D became an Intel STS semifinalist today, will it help her HYPS application?

2boysima
Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:47:32 +0000

I cannot offer comments on ISEF, but for STS, students and mentors are required to disclose involvement in projects. The use of labs and mentors is not hidden. While it is not required to be “front and center” on the public display boards, the judges are fully aware of mentor/lab involvement and there is no intent to deceive the public about outside involvement. STS encourages students to work in labs and in research programs, and lists such programs on their website. [Science Training Programs](http://sciserv.org/stp/)

ALL entrants were required to fill out the following information (in 2009…similar to info. required in previous years), which is part of their STS dossier:

"If you did your research in a scientist’s laboratory and based your Intel STS entry on that research, you must have that scientist complete…the Supervising Scientist Form, …

How did you get the idea for your research?

Where was the research done and who supervised your research?
Please give names, titles, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of these key people.

What was the duration of your research? Please explain the duration and intensity of your research for this entry.

What help have you received in doing your research? Please explain who helped you and what help each gave. (Be sure to include aid received in equipment, in materials, in ideas, in methodology, etc.)"

The supervising scientist form asks the following:
"1. How did the student get the idea for his/her project? Was the project assigned, was it picked from a list of possible research topics, did it come out of a discussion with
a scientist, did it arise from some work in which the student was engaged or did the student suggest it?


Did the student work on the project as part of a team or a group? If so, what was the size of the team, what was the composition of the team (students, group of adult researchers, etc.) and what was the student’s role?
How independently did the student work on the project?
What parts did the student do on his/her own, and on which parts did he/she receive help (in the experimental design, choice of techniques, use of special instruments or equipment, construction of equipment, gathering data, arriving at
conclusions, etc.)?
What did the student do that showed creativity and ingenuity? Can you cite examples of the student’s contribution in their current work (and future promise)? If so, were they creative in terms of science, or most importantly, creative for a high school student? Was it in experimental design, construction or use of equipment, evaluation of data, etc.?
What was the duration and intensity of the student’s research program at your institution? Number of weeks, full-time vs. part-time, resident vs. non-resident, etc."


As has been noted in other threads where this issue has been brought up…most scientists work with mentors and other scientists in labs. It’s part of the scientific process. Very few are hermits working by themselves. Why should it be any different for the winners of Intel/STS?

And it shouldn’t be a surprise that colleges…especially professors at colleges…are attracted to applicants who have this kind of experience.