Intel International Science and Engineering Fair

Joseph Stunzi

Joseph Stunzi

Veteran
Dear DVXUsers,
I am a high school junior, 16, from Georgia trying to make an impact on students to improve in Math and Science. In comparison to other countries around the world, the scores of the students of United States are weakening. I want to change this by inspiring students to love learning and especially to see that science and math are "cool." I wish to do this by creating a documentary of the International Science and Engineering Fair sponsored by Intel.
I have a huge dream! This dream covers the experiences of the 1450 high schoolers from around the globe who compete in the annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). I want to tell the story of teens who do scientific research and are the innovators of tomorrow! Everyday, they go through the hardships of bullying and not fitting in because they have a passion for science and technology. ISEF is an event where these teens can fit in and also enjoy healthy competition. Not to mention, there are college scholarships, nobel prize winners, and amazing innovations abound.
I am dedicated and inspired to do this because I am one of those high school students who does independent research. People pick on me and question why I do research. The answer that I tell them is that it is my passion. In 2003, I won the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge. (www.dcysc.com) It is the national science fair competition for middle school students. Following my national first place, I was featured on the Today Show with Katie Couric, CNN FN's The Flip Side, and numerous radio stations. I also was interviewed for numerous magazines and newspapers. This competition opened up my eyes to the beauty and passion that I know have for science and technology. I want to do the same for the rest of the world.
I feel that the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair is bringing out the best in the future innovators, engineers, and scientists of tomorrow. I believe that this documentary will have an influence on students, teachers, legislatures, and anyone who views it.
I wanted to know whether any DVXUsers could contribute ideas to this documentary? I need sponsorship, equipment, and any help that I can get. I know this is a lot to ask, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time and concern,
JStunzi
 
jstunzi,

Have you looked into the possibility of getting state or federal grant monies from government or independant agencies in your state? It sounds like something that could be funded if a proposal was written up and sent to an appropriate organization or government agency.
 
John,
You are correct in suggesting government agencies provide funding. However, seeing as the competition is a privately sponsored event and also seeing as the initial purpose of the equipment would be to document the INTEL international science and engineerig fair (www.sciserv.org/isef) I am unsure as to whether or not the government could provide funding for this. My main purpose in posting this was to try to find independent organizations that might be interested in funding my endeavours.

Thanks so much for your response,
JSTunzi
 
Know your audience. Assuming the audience is teenagers - how do you get their attention, what's the story about? Do you pick a competitor, or a 'team' and follow on their quest? Or do you just 'report' on the fair itself?

I think it's a worthwhile effort - not too many young people are into science these days. I am just not sure how you plan to go about it. I would think a personal point of view works best - but then you would probably want to be the host, or a guide, of the film. Which means you'd need other people to do the filming... and beware, it takes a lot of planning and hard work.

Let us know more specifically what is the story you want to tell - perhaps more people will offer their ideas.

If you want to see a good documentary on young people competing, check out Spellbound - I would never guess a spelling bee could make an entertaining doc. Maybe you can find some inspiration there.

Jerry
 
Thanks a million Jerry,
You are definetly knowledgable in your field. I want to take a personal perspective by following various students from the fair itself through the competition. I want to also bring in the factual part of the fair because it is important to show that it is the "BIG TIME" and that it is no little poster board and marker fair. I have considered following 5 to maybe even 8 student throughout their experience. Some from other countries, some from the US, probably one from my home state for convenience. I also want to mix in various interviews with competitors at their projects, and at the special events.

Is that enough background? I could keep going for miles.

Any ideas about potential sponsors? Do Adobe, Apple, Kodak sponsor stuff like this or do I need to go the smaller business route? www.DariusGoesWest.com is a link to a local documentary effort that had amazing community support. This is not so much a community effort but maybe I could start with somethign like they did with that project.

JStunzi
 
First of all, great ideas and very encouraging to see a youngster with that kind of ambition.

Now, first of all, before even thinking about sponsorship, you really have to get the proper "format" down. Write-up a script. Even if its just a rough draft, or a bunch of notes. Organize your documentary into parts of what you want it to be like. The most important thing is to have a proper outline.

In addition, Imagine how it starts, imagine how it ends. Write up those little notes or reminders to yourself about things you want to include. Very importantly, imagine how you will presenting it, and where would it have most impact? On your school's projecter? Infront of a large television? On DVD/CD that each of your audience can watch from the comfort of their homes?

Once you have the outline, and have decided "how" you want people to watch your documentary, you will have a rough idea of how long you want your documentary to be, (how long each section will take), how many people you will be interviewing, and most importantly, what equipment you will need. This gives you a breakdown of all the things you will need: Cast and equipment.

In your case, I doubt you need high-end equipment. Documentaries are realistic, so no worrying about 24p, or dramatic lighting and other fancy things that you cant learn in a hurry anyway. You mainly need a digital camera. Any MiniDv camera should be fine. If you dont have one, you can borrow one from a friend. Get your buddies to be the crew. Discuss your outline with everyone and flesh it out. Its time to turn it into a real script.

Sure you probably need other things like lights and so on, but alot of indie film-makers (including people here at DVXUser) would be more than happy to help you out pro-bono "for a good cause". Tell us where you live. You never know, a dvxuser might be living right next to you!

If you are not so lucky, then dont worry. In all likelihood there will be ample sunlight, or you can use pretty much any good affordable lights bought from your local store. Its a documentary, not Gladiator. Its supposed to look realistic, so the lack of professional lights can be an advantage!

The final step would be to edit your documentary. If you shot your documentary with a digital camera (you should!) then you can simply download all your footage to a PC/Mac and edit with some really simple editing software like Pnnacle, or IMovie. A firewire port is available on almost every computer nowadays so even if you dont own a PC with firewire, one of your friends probably does. Ask around. They might even know how to edit. A bonus!

So, all done, what exactly do you need sponsorship for then?

Good luck :)

(Just PM me if you need to ask something specific)
 
I just wanted to say that this isn't just a documentary about science. It's a documentary about the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. It's the largest science fair in the world and is the culmination of numerous hours of student research. In the US, most participants have to go through local, regional, and state fairs to even get to ISEF. Overseas, it is even harded. Almost half of the student are seeking patents. Every year, ground breaking research emerges from ISEF. This is the BIG TIME! I do need to write out a plan and interview questions but my main thing is can I get a crew to New Mexico and then Atlanta the following year.

I have interesting shot ideas for different parts throughout the week of competition but all of my ideas really depend on how many crews I get together and what funding I have.

THATS WHY I NEED SPONSORS... I really was trying to seek people with contacts to someone willing to contribute to such a cause.

~JStunzi
 
What I would suggest is pretty simple: build upon your success.

Instead of worrying about whether you will be able to get your crew to Atlanta the "followng year", you have to worry about getting a crew NOW this year. When you complete this years "espisode" successfully, and gain some publicity, I am sure you will find alot more sponsors willing to fund your project, and alot of people willing to work with you even if just to get some credit.

All indie-film-makers start small, with short-films. If it were that easy to just make a "huge" documentary without even knowing the basics of film-making, then everybody and his cat would be doing it. So, start simple, start small, start now.

Comming back to what I said originally, worry about this first episode first. Plan out "realistically" how much money you need. Get your script together, and show your script to some sponsors.They will be willing to take you more seriously once you have something as concrete as a script, or outline in your hands. At the moment, they just have to take your word for it, and that is basically that you have a dream. The problem is, everyone has one (or two,..or many).

The other thing is, you dont have to necessarily even talk to just sponsors, you can even look for indie-directors/film-makers. Show them your script, and if they find your cause good enough, they will be willing to call it their own and help you find a crew. They mostly own basic equipment as well.

Besides, with a basic script to show, you can probably even get some funding from Intel! Ever tried that?
 
well, I think there is one blantantly obvious sponsor here. INTEL!. Money is short at Intel these days, but I work for them and I know they do alot of philanthopic stuff. Try and contact their PR staff and ask them who to talk to.
 
jstunzi said:
Dear DVXUsers,
I am a high school junior, 16, from Georgia trying to make an impact on students to improve in Math and Science. In comparison to other countries around the world, the scores of the students of United States are weakening. I want to change this by inspiring students to love learning and especially to see that science and math are "cool." I wish to do this by creating a documentary of the International Science and Engineering Fair sponsored by Intel.
I have a huge dream! This dream covers the experiences of the 1450 high schoolers from around the globe who compete in the annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). I want to tell the story of teens who do scientific research and are the innovators of tomorrow! Everyday, they go through the hardships of bullying and not fitting in because they have a passion for science and technology. ISEF is an event where these teens can fit in and also enjoy healthy competition. Not to mention, there are college scholarships, nobel prize winners, and amazing innovations abound.
I am dedicated and inspired to do this because I am one of those high school students who does independent research. People pick on me and question why I do research. The answer that I tell them is that it is my passion. In 2003, I won the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge. (www.dcysc.com) It is the national science fair competition for middle school students. Following my national first place, I was featured on the Today Show with Katie Couric, CNN FN's The Flip Side, and numerous radio stations. I also was interviewed for numerous magazines and newspapers. This competition opened up my eyes to the beauty and passion that I know have for science and technology. I want to do the same for the rest of the world.
I feel that the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair is bringing out the best in the future innovators, engineers, and scientists of tomorrow. I believe that this documentary will have an influence on students, teachers, legislatures, and anyone who views it.
I wanted to know whether any DVXUsers could contribute ideas to this documentary? I need sponsorship, equipment, and any help that I can get. I know this is a lot to ask, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time and concern,
JStunzi
Click to expand...


Long time reader, first time poster... well I also have been looking for funding to do my newest doc, but nothing has really come up… anyways, I did run into a little tidbit about educational grants and funding for educational pieces. I had found out that a friend of a friend is doing a doc on something about education. He had gotten some funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation… He got 10 grand from what I remember; now that must be chump change to them. I read that they do a lot of work in the educational sector, so they will most probably be willing to hear you out. It might be a good thing to read into it. They will most probably want you to make a proposal.

In terms of the hardware, the others will have way more insight on what might be more appropriate for what your doing, because I can honestly say I don’t know as much as the guys on here. Plus it also depends on the budget you have.

Hope this helps
Good luck
JA
 
Sounds like a good concept, and a lot of passion! Perhaps you can do a few short interviews with a cheap miniDV camera and then start piecing together some clips that illustrate the idea, and that may help you get educators interested in supporting you.

I think at your age, there are probably a lot of people willing to help you pursue such a good cause. If you are in the Atlanta area perhaps I can help get you more focused on the things I've learned in the past year in filming our documentary.

Good luck! Keep at it and you can make it happen.
 
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