Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT REGISTRATION
Can you have teammates from different schools or grades?
Yes, as long as all team members are in grade 11 or 12 (or secondaire 5), they are all eligible to join the team.
Do I have to be from the Greater Ottawa Region to participate?
No, you do not have to be from the Ottawa Region in order to participate. All grade 11 and 12 students (or students in secondaire 5) attending a Canadian high school are eligible to participate. Students also have the option to submit their proposal in French or English. However, please note that we do not cover travel expenses to attend the final round of the competition. As long as you are able to travel to Ottawa for the final round, the OSIC team welcomes your participation.
Can I participate in the competition if I’m taking a Gap Year?
No. Unfortunately, we do not accept Gap Year students to participate.
ABOUT THE FIRST ROUND
What parts of my proposals do not count for the total word limit?
Your reference list, definition sheet, and abstract section are not included in the 1000 word limit. Please note that your abstract section must not exceed 250 words.
In the methodology, which experimental models are we allowed to use?
You can choose to use an in vitro model (on cells), or in vivo model (on animals). It is up to you to choose which model best suits your experiment. However, be sure not to include any clinical subjects using humans as test subjects.
What is the required citation format?
Please use superscript numbers after you state any information you found from research, then later reference it in your reference section (in the most recent APA edition) at the end of your proposal. There is no need for in-text citations.
Do I have to base my project on one of the two case study examples?
No. The two case stories we provide are just to put the case topic into context. Your proposal can approach any aspect of the case topic without being related to the case stories.
Can I add figures to my proposal to make it easier to understand?
Please try not to include any figures/images in your proposal. However, if it is absolutely necessary that you include one, please add it in an appendix at the end of your proposal, before your references. However, please note that figures will be accepted and encouraged on your poster if you make it to the final round.
Is it possible to ask for an extension for the First Round submission?
Unfortunately, to ensure fairness to all participants, we do not grant extensions.
Am I able to gain access to locked research articles during my writing process?
If you come across a paper that is locked or costs money, simply email the OSIC team and we can unlock the document for you free of charge. Please note that we will only unlock up to a maximum of 10 research articles per team.
Do I need to perform an experiment to support my research, or are literature reviews acceptable?
For this competition you do not perform an experiment. Your task is to submit a research proposal, in which you would propose the theoretical way you would perform an experiment to test your hypothesis. To write your proposal, please only refer to existing literature.
ABOUT THE FINAL ROUND
Are parents and teachers allowed to attend the Final Round?
Parents are absolutely allowed into the event. They are more than welcome to be present during opening remarks, and to watch the guest speaker and awards ceremony. However, to not be too much of a distraction to competing teams, we ask that they refrain from being in the competition rooms throughout the rest of the day. They are welcome to stay in the STEM Complex during that time, but just not in the classrooms with competitors. We also are unable to provide lunch for parents/teachers.
Say I found new information after I submitted my research proposal. When making my poster, can I alter the content that I am presenting?
Unfortunately, your presentation has to reflect what your original proposal stated. You can go more into detail in your presentation, but the core material must remain the same. This consistency is a part of your grading.
Is the presentation time limit strictly 10 mins or is it possible to exceed it?
Unfortunately, there is a strict 10-minute limit. Judges will be circulating on a schedule for the judging period and won't have enough time to exceed 10 minutes. Judges will also ask questions, so to have time to answer it would be beneficial to keep it under time!
What is my poster supposed to look like? Do I have to include all of my references on the poster? There isn’t a lot of room.
Unfortunately, you have to include all of your references that you used on your poster. For the reference section, you can modify the font size of the text as needed so that it can fit on your poster (i.e. it doesn’t need to be the same font size as the rest of your poster). If it still doesn't fit and you are using a reference format that is long, you can condense the references by removing for example the URL to the article or the DOI. It is important that you do include all your references on your poster to avoid the possibility of losing points on that section. If you omit information on your poster in order to condense the text, you would have to adjust your reference numbers in the text so that they are continuous as if it were a new project on its own. In such, they might not follow the same numbering as on your written proposal. We recommend looking at old photos on the URI/OSIC website for inspiration!
OTHER
What are the conditions to be eligible for the scholarships if I win?
You must pursue post-secondary studies at the University of Ottawa on a full-time basis in a program offered by the Faculty of Science.
What is the general timeline of the competition?
The competition is separated into 3 parts. Firstly, the registration process begins on October 1st and ends October 31st. Round 1 begins November 1st once everyone is registered. Students have to submit written proposals on the case topic of that year. These proposals are then judged and graded. Lastly, the chosen participants will take part in Round 2 (the Final Round), where they need to present live poster presentations to various judges in February. The Final Round is a 1 day event, where students get to interact with their competitors and attend various workshops!
Can a team member withdraw from the competition?
Yes, a team member can withdraw from the competition at any time. To withdraw, please have the concerned team member email us with their Team Number and full name. We also ask that they send in a statement acknowledging that if their team were to place in the competition, they (the member that is withdrawing) are no longer eligible to win any scholarships.