Presents

2010-2011

Objectives of the SABC?Objectives of the SABC?Objectives of the SABC?Objectives of the SABC?

Encourage more high school students to pursue studies and careers in biological sciences by offering them an opportunity to have a “graduate level research experience” in biotechnology.

Encourage creativity and innovation a sense of ownership by permitting students to do research on an idea of their own.

Increase public awareness about the benefits of biotechnology.

** In 2009, an Ottawa student won the National competition and went on to compete in the world competition in San Diego!

““not just another science fair”not just another science fair”““not just another science fair”not just another science fair”

Simulates real life research situation to give students hands-on research experience

Students are encouraged to pursue their own solutions to real problems under the mentorship of top researchers

SABC Regional CompetitionsSABC Regional CompetitionsSABC Regional CompetitionsSABC Regional CompetitionsSt. John’s

Halifax

Moncton

Montreal

Eastern Ontario (Ottawa)

Southwestern Ontario(London)

Toronto

Winnipeg

Northern Manitoba

Saskatoon

Calgary

Edmonton

Vancouver

Charlottetown

The National competition will be held in early May in Ottawa.

The Eastern Ontario (Ottawa) prizes include: university entrance scholarships, paid summer researcher positions, cash and $$$ for the winning team’s school science program!

Dates and DeadlinesDates and DeadlinesDates and DeadlinesDates and Deadlines

The Deadline for Ottawa and Eastern Ontario is November 12, 2010 with the signed copies to be received by mail within 2 weeks of the deadline.

For specific information please contact your regional coordinator at SABCeasternontario@rogers.com and review the teachers and student sections at www.sanofibiotalentchallenge.ca.

Please make sure students and teachers submit the email addresses I can best reach you at!

SABC National CompetitionSABC National CompetitionSABC National CompetitionSABC National Competition

1st and 2nd place winners in the SABC National Competition, win a chance to compete at the 2011 sanofi-aventis International BioGENEius Challenge in Washington, DC.

Over $16,000 in total cash prizes.

CompetitionCompetition Criteria CriteriaCompetitionCompetition Criteria Criteria

The objective of our competition is to give students a “graduate level research experience” in biotechnology.

Reflects “real world” of research

Students submit research proposals for expert evaluation

Approved projects receive up to $200 in funding

Student teams are encouraged to have professional researchers as mentors

Projects judged on quality of research, scientific knowledge and communication and on potential commercial applications

The Hard Parts !The Hard Parts !The Hard Parts !The Hard Parts !

3 How do I write a proposal?

1How do I find a

topic?

2How do I find a mentor?

What Topics Qualify?What Topics Qualify?What Topics Qualify?What Topics Qualify?

Obviously, it’s more than just CSI

Biotechnology crosses many sectors of human activity so identify a problem and imagine possible solutions.

Some sectors are:

Healthcare

Agriculture

Food processing

Pollution abatement

Biomaterials

Aquaculture

Probiotics

Nutraceuticals

Diagnostics

Biosensors

Many more….

1. Hints.1. Hints.1. Hints.1. Hints.You are trying to find answers to problems.

Some readily available science magazines are: Discover, New Scientist, SEED, American Scientist.

Explore research being done in Eastern Ontario, see the links at on our regional tab on the main SABC site!

Internet

Newspapers

Television

Magazines

Family

Environment

Community

Other??

Where do you find the problems?

Next steps….Next steps….Next steps….Next steps….

Take some time to explore possible solutions

Brain storm ideas and don’t exclude possibilities too quickly

Try to look for similarities with other things that you know about

Look for connections

Most good ideas flow from something else

If you are curious or fascinated about a problem, give it time to ferment.

Take a Break!

o Often a solution becomes apparent when you step back and let your subconscious process.

2. Mentors2. Mentors2. Mentors2. Mentors

• The SABC encourages all students to have professional researchers as mentors.

• Mentors are not assigned to projects or students by SABC.

• Mentors agree to help students on a voluntary basis and are free to accept or reject the opportunity to help for any reason.

• They may decline a proposal that does not fit within their interest or within the capabilities of their laboratory resources.

Finding MentorsFinding MentorsFinding MentorsFinding Mentors

Find out what the research strengths are in your local colleges, universities and hospitals. This might help you to identify a topic area. See the Eastern Ontario list of resources posted on our Regional tab on the main site!

Unless you know the prospective mentor personally, it might be advisable to let your supervising teacher or regional coordinator make the initial contact.

Your regional coordinator will have a list of prospective mentors and the Proposal Evaluation Committee members will have some suggestions after they review your proposal.

Reality…Reality…Reality…Reality…

Some proposals that are submitted have already been reviewed by a mentor that the students have located in advance.

If you can make early arrangements with a mentor, it is an advantage.

Of course, the SABC wants the idea and proposal to be the work of the student, (not the Nobel prize winning mentor).

3. Proposal3. Proposal3. Proposal3. ProposalHow do I develop a suitable proposal that will be accepted by the Proposal Evaluation Committee of professional scientists?

Don’t forget that you are submitting a proposal to gain research funding just as professional researchers do.

Make it interesting and make sure to highlight the relevance.

Don’t make it too ambitious for the time and resources that you have.

Many projects are turned down by a committee if they feel that there won’t be a local mentor with the expertise to help the student(s).

The following 4 slides indicate the requirements of a proposal and the same information can be found on the SABC website

http://sanofibiotalentchallenge.ca/students-teachers/proposal-development/

Proposal RequirementsProposal Requirements and Headings to Includeand Headings to Include

Proposal RequirementsProposal Requirements and Headings to Includeand Headings to Include

NOTE! Supervising teachers must read and sign off on the proposals after confirming that they are within the SABC regulations.

Proposal Title: (scientifically informative title)

The proposal must be 1200 words or less and must be submitted on-line.

What is hoped to be accomplished in the investigation?

Question:

What question are you trying to answer? (1 or 2 sentences)

Introduction:Background information on the organism(s) or process(s) that will be investigated. (one or two short paragraphs).

Relevant Application:Explanation of how the idea was arrived at or justification of why such an investigation is worth doing.

Experimental Design:Detailed description subject groupings;

Explanation of variables being controlled, manipulated and measured;

Phases of experiments if they are to be done in stages.

Results and Interpretation:

Explanation of the form of results and suggestion of possible mechanisms

APPENDICES: Materials and Methods:

Detailed explanation of the methods and techniques required for proposed research work;

List of materials, instruments and equipment that your school will be able to provide toward this project.

Timeline of project:

Indication of plan of progress toward SABC competition

Budget:Please ensure that you include an itemized budget for up to $200.00 in your proposal. If a budget is not included, you will not receive this funding for project materials to conduct your experiments.

Mentorship support:

Name and contact information for supervising teacher;

Name and contact information for mentor(s) or indication that suggestions for possible mentor(s) are required.

The SABC 2007 Tracking Study ShowedThe SABC 2007 Tracking Study ShowedThe SABC 2007 Tracking Study ShowedThe SABC 2007 Tracking Study Showed

1. Of those respondents currently in high school (57%):

100% are planning on attending a post-secondary institution

68.6% said SABC was helpful in choosing their planned field of study

2. Of those currently attending a post-secondary institution (42.2%):

98.9% are attending university

62.7% have received at least one scholarship or bursary from academic awards to $6,200.

82.1% said the SABC was helping in gaining a positive understanding of Canada’s biotechnology industry.

For more informationFor more informationFor more informationFor more information

Please Contact:

Cheryl Holden

SABC Regional Coordinator,

Eastern Ontario

sabceasternontario@rogers.com

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Canada Science and Technology Museum

Algonquin College

Borden Ladner Gervais

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Carleton University

La Cité collégiale

NRC Research Institute for Biological Sciences

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

University of Ottawa

University of Ottawa Heart Institute