Contents

A Guide to the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists

Page
Vision and Mission Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
What is Expo about?
Teacher Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Role of the Teacher
Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
What is an Eskom Expo Project? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-20
What is a scientific project?
Types of projects
Steps to a good scientific project
What is an abstract?
Project file
Project data book
Interview
Entering a Science Expo
Judging
International Science Fair (ISF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-22
Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-25
Plagiarism
Ethics
Ethics Infringements
Safety
Patents
References / Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-27
Planning a Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Important Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Regional and provincial contact details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-36

Discover Your Future 1

 Vision and Mission

Vision
Inspiring Young Scientists and Researchers

Mission Statement
We develop young scientists who are able to identify
a problem, analyse information, find solutions and
communicate findings effectively.

2 Discover Your Future

 Management
An association incorporated under Section 21 of the Company’s Act, 1973
Registration no: 19920693908
Non-profitable organisation no 008 350

Board of Directors:
Chairman
Prof. Ian Jandrell
Vice-Chairman
Mr Pieter Pretorius
Executive Director
Mr Parthy Chetty
International Science Fair Director
Mrs Priscilla Moodley
Email: priscilla@[Link]

Expo National Office

Old Trafford Office Park, Unit 9, 186 Leith Rd,
(Cnr Trichardt and Leith Rd), Bartlett, Boksburg
PO Box 26045, East Rand, 1462
Tel: (011) 894 1365
Fax: (011) 894 1367
Email: admin@[Link]
Website: [Link]

Discover Your Future 3

 Sponsors
Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is proudly sponsored by

Other national sponsors

Organisations that are represented on the

Board of Directors (BOD)
Eskom
University of Pretoria
University of Witwatersrand
Department of Basic Education
Department of Science & Technology
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Derek Gray Trust

Supporting organisations
Regional Eskom Expo Sponsors
Provincial Departments of Basic Education

Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is affiliated to:

National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)
Society for Science & the Public (SSP)
MILSET
INESPO

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 Introduction

What is Eskom Expo for Young Scientists all about?

Eskom Expo for Young Scientists (Expo) is South Africa’s primary and only
existing science fair for school students, where they have an opportunity to
exhibit their own scientific investigations and engineering projects.

Eskom Expo brings together students, teachers, professional organisations

and educational bodies and governments from all over the world.
Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is proud to have 31 affiliated regions in
South Africa in which students participate.

By participating in Eskom Expo, students will increase their awareness of the

wonders of science and engineering, add to their knowledge and explore
entrepreneurial possibilities, while broadening their scientific horizons.

Students can enter their own individual projects, or a maximum of two

students can work together on a group project. Students may enter one
project in one Eskom Expo region per year. There are 25 different categories
(listed on page 7) in which a project can be accommodated.

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 Teacher Information
Role of the teacher
The role of the teacher is that of a mentor. Eskom Expo for Young Scientists
depends on teachers to distribute information about Expo to students and to
display notices about Regional Expos. Simply through their encouragement
and support, enthusiastic teachers can inspire their students to great
achievements.

A teacher can guide students through the stages of a scientific project and
ensure their scientific approach.

Summary of the scientific method:

STEP 1 Choose a topic or question.

STEP 2 Students must submit their research plan to their teacher for
approval before starting the project. Ethics needs to be
considered at this point.
STEP 3 Do background research on your topic to find out what has
been done already. What do you need to know to answer the
question?
STEP 4 What do you think the answer will be? Form your
hypothesis/state your engineering goals.
STEP 5 Test your hypothesis/test your prototype/evaluate your
prototype and redesign if necessary.
STEP 6 Draw conclusions based on the results of the testing.

Teachers should use the project as part of class work. When assessing the
projects at school level, teachers must assist the students in upgrading their
projects so that they can participate in a Regional Expo.

Individual projects are encouraged, but no more than 2 students are

allowed to work together in a project.
Teachers need to enter their students’ projects into a Regional Expo.

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 Categories
No CATEGORY Grades

1 Agricultural Sciences Grade 6-12

2 Animal/Veterinary Science, including Marine Animals and Animal Ecology Grade 6-12

3 Chemistry and Biochemistry Grade 6-12

Earth Science, Housing and Settlement Studies – Geography and Geology, Grade 10-12
4
including Oceanography)
5 Energy: Non-renewable (fossil fuels and use of electricity) Grade 6-12
6 Energy: Alternative and renewable (solar, wind, wave) Grade 6-12
7 Energy: Alternative and renewable (biofuels, geothermal) Grade 6-12
Energy efficiency and conservation (efficient use of energy and ways of using less Grade 6-12
8
energy)
9 Engineering: Electronics and Electrical Grade 10-12

10 Engineering: Chemical, Civil, Metallurgical and Mining Grade 10-12

11 Engineering: Mechanical, Aeronautical and Industrial Grade 10-12
Environmental Management: study of human interaction with the environment Grade 6-12
12
(e.g. waste management, deforestation, land management and bioremediation)
Environmental Science: changes to the environment (e.g. pollution, climate Grade 6-12
13 change, carbon emissions)

14 Food Science, Food Technology and Healthy Eating (Diet) Grade 6-12
15 Health Care and Sports Science Grade 6-12
16 Information Technology Grade 10-12

17 Innovation and Technology Grade 6-12

18 Mathematics and Statistics Grade 6-12

19 Medical Sciences: Human Biology (anatomy, genetics, physiology) Grade 6-12

Microbiology and Medical Sciences: Diseases and disease-causing organisms and Grade 6-12
20
Medicine
21 Physics, Astronomy and Space Science Grade 6-12

22 Plant Sciences including Marine Plants and Plant Ecology Grade 6-12

23 Social and Psychological Sciences Grade 6-12

24 Sustainability, Recycling and Recycled materials Grade 6-12

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 What is an Eskom Expo Project?
Types of projects
Investigation
An investigation is a project in which you try to solve a problem or answer a question
that you have identified. When you do an investigation, you follow a method that
allows you to test an idea or solve a problem and come to a clear conclusion.
Projects for Expo must have original work done by participants, e.g.
 Survey of more than 100 questionnaires
 Experimental work with a lot of testing

Pure Science
Pure science focuses on learning more about the world we live in by improving our knowledge
at a fundamental and basic level. Little or no regard is given to applying this knowledge to
practical applications. Pure scientists conduct experiments or studies to test scientific
hypotheses and develop theories. An important aspect of this experimentation involves
identifying variables and, where possible, controlling them.

Applied Science
Applied science makes use of laws, physical relationships and other knowledge developed in
pure sciences and applies this knowledge to human needs. Engineering is very closely related
to applied science. Companies make use of applied science in their research and development
division to improve their products. Innovative ideas and inventions will sometimes be found in
this type of project. Applied science forms the foundation for technology and applied
technology.

Technology and applied technology

Technology and applied technology is the application of pure and applied science knowledge
to meet a specific user need, most often in an industrial or commercial setting.
Brilliant innovation and invention is less important, rather a systematic method for user need
identification as well as technology or knowledge application to meet the need.
A good project would demonstrate the development of a useful technology using a system
design, build and test process.

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Engineering projects
An engineering project should state the engineering goals, development process and
the evaluation of improvements. Engineering projects could include the following:

 Define a need or “How can I make this better?”

 Develop or establish design criteria (could be more than one)
 Do background research and review literature to see what has already been
done or what products already exists to fill a similar need.
 Prepare preliminary designs and a list of materials needed. Consider costs,
manufacturing and user requirements.
 Build and test a prototype of your design. Consider reliability, repair and
servicing.
 Retest and redesign as necessary. Product testing.
 Present results.

Computer Science projects

These often involve creating and writing new algorithms to solve a problem or
improve on an existing algorithm. Simulations, models or “virtual reality”.

Mathematics projects

These involve proofs, solving equations, etc. Mathematics is the language of science
and is used to explain existing phenomena or prove new concepts and ideas.

Theoretical projects

These projects may involve a thought experiment, developing of new theories and
explanations, concept formation or designing a mathematical model.

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 Steps to doing a good project
STEP 1: Choosing a topic
The topic for your project should be something that interests you and that you want
to learn more about. You may think of a good topic straight away just by looking at
the list of Expo categories on Page 7, or you may need to look for ideas for your
topic. You can get ideas for projects from:

 Newspaper and magazine articles

 The Internet
 Television programmes
 Practical problems from your community

Your idea for a project should be an original one. This means that it should be your
own idea and not somebody else’s. Do not repeat an experiment from the school
syllabus or choose a problem to which people already know the answer. For example
“Determining the specific heat capacity of iron” is not an original topic for you Expo
project. The procedure to follow is well-known from school textbooks and you can
easily look up the answer.

The best Expo projects are not always complicated, but they are imaginative and well
carried out.

A good project is often:

 A clever solution to a problem; or

 A new idea for a piece of apparatus; or
 A study or survey that no-one has done before.

Be original, but DO NOT choose a project that:

 could be dangerous to yourself or others;

 needs any experiments on insects live animals
or humans; or
 involves collecting plants or animals that are
protected by Nature Conservation laws.

Ask your teacher for advice if you are not sure whether
your topic will make a suitable scientific Expo project.

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 Research Plan

STEP 2: Do a research plan

Every student should type a research plan which should be submitted to the
teacher/mentor/qualified scientist at the beginning of the project for
approval. This plan shows how you intend to do your project so it is written
in the future tense. The length of the research plan should be between 2-4
typed A4 pages.

Research plans for ALL projects must include the following:

A. Question or problem being addressed

B. Hypothesis or Engineering Goal (Engineering projects only)
C. Description in detail of the method to follow (scientific method
projects) or the procedures to follow (engineering projects) that will
answer the questions you asked or solve the problem. The following
are important and key items that should be included when
formulating ANY AND ALL research plans:
 Procedures (method)
 Variables: independent, dependent and controlled/fixed
 Data analysis: how long you will analyse the data
D. Bibliography: List the three (3) most important references (e.g.
science journal articles, books, Internet sites) that you used to get
information about your topic and that you will refer to in your
introduction/ part A above.

Check this website to ensure that you reference your sources

correctly:
[Link]

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Background Information and Results
STEP 3: Gather background information
Use books and Internet sites for your research. A summary of your
background information must be included in your introduction (this is called
a literature review). Remember to record your references /bibliography.

STEP 4: Collect data

 Test your hypothesis/engineering goals.
 Make sure you do sufficient testing to make your results reliable.
 Interview people interested in your topic.
 Do surveys or send out questionnaires – a minimum of 100 people, or
make a working model to illustrate the solving of your problem.
 Keep handwritten notes in a project data book (e.g. file, diary or
scrap book). A project data book is your most important piece of
work. Accurate and detailed notes make a logical and winning
project. Good notes show consistency and thoroughness to the
judges. Record all data in your project data book and then transfer to
tables when writing your project. Make sure you date every entry.

STEP 5: Results

 Record data in tables

 Record numerical results/data in tables
 Generate graphs from your tables. Check that your graphs are
correctly completed
 Add photos with captions
 File a blank copy of your questionnaire/survey in your project data
book

STEP 6: Discuss results

 Interpret the data or make comparisons

 Look at trends and patterns
 Note limitations and errors in your discussion

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 Conclusions and Writing a Report
STEP 7: Conclusion(s)
 Scientific Method
 State whether your results support or do not support your hypothesis
 Your conclusion(s) must be based on your findings and must be linked to your
hypothesis/aim/engineering goals.

If selected to participate at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair, test your
prototype and redesign, rebuild and retest your new prototype or test your hypothesis
again and make sure that you collect more data to support your hypothesis.

STEP 8: Evaluate the whole project

 Review, Revise and Redo

STEP 9: Write a report using the following headings

 Choose a title of the project - Title must be simple descriptive and scientific.
 State the problem/aim and hypothesis/engineering goals.
 Introduction, including information collected and description of the project literature
review.
 Procedures (Method) – numbered, logical, concise, third person, includes description
of variables.
 Results - record of data in tables and graphs.
 Analysis/discussion and interpretation of results (include errors and modifications).
 Conclusion(s).
 Bibliography/References – list of books, journal articles and/or Internet sites where
you acquired important information.
 Remember to reference all images and photos.
 Make sure your report clearly shows whether you did a scientific method or an
engineering project.
 Acknowledgements – the list of people who helped you and the help each one gave.
For example someone might have lent you a piece of equipment, taken photographs
for the poster or given some advice.
 Plagiarism form.
 Research Plan.
 Abstract – compulsory for Regional Expo and Eskom Expo International
Science Fair
 For engineering projects: discuss efficiency of prototype and redesign and re-test if
necessary.

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 Showing your work
STEP 10: Showing your Work
Your presentation must include the following:
 Presentation for your display board must be printed on A4 pages (landscape
or portrait). This is compulsory for regional expos and the International
Science Fair (ISF).
 Presentation must be arranged logically* and must be eye-catching.
 Project data book / journal
 Report file
 Surveys, questionnaires (if applicable)
 Working model on table (if applicable)
 Display boards will be provided - check with the Regional Science Fair
Director for the size and dimensions

Compulsory logical order for display board at Regional and

International Science Fair
 Introduction and background information
 Aim
 Hypothesis
 Procedure or Method including variables
 Title (Font size 150)
 Name and grade underneath the title
 Results – graphs and analysis
 Discussion and interpretation of results
 Conclusion(s)
 Acknowledgements
 Photos (if applicable)

Your poster is a very important part of your exhibit. Your display should be easy to
read and understand. It should explain what you did, how you did it and what you
found out. Make your presentation eye-catching and interesting. You want visitors at
the Eskom Expo to stop and read about what you did. Summarised information must
be laid out in a logical order. Anyone who wants more information can read your
report file.

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 Report File/Project Data Book
Report File
 File must be neatly laid out – contents page with headings below, dividers, logical
order.
 At front of file – plagiarism pledge, research plan and abstract.
 Introduction including problem, literature review and background research – why
you did the project, including evidence of background research and the value of the
project.
 Aim – to find out/to determine etc.
 Hypothesis/Engineering Goals – statement that you are going to test which includes
independent and dependent variables.
 Procedure (Method) – how the project was carried out, including the fixed variables.
Written in the third person.
 Results (what happened – tables and graphs).
 Analysis of results (results/findings/graphs explained in words, more extensive in this
report than on poster).
 Discussion, error and modifications (patterns and trends are noted and explained,
anomalies/unusual results are discussed, limitations noted and clarified).
 Conclusion(s) – refer directly to aim/hypothesis or engineering goals. Incorporates
results and states whether the findings support the engineering goals or hypothesis.
 References – which books and webpages you consulted and these must be
referenced correctly, the first reference must be one where you got your project
idea from.
 Acknowledgments – people you talked to, who helped you and state what help they
gave you.

Project Data Book / Journal

 This is a record of ALL the work of the project – no matter how untidy it is!
 Everything should be dated.
 File all emails and rough data/results.
 File notes from interviews.
 File all designs, photos and plans.
 File copies of articles read, either alphabetically or in order of importance.
 File all survey questionnaires.

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 Abstract
What is an abstract?
The purpose of an abstract is to serve as a link between the title of a scientific
project (research study) which may be a brief paragraph or two (maximum
250 words).
 Write your abstract in the past tense.
 It is a useful summary of the project that provides justification for the
research.
 The abstract allows the reader to conclude whether the project
write-up is worth reading.
 Your abstract appears at the beginning of your report file and a copy
must be displayed on your table.

How to write an abstract

The abstract should include the following headings:

Purpose of the Project/Experiment

 An introductory statement of the reason for investigating the topic of
the project.
 A statement of the problem or hypothesis or engineering goals being
studied.
Procedure (Method):
 A summarisation of the key points and an overview of how the
investigation was conducted.
 An abstract gives no details about the materials used unless it greatly
influenced the procedure or had to be developed to do the
investigation.
 An abstract should only include reference to procedures done by the
student during the project. Work done by a mentor (such as surgical
procedures) or work done prior to the student involvement must not
be included.

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 Abstract
Data/Results:

 This section should provide key results that lead directly to the
conclusion you have drawn.
 It should not give too many details about the results but must include
the most important data generated in the investigations.

Conclusion(s):

 Conclusion(s) from the investigation should be described briefly.

 The summary paragraph reflecting on process and possibly state
some applications and extensions of the investigation.
 An abstract does not include a bibliography, reference or
acknowledgements.

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 Regional Expo Information
Entering a Regional Expo

Please check with your Regional Science Fair Director as to which grades may
enter a Regional Expo. Regional Expos are usually held between July and
August each year. Interested students and teachers should contact their
nearest Regional Science Fair Director (see pages 32-36) or visit our website
[Link] for more information.
Ensure that entry forms are fully completed; that the information is clearly
readable and you have entered your project in the correct category.
Any project done must fall under one of the Expo Categories.

NB. Not all gold medal winners at regional level will be selected to
participate at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF)

Points to remember:
 Bring your own drawing pins, staples, temporary adhesives (eg
Prestik), velcro, masking tape or whatever else you need to put up
your display.
 Bring your own extension cord if you have a model or apparatus that
needs 220 volt electricity to work.
 Do not include any live animals, insects, spiders, fish and plants in
your display. Photos and video clips may be shown instead. Do not
include any animal or human body parts in your display.
(Refer to page 24 and make sure your project is ethical)
 Burning of any substance or use of open flames as part of your
exhibit is prohibited.
 Do not leave valuable items on your display. The organisers will
endeavor to make sure that things are safe at Expo, but will not be
responsible for any losses.
 No chewing gum during interviews.
 Switch off cell phone during interviews.

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 Judging
Judging
Judging is based on the following criteria:

PART A: Value of the project (50)

 Originality of the project. The student is able to think and act

independently. Refers to reading, originality of approach, use of
resources, depths of planning and execution of investigation.
 Scientific method. Command of the scientific method, scope/range of
investigation, results, analysis and conclusion.

PART B: Written communication of the project (30)

 Written communication of research (Poster, report file, project data
book)

PART C: Oral communication (20)

 Interview

The interview with the judge is aimed at establishing the participant’s

understanding of the topic, originality and thoroughness of their procedures
(methods) and experimentation.

Most of what the participant has done should be on display or be discussed

during the interview.

A standard set of judge’s criteria is used at Regional Expos and the ISF.
Please make sure that you study the judge’s criteria before you participate
at Expo.

PLEASE NOTE THAT AT THE ESKOM EXPO FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FAIRS, THE CHIEF JUDGE’S
DECISION IS FINAL AND NEITHER DISCUSSION NOR CORRESPONDENCE
WILL BE ENTERED INTO

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 Judging
Interview
Please take note of the following points:
 Introduce yourself by name
 Know your topic
 Be enthusiastic
 Speak clearly with confidence and use appropriate language
 Listen to the judge’s questions
 Don’t read off notes or recite a prepared speech, answer the
questions
 Make sure your answers are to the point
 Be aware of time constraints
 Switch off your cell phone

Parents and Teachers

Expo for Young Scientists supplies a forum for students to display their
scientific knowledge and skills. Parents and teachers can act as mentors to
the students, but must not display their own scientific knowledge and skills.
Judges will disqualify any project that was not done entirely by the
student(s).

More information on judging is available on the Eskom Expo website and on

the Judging DVD.

DO NOT USE BRANDED PRODUCTS ON YOUR DISPLAY BOARD – RATHER

IDENTIFY USING LETTERS OR NUMBERS. YOUR PROJECT WILL BE
DISQUALIFIED IF YOU INCLUDE BRANDING

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 International Science Fair (ISF)

Selection for the Eskom Expo International Science Fair is only for students in
grades 6-12. The ISF event is held in the public school vacation between term
3 and term 4 of the public school calendar.

Each exhibit is given space of maximum 1.5m table length and a display
board. It is compulsory to use the display boards provided at ISF events.

Size and dimensions of the display board:

 Height 1m
 Left side 50cm
 Middle 1.5m
 Right side 50cm

Logical order
Refer to the drawing below to plan how to make the most of the space you
are given. For logical order see page 14.

Discover Your Future 21

 International Science Fair (ISF)

Awards at ISF
Participants are judged and awarded gold, silver and bronze medals.

Special awards
There are numerous awards made by special interest groups such as:

 Best development project

 Best energy project
 Best female project
 Best energy efficiency project (energy cost-saving covered in all
categories)
 A science lab for a rural Primary and Secondary School
 International trip to a science fair or science forum

There are many prestigious awards presented by interested organisations at

the ISF prize-giving ceremony.

Visit the link below for the Hall of Fame, which lists previous winners.
[Link]

Some finalists from ISF are selected to participate in international science

fairs in other countries.

Please note that participation at international science fairs is strictly for

selected individual participants and invited Eskom Expo officials. No
exception will be made.

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 Ethics
Ethics Statement
Scientific fraud and misconduct are not condoned at any level of research or
competition. Such practices include plagiarism, forgery, and use of
presentation or other research’s work as one’s own and fabrication of data.
Fraudulent projects will fail to qualify for competition at any Eskom Expo
events.

1. Plagiarism
What is plagiarism? It can be defined as follows:

To use another person’s words or ideas and to pretend that they are your
own. The following are considered as plagiarism:

 To steal or borrow another person’s work.

 To pay another person to write your assignment.
 To copy directly from a source without referencing the original source
and without permission from the author(s).
 To use another person’s ideas and build in them without giving credit to
the original ideas.
 To paraphrase another person’s work word-for-word.
 To present false data (fabricated, altered or borrowed without
permission).

The worst form of plagiarism is to do it intentionally.

Plagiarism can also occur unintentionally: when you rewrite another person’s
ideas or words in your own words, or use small sections of another person’s
writings without acknowledging it as a source.

Fraudulent projects will be disqualified at all Eskom Expo events.

It is compulsory that every participant has a signed copy of the

plagiarism letter in their file.

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 Ethics
2. Ethics
Ethics is concerned with what is right or wrong, good or bad, fair or unfair,
responsible or irresponsible. Research on micro-organisms, human or animal
subjects, including surveys, needs a letter signed by a supervising scientist or teacher
giving approval for the project to be done. Any surveys (questionnaires) need
another form giving consent or permission by parents or schools. Both forms need to
be filed in the project file in the appendix.

Make sure your project is safe and ethical

Before you start a project, it’s important to know the rules – especially if you’re
thinking of using ANY animals, human subjects, hazardous equipment or materials,
recombinant DNA or other biothechnological materials. (By the way, “animals”
include pets and livestock and “humans” include family members and students in
your class or school). It’s heartbreaking to have your project disqualified at any
Eskom Expo events because you broke the rules – or maybe even the law! Any
research or experiments on potentially hazardous biological agents, animal or human
subjects must be done under the supervision of a qualified scientist/laboratory. A
signed letter or form from the qualified scientist and/or laboratory will be required
before participating at any Eskom Expo events.

Ethics infringements
Students are encouraged to check for ethical infringements before exhibiting projects
at any Eskom Expo events. Please note that the following are not allowed at any
Eskom Expo event:

 Living organisms including animals, fish, insects and plants

 Agar plates and other growth mediums for microbiology studies
 Human or animal parts including tissues and body fluids (for example blood,
urine, hooves, skins etc.)
 Dangerous chemicals: Poisons, drugs, medications, controlled substances,
hazardous substances and devices (for example firearms, weapons,
ammunition, reloading devices, knives and any sharp instruments).
 Flammable substances.

24 Discover Your Future

 Ethics: Safety and Patents
Ethics infringements continued

 Photographs or other visual presentations depicting humans or

vertebrate animals in surgical techniques, dissections, necropsies or
other lab procedures, or belittle people in any way, or show animals
being harmed in any way.
 Brand names or any branded products.
 Food substances that are not in completely sealed containers (plastic
wrap is not acceptable as it can be easily removed).
 Water except if in sealed apparatus.
 No water is allowed in any experimental apparatus
 Any apparatus deemed unsafe by the Eskom Expo organisers.

NB: Photographs will be sufficient for judging but you must state if you took the
photos or if you used them with permission.

3. Safety
All electrical work must conform to the National Electrical Code and Exhibit Halls
Regulations. Fire regulations will be strictly enforced. The on-site electrician may
be requested to review any electrical work on any project. The safety guidelines
here are general ones and other rules may apply to specific configurations.

4. Patents
Some participants display projects that show innovative thinking and provide
new products. Expo encourages the development of entrepreneurial products
which may lead to the marketing of these products.

Participants are advised to obtain legal advice about patent applications before
entering their work at any Eskom Expo. Once a design or product has been on
public display, it cannot be patented. However, if any exhibit is displayed for
judges only, no patent rights should be lost.

Refer to the following website for more information on how to patent your
project: [Link]

Discover Your Future 25

 Referencing / Bibliography
Referencing means that you give credit to the various sources you have used
when writing your assignment/report. A reference list should include any
documentation that is not your own. All sources should be arranged
alphabetically according to the surname of the first author.

The references should be written in the following order:

Author’s surname and initials, year of publication, title (underlined or italics),

edition, place of publication, publisher. This is the Harvard style of
referencing. Other referencing styles are also acceptable.

1. Books:
e.g. Kritzinger, A.A.C and Fourie, C.M.W 1996 Basic Principles of
Financial Management, Cape Town, Juta

2. Journals:
Journals should be written in the following order: author’s surname
and initials, year of publication of the journal, title of article, title of
journal, volume, pages.
e.g. Manning, T. 1996 “Three steps to the future”, Human Resources
Management, 12(8), 8-9

3. Chapters in books:
e.g. Smith, R.J. Comparative themes in higher education, in “Trends in
High Education” edited by J.N. Green. London: Benton

4. Newspaper articles:
The reference should be written in the following order: year,
newspaper, date and month, page.
e.g. 1908. Business Day. 25 June: 7

26 Discover Your Future

 Referencing / Bibliography
5. Internet referencing:
www pages: e.g. Unknown (1995) Sentient micorfilaments: A
tempest in a tubule (online). Available:
[Link]
Date accessed:

6. Theses and Dissertations

e.g. Smith, R.H. 1998 Critical Theory and University Transformation.
DPhil thesis, Rhodes University, Grahamstown

7. Info on Referencing and Photos

For more information on Harvard Style referencing and referencing
of visual material (images/photos) please visit the following websites:

[Link]

[Link]

Discover Your Future 27

 Planning a Survey
Planning a Survey
Surveys may only be part of your background research and not the whole
project. Before you start you need to ask yourself these questions – relevant
Expo information is added in brackets:

 What are the objectives of the survey (is it to find out opinions as part of
background research or is it to obtain scientific data which would be part
of the results of the investigation?)?
 Are there other sources of data I could consult before carrying out a
survey (literature search)?
 How will I ensure that those who have a stake in the outcome of the
survey support it (well-written permission letter)?
 How will I develop the list of people/organisations to be surveyed and
how reliable is the contact information (important part of research plan)?
 How should I design my sample (group of people taking the survey) to
minimize cost and maximise the accuracy and flexibility of the results?

As you develop the questionnaire you need to know:

 What information is required to meet the needs of my project (part of
aim and hypothesis)?
 What is the best way to word questions so that I will get unbiased
responses (procedures/method)?
 How will I design the survey questionnaire to ensure the questions are
clearly understood and answered properly (procedures/method)?
 What is the most reliable and cost-effective method of delivering the
survey (procedures/method)?
 How should I pre-test the survey questionnaire (in the pilot study)?
 When should I use the results of the pre-test?

28 Discover Your Future

 Planning a Survey
When dealing with the respondents you need to answer:
 How will the confidentiality of the responses be protected (all
questionnaires are filled in anonymously)?
 Who will respondents contact when they have questions (you, the
investigator)?
 How long do respondents have to respond (shorter deadlines work
better)?
 What will I do if they don’t respond (accept this as it’s their choice to
complete the questionnaire)?
 What is an acceptable response rate? What will I do if my response rate
is unacceptably low (for an initial study for Expo a minimum of 100
completed survey questionnaires is needed so if you get too few send out
more survey questionnaires)?

Before you analyse and present the information, you need

to know:
 How will I assess whether or not the responses are biased and how will I
correct my data for bias if it exists (double blind questions)?
 What is the best way to present the data so that my audience grasp the
importance of my findings (tables and graphs)?
 How will I demonstrate that the results are statistically valid, accurate
and reliable (all fixed variables must be controlled and there needs to be
a sufficiently large sample size for the study to be reliable)?
 What techniques will be used to impute, estimate and weight the
responses to give accurate, fully representative results (statistical
analysis)?
 What techniques will I use to analyse the data (analysis and discussion)?

Questions sourced from: [Link]

Discover Your Future 29

 Glossary
Abstract A summary of the project that provides justification for the research.
Acknowledgements A detailed list of people who helped and what they did.
Aim The why behind doing an experiment. Usually stated as ‘to show…’, ‘to
demonstrate…’.
Analysis of results Results/findings/graphs explained in words, more extensive in report than on
poster.
Branded products These show the name of an item e.g. BMW and these names should not be
visible in any Eskom Expo event.
Conclusion Relates the results obtained to the aim/hypothesis and either agrees or
disagrees with the aim/hypothesis.
Discussion of results Patterns and trends are noted and explained, anomalies/unusual results are
discussed, limitations noted and clarified.
Engineering goals These are the design processes that an engineer does when he/she identifies
a problem or need and then creates or develops a solution.
Errors and modifications What went wrong that you can change next time and what could you have
done if you had more time or resources?
Hypothesis A proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations – this is a
statement based on the aim.
Introduction The reason for you doing the project and it includes evidence from the most
important source as well as the value of your project i.e. who will benefit
from this knowledge. In addition you should refer to ethical issues if relevant.
Mentor A person who assists you as you develop your project and gives you
professional help (e.g. scientist).
Method/ Procedure A step-wise description, written in the third person, of how the project is
being done. It includes the apparatus used (where relevant).
Observation Something interesting (a phenomenon) that you have noticed e.g. Elephants
prefer to eat leaves off trees.
Problem/Question This is what you want to know about the phenomenon e.g. why do elephants
prefer to eat tree leaves?
Prototype A device made from a design and tested when doing an engineering project
References ALL the books, magazines and Internet sites that you consulted while doing
the project and referenced in the correct way.
Research Plan How you intend to do your project so it is written in the future tense.
Results What can be discovered from doing the investigation or project? They should
be quantitative – in other words, can be measured and recorded in a table.
Graphs should be able to be drawn.
Scientific method The way of proving whether something is true or false by carrying out
experiments. The steps of the scientific method are: aim/hypothesis,
method, results, interpretations, and conclusion.
Variables Factor(s) that affect(s) an experiment.
Controlled/ Fixed variable Factor(s) that cannot change throughout an experiment.
Independent/Manipulated Factor that is being investigated in an experiment.
Dependent/ Responding The results obtained after doing the investigation. They are dependent on
the independent variable and change as the independent variable changes.

30 Discover Your Future

 Important Information

 Students may enter one project in one Eskom Expo region per year.

 Individual projects are encouraged, but no more than 2 students are

allowed to work together on a project.

 Not all gold medal winners at regional level will be selected to participate
at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair.

 Do not use branded products in your experiment – rather identify using

the alphabet or numbers. Your project will be disqualified if you include
branding.

 A standard set of judge’s criteria are used at Regional Expos and the
International Science Fair. Please make sure that you study the judge’s
criteria before you participate at Expo.

 Please note that at regional and at the International Science Fair, the
chief judge’s decision is final and neither discussion nor correspondence
will be entered into.

 Please note that participation at International Science Fairs in other

countries is strictly for selected individual participants and invited Eskom
Expo officials. No exceptions will be made.

 It is compulsory that every participant has a signed copy of the research

plan, plagiarism form and abstract in their file.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON SURVEYS, PERMISSION LETTERS,

QUESTIONNAIRES AND OTHER INFORMATION PLEASE GO TO THE EXPO
WEBSITE [Link] AND CLICK ON DOCUMENT LIBRARY.

Discover Your Future 31

 Regional Science Fair Directors
Gauteng
Johannesburg Northern Gauteng
Ann Topp Awie Duvenhage
Cell: +27 83 677 1055 Cell: +27 82 465 8204
email: atopp@[Link] Email: director@[Link]
[Link]

Gauteng South East Rand

Nicholas Bixa Mike Mynhardt
Cell +27 73 659 8712 Cell: +27 82 475 2187
nichobixa@[Link] Email: [Link]@[Link]

Mpumalanga
Ehlanzeni Highveld
Bailey Nkuna Bettie Longland
Cell: +27 82 770 8324 Cell: +27 83 321 4057
Email: bailieynkuna@[Link] Email: eglongland@[Link]

Nkangala
Fourten Khumalo
Cell: +27 82 477 9805
Email:
[Link]@[Link]
Limpopo
Vhembe Capricorn
Ndifelani Ernest Phalanndwa Mokgoko Sebela
Cell: +27 82 046 1999 / +27 74 920 8777 Cell: +27 82 882 0214 or +27 79 495 5939
Email: phalanndwandifelani@[Link] Email: mokgoks@[Link]
vhariii@[Link] mokgoks@[Link]

Mopani Waterberg
Mary Raganya Naum Masekwameng
Cell: +27 72 716 1738 Cell: +27 76 201 7194 / +27 72 623 4905
Email: [Link]@[Link] Email: tshekiem@[Link]

32 Discover Your Future

 Regional Science Fair Directors
North West
Potchefstroom Bophirima
Sethato Lydia Maputle Patric Mokgatle
Cell: +27 83 427 6072 Cell: +27 72 597 0054
Email: sethato@[Link] Email: pmokgatle@[Link]

Bojanala (Rustenburg)
Sello Matube
Cell: +27 83 495 3769
Email: matubesw@[Link]

Free State
Bethlehem Welkom
Johan Dreyer Anina Nel
Cell: +27 82 782 7440 Cell: +27 83 257 0639
Email: jadreyer@[Link] Email: aninalifescience@[Link]

Bloemfontein
Willem du Buisson
Cell: +27 84 302 6593
Email: wjdubuisson@[Link]

Western Cape
Stellenbosch Cape Town
Erika Hoffman Olga Peel
Cell: +27 83 461 7525 Cell: +27 83 463 4597
Email: opeel@[Link]
Email: ehoff@[Link]
[Link]
[Link]/stbexpo
West Coast Eden Karoo
Ursula Boys Marinei Bester
Cell: +27 84 909 2620 Cell: +27 82 044 3521
Email: ursulaboysl@[Link] Email: hspunt@[Link]

Discover Your Future 33

 Regional Science Fair Directors
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal Central Southern KwaZulu-Natal
Krishnie Naidoo Gcobani Tshambula
Cell: +27 83 960 2002 Cell: +27 83 772 8075
Email: krishnien@[Link] or Email: [Link]@[Link]
[Link]@[Link]
Northern KwaZulu-Natal North Coast KwaZulu-Natal
Jean Anderson Manzi Bheki
Cell: +27 82 730 1535 Cell: +27 82 463 3659
Email: anderson@[Link] Email: bhk_manzi@[Link]

Eastern Cape
Port Elizabeth Grahamstown
Marilyn Gibbs Anja Fourie
Cell: +27 84 583 1958 Cell: +27 84 206 6996
Email: [Link]@[Link] Email: anja@[Link]

Mthatha East London

Nomaledi Mbambisa Allan Morran
Cell: +27 83 264 7469 or +27 82 089 5081 Cell: +27 83 289 6904
Email: nomaledi@[Link] Email: amorran@[Link]

Northern Cape
Kimberley Kalahari
Marguerite de Bruin Marna van Zyl
Cell: +27 76 412 9417 Cell: +27 82 923 1711
Email: margueritedb@[Link] Email: marnavz@[Link]

Namaqua
Geneviewe Willemse
Cell: +27 84 317 9720
Email: gennywilliams@[Link]

34 Discover Your Future

 Provincial coordinators
Gauteng Mpumalanga
Dev Mamabolo Bailey Nkuna
Cell: +27 76 833 7386 Cell: +27 82 770 8324
Email: mamabolo@[Link] Email: bailey@[Link]

Limpopo North West

Sure Mupezeni Mmabatho Moloedi
Cell: +27 84 336 3655 Cell: +27 78 491 5052
Email: sure@[Link] Email: mmabatho@[Link]

Free State Northern Cape

Neil Alexander Marna van Zyl
Cell: +27 72 418 4716 Cell: +27 82 923 1711
Email: neil@[Link] Email: marna@[Link]

Western Cape Eastern Cape

Mada du Toit Mfundo Madolo
Cell: +27 82 855 6710 Cell: +27 83 418 1460
Email: mada@[Link] Email: mfundo@[Link]

KwaZulu-Natal
Nalini Dookie
Cell: +27 84 616 3273
Email: nalini@[Link]

Acknowledgements

The section of Animal experiments and safety and information on science research and the process of
science is adapted from instruction in the booklet International rules for pre-college science research:
Guidelines for science and engineering fairs issued by Society for Science and the public.

The section on “Ethics” is adapted from the Youth science fair Canada and SPCA, Auckland, New
Zealand with permission.

Discover Your Future 35