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Common Questions About the Ottawa Regional Science Fair and How to Participate
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common queries about ORSF and how we can assist you.
What is the ORSF?
The Ottawa Regional Science Fair (ORSF) is a volunteer organization which encourages students in the Ottawa-Carleton Region, from grades 7 to 12, to research, develop, and present projects in the fields of science and engineering. Students from both public and private schools in the Region are invited to enter projects in any science related topic including but not limited to the following “Challenge” topics:
– Discovery: Create new fundamental knowledge based on your curiosity by asking a question and using the techniques of scientific inquiry to develop an answer.
– Energy: Improve our use of current energy sources, enable the transition to alternative energy sources, or reduce our energy footprint.
– Environment: Reduce our impact on, improve our understanding of, and ensure the quality of water air, soil, and the diversity of living things.
– Health: Increase our understanding of the human body, or apply science and technology to improve health, control disease, or support an again population.
– Information: Enhance communication and our use of information using digital and networking technologies, or applications of new media.
– Innovation: Combine scientific principles with your creativity to develop a new material, structure, device, or system to solve a problem or improve an existing solution.
– Resources: Develop better ways to use our natural resources that provide sustainable sources of food, products, or prosperity.
During registration, participants will identify the “challenge” best addressed by their project.
Each year, approximately 300 projects are entered and judged in the junior, intermediate, senior, and special awards categories. Participation in the Fair also ensures the students’ eligibility to compete for a position on the team representing the Ottawa-Carleton Region at the subsequent national competition, the Canada Wide Science Fair (CWSF). For over 50 years, many participants have gone on to successful careers in science and technology. The calibre of entries each year is nothing short of amazing! In recent years, participants have applied for, and received, patents for inventions they have presented at the Fair.
Since its inception in 1961, the Ottawa Regional Science Fair has been conducting its fund-raising at the local level. Included in this challenging task is raising enough funds to send a Regional team to the CWSF each year. Traditionally, our students have been very successful at the national level. What started in a school gymnasium over 50 years ago has now grown into a significant annual event that showcases the considerable academic talents of our region’s youth.
Where is the Canada Wide Science Fair (CWSF) this year and who can go?
The location of the Canada-Wide Science Fair rotated between several cities each year. The 11 best students selected as grand prize winners at the ORSF will be invited to the event in May. Please visit the CWSF website to see where its being held.
How are projects judged and scored?
The Judges Marking Rubric is the based on the Canada-Wide Science Fair marking form, however Project Reports are optional and recommended as they contribute to the overall thoroughness, scientific method and impression but will not be explicitly marked like they are for CWSF (where they are pre-submitted for marking).
Can I take home part of my project overnight (perhaps laptop) Friday and bring it back with me on Saturday morning?What is your response time for inquiries?
Complete project setup Friday is required for judging on that day and which continues Saturday morning before students enter. The gym will be secured overnight but we are not responsible for lost items. Students can take home valuables overnight if they wish but they must complete be able to reassemble their project quicky at 9am Saturday when final judging begins.
Will there be photos of students taken at the event?
Yes. A Media Release section is now part of the registration process.
How do I sign up for special awards?
As part of the registration process you have the option to nominate yourself to be considered for up to seven special awards. Judges will evaluate your project to determine if it meets eligibility criteria. If your project does not meet eligibility criteria during the initial inspection by the judges, it will not be considered further. If you do not nominate yourself, your project will not be considered for any special awards. Follow the instructions during the registration process, if you do not register for special awards you cannot ask to be judged at the event.
What is available for lunch on Friday or Saturday?
Lunch for exhibitors is NOT PROVIDED. All students are encouraged to pack a lunch. The projects/exhibit area will be closed Friday during the 12 PM – 1 PM lunch hour. On Saturday the award ceremony is 12:30 – 1:30 PM then the event ends.
There is a Tim Horton’s in the Athletics building that will be open on the Friday and Saturday of the fair, but lineups for this can be long. For greater information about where to find food on the Carleton campus, see this list of dining services.
Where do I go for the fair?
The ORSF will be held in the Carleton University Fieldhouse (85 University Rd, Ottawa, ON) on March 27th (2 PM – 4 PM) and 28th (9 AM – 11:30 AM).
The Awards Ceremony on March 28th at 12:30 PM at All of the ORSF will be held at the Carleton University Raven’s Nest (9376 University Dr, Ottawa, ON).
PARKING – see the campus map
Parking will require payment. The closest Parking Lot is Lot 5 at Alumni Hall (Raven’s Nest Gym).
Please use the payment system either in the parking lot or inside Alumni Hall to avoid any parking penalties. The ORSF committee cannot be held responsible for any parking penalties that occurred during the time of the Fair.
I’m worried I will or did miss the registration deadline, what can I do?
The registration process begins at the Youth Science Canada Portal. Check out the “Important Dates” to stay up to date on deadlines, as they are subject to change. If you have any registration questions, please email the ORSF Registration member listed in the Contact page.
I don’t know my school code, so how can I register?
You don’t need a school code to register. Even for teachers, this is completely optional. A school code simply allows the school contact name, email and phone number entered on the ORSF system to be changed. If a schools wants to modify this info and require the password, please send an email to the ORSF Registration member listed in the Contact page.
How many judges can I expect and when will they come?
Judging of projects without students present occurs between Friday between 12 PM – 1 PM and Saturday before 9 AM. Judges will meet with students for project presentations between 1 PM and 4 PM Friday and from 9 AM -11:30 AM . You can expect 3 to 4 judges for category/divisional judging, while the number of special awards judges depends on how many you signed up for.
I am registered but now have to attend another commitment for some small portion of the time. The regulations say “students must be present at their projects at all times”. What should I do?
Attend the ORSF as much as you can, leaving a note on the exhibit stating when you will return. There is a real possibility that the project may miss some judging and this may disqualify it from winning a divisional or special award, in particular if a student does not attend on Saturday they will not likely be considered for any grand awards including CWSF trips. However participation in the ORSF is about more than winning awards, and presenting your work to judges and the public is a great experience, as is seeing the other projects at the fair.
How do I pay the registration fee?
The registration fee can be paid via e-Transfer to registration@orsf.ca.
Early Bird Registration Fee (before Feb 15th):
$40 per team project
$20 per solo project
Registration Fee (after Feb 15th):
$50 per team project
$30 per solo project
If you have any questions about payment or the registration fee, please get in touch with the ORSF Registration member listed in the Contact page.
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We Welcome Your Support!
The Ottawa Regional Science Fair relies on donor support, volunteers, and the participation of students, teachers, and parents. Your donation helps ensure that every school has access to this opportunity, while your company’s sponsorship recognizes and rewards Ottawa’s talented young innovators.