Step 10: Abstract
After finishing research and experimentation, students are required to write a (maximum) 250-word, one-page abstract. An abstract is a short summary of your experiment typically included at the start of a full experimental paper/report that lets a reader know the purpose of your experiment. In this case, the PRSEF Judges will read them to get a quick introduction to your experiment. It will get them excited to see your poster board and to interview you.
An abstract should include:
(a) purpose of the experiment,
(b) procedures used,
(c) data, and
(d) conclusions.
It also may include any possible research applications. Projects do not need to be completed to submit an abstract. You can simply state that experimentation is continuing, and results will be available on fair day. The abstract should not include: a) acknowledgments, or b) work or procedures done by the mentor. Sponsor award judges and other special award judges have access to student abstracts prior to competition day to determine which projects address their special areas and are eligible for their prize. In addition, category judges review abstracts prior to interviews for a summary of the research.
Abstracts must be submitted on the PRSEF website on or before February 3, 2023.
Samples can be found at the bottom of this page.
Directions for adding your abstract (PRSEF):
An abstract should include:
(a) purpose of the experiment,
(b) procedures used,
(c) data, and
(d) conclusions.
It also may include any possible research applications. Projects do not need to be completed to submit an abstract. You can simply state that experimentation is continuing, and results will be available on fair day. The abstract should not include: a) acknowledgments, or b) work or procedures done by the mentor. Sponsor award judges and other special award judges have access to student abstracts prior to competition day to determine which projects address their special areas and are eligible for their prize. In addition, category judges review abstracts prior to interviews for a summary of the research.
Abstracts must be submitted on the PRSEF website on or before February 3, 2023.
Samples can be found at the bottom of this page.
Directions for adding your abstract (PRSEF):
- Log into the PRSEF site
- Click on the "edit" link next to your project title
- Type (or copy/paste) your abstract in the box
Abstract Samples –
Project Title: What Type of Trash Makes the Most Biogas
Fossil fuels are becoming a rare resource because they are nonrenewable. My experiment provides us with an alternative way to produce gas. I wanted to find out which type of organic material produces the most biogas. To do that, I pureed apples, blueberries, onions, and lettuce, put them in bottles filled to the top with water, and sealed the top with a balloon. Then, every day for a week, I measured the circumference of the balloon. After the one week, the apples ended up producing the most biogas, rejecting my hypothesis that the blueberries would produce the most biogas.
Project Title: Landfill Chemistry
Landfills are a major problem and this study evaluated ways to increase the decomposition rate of newspaper, a common ingredient. Eight simulated landfills were built, and the rate of the decomposition of newspaper was tested by adding various agents: “yeast with Yeast Energizer,” 9 “Campden Tablets,” and “Amalayse Enzyme.” Microbial growth and biodegradability of the newspaper were then examined. Newspaper treated with Alpha Amylase underwent a significant increase in decomposition as compared with untreated samples and the other agents. Future studies are being planned in an effort to increase the decomposition rate of plastics and organic garbage.
Project Title: Cetuximab_DHA Antitumor Effect
Cetuximab is EGFR-specific antibody treatment for head and neck cancers. Since only 10-20% of patients respond clinically, there is an interest in enhancing cetuximab’s efficacy. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that can inhibit tumor progression. The effects of combining DHA and cetuximab on cell proliferation, EGFR expression, and antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) were studied in vitro. Combination treatment better reduced proliferation, and DHA upregulated phospho-EGFR while combination treatment mitigated this effect. Pre-treatment of tumor cells with DHA increased ADCC by healthy donor effector cells. These findings show coadministration enhances the antitumor effects the treatments had alone.
Project Title: What Type of Trash Makes the Most Biogas
Fossil fuels are becoming a rare resource because they are nonrenewable. My experiment provides us with an alternative way to produce gas. I wanted to find out which type of organic material produces the most biogas. To do that, I pureed apples, blueberries, onions, and lettuce, put them in bottles filled to the top with water, and sealed the top with a balloon. Then, every day for a week, I measured the circumference of the balloon. After the one week, the apples ended up producing the most biogas, rejecting my hypothesis that the blueberries would produce the most biogas.
Project Title: Landfill Chemistry
Landfills are a major problem and this study evaluated ways to increase the decomposition rate of newspaper, a common ingredient. Eight simulated landfills were built, and the rate of the decomposition of newspaper was tested by adding various agents: “yeast with Yeast Energizer,” 9 “Campden Tablets,” and “Amalayse Enzyme.” Microbial growth and biodegradability of the newspaper were then examined. Newspaper treated with Alpha Amylase underwent a significant increase in decomposition as compared with untreated samples and the other agents. Future studies are being planned in an effort to increase the decomposition rate of plastics and organic garbage.
Project Title: Cetuximab_DHA Antitumor Effect
Cetuximab is EGFR-specific antibody treatment for head and neck cancers. Since only 10-20% of patients respond clinically, there is an interest in enhancing cetuximab’s efficacy. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that can inhibit tumor progression. The effects of combining DHA and cetuximab on cell proliferation, EGFR expression, and antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) were studied in vitro. Combination treatment better reduced proliferation, and DHA upregulated phospho-EGFR while combination treatment mitigated this effect. Pre-treatment of tumor cells with DHA increased ADCC by healthy donor effector cells. These findings show coadministration enhances the antitumor effects the treatments had alone.
