1. Choosing a Research Topic Image from http://thestartingfive.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/question.jpg

3. the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles and theories,resulting in prediction and possibly ultimate control of events (Kumar , 1996)Images from http://gigalock.com/sfiab/docs/20071210_ScientificMethod.png and http://www.thwink.org/sustain/deadlock/E1_ScientificMethod.gif

4. II. Research Examples Examples of Research Projects from the Intel Philippine Science Fair 2008 Pharmaceutical compounds (antibacterial immunobooster) from Barringtoniaasiatica and Garciniamangostana (Tan, 2008) Isolation and characterization of the most cytotoxic fraction of selected Philippine poisonous crabs (Lugto, 2008) MORH: Jedoque process of increasing the compressive strength and lessening the water absorbency of hollow blocks (Oliva, 2008) Prediction of total soluble solids in ripe mangoes based on its electrical resistance (Diamante 2008) A comparative study on mangrove species diversity at different locations in Pangasihon forest (Borbon et al., 2008) Construction of a mechanical prototype of a microtremor recorder based on electromagnetic induction (Ambrosio et al., 2008) Image from http://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/intel-philsciencefair/images/ipsf2005/ipsf23.jpg

5. Choosing a Topic Topic Importance Novelty Feasibility Other practical considerations Researchers Interests Goals Adequate knowledge and skills III. Considerations When Choosing a Topic Image from http://www.kadmanweb.com/Images/crossroads.gif

6. Questions to ask yourself Which tastes better: Coke or Pepsi? Which energy drink provides the most energy? Is the topic original or does it present an original variation to a commonly done project? Are there at least 3 sources of printed material that can be easily found on the topic? Can you measure the changes in the variables? Is it possible to control factors that might influence the results? Is the experiment safe to perform? Are the required materials and equipment easily accessible at a reasonable cost? Do you have enough time to perform the experiment? Does the project meet all the rules and requirements of the school/science fair? Do cherries have antibacterial properties? Which herbal medicines did your mother use on you when you were a kid? Can graphology be used to detect criminal tendencies? What is the effect of a mutagen on mice? Can marijuana be used to cure headaches? What is the effect of different colors of light on plants? Is Titanium dioxide carcinogenic to humans? What is the effect of rock music on plant growth? What is the effect of caffeine on heart rate? What is the effect of a wildfire on a grassland ecosystem?

7. ISEF Categories IV. Possible Fields of Study Animal Sciences (AS) Behavioral and Social Sciences (BE) Biochemistry (BI) Cellular and Molecular Biology (CB) Chemistry (CH) Computer Science (CS) Earth and Planetary Science (EA) Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical (EE) Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering (EN) Energy and Transportation (ET) Environmental Management (EM) Environmental Sciences (EV) Mathematical Sciences (MA) Medicine and Health Sciences (ME) Microbiology (MI) Physics and Astronomy (PH) Plant Sciences (PS) http://societyforscience.org/isef/results/index.asp From http://www.societyforscience.org/ISEF/students/research_categories.asp Images from http://www.le.ac.uk/bl/background2.jpg, http://news.bbc.co.uk/, www.berea.edu,, www.ldsd.group.shef.ac.uk, www.engr.wisc.edu, www.strategypage.com

8. Animal Sciences Catch Me If You Can: A Robotic Simulation of Predator-Prey Co-Evolution The Effects of Serotonin on Circadian Patterns and Behaviors in Drosophila The Effect of Habitat Loss on Survival Potential and Decreasing Salinity on Tenacity of the Foot in the Marine Snail, Neritaatramentosa: Possible Implications for Global Warming? The Effect of the Antibiotics in Marine Sponges on Non-Pathogenic Bacteria The Ability to Learn: Learning and Communication between Comet Goldfish The Automatic Speech Translator for Disability (Deaf and Blind) Behavioral and Social Sciences Images from http://very-bored.com/pics2/cuteanimals/cute-animals-22.JPG and http://tatumweb.com/blog/pix/comet-large.jpg

9. Biochemistry Isolation of the Role of Earthworms in the Chemical Alteration Trajectory of Lignin in Old and Young Forest Systems Synthetic Analogs of IGF-1 Receptor Juxtamembrane Domain: Potent Inhibitors of Cancer Cell Growth Enzymatic Hydrogen Production Using Pyrococcusfuriosus: A Viable Solution for Renewable, Clean Energy, Phase II The Novel Role of the GluCl-α Ion Channel and Diazepam-binding Genes in Alcohol Addiction Overexpression of Aquaporin-1 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Mathematical Modeling of a Eukaryotic Circadian Clock Cellular and Molecular Biology http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/cheshire/IMAGES/watch_earthworm.jpg and http://www.chronopharmacology.de/img/Model%20animals.jpg

10. Chemistry Efficient Hydrogen Production Using Cu-Zn-Al Catalysts Prepared by Homogeneous Precipitation Method New Routes to Nylon Synthesis Fingerprinting with Genipin: A Green Reagent for Protein Detection in Solution and on Surfaces Layered-Double Nickel Hydroxides as a Future of Alkaline Secondary Cells Real-Time Water Wave Simulation with Surface Advection MindMouse: A Mind Computer Interface Without Pattern Recognition Based on Biofeedback Training Do You 'ear Wha' I 'ear? Redigitizing Voice Signals into Lower Frequencies to Revolutionize Hearing Assistance Technology Simulation of Traffic Problems Computer Science Im age from http://image.motortrend.com/f/misc-auto-shows/a-volume-hydrogen-fuel-cell-car-from-gm-by-2012/6320347+w700+cr1+re0+ar1/hydrogen-fuel-cell.jpg and http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2007/08/metro-manila-traffic-its-like-hell-on.html

11. Earth and Planetary Science Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Boxing Day Tsunami: The Last of the Knockouts? Testing the Effects of Coastal Configuration and Seawall Designs on Tsunami Strength Analyzing Arctic Solar Flux and Ice Extent Loss Projections Research on Autonomous Flight Controller and Low-altitude Robotic Aircraft Optimizing Wind Power: Design of a Hybrid Wind Turbine Using Active Solidity Control for Low Wind Speed Power Capture Intelligent Task Coordination with Multiple Robots Universal Screwdriver Head Designing an Autonomous Tracking System for Efficient Solar Energy Collection A Low Cost Water Based Evaporative Cooling Device for Computers Images from http://dynamic2.philonline.com/home_July_2006/fp071306_b.gif and http://www.solarnavigator.net/images/solar_cells_panels_array_monocrystaline.jpg

12. Materials Science and Bioengineering Development and Optimization of a Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel for Controlled Release of Phosphate Developing a Novel pH Buffer Methodology to Inhibit Concrete Corrosion Repairing America's Aging Concrete Highway Bridges with Cement Bio-Composites The Kudzu Question: A Useful, Renewable Resource? A Novel Process to Highly Improve the Bioethanol Production From Biomass to Ethanol: Using Transformed Yeast Saccharomycescerevisiae for Cellulosic Degradation and Ethanol Fermentation Energy and Transportation Images from http://blog.mlive.com/saginawnews/2008/02/large_Potholes.jpg and http://www.greenergy.com/images/Press/photo_library/bioethanol_pump.jpg

13. Environmental Sciences Development of Biosensors for Detecting Hazardous Chemicals The Viability of Green Cleaning: A Quantitative Assessment of the Phytoremediation of Copper Effluent Using Lemna minor Assessment of Land Uses Effects on the Water Quality of Rural Areas in Southeast Brazil Use of Seashells to Detoxify Lead-contaminated Effluent and Groundwater Fusariumpallidoroseum, II: Can It Control Water Hyacinth? Modification of Sunflower Stalk Extracts with Boric Acid and Their Usage as High Performance Insulation Material Environmental Management

14. Mathematical Sciences Quantitative Evaluation of Cancer Complexity: A Study of Fractal Morphometry Computing Perfect Numbers: The Search for Even and Odd Perfect Numbers Genomic Strategy to Refine Prognosis and Treatment of Early Stage Colon Cancer The Effect of Extracellular Signaling Molecules on Oligodendrocyte Differentiation, Morphology, Proliferation, and Survival Identification of the Molecular Targets Affecting the Action of Amphetamine in the Dopaminergic Pathway What Is that You're Putting in Your Baby's Mouth? The Effects of Bisphenol A from Polycarbonate Plastics on Lumbriculusvariegatus Medicine and Health Sciences

15. Microbiology Isolating Honey Chemical Constituents Responsible for Anti-Microbial Properties Effects of Water Quality on the Propagation and Growth of Batrachochytriumdendrobatidis Low-Cost Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy Correlation between Thermal Behavior and Molecular Network in Rubber Construction of a Mechanical Prototype of a Microtremor Recorder Based on Electromagnetic Induction Physics and Astronomy

16. Plant Sciences Towards Nitrogen-Fixing Symbioses without Mutual Consent: The Impact of Carbon Limitation on Endophytic Infection of Maize Developing a System for the Effective Biosynthesis of Pharmaceuticals: A Novel, Plant-Based Approach via the Trichomes Molecular and Cellular Responses under Hypoxic Stress in Rice Cultivars with Different Flooding Tolerance Eco-Friendly Ink for Color Pens

17. What’s the next step? Narrow down your field of study to a specific question. Collect background information on your question: at least 3 printed sources. Write a research brief on the topic chosen. IV. Next Step

19. RB 2 – 12mn, 10 July