BarnabyOnISEF2007

How I Judged at the International Science Fair: 

How I Judged at the International Science Fair -or- 12 Angry Men on Steroids

Direction: 

Direction Physics & Astronomy Grand Prize Winner Cataclysmic Variables Judging Process Other great projects I voted for Insights Top ISEF Winners

Physics & Astronomy Grand Prize : 

Physics & Astronomy Grand Prize

Cataclysmic VariablesRoche Lobe Overflow: 

Cataclysmic Variables Roche Lobe Overflow

Cataclysmic Variable Light Curve: 

Cataclysmic Variable Light Curve Low state: accretion Flares: thermonuclear runaway on white dwarf surface. Subclasses Novae Dwarf Novae

Dwarf Novae Classifications: 

Dwarf Novae Classifications Arranged by magnetic activity. None magnetic: dwarf novae Intermediate polars: DQ Her, 10 MegaGauss Polars: AM Her, 100 MegaGauss

Intermediate Polars: DQ Her: 

Intermediate Polars: DQ Her WD: relatively strong magnetic field Plasma dragged away from inner disk Channeled to and crashes into magnetic poles. Can produce hard X-rays.

Polars: AM Her: 

Polars: AM Her WD: extremely strong magnetic field Prevents accretion disk. Plasma crashes preferentially into magnetic pole. Consequences Strong source of soft & hard x-rays Rotation introduces variation in soft x-rays WD magnetically locked to companion

Question: why does X-ray emission decrease during low states?: 

Question: why does X-ray emission decrease during low states?

The Judging Process: 

The Judging Process 1510 Contestants 17 Panels 1200 Judges Physics & Astronomy 86 judges Affiliations

The First Day: 

The First Day Schedule, Schedule, Schedule! Pep talk from software designer. Decision making with partial information. Most will not have interviewed the winner! Look over all 86 entries Including team entries.

Some of the 20 Astronomy Projects: 

Some of the 20 Astronomy Projects Variation on the Star Formation Rate from Galaxy Cluster Center c11037 Simulations of Gravitational lensing Events Involving Nearby Lenses and Effects of Parallax Mars Rover: Could It Be Better? Determining Surface Composition of KBOs Through Spectrum Matching Heating the Rings: The Thermodynamics of the Rings of Saturn

The Second Day: 

The Second Day 10 interviews assigned 15 minute blocks Scantron cards. Back in caucus room Straw poll of early favorites. Distinguishing elements of my approach Questions. Form 1C.

Early Favorites and Extra Interviews: 

Early Favorites and Extra Interviews Cosmic Rain Ball Lightning Leidenfrost Effect Kuiper Belt Objects

Now, for the Caucus!: 

Now, for the Caucus! Process for selecting 3 1st place 4 2nd place 5 3rd place 6 4th place Co-chairs, blow-hards, and curmudgeons. My ranking Mr Temple won: solved long-standing problem; 2 papers “in press” Wrapped up with 5 minutes to spare!

My Insights: 

My Insights Get abstracts of all 1st and 2nd place winners! Helps to have a well-endowed mentor. Data, ideas, money, equipment. Mentor contribution did NOT appear factor. Publications, even rumored, help a lot! Depth of understanding equally important. How does this fit into a larger picture? An intriguing solution to a problem?

Top ISEF Winners: 

Top ISEF Winners

Comment from Intel CEO: 

Comment from Intel CEO Inspiring teachers made a difference in this contestants life. Opportunity did as well. His complaint.

Thanks for your attention.: 

Thanks for your attention.

Possible Mentors: 

Possible Mentors