Young Scientist Program

Eligibility

• The Young Scientist Program is geared toward Iowa students in grades 9-12 and will take place on November 21 (9-11 AM) at Des Moines University (DMU). This program aims to stir the curiosity of young scientific minds and provide opportunities for students to engage in interactive activities.
• The teacher for students in grades 9-12 will register student group(s) who will participate in a lab tour and research/science-related activities.
• The teacher for students in grade 11-12 may apply for poster presentation on their behalf during registration by submitting an abstract or project description. The Office of Research will select poster presentations for the Young Scientist Program Showcase. Up to four students per student group may present their research project. If the research project has additional students, an exception will be considered, depending on available space.

 
How to Register:

• Registration for each student group must be submitted by the teacher or adult program representative. Register once for each student group.
• The teacher or adult program representative must upload an abstract or project description with the registration. Guidelines are in the section below.
• Visit Young Scientist Registration to register your student group.
• Deadline: Friday, November 7, 2024 (end of day)

 
Abstract or Project Description Requirements

• Either an abstract or project description needs to be uploaded at the time of registration.
• Students should write the abstract or project description under the guidance of their teacher(s) or mentor(s).
• Abstract or project description formatting guidelines:
  • Format: Microsoft Word
  • Font: Arial, 11 point
  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides
  • Spacing: Single-spaced
  • Justification: Left
  • Abstract Body Length: No more than 250 words. The body should include an introduction, hypothesis/objective, experimental model/methods, results, and conclusions.
  • Type the title, using sentence casing (only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized)
  • Italicize the scientific names of organisms.
  • List all authors, institutional affiliations, and short addresses (city and state only).
  • Boldface the names of the author(s) presenting the work.
  • Include applicable credit for all authors, including students and mentors.

 
Writing tips:

• Does the abstract or project description clearly state the aim of the project (i.e., a research question, theoretical issue, or problem)?
• Is the significance of the work clearly stated?
• If relevant, are the methods, data collection, and analysis procedures well-designed and appropriate to the question addressed?
• Are the preliminary and/or final results clearly identified?
• Are the conclusions or preliminary conclusions justified in relation to the data and/or analysis description?
• Is the abstract or project description written clearly and organized well?

 
Poster Presentation Requirements

• Posters should be designed by students under the guidance of their teacher(s) and mentor(s)/advisor(s). They can be printed and adhered to foam core in any shape that fits the space.
• Posters need to be self-standing and must fit within a table space measuring 4 feet wide x 30 inches deep.
• If the display requires electricity, please indicate that need when the student group is registered.
• Each student poster presenter must share an aspect of the research project during the presentation.
• Posters will be judged, and the best poster will be recognized.

 
Questions?

• Contact [email protected].