State Essay Contest

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[Symposium | State Essay Contest | International Science/Engineering Fair]

State Essay Contest

Students in Grades 7 through 12 may compete with a library research paper in the “Essay Only” segment of the Illinois Junior Academy of Science Paper Session Competition. However, this does not rule out the possibility of personal experimentation as a supplement to the library research.

 

Topics for the 2010 contest are:

IJAS Student Essay TopicThe Science of Toys.
The purpose of this essay is to choose one issue that involves “The Science of Toys.”  Make sure the topic is narrow enough to write a proper essay —do not try to overview every topic that involves the speed of science.
 

Format of the essay:
• Choose a topic that has been developed or is being theorized.
• Support your topic’s significance through research.
 

Structure of the essay:
• The author must follow the essay theme of  “The Science of Toys
• The author must use the formal essay style that adequately expresses the chosen topic.
• The essay must be original and follow the guidelines for student essays as established in the guidebook.

 

Cash awards will be made for the best essays.

 

Essay Entry Procedures
Students are to submit to the school coordinator six copies of their essay and three copies of the 2010 Student Science Fair Official Entry Form for Symposium and Essay Competition. Each essay must include the Essay Cover Page.
Students should keep the original copy of their essay. Essays are due to Mrs. Hortense Brice, Lindblom High School, GSR #43, by  January 7, 2010. The physical arrangement of the essay must be as follows:


Essay Cover Page (See sample in the Handbook Appendix or see Nuclear Essay front page information.) Give the essay a title that is indicative of the content of the essay.

• If supplemental experimentation is used, a Safety Sheet and any applicable endorsement(s) must be attached.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Body–Discussion
Conclusion or Summary
Reference List – A list of published articles, books, and other communications actually cited in the essay, using APA format. Do not refer to this list as a bibliography.


The essay should be 1,200 to 1,500 words. The essay should include at least 12 current references and no more than one reference to an encyclopedia. Students are to type their last name and the title of the essay at the top of each page. Papers should follow the basic rules of essay writing and should be carefully proofread. (See Symposium Paper/IJAS State Essay Checklist for helpful information.) Entries are due  January 7, 2010. This deadline will not be extended. Papers
submitted after the deadline will be returned unopened to the author. For additional information, contact the science fair coordinator at the school.