Proposed Award Sponsorship:

Beautiful Minds is also established as an intellectual incubator workspace in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM). As the founder/president of BMYM was an oncology research scientist at University of Illinois at Chicago and a strong advocate of STEM oriented learning, we recognize the importance of STEM education in the early development of children. Hence, we are offering to sponsor “Beautiful Minds Youth Mentoring Budding Scientist Award” at OSA convention to recognize and mentor our North American Odia youths who have the potential to do pathbreaking research and development in the field of STEM. We would like to extend the sponsorship for the award at all the future OSA conventions as well. The Competition intends to promote excellence by encouraging students to undertake individual or team STEM oriented research projects. It fosters intensive research that improves students’ understanding of the value of scientific study and consideration of future careers in these disciplines. In addition, by introducing the proposed contest we are nurturing problem-based learning in our North American Odia youth. In entirety the proposed award is to foster brilliant futuristic leader to be presented as global ready citizens.

Guidelines of Participation:

• Middle school (starting from 7^th grade), high school and college students can participate
• The presentation can be individual or a group of not more than four
• The proposal and video clip need to be emailed beautifulmindsyouth@gmail.com clearly stating BMYM Budding Scientist Award
• Submit all the above mentioned materials no later that 30^th May
• Semi finalists will be announced by 7^th June and present during OSA Chicago convention
• We are strongly discouraging plagiarism
• The topic can be based on futuristic, current, or past scientific case studies
• If anyone need help regarding choosing a topic, how to write a scientific research proposal, literature review or presentation, contact us via email stating clearly the requirements
• Use this link to submit your proposal and be part of this contest

Process:

1. Submit a research proposal (pdf document) based on STEM introducing your topic, the problem statement/the plan of research/hypothesis, the research methodology, tools, and procedures of collecting data, literature review supporting which sources you’re using, how you’re using them, and why they’re relevant, suppositions and implications, summary/conclusion. Submit a small video clip introducing yourself, your career goals, and your intended research project.
2. Selection of semifinalist by our review committee
3. Based on request periodical mentoring will be available over zoom
4. All the semifinalists will get opportunity to present at the convention in a science fair setting, where few basic materials will be provided for contestants on request
5. Contestants are responsible to bring their own model and/or presentation materials.
6. At the end of the presentation, group of invited scholars will do a brief seminar and judge for the BMYM Budding Scientist Award
7. There will be three winners. The first prize is $1000, second prize is $650, and the third prize is $350. All the winners will be announced and awarded on the last day of convention

Judging Criteria:

The judges will use these criteria to evaluate all aspects of the projects and presentations:

• Problem Statement: Does the project address a pressing STEM related question or major issue?
• Creativity: Is the project original and imaginative? What is the origin of the student’s interest in the topic? Did the student develop new solutions or procedures?
• Field knowledge: Does the student demonstrate strong knowledge of the area of inquiry? Does the student’s work demonstrate a high level of intellectual input? Do the findings substantially add to the understanding of the area investigated?
• Comprehensiveness: Are sufficient details provided so that others can replicate the work? If the work is experimental, are the variables and controls clearly defined? Are the procedures well-defined? Were tools for measurement and analysis chosen and used appropriately? Does the Research Report fully explain the project itself or is further explanation needed?
• Interpretation: Has the student stated the interpretations and conclusions clearly? How scientifically reasonable and credible are the data, interpretations, and conclusions? Do the conclusions and interpretations follow from the results presented? Are appropriate statistical tests employed, if appropriate?
• Literature: Does the report reference appropriate related works and place the study in a proper context? Are all sources used in the research listed as references? Are the references cited within the text?
• Future work: Is there a discussion of future or follow-up research? If so, what further data would be needed? What are possible applications of the work?
• Expression & Clarity: Is the project understandable? Is the material presented logical and coherent? Are the key points, problems, and solutions stated clearly and precisely? Does the student use table and figures appropriately, including correct labeling of axes? Was the Research Report carefully proofreading for spelling and grammar?
• Presentation: Is the method of presentation consistent with the nature of the work and with scientific practice in the discipline involved? Clear and precise presentation with a well-articulated voice will be encouraged

Additional Criteria for Team Projects

• Teamwork: Is it clear how each member contributed? Was there an appropriate distribution of workload and responsibilities?