, including all accessories, must be confined to a table or floor
space not to exceed 0.8 metres, front to back; 1.2 metres side to side; and 3.5
metres maximum height from the floor. All measurements will be made from the
outermost points, including framework and appendages, and will be verified
during the safety check. Exhibits exceeding these dimensions must be modified or
will not be accepted (see Exceptions below).
Exceptions
From time to time, an exhibitor may wish to go beyond the normal limits of the
regulation project display space to demonstrate an aspect of their project. This
can only be done with the approval of the SABC Science Coordinator in your
region. Any consideration given may not give the exhibitor an unfair advantage.
The following guidelines will govern these circumstances:
* Any demonstration that exceeds the regulation project display space may be limited to the judging sessions, or to the public viewing, at the discretion of the SABC Coordinator.
* All material should be contained within the designated space when it is not being demonstrated. Students may not bring supplementary material to the display solely for the demonstration. To do so may give them an unfair advantage.
* Safety of people in the exhibit hall and of other exhibits must not be jeopardised by the demonstration.
* Where project work utilises materials or devices that exceed the regulation
space, students may represent such devices through models, drawings, videos,
etc. It is not necessary to replicate research results for the judges.
Materials
Concerns about materials used relate primarily to their potential fire hazard.
Display boards, all supporting framework and presentation media attached, are to
be constructed of materials that are unlikely to ignite and in the presence of
fire will not allow flame to spread readily or produce toxic fumes. Metal, glass
and plexiglass/acrylic materials are acceptable as are cardboard, wooden and foam core boards that are commonly available at craft or office supply stores. Pages be attached singly and flat to the display board. If multiple pages are necessary, they should be bound and available as a booklet in front of the display.
Damage waiver
Although every effort will be made to prevent damage to exhibits, SABC and its
supporting organisations or co-operating groups will accept no responsibility
for loss or damage to any exhibit or part thereof.
7. Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge Safety Regulations
General Safety
Safety of the public is of prime consideration. Suitable precautions must be taken to prevent the possibility of personal injury, property damage, and the legal action that could result from a lack of concern for safety.
Exhibits must be of a safe design, with moving parts firmly attached and approved for safety. Each exhibit must be self supporting.
Pressurized vessels should have a safety valve.
Compressed gas cylinders are not allowed.
Aisles and exits should not be obstructed.
The exhibits must comply with all of the conditions regarding the use of humans and use of animals as outlined on the F.Y.I. page of this website and further specified by the ABC Proposal Evaluation Committee upon conditional acceptance of a proposal.
Fire Safety
Certain restrictions have been defined on the construction of displays to reduce the possibility of accidental fire during the fair, and in the event of fire, to allow for safe evacuation of the building.
Combustible material must not be used near a heat source.
Open flames must not be used.
Smoking is not permitted in the exhibit area.
Packing material must not be stored in the exhibit hall.
Chemical Safety
No containers of toxic or flammable chemicals are allowed.
Exhibits involving hazardous materials and equipment (e.g. toxic and corrosive chemicals, lasers, etc.) should use simulation at the SABC competition.
Dangerous chemicals are not allowed this includes prescription drugs and over the-counter medication.
Substitutes for toxic and corrosive chemicals must be used. When chemicals are simulated, they should be labeled with the names of the substance they represent preceded by the word “simulated”. No project will be penalized because the key (but potentially dangerous) components were not on display.
Volatile materials must be handled and transported pursuant to the federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and provincial legislation. The person handling the material must be properly trained.
Electrical Safety
As low a voltage as possible must be used.
Electricity (AC 110 Volt, 60 Hertz) will be supplied, if requested, but no gas or water outlets will be provided. Switches and cords must be of the approved variety and circuits must be protected by fuses or circuit breakers. Cell or battery fed circuits should be both safe in design and operation.
Only CSA approved extension cords and electrical appliances in good repair shall be used.
The length of extension cords is to be kept to a minimum and out of the way to eliminate tripping hazards. Use tape for securing.
A ground fault interrupter for electrical leaks and faults must be used. SABC will ensure that such units are installed on the main electrical control panel serving the entire exhibit area.
Where practical and necessary, it is recommended that pilot lights be used to indicate that the voltage is on.
Electrical devices must be protectively enclosed as far as it is practical.
Any enclosure must be non combustible. All non current carrying metal parts must be grounded.
No exposed live parts over 36 volts are allowed. Current (amperage) must be low so as not to cause any discomfort or danger if touched.
At the end of the day or the viewing period, all electrical exhibits must bedisconnected, and power bars switched off.
Micro-organism Safety and Biohazards
The following hazardous biological and chemical materials are forbidden fordisplay at the SABC competition.
Living Animals
- Living cultures cannot be part of your display. This would include cell cultures or micro-organisms of any type;
- Cells and animal parts (including organs, tissues, plasma or serum) purchased or acquired from biological supply houses or research facilities may be used in science fair projects, but should not be displayed at the fair. Evidence of the source of the materials (e.g., bill of sale) must be available at the display;
- Plant tissues that have been infected with viruses;
- Biological toxins;
- Toxic and corrosive chemicals;
- Radio-isotopes or compounds containing radio-isotopes at activities above normal background.
8. Exhibit Safety Check
The primary concern at the SABC competition is that of public safety. Many subject organisms and materials that may be used acceptably in your research under the supervision and approval of your mentor and his/her institution, are not permissible for exhibition purposes at the SABC competition. Simulations or photographs can be substituted. The display is a presentation of the results, NOT a demonstration of the experiments. In some cases, working models may be used with permission of the SABC regional coordinator or designated safety officer.
General
* Exhibit is of a safe design, with moving parts firmly attached and approved for safety.
* The exhibit is self-supporting.
* Packing material is stored under the table.
* Aisles and exits are not obstructed.
Fire Safety
* Open flames are not used.
* Combustible material is not near a heat source.
* Synthetic backboard material is of an approved fire retardant type (UL approved).
* Sheets are attached to display board singly and flat.
Biological organisms
* Living cultures are not part of the display.
* Cells and animal tissues are displayed but are properly sealed in plastic or on microscope slides.
* Living animals (either vertebrate or non-vertebrate) are not part of the display.
* There is no evidence (e.g. video or photographic) of harm or distress to animals.
* The only parts of vertebrate animals that may be displayed are those that are either naturally shed by an animal or parts properly prepared and preserved. (Specimens preserved in formaldehyde are not permitted.)
* Evidence of the source of the biological materials (e.g., bill of sale) used in the research is available display.
Plants
* Plant tissues that have been infected with viruses are not part of the display.
* Plant tissues that are known to possess allergens or have been treated with herbicides/pesticides or infected with viruses are not part of the display.
Hazardous materials
* There are no containers of toxic, corrosive or flammable chemicals as part of the display.
* Hazardous materials and equipment (e.g. toxic and corrosive chemicals, lasers, etc.) are simulated.
* Dangerous chemicals (including herbicides, pesticides, prescription drugs and over the-counter medications) are not part of the display.
* Biological toxins are not part of the display.
* Radio-isotopes or compounds containing radio-isotopes at activities above normal background are not part of the display.
Electrical Safety
* Only CSA approved extension cords and electrical appliances in good repair areused.
* Electrical devices are protectively enclosed as far as it is practical.
* All enclosures are non-combustible.
* All non-current carrying metal parts are grounded.
Mechanical Safety
* Moving parts, such as in a working model, are designated to be safe or are enclosed with proper shielding.
* Pressurized vessels have a safety valve.
* Compressed gas cylinders are not present.
9. Sample Projects From Past Competitions
PROJECT: Intelligent Gell-O, A Controllable Polyacrylamide Gel, Filter of Liquids
The purpose of this project was to design and build a controllable polyacrylamide gel with the ability to filter different liquids by the contraction and expansion of the gel’s pores. The applications of a controllable filter can be found in both the industry and the environment (e.g., fractional distillation of oil, mobile water cleaning unit, etc.).
School: Woburn Collegiate Institute,Discipline: Biomaterials
PROJECT: The Restoration of Synthetic, Hydroxyapatite Block by Osteoclast, Lineage Cells
Metal/alumina implants in children must be replaced due to changing bone structure. The use of bone implant/piece replacements that may be placed into the body for indefinite periods of time is a better solution, especially for children. This project investigates the possibility of producing implants out of calcium phosphate that will, over time, be integrated into the skeleton. These experiments study the effect of osteoclast lineage cells exposure upon blocks of hydroxyapatite (HA) of varying porosity.
School: Woburn Collegiate Institute,Discipline: Biomaterials
PROJECT: To Extract, Purify and Characterize Major Viral Glycoproteins of the Parainfluenza Virus (PIV-1 and/or PIV-2)
Parainfluenza viruses can cause severe ailments, especially in children. As yet, no vaccines exist for the PIV-1 or PIV-2 viruses. This project involves procedures currently used in protein research. It explores methods of protein purification with specific reference to the development of modern vaccines.
School: William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute, Discipline: Biochemistry
PROJECT: DNA Fingerprinting to Catalog Wheat Varieties
The process to obtain a patent on a new strain of wheat takes eight years and thousands of dollars. By fingerprinting the wheat, shortly after the development of the strain, the length and cost of the patenting process would be reduced. This project demonstrates the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique on assorted varieties of wheat from the same family. The DNA obtained from this process produces a characteristic DNA fingerprint that can be used to identify the strain of wheat.
School: Ontario Science Centre Science School, Discipline: Molecular Biology
PROJECT: Ethanol Production by Extractive Fermentation
During fermentation, ethanol is being produced and accumulated until it kills the yeast. If ethanol is being removed by liquid-liquid extraction as it is produced, the yield would increase and the cost of production would be greatly lowered. This project examines the precise effect of ethanol upon yeast and determines the desirability of its removal.
School: Northern Secondary School, Discipline: Microbiology
PROJECT: Chlorophyll (”The Green Power Ranger”)
This project sets out to construct a biological system containing chlorophyll which produces electrons during photosynthesis. This application may lead to the development of an alternate electrochemical source which captures and converts light energy into electrical energy.
School: St. Robert Catholic High School, Discipline: Plant Technology
PROJECT: The Role of Chlorine in the Development of Cancer
The purpose of this project was to determine the role played by chlorine in favouring the development of different types of cancers, through its inhibition of nucleotide excision repair in the DNA of cells damaged by pollution, man-made carcinogens, UV and ionised radiation and natural toxins. The student who carried this project received the first prize in the 1996 competition and was awarded a $2,000 scholarship to York University by the Associate Dean of Pure and Applied Sciences.
School: Northern Secondary School, Discipline: Molecular Biology
PROJECT: Biological Pesticides
The aim of this project, conducted by a team of four Toronto students, was to identify various naturally-occurring microorganisms that could be used as effective and environmentally benign biological controls against common household insects such as cockroaches. This project received second prize in the 1996 edition of the CSBE.
School: St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School, Discipline: Biochemistry
PROJECT: Improving Anti-tuberculosis Vaccines
Recognizing the problem posed by the resurgence of tuberculosis in different areas of the world, two North York students undertook research on the use of monoclonal antibodies and the possibility of using these to improve upon the efficiency of existing anti-tuberculosis vaccines. The project was awarded the fourth prize in 1996.
School: William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute, Discipline: Molecular Biology
a) In the videoconference does the regional winner stand in front of their poster and present? Will the judges want an electronic copy in advance? Will the judges be able to see the poster by videoconference?
Yes, the regional winner will stand in front of their poster and present. The judges do not require an electronic copy of the poster in advance. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that if they are pointing to figures, the judges are able to see them. If the items on the poster are small, they should be magnified either by having supplementary pages to show to the camera or a computer screen set up in front of the poster showing a magnified image.
b) Am I allowed to do any experiments after the completion of the regional competition?
There are no rules against this.
c) What is the format of the presentation (poster vs. PowerPoint)?
Ideally the judges would like to see a presentation where both the student and their visuals can be seen clearly. In the past, students have been able to stand in front of a poster and have directed the judges to their figures using a computer screen with ease. PowerPoint can be used if contestants can be seen presenting in front of their PowerPoint. Contestants should use large font for text and magnify images and figures for clarity to the judges.
d) What is the duration of the presentation?
25 minutes of on camera action (15 min presentation, 10 min question and answer)! Judges will be marking off camera for 5 min.
a) e)Who would be watching the presentation besides the judges? Would it be posted online?
5-8 judges, some staff from the National Research Council, and Bioscience Education Canada staff. The judging has not been posted online in the past, however, this could change for future competitions.