MSEC Newsletter

Mercer Science and Engineering Club Newsletter
Vol. 1, Num. 1, June 2005
www.mercersec.org

Newsletter Contents
1. 2005 Kickoff Meeting Highlights
2. Forms Change
3. Microcomputer Kits
4. September Training Session
5. Some New Rule Changes
6. New Members And Sponsors
7. Upcoming Dates

Welcome to our first Club newsletter. We are well on our way for the 2005 Mercer Science and Engineering Fair. Our newsletter covers information related to the club and fair. A newsletter archive is located on our website along with a host of over useful documents and links.

1. 2005 Kickoff Meeting Highlights

The 2005 Kickoff Meeting in June was a great success. We had a number of teachers attending from schools new to the Mercer Science and Engineering Fair. We hope they will have students participating in the 2005 fair.

We had a number of presentations at the meeting including the three time grand prize winner of the Mercer Science and Engineering Fair, Laura Wong, who gave an overview of the Mercer Science and Engineering Fair. Rich Daugert presented some of the new rule changes (discussed below) and "Participating in a science fair benefits students." Ann Wong distributed the latest forms package (remember the change to the Project application noted above).

A number of questions came up including one about Professional Development training hours. We are looking into this. We will let you know the status as soon as possible.

2. Forms Change

Please note that the Project Application form has changed. An updated version is on the website. It adds the Biological and Physical categories for the Elementary and Junior divisions. This is the same as last year. We also encourage Junior division students to select one of the 14 senior division categories that can be used on the Abstract form. This will give students an idea of what the senior division is like. Only the senior division will be divided into 14 categories. The Elementary and Junior divisions will continue with 2 judging categories.

3. Microcomputer Kits

We awarded five microcomputer kits at the 2005 Kickoff meeting. It was a great success and we plan on doing it again at our September Training Sessions. Just a reminder to those that received kits, please send a short note to webmaster@mercersec.org about what kit you received and what you plan on doing with it. This may include things like using it as a training tool in class, giving or loaning it to a student, or developing a course around it.

4. September Training Session

We have set the date for the September Training session. It will be Tuesday, September 21st at 7:00pm. The location has not been set yet. We are planning three training sessions whose topics will be set in the near future. As requested at the June Kickoff, one workshop will address project presentations. We will be giving away additional microcomputer and robot kits at this session as well. Prizes are limited to those who have not been awarded a kit already.

5. Some New Rule Changes

There are a few rule changes that everyone should be aware of. A complete list will be posted on the website. Here are some of the more notable ones:

Adherence to the ethics statement was added to the requirements for all projects.
The photographer for any or all photographs in a project must be acknowledged on the board
An Intel ISEF format abstract must be displayed vertically on a project table. It an be mounted on the display board or in its own, standalone holder. This form of abstract is required for the senior division and optional but recommended for the junior division. A copy of this abstract is the only material that may be given to a judge upon request (Senior division only).
The Gerontology category has been eliminated as a separate category in the senior division. Also, the Earth and Space Science category has been split into Earth Science and Space Science.

6. New Members And Sponsors

The Club and Fair are growing. We are looking for new members and Fair sponsors. Membership and sponsorship details can be found on the website. Members can not be fair participants or those associated with a participant such as a parent, teacher or mentor although you can be on our mailing list. Please contact us if you have any suggestions for sponsors or if you wish to join the Mercer Science and Engineering Club or sponsor the Mercer Science and Engineering Fair.

7. Upcoming Dates

Sept. 21, 2004 - September Training Session

Feb. 17, 2005 - 2005 Fair Applications Due

Mar. 13, 2005 - 2005 Mercer Science and Engineering Fair setup

- Bill Wong, President
president@mercersec.org

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Sponsors:

Fair Host: Rider University
Website Host: Voicenet

Gold Sponsors: Rabbit Semiconductor, Siemens

Bronze Sponsors: Honeywell, Parallax, Macraigor Systems

Check our website (www.mercersec.org) for a complete list of sponsors and sponsorship information.

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For additional information
email webmaster@mercersec.org
or call Bill Wong at (215) 736-2449

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