INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS
Thank you for encouraging students to attend and participate in the Washington Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (WJSHS) at Seattle Pacific University, in Upper Gwinn (3rd floor), on Thursday and Friday, March 15-16, 2012.
Visit Seattle Pacific University's website for directions and campus map: http://spu.edu/depts/ugadm/visits/resources.asp
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF WJSHS EVENTS:
The Symposium will begin with Check-In between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 15, in Upper Gwinn on Seattle Pacific University's campus. There will be a continuous series of events from Thursday at 1:00 pm through Friday, March 16, ending at approximately 6:00 pm. The Final Program with all the details will be posted on this website later.
TEACHER REQUEST FOR FTP ACCOUNT DEADLINE:
Friday, January 6, 2012
Teachers whose students intend to submit papers must click here to send a special email to the WJSHS Director by Friday, January 6, 2012 to request a password-protected FTP account on the Symposium server. This will allow each teacher to have his or her secure space to upload papers. No more emailing large files!
RESEARCH PAPER SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Friday, January 20, 2012
Student Research Papers must be prepared and oral presentations must be delivered according to the National JSHS Program Fact Sheet and Guidelines for Students
The teacher of every student who submits a research paper must electronically upload a pdf version of the complete research paper (maximum size of 1.8 Mb) in the teacher's FTP account assigned on the WJSHS server.
Complete research papers submitted on behalf of each student must include everything in the following list within the 20 page limit for the paper -- in this precise order:
1. a correctly formatted 200 word Abstract, which is preceded by a
header that includes;
(a) title of the research project,
(b) student name,
(c) name of high school, city, and state,
(d) name(s) of teacher, sponsor, mentor (preceded by their title),
(e) a line of space between this heading and
the body of the abstract,
(f) the 200 word limit abstract.
2. a Statement of Outside Assistance, which includes all the following:
(a) the name(s) of mentor(s), research advisor(s), and others who
contributed to the research described in the paper,
as well as a brief outline of each person's contributions
to the project,
(b) explain the extent of the original work carried out by the student
submitting the paper,
(c) if the research is a continuation of a project carried out by
another student in a previous year or by the same student
in a previous year, then a description of the new research
by the student needs to be clearly explained,
3. the Main Body of the Paper with all of the parts described under the
following headings (in bold print);
(a) Background for the research,
(b) statement of the Research Problem,
(c) description of the Research Design and the Variables,
(d) Data Collection Procedures, including appropriate
statistical procedures,
(e) Results, including appropriate charts, graphs and statistics,
(f) Discussion of the results, including appropriate Conclusions,
4. a complete Bibliography of sources.
Please note: ONLY complete research papers will be considered for judging. In addition, submissions made by anyone except the student's teacher will not be considered.
NOTIFICATION OF FIFTEEN FINALISTS FOR ORAL PRESENTATIONS:
Friday, February 10, 2012
The notification of the selection of fifteen finalists who will be invited to present their research orally at the WJSHS will be made on Friday, February 10, 2012. All teachers will receive a list of ALL students who will be invited to present their papers orally. The students who will be giving oral presentations should receive the following from their teacher.
►A copy of the list of presenters, with that
student's own name highlighted.
►Copies of the Oral Presentation Guidelines
and Judging Form, which gives the criteria.
The Teacher must be sure that we receive an email confirmation from each selected student which communicates that the student intends to give his or her oral presentation at the Symposium. Please send email confirmations to remyers@spu.edu We must receive these confirmations no later than Friday, February 17, 2012. Also see "Registration Deadline" section below.
NOTIFICATION OF POSTER PRESENTERS:
Friday, February 10, 2012
Students who do not get invited to present their research orally may display their research in a poster presentation at the Washington Symposium. Teachers need to give these students the following:
►A copy of the Poster Presentation Guidelines,
(especially note the size restrictions). Any Posters
that exceed the size restrictions may be rejected
from the competition, at the Director's discretion.
►A copy of the Form for Judging Poster Presentations,
which gives the criteria for judging.
The teacher must provide a confirmation for each student who intends to display a poster, by noting the intent on the Final Registration Form. We must receive these confirmations no later than Friday, February 17, 2012. Also see "Registration Deadline" section below.
FINAL SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Due Between February 10 and 17, 2012
Teachers: Please use the Final Registration Form attached to the Director's February 10 email to list all attendees, sequenced in the following categories:
1. Oral Presenters,
2. Poster Presenters,
3. Other Student Attendees,
4. Teachers,
5. Adult Chaperones
Teachers: Please email your completed Final Registration Form to: remyers@spu.edu as an attachment. In addition, have each student fill out the Seattle Pacific University "Waiver Form" and turn in all of them at the Check-In Table when you arrive at Upper Gwinn on March 15.
Note: The Registration Fee has been reduced to $5 for all attendees - students, teachers, and chaperones. By February 17, this Fee must be paid by check made out to Seattle Pacific University, or by phoning the University's Finance Office using a personal or school district credit card.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR LODGING AT COURTYARD SEATTLE LAKE UNION (or another hotel of your choosing):
Should be completed by February 24, 2012
Teachers: It will be your responsibility to directly make all reservations and payments for lodging with a hotel of your choice. Although the Courtyard Seattle Lake Union is recommended, each teacher is free to select the lodging accommodations for your group.
If you choose to make reservations at the Courtyard Seattle Lake Union, they must be received on or before Thursday, February 24, 2012 in order for the following discounted rate to apply: $92, plus taxes (about 16%). Reservations need to be made by calling 206-213-0100. The event name is WJSHS/Seattle Pacific University Room Block, reference number M-C9E9M5. Be sure to use this information when you make your reservations, in order to receive the special group rate. You will need to provide your school district or personal credit card number in order to hold your reservation.
Once your group's reservations are completed, please send the name of the hotel you choose and the hotel's phone number to the WJSHS Director at remyers@spu.edu
Payment for Rooms:
Seattle Pacific University will NOT be responsible for any lodging charges
Teachers: The final payment for all rooms will be made by each teacher and/or their own school district. The particular means of payment is at the discretion of the teacher.
Note: To make the cost of lodging less of an additional strain, the Registration Fee has been reduced to $5 for all attendees - students, teachers, and chaperones.
Assignment of Rooms:
Teachers: It will be the responsibility of the teacher to assign all students and chaperones to rooms.
MEDICAL CONSENT FORMS:
Teachers: You must have a completed medical consent form for each student (provided by your school). Teachers need to have the medical consent forms with them at all times in case of emergency. If a teacher does not have a consent form and a student needs emergency attention, it will be the responsibility of the teacher to contact the parents and make arrangements to handle the situation. Seattle Pacific University does not provide medical consent forms nor medical treatment, and is not liable for treatments made by others without parental consent.
INFORMATION ABOUT AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS:
The scholarships for Oral Presentation winners at the Regional Symposium will be $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $1,000 for third place winners.
The teacher of the first place winner will receive a certificate and an award for $500.
The first- and second-place WJSHS Oral Presentation winners will get to present their research orally at the National Symposium and compete for additional scholarships. The first and second place winners at the Regional level will be competing on equal footing at the National Symposium.
The third-place WJSHS Oral Presentation winner will be invited to present his or her research in a non-competitive poster session at the National Symposium. Student attendees at the National Symposium will select 10 top-place finishers and a "student’s choice" winner of the poster session. Large medallion ribbons will be awarded with no cash prizes.
The fourth- and fifth- place WJSHS Oral Presentation winners will also get to attend the National Symposium.
The first-place winner among the WJSHS Poster Presenters may also get to attend the National Symposium, if the National Office of JSHS provides the support for this, as they have in the past.
Teachers: Please ask your students to consult the Information for Winners to familiarize themselves with the procedures for the winners. All student presenters need to come to the WJSHS with the required information necessary for travel arrangements to the National competition, as follows:
1. Student name,
2. Home address,
3. Social Security number,
4. Cell phone number,
5. Home phone number,
6. Location of the most convenient airport.
We are looking forward to seeing you and your students on the campus of Seattle Pacific University on March 15-16, 2012! In the meantime, if you have any questions, please email Ray Myers, remyers@spu.edu or call Ray at 206-218-8830.