Team Research Papers are allowed with up to three members on the team. A research paper consists of student or team (grades 6-12) which is either (A) the written presentation of your investigation and experimentation--Investigative Research, or (B) a Library Research. (FYI: Library Researches will not be able to advance on to the State level.) The Library Research should not be "A Book Report", but should be an investigation and comparison of divergent theories collected. Separate judging criteria are established for both categories of papers. Scientific thought and procedures will receive major credit in the judging. Judging criteria for library research papers will heavily stress the analysis and application of the research data and the depth of the research effort (quality and quantity of the references).
Students, in writing their papers, are to select and follow any of the standard research paper formats or style manuals. The one used should have the student's name on the title page for the judges' information. This will improve the literary construction of the papers, giving proper emphasis to footnotes and references. Two suggested books to help are "How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper" by Robert Day and "Writing Paper in the Biological Sciences" by Victoria E. McMillan.
All SC/SW MN Regional Science & Engineering Fair research papers are read prior to the regional fair by MSU, Mankato Faculty. The top papers will then be invited to compete at the Regional Science & Engineering Fair with an oral presentation. The invite will come to the teacher/coordinator of the school.
