The study and investigation of Earth's atmosphere and outer space. It includes the design, manufacture, and operation of any aircraft. Some topics within this category are the operation of rockets, guided missiles, anything related to space travel, satellites (operation and/or construction), observation of air flow patterns within tunnels, and use of navigation equipment.
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
The study of humans and other animals by means of an observable response and the interpretation of the same as offered by the social sciences, sociology, psychology, and other sciences. Some topics within this category are the effect of stimuli on animals and their responses, learning, culture, motivation, emotion, perception, thinking, individuality, personality, and adjustment.
BIOCHEMISTRY
The study of chemistry relating to the processes and physical properties of living organisms. Topics within this category include the properties and reactions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, blood, urine, vitamins, hormones, poisons, and drugs. The chemistry of absorption, digestion, and metabolism is also included in this category.
BOTANY
The study of plants. Topics may include the structure, reproduction, function, growth, classification, disease, and behavior of plants.
CHEMISTRY
The study of the structure, composition, and properties of substances and their transformations. Topics included in this category are the composition of various compounds, the formulation of various compounds, the study of gas laws, atomic theory, ionization theory, and the analysis of inorganic or organic products.
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
The study of the branch of computer science that deals with developing a set of instructions for the computer. The true power of a computer lies in the ability of the machine to receive, store, and carry out many different complex and complicated procedures which it can do only through a concise program. Sample topics are writing an original, developing a new language, or creating a program to accomplish a new task.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
The study of the protection and care of natural resources. Topics included in this category are solar energy and its uses, water purification and usage, pollution control, soil chemistry, and insecticides. Within this area is ecology which is the study of ecological systems, and ecological population studies.
EARTH SCIENCE
The study of the origin, structure, composition, and physical features of Earth. Topics included in this category are geology (earth composition, rock formation, fossils, minerals, and fossil fuel); geography (land forms, soils, classification of streams, erosion, and sedimentation); oceanography (ocean waves, ocean currents, composition of ocean water, and coastal zone management), seismology; geophysics; and meteorology.
ELECTRONICS
The study of engineering and technology that deals with the design and manufacture of devices, such as radios, television sets, computers, transistors, or related components. Topics in this category are circuits (electrical, digital, and analog) for transwmitting electricity, electric motors, solar cells, amplifiers, and computer design and construction (computer hardware).
The study of the practical application of scientific knowledge. Sample topics include the design, construction, and operation of roads, bridges, harbors, buildings, machinery, lighting, and heating.
HEALTH SCIENCES
The study of the human body, especially in relation to freedom from defect or disease. The study is concerned with the education and inspection of public health work. Topics in this category are mental and physical illnesses, proper diet, care of the body, and psychiatric studies.
MATERIALS SCIENCE
The study of materials, nonmetallic as well as metallic, and how they can be adopted and fabricated to meet the needs of modern technology. Using the laboratory techniques and research tools of physics, chemistry, and metallurgy, science is finding new ways of using plastics, ceramics, and other nonmetals in applications formerly reserved for metals.
MATHEMATICS
The study of science dealing with the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities as expressed in numbers or symbols, whether in the abstract or in their practical connections. Topics included in this category are arithmetic (use of numbers, symbols, and numerical systems); algebra (probability and combinations); geometry (topology, study of scale drawings); calculus; trigonometry; and graphing.
MICROBIOLOGY
The study of that branch of biology concerned with microorganisms. Topics included in this category are the structure and physiology of bacteria, viruses, yeasts, fungi, protozoa, and cellular or tissue cultures.
PHYSICS
The study of the laws governing motion, matter, and energy. Topics in this category are hydrostatic force and pressure, gravity, Newton's laws, relativity, kinetic theory, vectors, and forms of energy.
ZOOLOGY
The study of animals. Topics may include the structure, functions, development, genetics, evolution, and classification of animals.
*These descriptions were taken from the "Participant Handbook for Exhibit and Symposium, 1998, Chicago Public Schools.