What is a Research and Engineering Design Project?
A Research and Engineering Design Project is the implementation of the scientific method or engineering design process to answer a question or solve a problem. This involves conducting background research on the question or problem, forming a hypothesis or proposing a solution, designing and performing experiments or tests, analyzing the resulting data, and using the results to draw conclusions about the question or problem being investigated. In the TNJSF, the project may be in any area of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).
Why Do a Research and Engineering Design Project?
This program allows students not only to learn about the scientific method and engineering design process, but also to gain real-world experience using them to address a question or problem in a STEM area that has sparked their interest.
By participating in the TNJSF Research and Engineering Design Competition, students will have the opportunity to discuss their work with judges and receive valuable feedback. They will also be able to explore a wide variety of research and engineering design projects and talk with other students participating in the fair during the public exhibition.
The TNJSF offers a wide array of cash prizes, awards, and opportunities to advance to other competitions. The Grand Prize for the Research and Engineering Design Competition includes advancement as Finalists to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, with all expenses paid.
How to Do a Research and Engineering Design Project
#1 Determine What Question or Problem You Want to Address
Think about scientific curiosities or engineering challenges from your own experience, topics you have studied in school, or issues you have learned about in the news. Then consider a what, why, or how question, or identify an unsolved problem related to your observation.
Once you have identified your question or problem, conduct background research to determine what is already known and what experiments, tests, or solutions have already been attempted. You may use books, journal articles, patents, reliable internet sources, and other appropriate materials. You must use at least five different sources of information for your background research.
#2 Choose an Adult Sponsor
All students must have an Adult Sponsor to participate in the TNJSF. You should choose an Adult Sponsor who can help guide you through the entire science fair process from start to finish. Consult the Sponsor requirements on the
ISEF Roles and Responsibilities
.
#3 Read the ISEF and TNJSF Eligibility Requirements, Rules, and Guidelines
It is very important that students, their Sponsors, and their parents or guardians read all applicable rules and guidelines before beginning work to ensure eligibility and compliance. This includes, but is not limited to:
Based on the rules, the Adult Sponsor should either have enough knowledge to ensure the safety of the student and compliance with all rules and regulations that apply to the project, or help the student find a Qualified Scientist and/or Direct Supervisor with the appropriate expertise. Qualified Scientists and Direct Supervisors must also read all applicable rules and guidelines.
#4 Plan Your Experiments or Tests and Write Your Research Plan
Based on your question or problem and your background research, you will formulate a hypothesis or propose a solution. You will then need to plan experiments or tests to evaluate your hypothesis or proposed solution. Be sure to consider what has already been attempted and what still needs to be investigated.
Project documentation should begin with the development of a Research Plan that explains the rationale, research question or engineering problem, materials, methodology and procedures, risk assessment, and bibliography for the proposed project. The Research Plan must be completed before experimentation or testing begins. Consult the Research Plan/Project Summary Instructions in the
ISEF Rules and Guidelines.
#5 Determine Whether You Need Prior Approval from a Scientific Review Committee
Projects must be reviewed and approved by a local or regional Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Scientific Review Committee (SRC) before experimentation begins if they involve any of the following:
- Human participants
- Vertebrate animals
- Potentially hazardous biological agents
- Tissue or body fluids
- Hazardous chemicals, activities, or devices
To obtain Prior Approval from the TNJSF SRC, your project documentation must be completed in
Terra Entry System. A preliminary ISEF Form 2C information must also be submitted when applicable. You must then submit a request in
Terra Entry System for SRC Prior Approval.
#6 Begin Your Experiments and Enter the Fair
Once you have completed your Research Plan, Adult Sponsor Checklist, Student Checklist, and any other required forms, and have received all necessary approvals, you are ready to begin your experiments or tests. All work must follow the approved Research Plan.
You also can begin your entry in the
Terra Entry System. Note that if your project was approved by the Supporting Adults before starting your entry in the Terra system, the Supporting Adults must be sure to enter the ACTUAL approval dates for the project, not the date they are submitting in the entry system.
Once experimentation begins, any changes to the project plan must be documented and reviewed for compliance with all applicable rules. Projects that received SRC Prior Approval must submit any proposed changes to the SRC for approval before those changes are implemented.
You must submit all required forms in the
Terra Entry System before the applicable Entry Deadline.
#7 Prepare for Fair Day Judging
Students will prepare their project display and oral presentation. They should be ready to clearly explain their research question or engineering problem, methods, results, conclusions, and the work they personally completed.