FERNANDINO SEARCH FOR BEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PROJECT

Background & Objectives Knowledge has been with the human kind since time immemorial. From the discovery of fire to the theories that explains the evolution of man down to the breakthroughs in the field of medicine and the invention of the single most important machine today the computer- it all started with curiosity and thirst for knowledge. Though information cannot be readily fixed and constant, humans have mastered the ability to refine it from time to time through scientific methods and research. The dynamics of research have shaped the world during the last centuries as pure and applied researches have been greatly practiced and recognized. By definition, Pure or Basic Research is concerned with refining theories and generating new knowledge while Applied Research deals with using the knowledge to solve immediate problems. To this, every research work is expected to gear towards innovation, refinement, and solution to the never ending quest for development and survival of man. Due to the alarming natural phenomenon the world is encountering at present and the resounding questions of survival amidst all of the environmental threats, the interest of the research world have been shifted on developing new knowledge and application in order to mitigate and adapt. Specific researches on natural and environmental sciences have greatly spread in the hope of being resilient and find solutions to some of the worlds most threatening environmental phenomenon, like climate change and global warming. Moreover, more and more successful researches are being done by students and alike, making the pursuits and efforts more commendable. Believing in the worth of integrating the sector of academe in different environment programs and the role of young Fernandinos as environment advocates, the City Government of San Fernando le by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) have spearheaded the Fernandino Search for Best Environmental Research Project (FESBERP) with the goal of immersing each and every young Fernandino to protect, conserve and preserve the environment through research data and application. Specifically, the program intends to: 1. Promote excellence on the field of science and research 2. Develop new knowledge on resource conservation 3. Apply the proven knowledge on a large scale basis 4. Encourage students to venture more on environmental research 5. Recognize the roles and works of the young researchers on environmental protection & preservation 6. Promote environmental awareness 7. Strengthen resiliency amidst the adverse effects of different natural phenomenon

General Guidelines Participants: 1. The search is open to all elementary, high school, and college students studying within the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. 2. The research paper can be done by an individual student or a group of students (not exceeding 10). 3. Participants are allowed to join only a single category and submit only a single entry. 4. The contest is divided into 3 categories namely: Elementary, High School, and College. Timetable: 1. All the submitted research works must be written and done during the July, 2012 to December, 2012 period. 2. Entries must be submitted on or before December 15, 2012. 3. The Preliminary Screening of the submitted works will be on January, 2013. 4. The Final Screening and awarding of winners will be on February, 2013. Entries: 1. All submitted entries must be environment-related and completely student-created. 2. Entries must be submitted with the following in 2 hard copies: - Contest Entry Form - Research Paper (Journal Form) - Complete Research Paper - Prototype of the research (for Applied Research) - 2 CD-ROM labeled with the research title (soft copy of the research paper in journal form, complete research paper, pictures and other pertinent documents) 3. An additional research poster is required for entries which qualify for Final Screening 4. Submitted research paper must follow the official contest format (Please see attached copy). 5. Any form of plagiarism will result in disqualification of entry. Judging & Awarding: 1. All the submitted entries will be preliminary screened by a panel of judges in order to determine the 10 best entries per category which will qualify for the final screening. 2. The qualified entries will be then judged according to the following criteria: - Environment-related aspect of the research work = 25% - Applicability = 25% - Methods & Outcome = 20% - Resource Conservation Aspect = 15% - Presentation = 15% 3. A 10-minute presentation must be prepared for those entries which qualify for the final screening. 4. A total of 9 major awards (3 per category) and 9 minor awards (3 per category) will be given: Major Awards Minor Awards st 1 Prize Php 15, 000 Best in Presentation Php 1,000 2nd Prize Php 10, 000 Most Innovative Research Php 1,000 3rd Prize Php 5, 000 Best in Research Poster Php 1,000 5. The decision of the board of judges in final and irrevocable.