Project Materials
The judges will collect your report book for a closer look at your project. Both individual and group entries must keep a diary, it forms a vital part of your project elements.
Project Book
This may not be returned to you until the end of the exhibition. However, be assured that each report book will be studied carefully by the assigned judges in the judging rooms. Also please note that not all assigned judges will sign your report book. In some cases only the first judge will sign your book, but this does not indicate in any way that your project is weak.
N.B. When you arrive at the R.D.S. please make sure that you write your stand number on the front of your report book as this will ensure that your report book is returned to the correct stand.
Your report book forms a vital part of your 3 project elements. It should be no more than 50 pages of text (word processed) plus appendices and references:
1. Title Page: Include the title of your project, your name, the date, and any other necessary details.
2. Table of Contents: Provide a clear and comprehensive list of sections and subsections in your report with corresponding page numbers.
3. Abstract/Executive Summary: Write a concise summary of your project, including the objectives, methods, major findings, and conclusions. Keep it within one page.
4. Introduction: Introduce your project and its background. Clearly state the problem or research question you aimed to address.
5. Literature Review: Summarise the relevant literature and studies that support your project. Provide context and establish the significance of your work.
6. Methodology: Briefly describe the experimental design, measurements, and data collection methods. Refer to the appendix for the detailed procedures.
7. Results: Present the key results of your project, highlighting the most important findings. Use tables, graphs, or charts to illustrate your data.
8. Discussion: Interpret your results and discuss their implications. Analyse any patterns, trends, or discrepancies. Compare your findings with previous studies and explain any inconsistencies.
9. Conclusion: Summarise your project and its outcomes. Emphasize the significance of your findings and their potential impact. Discuss any limitations or areas for further research.
10. References: Cite all the sources you referred to in your report using a standardized referencing style (e.g., APA, MLA).
11. Appendices: Include detailed information that supports your project, such as the full experimental methods, measurements, or calculations. Place surveys or questionnaires in the appendix as well.
Ensure that the main body of your report, excluding the appendices, does not exceed 50 pages. Use clear and concise language, proper formatting, and appropriate headings and subheadings to enhance readability.
Remember to proofread your report for clarity, coherence, and adherence to the given guidelines. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Please print two copies of the report and bring them with you to the exhibition, the round 1 judge will take one copy away and it will not be returned to you until Saturday.
Project Diary
This is a guide to help students create a project diary to cover their work from the initial decision
to enter the competition through to their final report production and experiments/data analysis, a project diary can help with the final report book and preparation for the judges, it does not have to be very detailed but will help keep a record of what you have done from the start of your project. Below are just some ideas but every project is different so include what suits you project best.
1. Introduction: Start your project diary by introducing yourself and providing a brief overview of your project. Explain your motivation for participating in the competition and outline the goals you hope to achieve.
2. Research and Planning: Document your initial research and brainstorming process. Note down any potential project ideas, research articles or resources you come across, and discussions with mentors or team members. Describe how you narrowed down your focus and decided on a specific project topic.
3. Project Proposal: Detail the process of developing your project proposal. Include drafts, feedback received, and revisions made. Describe how you refined your research question, defined your objectives, and finalised your methodology. This will be part of your entry form.
4. Experimental Design and Data Collection: Record the steps taken to design your experiments or data collection methods. Include sketches, diagrams, or flowcharts to illustrate your setup. Document any challenges faced, modifications made, or pilot experiments conducted.
5. Data Analysis and Results: Document your data analysis process. Describe the software or statistical methods used, the parameters examined, and any significant findings or trends observed. Include graphs or tables summarising your results.
6. Iterative Development and Troubleshooting: Note any iterations or improvements made to your project. Document any issues encountered, troubleshooting steps taken, and how you overcame them. Include any modifications to your experimental setup or methodology.
7. Reflections and Learnings: Reflect on the progress of your project. Write about the lessons learned, new skills acquired, and any unexpected discoveries made. Discuss any changes in your approach or perspectives based on the outcomes of your project.
8. Final Report Production: Record the process of compiling your final report. Document the organisation of your report, writing drafts, incorporating feedback, and making revisions. Describe how you structured your report, including sections such as introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.
9. Conclusion and Future Directions: Summarise your project diary by reflecting on your overall experience. Discuss the significance of your findings, the impact of your project, and any future directions or extensions you envision. Express gratitude to those who supported you throughout the process.
10. Appendices and Supporting Materials: Include any relevant supporting materials, such as research papers, data sheets, or photographs, as appendices to your project diary.
Remember to regularly update your project diary, preferably on a daily or weekly basis, to ensure you capture the details and progress of your project accurately. This diary will serve as a valuable record of your journey from start to finish and provide insights for your final report and presentation.
Display Board
You will need to create a visual display to explain your project at the exhibition. These guidelines aim to help students create an effective A0 poster for their projects:
1. Overall Layout:
- Use a landscape orientation for the poster.
- Divide the poster into logical sections, such as Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Conclusion.
- Ensure a clear flow from one section to another, guiding the reader through the project.
2. Title and Author Information:
- A header board will be provided which will have the project title and school name
- You may want to include more details on your display.
3. Introduction:
- Provide a brief introduction to the project, capturing the reader’s attention and explaining the project’s significance.
- Clearly state the research question or problem being addressed.
4. Methodology:
- Describe the experimental design or methodology used to conduct the research.
- Include sufficient details to enable the reader to understand how the project was carried out.
- Use diagrams, flowcharts, or images to illustrate the experimental setup or procedure.
5. Results and Data Presentation:
- Present the findings and data in a clear and visually appealing manner.
- Utilise graphs, charts, tables, or diagrams to represent the data.
- Provide labels, legends, and appropriate units of measurement for clarity.
- Highlight any trends, patterns, or significant observations in the results.
6. Analysis and Discussion:
- Interpret the results and discuss their implications.
- Explain any patterns or relationships observed in the data.
- Relate the findings back to the research question or problem stated in the introduction.
7. Conclusion:
- Summarise the main outcomes and conclusions of the project.
- Emphasise the significance of the findings and their potential impact.
- Mention any future directions or further research possibilities.
8. Visuals and Illustrations:
- Use high-quality images, diagrams, or illustrations to enhance understanding.
- Ensure that visuals are relevant, clearly labelled, and easy to interpret.
- Avoid clutter and maintain a visually pleasing balance on the poster.
9. Text and Font:
- Use a clear and legible font for all text elements.
- Maintain consistency in font sizes throughout the poster.
- Keep text concise, using bullet points or short paragraphs to convey information.
10. Colour and Design:
- Choose a colour scheme that is visually appealing and appropriate for the content.
- Use colours strategically to draw attention to key elements or highlight important information.
- Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background for readability.
11. Captions and Citations:
- Include captions for figures, tables, or images, providing a brief explanation of their content.
- Cite any external sources or references used in the project, adhering to the appropriate citation format.
12. Proofreading and Editing:
- Check the poster for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and typos.
- Ensure that all content is accurate, consistent, and logically organised.
- Seek feedback from mentors or teachers to improve the clarity and effectiveness of the poster.
13. Stand Layout
- Below is the layout of your stand, the tabletop is curved with a maximum depth of 600mm.
- All other display material should fit in this area.
- No part of the display can be placed on the floor in front of your stand as this may cause health and safety problems.
The 3 Minute Video
This is a guide outlining the video requirements for your BT Young Scientist project:
1. Video Length: The video should not exceed 3 minutes in length. Participants should aim to convey their project’s key aspects within this time frame.
2. Content: The video should focus on either demonstrating the project in action or providing a detailed description of the project. Competitors can choose the approach that best showcases their work.
3. Clarity and Conciseness: Participants should strive for clear and concise communication. Present the project’s main objectives, methods, and results in a manner that is easy to understand for both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
4. Language: Use appropriate language and terminology for the intended audience. Avoid jargon or highly technical terms unless necessary, and explain any specialised terms used in the video.
5. Visuals: Utilise visuals effectively to enhance understanding. Graphs, charts, images, or footage of the project in action can help convey the information more effectively. Ensure that visuals are clear and legible.
6. Audio: Ensure that the audio is clear and audible. Use a high-quality microphone if possible and speak clearly and confidently. If there is any narration or spoken content, it should be easily understandable.
7. Music: Do not include any background music in the video. This requirement helps maintain a fair and equal playing field for all participants end ensures that no copyright issues are encountered.
8. Profanity and Inappropriate Content: Ensure the video does not contain any profanity, offensive language, or inappropriate content. Maintain a professional and respectful tone throughout the video.
9. Product Placement: Avoid any form of product placement or promotion of specific brands or products within the video. The focus should solely be on the project and its scientific merit.
10. Video Format: Participants should submit their videos in a commonly used video format such as MP4, AVI, or MOV. Ensure the video is of good quality and can be easily viewed by the judges and members of the public.
11. Submission Guidelines: You will be provided with a link to upload your video once your project has qualified and you have completed your confirmation card. The deadline is the 15th of December, late submissions may not be included in the portal for the opening of the exhibition.