FAQ's
Abstract
- How do I create an abstract?
Acknowledgments
- Why can't we use names or acknowledgements in our Research Report?
- I want to reference certain individuals or institutions in my Report. How can I do so without mentioning a name?
Categorization
- I don't know how to categorize my project. Does this matter?
Citations and References
- I don't know how to format my citations and references. What is acceptable?
Eligibility
- I am not a citizen of the United States and I do not hold a green card. May I still apply for the Competition?
- I have applied for a green card, but have not received it yet. Can I still enter the Competition?
- Are exceptions made for non-seniors to submit individual projects?
- Are exceptions made for teams with more than three students?
- Are we allowed to submit a research project again?
- I will not be 13 years old by the competition deadline and/or my birth year does not appear on the registration drop down. What should I do?
Mentor Form
- What if I don't have a mentor or advisor?
- When am I required to obtain the signature of the lab director on my Mentor Form?
Online Registration
- I submitted my registration online and received my Confirmation Page. Then I realized that I had entered some incorrect information and misspelled words. How do I fix this?
Publications
- Can I submit my Research Report if I plan to submit it for publication or if it has already been published?
Research Report Requirements
- Are my graphs and charts included in the 18-page limit?
- How many graphics and illustrations are allowed?
- When should I start on my research project?
- When submitting the Research Reports, can the original signatures be photocopied?
Behavioral Science Topics
- What type of project would be considered behavioral science and thus, ineligible?
Vertebrates
- My research project involves working with live vertebrates (including human subjects). Is this allowed?
- My research project involves examining tissue of a vertebrate that was initially collected for another research experiment. I was not involved in that experiment. Tissues were provided to me. Is my project allowed?
General Facts and Information
- Is the deadline when the Research Report must be received or when it must be postmarked?
- How many Research Reports are received each year?
- How many finalists are chosen?
- How many regional finalists are chosen?
- Which university do I compete at if I advance to the regional level?
Abstract
How do I create an abstract?
The abstract is a synopsis of the problem, methods, results, and conclusions in your Research Report. It should be 100-200 words long, include the project title, and stand alone on a page. Do not include identifying information, such as your name, high school, research facilities, mentors, or advisors. Do not use gender ("he" or "she") in the abstract. The abstract is not counted as part of the 18-page report. Sample abstracts from previous winners are on the Siemens Foundation website.
Acknowledgments
Why can't we use names or acknowledgements in our Research Report?
This ensures that the projects are judged on the quality of your research. Do not include identifying information, such as your name, high school, research facilities, mentors, or advisors. Do not use gender ("he" or "she"). Research Reports that include identifying information may be disqualified. Acknowledgements must be listed on the Supplemental Form. List any individuals that assisted you with your Research Report, including family members.
I want to reference certain individuals or institutions in my Report. How can I do so without mentioning a name?
You may use a generic expression to distinguish your references. For example, if you are citing the work you performed in a research institution, your Report could read "research facility." If you wish to cite an individual, such as your advisor, you may substitute the word "advisor." Specific names must only be listed on the Supplemental Form, under Acknowledgements, and on the Confirmation Page.
Categorization
I don't know how to categorize my project. Does this matter?
Your research project must be categorized as accurately as possible, so the appropriate judges can be assigned. Consult a teacher in your science or math department, or your mentor, to help you. If your project crosses several disciplines, place it in the one where you feel it best belongs. If necessary, the judges reassign projects to ensure qualified judges review your work.
Citations and References
I don't know how to format my citations and references. What is acceptable?
Citations and references should be in complete and correct standard format for the discipline. Consult a teacher in your science or math department, or your mentor. You may also refer to The Mayfield Handbook of Technical & Scientific Writing, on the Siemens Foundation website.
Eligibility
I am not a citizen of the United States and do not hold a green card. May I still apply for the Competition?
No. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (holding a green card). The Siemens Foundation established this program to close the growing skills gap we have in math, science and technology here in the United States.
I have applied for a green card, but have not received it yet. Can I still enter the Competition?
No. All individuals or team members must first obtain green cards or permanent resident status before registering for the Competition and submitting a Research Report. You need to obtain a green card before the Competition deadline in order to be eligible.
Are exceptions made for non-seniors to submit individual projects?
No, exceptions are not made. Students submitting individual projects must be in good standing, enrolled in, and attending their last year of high school. You must complete all high school courses required for college admissions no later than September 1, 2013. Team projects may include seniors, but are not required to do so.
Are exceptions made for teams with more than three students?
No, exceptions are not made. Teams may have only two or three students.
Are we allowed to submit a research project again?
Yes, you may resubmit a project. However, you are required to demonstrate that you have substantially advanced the project and must provide this information during registration.
I will not be 13 years old by the competition deadline and/or my birth year does not appear on the registration drop down. What should I do?
Please email the College Board at spro@collegeboard.org.
Mentor Form
What if I don't have a mentor or advisor?
If you do not have a mentor or advisor, a teacher or high school administrator must complete the Mentor Form. If your project utilized any vertebrates, including human subjects, Section V of the Mentor Form, Human Subjects or Other Vertebrate Certification, must be completed by the supervising scientist at the lab where the experiment was performed.
When am I required to obtain the signature of the lab director on my Mentor Form?
If you are doing your research at a university, or other registered laboratory facility, the signature of the lab director is required. If you are doing your research at your high school, you are not required to obtain this signature.
Online Registration
I submitted my registration online and received my Confirmation Page. Then I realized that I had entered some incorrect information and misspelled words. How do I fix this?
Use a pen to make your corrections directly on the Confirmation Page. Once you mail your Research Report, the changes are corrected for you.
Publications
Can I submit my Research Report if I plan to submit it for publication or if it has already been published?
Yes, as long as you retain the full rights to your research. Indicate where your research was submitted or published on the Supplemental Form. Your mentor should also include this information on the Mentor Form.
Research Report Requirements
Are my graphs and charts included in the 18-page limit?
Yes. The Confirmation Page, Supplemental Form, references, abstract, executive summary, and Qualification Questions for Vertebrate Animals/Human Subjects are the only parts of the Research Report that are not included within the 18-page limit. The remaining text, tables, data, illustrations and appendices are counted as part of the 18-page limit.
How many graphics and illustrations are allowed?
You may use as many as you would like. However, it is important to remember that all graphics are counted as part of the 18-page limit.
When should I start on my research project?
Start early! There is no limit on the period of time students can spend on the research project. The number one reason that students do not enter the Competition is they ran out of time.
When submitting the Research Reports, can the original signatures be photocopied?
You do not need to get all copies signed with an original signature. Get one form signed and then photocopy it.
What type of project would be considered behavioral science and thus, ineligible?
Any project that involves the study of the actions and reactions of humans or animals, through observation, experimental methods, or both is ineligible. Social science projects, the study of society or social behavior, are also ineligible.
Behavioral Science Topics
What type of project would be considered behavioral science and thus, ineligible?
Any project that involves the study of the actions and reactions of humans or animals, through observation, experimental methods, or both is ineligible. Social science projects, the study of society or social behavior, are also ineligible.
Vertebrates
My research project involves working with live vertebrates (including human subjects). Is this allowed?
Research projects involving live vertebrates are allowed only under the following conditions:
- The project is not behavioral science.
- The research must be approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or Institutional Review Board (IRB); a high school IRB is not permitted.
- The research must be conducted in a registered institution or laboratory.
My research project involves examining tissue of a vertebrate that was initially collected for another research experiment. I was not involved in that experiment. Tissues were provided to me. Is my project allowed?
You may examine fluids, cells, tissues, or organs if the materials were supplied to you by the supervising scientist and any animal was euthanized for a purpose other than your research. Your research must be conducted in a registered institution or laboratory where this type of experimentation is authorized. The supervising scientist is required to complete Section V of the Mentor Form. The form requires the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval or Institution Review Board (IRB) approval, when applicable.
General Facts and Information
Is the deadline when the Research Report must be received or when it must be postmarked?
October 1, 2012, 5 p.m. Eastern Time is when your project must be received.
How many Research Reports are received each year?
We receive approximately 1,400 projects from individuals and teams.
How many finalists are chosen?
Up to 300 outstanding projects (a maximum of 50 in each of the six geographic regions) are selected as finalists, including both regional and semifinalists.
How many regional finalists are chosen?
Up to 10 projects (five individual projects and up to five team projects in each of the six geographic regions) are selected to compete at the regional level of the Competition.
Which university do I compete at if I advance to the regional level?
The College Board assigns students to compete at one of the six regional competitions. The Siemens Competition utilizes the regional structure shown in the regional map. Assignments are based on a number of factors including the location of the student's school, where the student conducted the research, and whether there is any potential conflict of interest, including if the parent or mentor works at or attends one of the partner universities. Students will not be reassigned due to personal schedule conflicts.