Introduce the competition
Tell students about Ungt vísindafólk and show them that projects can come from many fields, not only traditional natural sciences.
For teachers
Help students take the next step.
Teachers play an important role in encouraging students to develop research projects, narrow their questions, prepare presentations and see that their own ideas can become strong projects.
A teacher does not need to have all the answers. Often the most important support is helping students ask better questions and explain their work clearly.
Teacher role
Teacher support can make the project manageable.
Students may have strong ideas but often need help narrowing them. A teacher can help them choose a clear research question, find a suitable method and prepare a presentation that explains the work clearly.
Help narrow the project
Help students turn a large idea into a clear question that can be investigated, tested or explained.
Give feedback
Give students feedback on their question, method, use of sources, results and presentation.
Projects from schoolwork
Many projects can begin in the classroom.
Course projects, final assignments, innovation projects, research essays, design projects or experiments can be a good starting point for participation in Ungt vísindafólk.
Course projects
A project from a course can become a competition project if it is developed further and presented clearly.
Innovation and design
A prototype, technical solution or design idea can work well if students can show testing and improvement.
Research work
An essay, survey, data analysis or experiment can become a strong project with a clear question and method.
What can teachers do?
Useful support does not need to be complicated.
1. Find interest
Ask students what they want to understand, test, measure, design or change.
2. Narrow the project
Help them choose a question that is small enough to work on well.
3. Choose a method
Discuss whether the project needs data, an experiment, sources, a survey, interviews, programming or a prototype.
4. Practise presentation
Let students practise explaining the project orally and answering simple questions about their work.
Subject areas
Projects can connect to many subjects.
Natural sciences
Experiments, measurements, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, environment or climate.
Social sciences
Attitudes, behaviour, school issues, rights, social media, democracy, culture or everyday life.
Technology and innovation
Programming, artificial intelligence, data analysis, design, engineering, prototypes or solutions to real problems.
Evaluation and preparation
Help students explain the thinking behind the project.
The jury will not only look at the final result. It will want to understand what the students investigated, how they worked, how they interpret their results and what they learned from the process.
Question
Is it clear what the student wants to investigate or develop?
Method
Can the student explain how the project was carried out?
Result
Can the student describe what they found and what could be done next?
Teacher checklist
Before a student submits a project.
Is the question clear?
The student should be able to explain the project in a few sentences without overly complicated wording.
Is the method understandable?
It should be clear how the student gathered information, tested a solution or reached a result.
Are sources included?
If the project builds on previous research, data, images, ideas or code, this should be explained.
Can the student present it?
The student should be able to describe the beginning, process, results and next steps in their own words.
Want more information?
Teachers and schools interested in introducing Ungt vísindafólk to students can contact the competition organisers.