Cat 1 Training for Students

(27 Jan 2011)

Introduction to Cat 1 Projects

Cat 1 projects = experimental research projects

Data collection is required

Examples: Effect of cooking methods on the vitamin

C content of vegetables Antifungal properties of capsaicin

Project ideas

Ideas should be:FeasiblePreferably have applicationAddresses current problems of the

nation/worldInteresting and Novel (if possible)

Discussion (1)

How to come out with a project idea?

Where to find ideas?

Online resources- Science Buddies www.sciencebuddies.org

- Science Fair Projects & Experimentshttp://www.juliantrubin.com/fairprojects.html- All Science Fair Ideashttp://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/

-How to do successful science fair projectshttp://www.sciencenerddepot.com/Science_Fair_Projects.php

-Science fair project resource guidehttp://www.ipl.org/div/projectguide/choosingatopic.html

Where to find ideas?

HCI projects day websites

- Web report archives. Browse through to find out what has been done. Project ideas can be obtained by

modifying existing ideas or extending them.

Where to find ideas?

Search engines- google

- Google scholar

- Pubmed

- Elsevier – browse journals by subject

- Scirus (http://www.scirus.com)

Where to find ideas?

Science books/magazines/newspaperBrown tap water still safe for drinking Rusty look may be from iron silt in a building's older pipes but is not health hazard: PUBVictoria Vaughan, Straits Times 17 Jul 09;

IT JUST looks dirty. On average, two Singapore households a day have been reporting brown or rusty tap water, but the Public Utilities Board (PUB) says it is still safe to drink.

Older buildings are more likely to be affected as they could still be using iron water pipes. PUB stopped the use of such pipes in 1980.

'Over time, iron sediment can accumulate in these pipes. Water flowing through the pipes may pick up the sediment,' said a PUB spokesman.

Where to find ideas?

Removal of metal ions using eggshell

Where to find ideas?

Visit science fairs to get ideas- SSEF (March, annual)

- Shell science fair (May, biennial)

- Singapore Chemical Science Fair (March, annual)

- East zone science fair (July/August, annual)

- Biotech fair (august)

Feasibility of ideas

Rationale- Is there a clear rationale?- Is the project relevant to the target audience?- Does the project increase knowledge in the

field?- Is there application/ interest value in your

project?- Is there room for future expansion on the

project?

Discussion (2)

How do you assess whether your project idea is feasible?

Approach & Methods- Can a workable outline of your methodology be formulated?- Do you have preliminary data/ other research work to support

your methodology?- Does the strategy have a strong theoretical or conceptual base?- Can your experiments be performed in our SRC? If cannot, can you get external help? - Do you or the lab technicians/lab managers have the necessary

skills, or can you identify and get co-operation from specialists you will need?- Are the equipment and materials required available for your use? Check with lab manager/lab techician/SMTP co-ordinator- Is it possible to collect quantitative data?- Is it possible to collect sufficient data within 3-6 months?

Feasibility of ideas

Originality

- Is your project simply a repetition of others’ work? Did you make any modification?

- Have you referred to for similar projects?

Feasibility of ideas

Safety issue

- Have you done risk assessment? Are the chemicals/organisms allowed in our SRC?

- Is there a need to obtain SRC approval? (For projects which deal with vertebrates, microoganism)

Feasibility of ideas

Cost

- Have you checked the availability of the chemicals/materials required in your project?

- Have you checked the cost of the chemicals/materials?

Feasibility of ideas

Feasibility ChecklistFeasibility Checklist

Resources available in SRC

Laboratories: Bio: 2 Bio Res Labs Chem: 1 Zonal COE Chem Res Lab, Instrument

and Analytical Lab Phy: 1 Phy Res Labs and 1 photonics Lab 1 Engineering Lab 1 Technical workshop 1 Virtual Reality Lab 1General Sci Lab

Contact tel. no.: 64680379

Biology Research labs

The two bio research labs are equipped with

• Autoclave

• Bio-safety cabinets

• Laminar air flow

• Centrifuge

• Electrophoresis & gel documentation system

• iCycler

• Ultrasonicator

• Rotary evaporator & vacuum concentrator

• UV-VIS spectrophotometer

Biology Research labs

COE Environmental Science lab

Chemistry research labThe COE environmental science lab is equipped with

• Ashing lab furnace

• AA spectrophotometer

• UV-VIS spectrophotometer

• Colorimeter

• Centrifuge

• HPLC

• Ultrasonicator

• Rotary evaporator & vacuum concentrator

• Turbidimeter, conductivity meter, pH meter

• Ultra-pure water system

Physics Research Lab

The physics research lab is equipped with

• AFM/STM Nanosurf easyscan

• Denford 1000 Pro Milling Machine

• Digital Storage Oscilloscope

• Digital Photometer

• Electrospinning set-up

• Spectrometer ,USB 2000

• Stroboscope, High Speed

Discussion (3)

What if your project requires very expensive chemicals which the

lab does not have?

Funding

If you wish to purchase any chemicals, always check with SRC manager, Mdm Lim to see whether we have sufficient budget.

If the cost is beyond the budget, can get students to apply for Young Explorer’s Fund (YEF). Capped at $2000 per group.

Lab safety

Risk assessment required for projects. Lab coat neededStudents need to be supervised at all

time (by technician or mentor)

Asking a question

How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where? Examples:

How does water purity affect surface tension?

Do different cooking methods affect the antioxidant levels of vegetables?

science fair project question should involve factors or traits that you can easily measure using a number.

Doing Background Research

Read up on the theory behind your project idea.

Research on the history of similar experiments or invention.

Research on the techniques and equipment required to investigate your topic.

For research plan, most teachers require students to find at least 3 sources of information.

For web report (finals), 5 sources are required.

Proper citation of references required. School adopts the APA format.

Doing Background Research

Discussion (4) – Comment on the following ideas

Which brand of detergent is most effective in removing stains?

Effect of coloured lights on plant growthEffect of music or talking on plantsEffect of running on blood pressureEffect of colours on emotion