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A Newsletter Exploring 
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It is often a challenge to come up with topics for students who are interested in pursuing research for presentation at a science fair. For over twenty years now I have used a method that continues to work, providing students with intriguing topics that are within the technological capability of most junior high or high school labs. I invite students to meet me at a local university library, and direct them to the stacks of old Biological Abstracts, particularly those from the 1920s through the 1950s. These abstracts describe the work of researchers in an era before the advent of high technology, work that is feasible for the young researcher, and often does not require equipment or expertise beyond what we as public or private school teachers can provide. In order to not just replicate work that has already been accomplished and reported, the student is directed to use the basic idea of the paper, but change the organism used, the chemical tested, or perhaps even use more sophisticated technology, or to redesign the protocol so that the work is uniquely different in some way. This is a ready source of many thousands of ideas and I have never had a student spend over an hour in the stacks without coming away with many ideas to choose from. It always pleases the student, because they can choose their own idea, they aren't just given a topic to pursue, and the journal article provides a solid framework of what can be tried and what the student might expect. The challenge is in coming up with a new twist in protocol that will work and will provide the excitement of new discovery. Librarians at Wayne State University and Oakland University have always been thrilled to assist the young students I have taken to their facilities, and I am sure you will find similar help at other university libraries around the state. One other productive source in those libraries has been the section that contains copies of Master's and Doctoral Thesis, again particularly ones from an earlier period. With changes in organism or protocol, your student can avoid plagiarizing the work of others. Another ready source of ideas is provided each year by Science Services. the International Science and Engineering Fair is entering its 54th year, and they have published the abstracts of Finalists each year. The 53rd ISEF Abstract Book is available for $10, or you can purchase the set of the last three years of abstracts for $20. To do so, contact Science Service at:
Science Service
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium The 39th Junior Science and Humanities Symposium was held at Wayne State University on March 6 and 7, 2003. Twenty-eight students from Michigan who submitted research papers for judging were chosen to present their research for round two of the competition. The first place winner receives $4,000 and a trip, along with four other students, to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, to compete with winners from other states. Eight winners there will be awarded an additional $16,000 and a trip to the London Youth Fortnight in July.
Our Mission Established in 1981, MISMR is made up of the state’s leading research universities, teaching hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, voluntary health organizations, and hundreds of scientists, educators, and students who understand and support the importance of animal research and testing in advancing health care and treatment. MISMR Educational Projects & Activities
Annual Essay Contest
Speakers Bureau
Annual Symposium
Human & Animals Enrichment Program
We Want to Hear From You! page one page two You may download a PDF format of the actual newsletter.
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MISMR members strongly support humane animal study in research. We hope that likeminded citizens will join us in working for rational public policy that assures the continued appropriate use of animals in the course of good science. |