Participating in the Expo
The Expo is open to all students in grades 9-12 in the greater Seattle area. Most students participate with their classes, but we can also accomodate a limited number of motivated individual students.

Advisors and Mentors
Each student can request to have an advisor or mentor when they register. We will do our best to find an advisor for each student who requests one. Having an advisor is optional. Only students who truly believe that they will make good use of an advisor's or mentor's time and expertise should sign up for one!

There are different levels of participation that can be selected. For example, some students may want an advisor to help them refine their project, find resources, and interpret scientific information. Other students who are seeking more involvement may meet with a mentor in a supervised setting, job-shadow them, or visit a laboratory. Students may find their own advisors and mentor, but these advisors must still complete all our necessary forms (found on the advisor page).

When projects are judged, students will be evaluated in a section called 'Use of Resources'. Judges will be looking at how well a student made use of available resources. Many students will do well in this section without an advisor, but having an advisor or mentor indicates initiative on the part of the student.

Project Categories
Expo projects must have a topic related to biotechnology or biomedicine. Projects are entered in various categories. Students should choose a category that reflects their natural talents and interests. Each category has different criteria for judging. Information about each category, as well as 'tips' on how to get started, are found on the category requirements page.

Judging Summary
Expo Judges will evaluate the following 5 project components. Students should consider these consider these carefully when developing their project. All projects submit materials in advance for prejudging. Judges involved with the prejudging will also conduct the Expo interview.

PREJUDGING What you need to submit on May 15, 2008 to your teacher:

Submit ONE hard copy to your teacher (it is for judges and will NOT be returned, bring another copy to the Expo). Submit ONE electronic copy to your teacher.

Put all pieces together into ONE WORD DOCUMENT, don't send lots of small files (websites are the exception). PC is preferred! Keep the files small, don't use big graphics in the copy you submit.

Label the file with the following code:
2-Letter Category Abbreviation_2 Letter School Abbreviation_YourLastName
(Do not use spaces or punctuation other than underscores, this makes it easier to upload winning projects to the website)

CODES

Example: Joey Jones at Lynnwood High School submitting a research project would label his file: RE_LY_Jones.

If your school is not listed, make up a two letter code that makes sense and is not already taken.