1.Application information
Both individual and team (up to three persons) entries presenting the results of ambitious "independent research in science and technology" may apply without needing to adhere to any conventional categories. Work presented as school assignment projects can be submitted. However, applications are restricted to previously unpresented research work that is undertaken for the purpose of entering the JSEC2006 contest.
Applications will be accepted in a broad range of categories, including, for example, biology, physics, chemistry, earth sciences, mathematics, environmental science, space sciences, studies of the earth, life sciences, biotechnology, nanotechnology, medical science, health studies, social behavioral studies, architecture and engineering. Applications in any advanced, applied fields of research are also welcome.
2.Application requirements
Applicants must be students enrolled at a high school or technical college (up to 3rd year).
3.Application procedures
Please send the following items to the JSEC2006 Secretariat:
(1) Independent research in science and technology outline (abstract); a summary of the research, approx. 800 (Japanese) characters, suggested (single A4 sheet)
・Word 《JSEC2006_abstract.doc》
・PDF 《JSEC2006_abstract.pdf》
(2) Thesis and study documentation (*optional): research thesis, reference documents, photographs, drawings, mathematical models, etc. (up to 10 A4 sheets per document)
(3) Application form ("entry sheet"): with full name, address, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address, name of school/college, clubs to which you belong, and name of team (only if you are entering as part of a team)
・Word 《JSEC2006_entrysheet.doc》
・PDF 《JSEC2006_entrysheet.pdf》
4.Application period
Applications will be accepted between Friday, September 1 and Fridayday, September 29, 2006.
5.Judging method
In this contest, judging will consist of verification of the submitted scientific and engineering research results, as well as evaluated based on their ability to explore their chosen subjects, the inventiveness and originality of the experiments, as well as communications skills, teamwork and leadership. The first stage of judging will consist of a selection based on the research documentation (e.g. abstracts) submitted by the students; the second stage will consist of evaluating the research work by presentations by applicants in exhibition-style booth formats.
6.First judging
On Saturday October 28, 2006, the research outlines (abstracts) submitted by applicants will be assessed. Evaluations will be made by committee of judges comprised of university professors and high school teachers. The committee will evaluate applicants based on their level of academic interest, their level of enthusiasm for the research, reading and writing abilities, and their level of understanding of mathematical expressions, formulas and principles. It is estimated that approximately 30 research projects will be selected in the second stage of judging.
7.About research outlines (abstracts)
Research outlines should be presented on a single sheet of A4 paper, giving an explanation of the study in approximately 800 characters (Japanese). Forms for this purpose can be downloaded from the JSEC web site.
8.Research data and thesis
As support documentation for the abstract, we will accept the complete text of the thesis and the research data. As a general rule, these should comprise of no more than 10 A4 pages for each support document. Applicants are free to attach photographs, drawings, mathematical expressions, charts, etc. as desired. Note that any materials created from digital data should be saved and presented on a medium such as floppy, CD-R or MO disk. Printed copies of such materials must be attached. Photos, video and other visual media can also be submitted.
9.Contacting applicants who pass the first round of judging
Applicants who successfully pass through the first round of judging will be promptly notified. At that time, we will provide detailed information about further preparations required for the contest.
10.Second round of judging (final judging)
The second (and final) round of judging will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2006, with presentations by all the applicants who successfully passed the first round of judging. Evaluations will be based on the motivation and desire, originality, communication abilities and teamwork shown by applicants, and on presentations of the research projects lasting approximately 10 minutes followed by a question and answer session of five minutes.
11.About the presentations
The presentations of research projects will be held in exhibition booths. As a basic guideline, panel displays should consist of six to 10 A3-size sheets. Presentations should comprise study findings, charts and documentary photographs, etc. Research equipment can also be exhibited, but living organisms, gases, and any hazardous materials such as explosive substances cannot be displayed.
12.About safety standards and guidelines
All research projects entered in JSEC must strictly abide by accepted international safety standards for scientific and technological research, as well as ISEF's and JSEC's own standards. Furthermore, in addition to evaluation of research excellence by the judging committee, an SRC (science review committee) is being set up to assess how well entries conform to these safety standards.
13.Honorary adviser (*planned)
Masatoshi Koshiba, Professory (Emiritus) Tokyo University, Nobel Laureate in Physics, Chairman of the Heisei Basic Science Foundation
14.Awards ceremony (*planned)
The awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2006. (Planned prize details are given below.)
* Grand Prize
(Certificate, plaque, 500,000 yen research grant, and right to compete at ISEF) 4 entries
* Special Sponsor Award
(Certificate, Trophy, 300,000 yen research grant, and attendance at ISEF as a science reporter) 1 entry
* Sponsor Awards
(Certificate, 200,000 yen in research grant, and attendance at ISEF as a science reporter) 4 entries
* Judging committee honorable mention awards (individual or team)
** The top three JSEC winners will travel overseas to participate in ISEF in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA in May 2007 (for about one week). JSEC provides an opportunity to experience the world of global science and technology.[Alternatively, “JSEC provides young scientists the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in world of global technology.”]
・Judging Committee Encouragement Prize(several)
Award certificate and research encouragement grant
* As an initiative by corporate consponsors to promote science and technology, the establishment of a new complementary sponsors' award is planned (Corporate Special Prize).
* All students attending the final round of judging of the contest will be issued with a "JSEC Finalist Certificate."
15.About Intellectual Property Rights
The intellectual property rights to all work submitted to JSEC2006 will reside with the persons submitting the work. |
