Computer Science at Indiana State University - User contributions [en]

Linux Terminal - Files and Directories and Getting Around

2026-03-25T14:22:44Z

Jkinne: /* Basic Commands */

''This page is a part of the [[Linux and CS Systems - Getting Started]]. This page assumes you have your computer setup to connect to the CS server, or have the appropriate software installed on your computer to run commands. Go back to the Linux and CS Systems Getting Started main page if you don't have our system setup yet.''

'''Basic idea''' The linux terminal is used to type commands to control your computer and files. Everything that you can do graphically on your computer (in Windows with File Explorer, on MacOS with Finder) you can do by typing commands instead.

'''Demo''' See [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynETRS3KGGs&feature=youtu.be this demo video] for a video demonstration of the topics on this page, including running the commands on the ISU CS server. You should start reading through this page before watching the video.

=Basic Commands=
With the terminal you can create, copy, move, and delete files and directories. The following are the most important commands to do this.
* cd - change directory
* pwd - print the current working directory
* mkdir - make a new directory
* ls - list directory contents (''use option -l to see details'')
* cp - copy files
* rm - remove files (be careful, there is no recycle bin or trash - once you delete, it's gone)
* rmdir - remove directory
* mv - move or rename a file or directory
* nano - simple text editor

=Getting Around=
To "get around" in the terminal, use the following keys.
* enter - a command is only executed when you press enter.
* up and down arrows - lets you run a previously typed command again.
* tab - if you are typing a filename, you can press tab to let the terminal auto-complete some part of it. This also works for command names (e.g., type mkdi and then tab).

The following are shortcuts for directories.
* . - current directory
* .. - directory one level up from where you are currently
* ~ - your home directory
* / - the top of the entire file system

The following are special notes about directory or file names.
* "" - if you have a file name with spaces in it, then you put the file name within "". So you could do <code>mkdir "Some Directory"</code>
* * - called a wildcard, used to specify all file names that match some pattern. To list all files that end in ".pdf" you could type <code>ls *.pdf</code>.

=Sample Quiz=
''An example quiz over this material. After watching the video and trying the commands out yourself to make sure you understand.''

Fill in the blank, what is the shortcut or key used in the linux terminal for each of the following.
* Press this key to execute a command:
* Keys that let you run a previously typed command again:
* Key to press to auto-complete a filename or command:
* Shortcut for current directory (one character):
* Shortcut for directory one level up from current:
* Shortcut for your home directory (one character):
* Shortcut for the top of the entire file system (one character):
* Characters to put around a filename that has spaces:
* Wildcard character:

Fill in the blank, what is the linux command to do each of the following.
* Change directory:
* Make a new directory:
* List directory contents:
* Flag/option to use with previous command to list details of files:
* Copy file(s):
* Remove files:
* Remove directory:
* Move or rename a file or directory:
* A terminal text editor:

Give the complete linux terminal command to complete each of the following tasks. ''Tasks such as these could be asked about.''
* Create a new directory HELLO in your home directory:
* Copy the contents of jkinne's GREAT directory into your home directory:
* Change directory to your home directory:
* Check to see who is logged in:
* List the contest of the directory ~cs151/ including the sizes of the files:

=Sample HW=
The following might be used by your instructor as part of a HW assignment to verify that you are able to use the terminal to create and copy files and view the contents of directories.

Create a directory to store files for this HW. If you are given this assignment in one of your courses you will be told which directory to use. We refer to this directory as HW_dir.
# Copy /var/junk/shakespeare.txt into your HW_dir.
# Copy /proc/cpuinfo into your HW_dir, but make the file name cpuinfo-HW.txt
# Copy /proc/version into your HW_dir, but make the file name version-HW.txt
# Create a file info.txt in your HW_dir. Inside the file fill in the following information.
#* Name (what you want to be called):
#* Why you are taking this course:
#* Anything you are worried about (wrt this course):
#* Most excited about (wrt this course):
# In the terminal, browse to the directory /net/web, run the command <code>ls -l cs151</code>, and copy the output of that command. Go back to your HW_dir, edit your info.txt file, and paste into the file.
# Copy ~cs151/hello.txt into your HW_dir

=Sample Session=
The following is a transcript of the commands and screen output from the youtube video linked at the top of this page. Blank lines have been put in after each command. You can read through the transcript and think about what you think the output will be after each command is entered, and check that this is how it shows in the transcript.

Note that a few text files have been edited using the nano text editor. When the nano text editor was used the editing of the file itself is not part of the transcript. Note that the transcript is for the user jkinne@isuad@indstate.edu logged in to the CS server.
<pre>
cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls -l
total 8
drwxr-xr-x 2 cs15100 class 4096 Jan 8 21:17 Desktop/
drwxr-xr-x 2 cs15100 class 4096 Jan 9 12:35 proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> cd Desktop

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> ls

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> cd ..

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> mkdir hello

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ hello/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ hello/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> nano hello.txt

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ hello/ hello.txt proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls -l
total 16
drwxr-xr-x 2 cs15100 class 4096 Jan 8 21:17 Desktop/
drwxr-xr-x 2 cs15100 class 4096 Jan 10 11:37 hello/
-rw-r--r-- 1 cs15100 class 60 Jan 10 11:43 hello.txt
drwxr-xr-x 2 cs15100 class 4096 Jan 9 12:35 proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> mv hello.txt Desktop

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ hello/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls Desktop
hello.txt

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ hello/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls /
bin/ dev/ home/ lib64/ media/ net/ proc/ run/ srv/ swap tmp/ u2/ var/
boot/ etc/ lib/ lost+found/ mnt/ opt/ root/ sbin/ store/ sys/ u1/ usr/ xsys/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> cd Desktop

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> ls /u1/class/cs15100
Desktop/ hello/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> ls ~
Desktop/ hello/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> cd /u1/junk/kinne

cs15100@cs:/u1/junk/kinne> ls
cs151Hello Indianapolis-Weather-Station-USW00093819-1950-2018.csv shakespeare_1000_lines.txt
GRCh38.p12.genome.fa interview-questions/ shakespeare.txt
hello.txt shakespeare_1000_lines_tail.txt Terre_Haute_airport_93823-03868.csv

cs15100@cs:/u1/junk/kinne> ls ~
Desktop/ hello/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/junk/kinne> ls
cs151Hello Indianapolis-Weather-Station-USW00093819-1950-2018.csv shakespeare_1000_lines.txt
GRCh38.p12.genome.fa interview-questions/ shakespeare.txt
hello.txt shakespeare_1000_lines_tail.txt Terre_Haute_airport_93823-03868.csv

cs15100@cs:/u1/junk/kinne> cp cs151Hello ~

cs15100@cs:/u1/junk/kinne> cd ~

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
cs151Hello Desktop/ hello/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls -l
total 16
-rw-r--r-- 1 cs15100 class 16 Jan 10 11:46 cs151Hello
drwxr-xr-x 2 cs15100 class 4096 Jan 10 11:44 Desktop/
drwxr-xr-x 2 cs15100 class 4096 Jan 10 11:37 hello/
drwxr-xr-x 2 cs15100 class 4096 Jan 9 12:35 proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> nano cs151Hello

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
cs151Hello Desktop/ hello/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> rm cs151Hello
rm: remove regular file 'cs151Hello'? y

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ hello/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> rmdir hello

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> cd Desktop/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> ls
hello.txt

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> mv hello.txt ..

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> ls

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> cd ..

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ hello.txt proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> mv hello.txt helloThere.txt

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ helloThere.txt proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ helloThere.txt proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> mv hello.txt helloThere.txt
mv: cannot stat 'hello.txt': No such file or directory

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ helloThere.txt proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> cp helloThere.txt hello.txt

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls
Desktop/ helloThere.txt hello.txt proto/

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> nano helloThere.txt

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> cd Desktop

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> ls

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> ls .

jkinne@isuad@indstate.edu@cs:/u1/class/jkinne@isuad@indstate.edu/Desktop> cp ../helloThere.txt .

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> ls
helloThere.txt

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> cp /u1/class/cs15100/helloThere.txt /u1/class/cs15100/Desktop/
cp: overwrite '/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop/helloThere.txt'? n

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100/Desktop> cd ..

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> nano hello there.txt

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> nano "hello there.txt"

cs15100@cs:/u1/class/cs15100> ls -l
total 20
drwxr-xr-x 2 cs15100 class 4096 Jan 10 11:51 Desktop/
-rw-r--r-- 1 cs15100 class 9 Jan 10 11:52 hello\ there.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 cs15100 class 60 Jan 10 11:43 helloThere.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 cs15100 class 60 Jan 10 11:50 hello.txt
drwxr-xr-x 2 cs15100 class 4096 Jan 9 12:35 proto/
</pre>

Visit

2026-03-20T11:35:05Z

Jkinne: /* Handouts */

This page contains activities for when people (e.g., high school students) come to visit the university.

== Handouts ==
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/Visit-Activities-CS-Unplugged.docx Visit Activities CS Unplugged] - from March 20, 2026 West Vigo visit.
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/Paper-Airplane-Designs.pdf Paper Airplane Designs]
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/Flextangles-Template-BABBLE-DABBLE-DO.pdf Flextangle template]
* Bad AI output (from February 2026) - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/geography-study-guide-AI-BAD.png Geography Quiz Bowl Study Guide (BAD AI output)], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/map-with-flags-AI-BAD.png Map with Flags (BAD AI output)]

== Explorations in AI LLMs ==
We can look at what current AI LLM's are able to do. Here are some tasks that were tested in February 2026 that some AIs (LLMs) did better on than others.
* Generate a study guide for a geography quiz bowl on Latin America.
* Generate a map of Latin America that has countries, capital cities of countries, and the flag for each country.
* Take all sample questions from the DOE Middle School Science Bowl page, extract out all Life Science questions, and give a pdf.
* Create a Python flask server for a quiz program.

AIs/LLMS to try.
* Claude (Anthropic)
* Gemini (Google)
* CoPilot (Microsoft)
* Others: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, DeepSeek, Llama

Nice comparison and tips: https://www.aitoolssme.com/comparison/language-models

== Computers in TC CS Classrooms ==
If you are visiting computer science at ISU, the computers in the classroom might have guest accounts enabled so that you can use the computers for your activities. If so, the login information will be on the board.

== Computer Science at ISU ==
If you want to learn more about computer science at ISU, here are some links to check out.

* Marketing/admissions information - [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-bs CS BS], [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-ms CS MS]
* Information for current students - [https://cs.indstate.edu/ cs.indstate.edu]

== Cyber Capture the Flag ==
A cyber capture the flag contest or activity involves using computer skills to figure out clues. This could involve programming, connecting to servers, looking at source code of webpages, decrypting messages, and more.

Here are some to try out...
* [[Capture The Flag]] - a short list of problems with hints. A good first attempt.
* [https://play.picoctf.org/practice PicoCTF] - practice problems. Requires creating a login.

== Machine Learning ==
Machine learning includes very many different techniques to "teach" computer algorithms to do well at tasks that humans are normally good at.

Some activities to try out...
* [https://teachablemachine.withgoogle.com/ Google Teachable Machine] - you provide images or audio, and a machine learning model is created to classify into different classes. For example, is a picture a cat or a dog.

== Python Turtle Art ==
Turtle art in programming is a classic way to learn about loops in programming while getting to do something visual.

Sample programs to try out...
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/turtle_art.py turtle_art.py]

To try the programs out, you should download the program, open the program IDLE, open the python file you just downloaded in IDLE, and run the program. Once you can run the program, you can try changing things in the program to make different pictures.

== Algorithms ==
Computer science is about making computers solve problems and do useful (or fun) things for us, and to do it efficiently. How does google search the entire internet in a fraction of a second? They have to be using the correct algorithms and computers for the task.

Here are some problems that we can look at to see what the best algorithm is.
* Number guessing game: I have a secret number that I have picked that is between 1 and 1,000. You can make guesses, and I will tell you whether you have it right or are too high or too low. Make an algorithm to decide on how you will pick the next number to ask. How many guesses will it take you to get the right answer? What if I have a secret number between 1 and 1,000,000?
* Prime testing: I give you a random number between 1 and 200. You want to check if it is prime or not using trial division. What are the possible divisors that you will need to check? What if the random number is between 1 and 1,000,000? (In general, you need to test primes up to the square root of the number, but why?) We can also look at the total number of divisions needed to compute all of the primes that are less than 100; method 1 tests each number individually, method 2 uses the Sieve of Eratosthenes.
* Searching a sorted list of numbers, what is the best way? Think of a reverse phone number search. Algorithms to try: linear search, binary search.
* Take an unsorted list of numbers, and put them into sorted order. Algorithms to try: selection sort, merge sort.

== Math ==
There is all kinds of math that gets used in computer science that is interesting and accessible to high school students, and some to middle school students.
* Add up the numbers 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5. You get ... 15. What if we want to add up the integers from 1 to 100? We don't want to do that by hand. There is a formula (the "arithmetic sum" formula") that we can use (100*101/2). But how do we know the formula works? We can prove it, and the story is that a very young Carl Friedrich Gauss came up with the formula when given this as busy work by a teacher.
* How many of the integers between 1 and 10 are prime? Four of them, so 4/10 are prime. How many between 1 and 100? 25 of them, so 1/4 are prime. How many between 1 and 200? It is less than 1/4 of them. Prime numbers get more rare as the numbers get larger. Can we give some intuition for why? We can... But also, do the primes every get to be so rare that there aren't any more? We can give a pretty easy argument that in fact there are infinitely many prime numbers, so we will never run out.

== Paper Folding ==
These are good for younger visitors. Depending on the age and time, more or less would need to be done ahead of time. Middle schoolers should be able to do everything from a printed template. Pre schoolers would need everything already done, and would be just trying them out (and/or decorating or coloring them). In between ages would be somewhere in between.

* Paper airplane contest. Could be furthest distance, furthest glide, most accurate, most loops, going around an obstacle, ... Some designs to try: https://www.funpaperairplanes.art/
* Flextangle - https://babbledabbledo.com/paper-toys-flextangles/ (template)
* Flexagon - https://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/Flexagon/
* TetraFlexagon - https://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/TetraFlexagon/

Visit

2026-03-19T23:52:04Z

Jkinne: /* Explorations in AI LLMs */

This page contains activities for when people (e.g., high school students) come to visit the university.

== Handouts ==
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/Visit-Activities-CS-Unplugged.docx Visit Activities CS Unplugged] - from March 20, 2026 West Vigo visit.

== Explorations in AI LLMs ==
We can look at what current AI LLM's are able to do. Here are some tasks that were tested in February 2026 that some AIs (LLMs) did better on than others.
* Generate a study guide for a geography quiz bowl on Latin America.
* Generate a map of Latin America that has countries, capital cities of countries, and the flag for each country.
* Take all sample questions from the DOE Middle School Science Bowl page, extract out all Life Science questions, and give a pdf.
* Create a Python flask server for a quiz program.

AIs/LLMS to try.
* Claude (Anthropic)
* Gemini (Google)
* CoPilot (Microsoft)
* Others: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, DeepSeek, Llama

Nice comparison and tips: https://www.aitoolssme.com/comparison/language-models

== Computers in TC CS Classrooms ==
If you are visiting computer science at ISU, the computers in the classroom might have guest accounts enabled so that you can use the computers for your activities. If so, the login information will be on the board.

== Computer Science at ISU ==
If you want to learn more about computer science at ISU, here are some links to check out.

* Marketing/admissions information - [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-bs CS BS], [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-ms CS MS]
* Information for current students - [https://cs.indstate.edu/ cs.indstate.edu]

== Cyber Capture the Flag ==
A cyber capture the flag contest or activity involves using computer skills to figure out clues. This could involve programming, connecting to servers, looking at source code of webpages, decrypting messages, and more.

Here are some to try out...
* [[Capture The Flag]] - a short list of problems with hints. A good first attempt.
* [https://play.picoctf.org/practice PicoCTF] - practice problems. Requires creating a login.

== Machine Learning ==
Machine learning includes very many different techniques to "teach" computer algorithms to do well at tasks that humans are normally good at.

Some activities to try out...
* [https://teachablemachine.withgoogle.com/ Google Teachable Machine] - you provide images or audio, and a machine learning model is created to classify into different classes. For example, is a picture a cat or a dog.

== Python Turtle Art ==
Turtle art in programming is a classic way to learn about loops in programming while getting to do something visual.

Sample programs to try out...
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/turtle_art.py turtle_art.py]

To try the programs out, you should download the program, open the program IDLE, open the python file you just downloaded in IDLE, and run the program. Once you can run the program, you can try changing things in the program to make different pictures.

== Algorithms ==
Computer science is about making computers solve problems and do useful (or fun) things for us, and to do it efficiently. How does google search the entire internet in a fraction of a second? They have to be using the correct algorithms and computers for the task.

Here are some problems that we can look at to see what the best algorithm is.
* Number guessing game: I have a secret number that I have picked that is between 1 and 1,000. You can make guesses, and I will tell you whether you have it right or are too high or too low. Make an algorithm to decide on how you will pick the next number to ask. How many guesses will it take you to get the right answer? What if I have a secret number between 1 and 1,000,000?
* Prime testing: I give you a random number between 1 and 200. You want to check if it is prime or not using trial division. What are the possible divisors that you will need to check? What if the random number is between 1 and 1,000,000? (In general, you need to test primes up to the square root of the number, but why?) We can also look at the total number of divisions needed to compute all of the primes that are less than 100; method 1 tests each number individually, method 2 uses the Sieve of Eratosthenes.
* Searching a sorted list of numbers, what is the best way? Think of a reverse phone number search. Algorithms to try: linear search, binary search.
* Take an unsorted list of numbers, and put them into sorted order. Algorithms to try: selection sort, merge sort.

== Math ==
There is all kinds of math that gets used in computer science that is interesting and accessible to high school students, and some to middle school students.
* Add up the numbers 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5. You get ... 15. What if we want to add up the integers from 1 to 100? We don't want to do that by hand. There is a formula (the "arithmetic sum" formula") that we can use (100*101/2). But how do we know the formula works? We can prove it, and the story is that a very young Carl Friedrich Gauss came up with the formula when given this as busy work by a teacher.
* How many of the integers between 1 and 10 are prime? Four of them, so 4/10 are prime. How many between 1 and 100? 25 of them, so 1/4 are prime. How many between 1 and 200? It is less than 1/4 of them. Prime numbers get more rare as the numbers get larger. Can we give some intuition for why? We can... But also, do the primes every get to be so rare that there aren't any more? We can give a pretty easy argument that in fact there are infinitely many prime numbers, so we will never run out.

== Paper Folding ==
These are good for younger visitors. Depending on the age and time, more or less would need to be done ahead of time. Middle schoolers should be able to do everything from a printed template. Pre schoolers would need everything already done, and would be just trying them out (and/or decorating or coloring them). In between ages would be somewhere in between.

* Paper airplane contest. Could be furthest distance, furthest glide, most accurate, most loops, going around an obstacle, ... Some designs to try: https://www.funpaperairplanes.art/
* Flextangle - https://babbledabbledo.com/paper-toys-flextangles/ (template)
* Flexagon - https://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/Flexagon/
* TetraFlexagon - https://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/TetraFlexagon/

Visit

2026-03-17T02:03:08Z

Jkinne: /* Algorithms */

This page contains activities for when people (e.g., high school students) come to visit the university.

== Explorations in AI LLMs ==
We can look at what current AI LLM's are able to do. Here are some tasks that were tested in February 2026 that some AIs (LLMs) did better on than others.
* Generate a study guide for a geography quiz bowl on Latin America.
* Generate a map of Latin America that has countries, capital cities of countries, and the flag for each country.
* Take all sample questions from the DOE Middle School Science Bowl page, extract out all Life Science questions, and give a pdf.
* Create a Python flask server for a quiz program.

AIs/LLMS to try.
* Claude (Anthropic)
* Gemini (Google)
* CoPilot (Microsoft)
* Others: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, DeepSeek, Llama

Nice comparison and tips: https://www.aitoolssme.com/comparison/language-models

== Computers in TC CS Classrooms ==
If you are visiting computer science at ISU, the computers in the classroom might have guest accounts enabled so that you can use the computers for your activities. If so, the login information will be on the board.

== Computer Science at ISU ==
If you want to learn more about computer science at ISU, here are some links to check out.

* Marketing/admissions information - [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-bs CS BS], [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-ms CS MS]
* Information for current students - [https://cs.indstate.edu/ cs.indstate.edu]

== Cyber Capture the Flag ==
A cyber capture the flag contest or activity involves using computer skills to figure out clues. This could involve programming, connecting to servers, looking at source code of webpages, decrypting messages, and more.

Here are some to try out...
* [[Capture The Flag]] - a short list of problems with hints. A good first attempt.
* [https://play.picoctf.org/practice PicoCTF] - practice problems. Requires creating a login.

== Machine Learning ==
Machine learning includes very many different techniques to "teach" computer algorithms to do well at tasks that humans are normally good at.

Some activities to try out...
* [https://teachablemachine.withgoogle.com/ Google Teachable Machine] - you provide images or audio, and a machine learning model is created to classify into different classes. For example, is a picture a cat or a dog.

== Python Turtle Art ==
Turtle art in programming is a classic way to learn about loops in programming while getting to do something visual.

Sample programs to try out...
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/turtle_art.py turtle_art.py]

To try the programs out, you should download the program, open the program IDLE, open the python file you just downloaded in IDLE, and run the program. Once you can run the program, you can try changing things in the program to make different pictures.

== Algorithms ==
Computer science is about making computers solve problems and do useful (or fun) things for us, and to do it efficiently. How does google search the entire internet in a fraction of a second? They have to be using the correct algorithms and computers for the task.

Here are some problems that we can look at to see what the best algorithm is.
* Number guessing game: I have a secret number that I have picked that is between 1 and 1,000. You can make guesses, and I will tell you whether you have it right or are too high or too low. Make an algorithm to decide on how you will pick the next number to ask. How many guesses will it take you to get the right answer? What if I have a secret number between 1 and 1,000,000?
* Prime testing: I give you a random number between 1 and 200. You want to check if it is prime or not using trial division. What are the possible divisors that you will need to check? What if the random number is between 1 and 1,000,000? (In general, you need to test primes up to the square root of the number, but why?) We can also look at the total number of divisions needed to compute all of the primes that are less than 100; method 1 tests each number individually, method 2 uses the Sieve of Eratosthenes.
* Searching a sorted list of numbers, what is the best way? Think of a reverse phone number search. Algorithms to try: linear search, binary search.
* Take an unsorted list of numbers, and put them into sorted order. Algorithms to try: selection sort, merge sort.

== Math ==
There is all kinds of math that gets used in computer science that is interesting and accessible to high school students, and some to middle school students.
* Add up the numbers 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5. You get ... 15. What if we want to add up the integers from 1 to 100? We don't want to do that by hand. There is a formula (the "arithmetic sum" formula") that we can use (100*101/2). But how do we know the formula works? We can prove it, and the story is that a very young Carl Friedrich Gauss came up with the formula when given this as busy work by a teacher.
* How many of the integers between 1 and 10 are prime? Four of them, so 4/10 are prime. How many between 1 and 100? 25 of them, so 1/4 are prime. How many between 1 and 200? It is less than 1/4 of them. Prime numbers get more rare as the numbers get larger. Can we give some intuition for why? We can... But also, do the primes every get to be so rare that there aren't any more? We can give a pretty easy argument that in fact there are infinitely many prime numbers, so we will never run out.

== Paper Folding ==
These are good for younger visitors. Depending on the age and time, more or less would need to be done ahead of time. Middle schoolers should be able to do everything from a printed template. Pre schoolers would need everything already done, and would be just trying them out (and/or decorating or coloring them). In between ages would be somewhere in between.

* Paper airplane contest. Could be furthest distance, furthest glide, most accurate, most loops, going around an obstacle, ... Some designs to try: https://www.funpaperairplanes.art/
* Flextangle - https://babbledabbledo.com/paper-toys-flextangles/ (template)
* Flexagon - https://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/Flexagon/
* TetraFlexagon - https://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/TetraFlexagon/

Visit

2026-03-17T01:53:42Z

Jkinne: /* Paper Folding */

This page contains activities for when people (e.g., high school students) come to visit the university.

== Explorations in AI LLMs ==
We can look at what current AI LLM's are able to do. Here are some tasks that were tested in February 2026 that some AIs (LLMs) did better on than others.
* Generate a study guide for a geography quiz bowl on Latin America.
* Generate a map of Latin America that has countries, capital cities of countries, and the flag for each country.
* Take all sample questions from the DOE Middle School Science Bowl page, extract out all Life Science questions, and give a pdf.
* Create a Python flask server for a quiz program.

AIs/LLMS to try.
* Claude (Anthropic)
* Gemini (Google)
* CoPilot (Microsoft)
* Others: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, DeepSeek, Llama

Nice comparison and tips: https://www.aitoolssme.com/comparison/language-models

== Computers in TC CS Classrooms ==
If you are visiting computer science at ISU, the computers in the classroom might have guest accounts enabled so that you can use the computers for your activities. If so, the login information will be on the board.

== Computer Science at ISU ==
If you want to learn more about computer science at ISU, here are some links to check out.

* Marketing/admissions information - [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-bs CS BS], [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-ms CS MS]
* Information for current students - [https://cs.indstate.edu/ cs.indstate.edu]

== Cyber Capture the Flag ==
A cyber capture the flag contest or activity involves using computer skills to figure out clues. This could involve programming, connecting to servers, looking at source code of webpages, decrypting messages, and more.

Here are some to try out...
* [[Capture The Flag]] - a short list of problems with hints. A good first attempt.
* [https://play.picoctf.org/practice PicoCTF] - practice problems. Requires creating a login.

== Machine Learning ==
Machine learning includes very many different techniques to "teach" computer algorithms to do well at tasks that humans are normally good at.

Some activities to try out...
* [https://teachablemachine.withgoogle.com/ Google Teachable Machine] - you provide images or audio, and a machine learning model is created to classify into different classes. For example, is a picture a cat or a dog.

== Python Turtle Art ==
Turtle art in programming is a classic way to learn about loops in programming while getting to do something visual.

Sample programs to try out...
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/turtle_art.py turtle_art.py]

To try the programs out, you should download the program, open the program IDLE, open the python file you just downloaded in IDLE, and run the program. Once you can run the program, you can try changing things in the program to make different pictures.

== Algorithms ==
Computer science is about making computers solve problems and do useful (or fun) things for us, and to do it efficiently. How does google search the entire internet in a fraction of a second? They have to be using the correct algorithms and computers for the task.

Here are some problems that we can look at to see what the best algorithm is.
* Number guessing game: I have a secret number that I have picked that is between 1 and 1,000. You can make guesses, and I will tell you whether you have it right or are too high or too low. Make an algorithm to decide on how you will pick the next number to ask. How many guesses will it take you to get the right answer? What if I have a secret number between 1 and 1,000,000?
* Prime testing: I give you a random number between 1 and 200. You want to check if it is prime or not using trial division. What are the possible divisors that you will need to check? What if the random number is between 1 and 1,000,000? (In general, you need to test primes up to the sqrt of the number.) We can also look at the total number of divisions needed to compute all of the primes that are less than 100; method 1 tests each number individually, method 2 uses the sieve of eratosthenes.
* Searching a sorted list of numbers, what is the best way? Think of a reverse phone number search. Algorithms to try: linear search, binary search.
* Take an unsorted list of numbers, and put them into sorted order. Algorithms to try: selection sort, merge sort.

== Paper Folding ==
These are good for younger visitors. Depending on the age and time, more or less would need to be done ahead of time. Middle schoolers should be able to do everything from a printed template. Pre schoolers would need everything already done, and would be just trying them out (and/or decorating or coloring them). In between ages would be somewhere in between.

* Paper airplane contest. Could be furthest distance, furthest glide, most accurate, most loops, going around an obstacle, ... Some designs to try: https://www.funpaperairplanes.art/
* Flextangle - https://babbledabbledo.com/paper-toys-flextangles/ (template)
* Flexagon - https://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/Flexagon/
* TetraFlexagon - https://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/TetraFlexagon/

Visit

2026-03-17T01:49:08Z

Jkinne: /* Algorithms */

This page contains activities for when people (e.g., high school students) come to visit the university.

== Explorations in AI LLMs ==
We can look at what current AI LLM's are able to do. Here are some tasks that were tested in February 2026 that some AIs (LLMs) did better on than others.
* Generate a study guide for a geography quiz bowl on Latin America.
* Generate a map of Latin America that has countries, capital cities of countries, and the flag for each country.
* Take all sample questions from the DOE Middle School Science Bowl page, extract out all Life Science questions, and give a pdf.
* Create a Python flask server for a quiz program.

AIs/LLMS to try.
* Claude (Anthropic)
* Gemini (Google)
* CoPilot (Microsoft)
* Others: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, DeepSeek, Llama

Nice comparison and tips: https://www.aitoolssme.com/comparison/language-models

== Computers in TC CS Classrooms ==
If you are visiting computer science at ISU, the computers in the classroom might have guest accounts enabled so that you can use the computers for your activities. If so, the login information will be on the board.

== Computer Science at ISU ==
If you want to learn more about computer science at ISU, here are some links to check out.

* Marketing/admissions information - [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-bs CS BS], [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-ms CS MS]
* Information for current students - [https://cs.indstate.edu/ cs.indstate.edu]

== Cyber Capture the Flag ==
A cyber capture the flag contest or activity involves using computer skills to figure out clues. This could involve programming, connecting to servers, looking at source code of webpages, decrypting messages, and more.

Here are some to try out...
* [[Capture The Flag]] - a short list of problems with hints. A good first attempt.
* [https://play.picoctf.org/practice PicoCTF] - practice problems. Requires creating a login.

== Machine Learning ==
Machine learning includes very many different techniques to "teach" computer algorithms to do well at tasks that humans are normally good at.

Some activities to try out...
* [https://teachablemachine.withgoogle.com/ Google Teachable Machine] - you provide images or audio, and a machine learning model is created to classify into different classes. For example, is a picture a cat or a dog.

== Python Turtle Art ==
Turtle art in programming is a classic way to learn about loops in programming while getting to do something visual.

Sample programs to try out...
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/turtle_art.py turtle_art.py]

To try the programs out, you should download the program, open the program IDLE, open the python file you just downloaded in IDLE, and run the program. Once you can run the program, you can try changing things in the program to make different pictures.

== Algorithms ==
Computer science is about making computers solve problems and do useful (or fun) things for us, and to do it efficiently. How does google search the entire internet in a fraction of a second? They have to be using the correct algorithms and computers for the task.

Here are some problems that we can look at to see what the best algorithm is.
* Number guessing game: I have a secret number that I have picked that is between 1 and 1,000. You can make guesses, and I will tell you whether you have it right or are too high or too low. Make an algorithm to decide on how you will pick the next number to ask. How many guesses will it take you to get the right answer? What if I have a secret number between 1 and 1,000,000?
* Prime testing: I give you a random number between 1 and 200. You want to check if it is prime or not using trial division. What are the possible divisors that you will need to check? What if the random number is between 1 and 1,000,000? (In general, you need to test primes up to the sqrt of the number.) We can also look at the total number of divisions needed to compute all of the primes that are less than 100; method 1 tests each number individually, method 2 uses the sieve of eratosthenes.
* Searching a sorted list of numbers, what is the best way? Think of a reverse phone number search. Algorithms to try: linear search, binary search.
* Take an unsorted list of numbers, and put them into sorted order. Algorithms to try: selection sort, merge sort.

== Paper Folding ==
* Paper airplane contest. Could be furthest distance, furthest glide, most accurate, most loops, going around an obstacle, ... Some designs to try: https://www.funpaperairplanes.art/
* Flextangle - https://babbledabbledo.com/paper-toys-flextangles/ (template)
* Flexagon - https://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/Flexagon/
* TetraFlexagon - https://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/TetraFlexagon/

ECT 438 Spring 2026

2026-03-05T17:17:30Z

Jkinne: /* Project Topics */

ECT 437 Senior Project 1: Project Management and ECT 438 Senior Project 2: Capstone together comprise the senior project for students in the ECET department. ECT 437 is taken in the fall, and ECT 438 is taken in the spring.

This website is used to keep track of the sections of ECT 438 that are for the CS majors, taught by Jeff Kinne. The sections for other majors is managed separately and taught by Dr. Javaid.

=General Information=
'''Course website''' - https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ECT_438_Spring_2026

'''Your Instructor'''

[https://kinnejeff.com Jeff Kinne], [http://mailto:jkinne@indstate.edu jkinne@indstate.edu] 
''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 
''Instructor Office Hours:'' normally in my office - M 8:30am-10am; 11:30am-1pm; T 9:30am-3pm; W 8:30-10am; 11:30am-1pm; R 8:30am-3pm; F 8:30am-2:45am. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting 
''Meeting:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting

'''Graduate assistant help''' - TBD. See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ISU_CS_People#CS_Departmental_Graduate_Assistants

'''Lecture, Exam'''

''Lecture:'' arranged meetings with project groups 
''Exams:'' none 
''Final exam:'' no exams in the course; instead there will be final project presentations

'''Prerequisites''' - ECT 437

'''CRN numbers''' - 12705 (ECT 438-002), 12706 (ECT 438-302).

'''Required text'''
For the project management content of the course, we will the the following.
* [https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-project-management Coursera Google Project Management] - should be free to take online, and can get certificate with ISU's Coursera license this term.
* Free online - [https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/ Project Management – 2nd Edition] by Adrienne Watt.
* Information technology Project Management by Schwalbe (maybe not free).
Note that the other sections of the course use the following textbook. This is not required for Jeff Kinne's sections of the course.
* [https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/project-management-for-engineering-and-technology/P200000001110/9780132817523?srsltid=AfmBOorbY72RPx2VISEBqx9WhJLN3_N5KnkwO2Q-OzlVwimjnNKmgcce Project Management for Engineering and Technology] by David L. Goetsch.

'''Software/Programs'''
* TBA

'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs473/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs473/public_html/</code>.

=Announcements/Assignments/Quizzes/Exams=
'''HW'''
These are posted in Canvas or on the CS server. Some HWs are due the next lecture day, some are due a week after assigned. All times are Eastern US time.

'''Rules'''
Rules for HWs, quizzes, exams are in the course policies below.

'''Announcements'''
Announcements will normally be posted to the course in Canvas (and will probably be emailed to your ISU email address if you have the default settings for notifications in Canvas).

=Course Description and Content=

'''Course Description'''

The official description of this course from the catalog is

"A planned project approved by the professor and performed by the student. The project demonstrates an advanced level of design competency in the student’s major and is performed in consultation with one or more faculty consultants/advisors. Representatives of industry, government agencies, or community institutions collaboration is encouraged. "

Since these are the sections of the course for CS majors, we will be focusing our discussions and projects on software management and development. We may have some groups that work together with students in the other sections of the course if there are projects that make sense for this to happen.

'''Course Outline'''

This course outline is subject to change.

Unit A - Project Management, complete the remaining courses in the Google Project Management Coursera certificate.

Unit B - Project, complete a major software project.

==Learning Objectives==

===Foundational Studies HIP===
ECT 438 is a Foundational Studies High Impact Practice (HIP) course. The requirements for HIP courses are the following.

'''HIP Learning Objectives'''

* Integrate and apply multiple (foundational studies and disciplinary) ways of knowing to address a particular topic or issue. <ref>Students are expected to use multiple ways of knowing in the course and these are explicitly addressed and assessed in the progress report and grading rubric.</ref>
* Adapt and apply skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning gained in one situation to new situations/projects to solve difficult problems or explore complex issues. <ref>Adapting and applying skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning is explicitly addressed in the progress reports and feedback rubric.</ref>
* Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively across or within a different cultural or disciplinary community context. <ref>This is assessed in various ways including the progress report rubric, the peer evaluation, and the overall teamwork rubric.</ref>

'''Skill Applied Learning Requirements'''

* Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop critical thinking skills. <ref>The entire course is based on critical thinking: the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. The final report is the culminating experience where the critical thinking is clearly demonstrated, documented, and assessed.</ref>
* Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop information literacy skills. <ref>Information literacy skills are developed in the required significant literature review of the final report and evidence in this document in the final report requirements of “extensive library research...” It is expected that development will be reflected in the progress reports and feedback rubric.</ref>
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to apply what they are learning to real world scenarios (be they through applied experiences or in-depth research). <ref>The projects proposed and approved are akin to expectations of the major and often are involving actual industry connected projects.</ref>
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will require a written student reflection.<ref>The progress reports are expected to be written reflections of the progress addressing the HIP learning objectives and the course objectives and performance indicators. The rubric is more focused on the feedback and comments rather than an efficient grading rubric which minimizes comments while providing standard feedback. The assignment and rubric is included at the end of this syllabus.</ref>
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to identify and solve problems. <ref>Solving problems is the primary goal of the course. This is spelled out in the brief list of topics and is carried through to the final report.</ref>

===CS Major===
Computer Science Program Student Outcomes addressed in this course:

* SO 1: Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
* SO 2: Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
* SO 3: Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
* SO 4: Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
* SO 5: Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
* SO 6: Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. [CS]

==Project Topics==
Each student is required to research and complete a software project according to a proposal approved by the instructor to pursue as a final semester long project in this course. Students are expected to work in teams. On occasions, industry involvement facilitated by the faculty member are pre-approved but is not always available. If you have connections with industry through internships, friends, family members who know people, you can use all your networking and resources to explore these opportunities. Projects in the past have included the following types of components.

* Data scraping and analysis.
* Website interface.
* Data collection from physical sensors (using raspberry pi / arduino).
* Machine learning.
* Database backend.
* Bioinformatics tools developed to be used by researchers.
* Algorithmic solutions to computationally hard problems (e.g., in operations research).

Course Objectives and Performance Indicators

Project Identification

Students will review and research approved proposal for a semester long team-oriented based project related to their program of study
# Student teams will investigate project alternatives, and propose a single complete turnkey industry-based project.
# Student teams will research relevant topics and issues related to their proposed design project to further gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs and deliverable.
# Student teams will re-define the project scope, objectives, constraints, criteria, specifications, and other necessary elements that will be required to successfully complete the proposed design.
# Students will compose a comprehensive industry grade project proposal for approval

Project Planning

Students will develop a comprehensive project plan to facilitate the management of the design and completion of their semester-based industry project
# Students will employ the use of a Gantt chart to identify the necessary tasks and duties required to facilitate the completion of their project
# Students will identify and assign tasks and duties to team members to delineate the roles and responsibilities of each team member
# Students will formulate start dates, durations, and end dates to produce a timeline of events for each task
# Students will investigate potential issues within their project by performing a Critical Path Analysis
# Students will formulate a Risk Management plan to identify, assess, and prioritize risks used for control and reduction of risk occurrence
# Students will formulate a final User Manual for project

Project Execution

Students will execute all stated elements of their semester long industry-based project
# Students will complete the investigation, design, drawing, and analysis of all systems and components of the project deliverables
# Students will perform all analysis, simulation, modeling, prototyping, and calculations necessary to gather empirical data for the use of their design decisions and design alternatives
# Students will modify all designs as necessary to meet the project objectives, specifications, and deliverables based on their analytical results and design options
# Students will develop a full list of vendor and supplier information of standard items and equipment utilized within their design, and construct a general cost of associated goods

Project Evaluation

Students will create and present their final project to a panel of faculty and industry representatives during a comprehensive design review for conformance to the stated design objectives and deliverables
# Students will prepare all necessary written, oral, and graphical documentation of presentation material related to communicate their technical design project to an industry and professional level of acceptance
# Students will conduct a detailed and systematic design review of all elements of their project
# Students will justify all calculations, analysis, design features, materials, processes, and elements of their project
# Students will validate their choices and correlate those choices to meeting the projects stated outcomes
# Students will complete peer evaluations of each team member’s contributions to the project

Program Accreditation Assessment

Students will complete assessment evaluations related to their program of study for use in program assessment and accreditation.
# Students will solve problems based on academic, industry, or certification related testing to evaluate the comprehensive nature of the educational outcomes and objectives presented during their course of study

Course Assignment
This course is a semester long project with a large scope and intended to be an encompassing project of your studies within your degree. Intention of project to offer student an understanding, and sense of magnitude, of work in the professional setting. In conclusion, this project is intended to also be of such quality, breadth, and depth that is serves as the best possible indicator of student potential to prospective employers when student interviews for industry positions upon graduation. The students should work in a team. Each team will produce the following:
* Project Ideas
* Pre-approved proposal by the instructor for each team project.
* Project Proposal (consists of the problem statement (goal/objective), methodology to achieve theobjective (design criteria), implementation plan, and criteria to evaluate the implementation (result) constraints, GAANT chart etc).
* Six bi-weekly/periodic progress reports these reports detail team/student progress and document student integration of the FS Learning Objectives for this category.
* Final report design requirements (Library research expectation – extensive): for writing this report. The report must be typed and free of spelling/grammar errors. Report consist recommended engineering report with the following: title page, summary, introduction (problem statement), background info (literature review), methodology, calculations, drawings, component/parts list, results & discussion, conclusion, list of references, etc. The references must be cited in the text and conform to APA guidelines. The title page should include the topic, course #, industry & supervisor name (if applicable), instructor name, and team/student names.)

Finalized Project Proposal & Planning
* Gantt charts (occasional checks of your planning and process documentation)
* Midterm Project Review
* Final design portfolio (possible elements included as necessary to your project)
** 1 Page Executive Summary of Project
** Background Information and Subject Research
** Project Objectives
** Project Constraints
** Design Specifications & Criteria
** Project Schedule
** GAANT Chart
** Critical Path Analysis
** Project Methodology to Achieve Objectives
** Problem Identification & Needs Assessment
** Design Concepts and Ideas
** Design (Program code/Architecture/Schema)
** Modeling and Prototyping
** Production of Detail and Assembly Drawings
** Component/Part List
** Vendor / Supplier Information
** Implementation Plan
** Budget Analysis
** Risk Management Plan/Analysis
** Evaluation Criteria for meeting objectives with final design
** Project Team Notebooks
** Final PowerPoint presentation document
** Project Poster
** Peer evaluations

Course Evaluation

All material will be graded on the values of accuracy, necessary inclusion of items in your project, individual justifications of each decision, proper design criteria, meeting your design objectives, etc.….

* Introductory Assignment 3% 15 Points
* 6 Progress Reports (Control/Monitor/Test Phase) 24% 120 Points
* Midterm Project Review 16% 80 Points
* Final Project Portfolio and Design Elements 35% 175 Points
* Final Presentation and/or Documentation 12% 60 Points
* Peer Evaluations 10% 50 Points
* TOTAL 100% 500 Points

Schedule of Assignments:

* Week No
* Week Start
* Day Required Assignment
* 1 12-Jan Optional Project Meeting
* 2 19-Jan Introductory Assignment (Resume) Submission - Optional Project Meeting
* 3 26-Jan Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 1
* 4 2-Feb Optional Project Meeting
* 5 9-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 2
* 6 16-Feb Optional Project Meeting
* 7 23-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 3
* 8 2-Mar Optional Project Meeting
* 9 9-Mar Spring Break
* 10 16-Mar Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 4
* 11 23-Mar Mid-Term Review
* 12 30-Mar Project Presentations
* 13 6-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 5
* 14 13-Apr Optional Project Meeting
* 15 20-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 6
* 16 27-Apr Final Project Presentations
* 17 4-May Final Submissions

=Assignments=

'''Start Assignments and Exam Studying Early''' -
I suggest attempting an assignment the day it is given, or the day after, so that if you have a problem you can ask early. If you continue to have problems in trying to complete the assignment, you will have time to ask again. Many of the assignments require thought and problem solving, which takes "time on the calendar" not just "time on the clock". By that I mean that spending an hour on 3 consecutive days is likely to be more productive than trying to spend 3 hours at once on the assignment.

'''Expected Amount of Work''' -
If you take this class seriously and get what you should out of it, some weeks you will likely be spending around '''6-10 hours or more''' on the class. The students who get A’s in their CS courses and have an easier time finding jobs do spend this much time on this course. Not everyone would need to spend this much time and not all weeks will be the same, but you should plan on putting in whatever time it takes. Note that the federal government definition of 1 credit hour as requiring 2 hours worth of time on the course for each credit hour of lecture, so you should think of this as the default for all of your courses.

'''Note - your classes in your major should ideally be more important than your part-time job.'''

'''Each week''', you will normally have at least one assignment, often more than one (in particular at the beginning when the assignments are pretty small).

=Grade Meanings=
The letter grades are intended to have the following rough meaning. For letter grades I will use the usual breakdown as a starting point (90 is A-, 80 is B-, etc.), but will raise letter grades above this if I think it is needed (e.g., if assignments, exams, and quizzes are really tough).
* A+/A: You understand everything and probably could teach the course yourself.
* B+/A-: You understand nearly everything, and should be all set to use this knowledge in other courses or in a job.
* C/C+/B-/B: Some things you understand very well and others you don't (more towards the former for a B and more towards the latter for a C).
* D-/D+/C-: You did put some effort in, and understand many things at a high level, but you haven't mastered the details well enough to be able to use this knowledge in the future.
* F: Normally, students that get an F simply stopped doing the required work at some point, or cheated on something in the course.

{{:Jeff Kinne Course Policies}}

{{:Policies}}

{{:ISU Syllabus Items}}

Visit

2026-02-27T15:32:27Z

Jkinne: /* Algorithms */

Visit

2026-02-27T15:31:30Z

Jkinne: /* Explorations in AI */

Visit

2026-02-27T15:20:52Z

Jkinne: /* Explorations in AI */

This page contains activities for when people (e.g., high school students) come to visit the university.

== Explorations in AI ==
We can look at what current AI LLM's are able to do. Here are some tasks that were tested in February 2026 that some AIs (LLMs) did better on than others.
* Generate a study guide for a geography quiz bowl on Latin America.
* Generate a map of Latin America that has countries, capital cities of countries, and the flag for each country.
* Take all sample questions from the DOE Middle School Science Bowl page, extract out all Life Science questions, and give a pdf.
* Create a Python flask server for a quiz program.

AIs/LLMS to try.
* Claude (Anthropic)
* Gemini (Google)
* CoPilot (Microsoft)
* Others: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, DeepSeek, Llama

Nice comparison and tips: https://www.aitoolssme.com/comparison/language-models

== Computers in TC CS Classrooms ==
If you are visiting computer science at ISU, the computers in the classroom might have guest accounts enabled so that you can use the computers for your activities. If so, the login information will be on the board.

== Computer Science at ISU ==
If you want to learn more about computer science at ISU, here are some links to check out.

* Marketing/admissions information - [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-bs CS BS], [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-ms CS MS]
* Information for current students - [https://cs.indstate.edu/ cs.indstate.edu]

== Cyber Capture the Flag ==
A cyber capture the flag contest or activity involves using computer skills to figure out clues. This could involve programming, connecting to servers, looking at source code of webpages, decrypting messages, and more.

Here are some to try out...
* [[Capture The Flag]] - a short list of problems with hints. A good first attempt.
* [https://play.picoctf.org/practice PicoCTF] - practice problems. Requires creating a login.

== Machine Learning ==
Machine learning includes very many different techniques to "teach" computer algorithms to do well at tasks that humans are normally good at.

Some activities to try out...
* [https://teachablemachine.withgoogle.com/ Google Teachable Machine] - you provide images or audio, and a machine learning model is created to classify into different classes. For example, is a picture a cat or a dog.

== Python Turtle Art ==
Turtle art in programming is a classic way to learn about loops in programming while getting to do something visual.

Sample programs to try out...
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/turtle_art.py turtle_art.py]

To try the programs out, you should download the program, open the program IDLE, open the python file you just downloaded in IDLE, and run the program. Once you can run the program, you can try changing things in the program to make different pictures.

== Algorithms ==
Computer science is about making computers solve problems and do useful (or fun) things for us, and to do it efficiently. How does google search the entire internet in a fraction of a second? They have to be using the correct algorithms and computers for the task.

Here are some problems that we can look at to see what the best algorithm is.
* Searching a sorted list of numbers, what is the best way? Think of a reverse phone number search. Algorithms to try: linear search, binary search.
* Take an unsorted list of numbers, and put them into sorted order. Algorithms to try: selection sort, merge sort.
* I have a secret number that I have picked that is between 1 and 1,000. You can make guesses, and I will tell you whether you have it right or are too high or too low. Make an algorithm to decide on how you will pick the next number to ask. How many guesses will it take you to get the right answer? What if I have a secret number between 1 and 1,000,000?
* I give you a random number between 1 and 200. You want to check if it is prime or not using trial division. What are the possible divisors that you will need to check? What if the random number is between 1 and 1,000,000?

Visit

2026-02-27T13:58:56Z

Jkinne: /* Algorithms */

This page contains activities for when people (e.g., high school students) come to visit the university.

== Explorations in AI ==
We can look at what current AI LLM's are able to do. Some notes and examples of AI output on a few tasks are here:

== Computers in TC CS Classrooms ==
If you are visiting computer science at ISU, the computers in the classroom might have guest accounts enabled so that you can use the computers for your activities. If so, the login information will be on the board.

== Computer Science at ISU ==
If you want to learn more about computer science at ISU, here are some links to check out.

* Marketing/admissions information - [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-bs CS BS], [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-ms CS MS]
* Information for current students - [https://cs.indstate.edu/ cs.indstate.edu]

== Cyber Capture the Flag ==
A cyber capture the flag contest or activity involves using computer skills to figure out clues. This could involve programming, connecting to servers, looking at source code of webpages, decrypting messages, and more.

Here are some to try out...
* [[Capture The Flag]] - a short list of problems with hints. A good first attempt.
* [https://play.picoctf.org/practice PicoCTF] - practice problems. Requires creating a login.

== Machine Learning ==
Machine learning includes very many different techniques to "teach" computer algorithms to do well at tasks that humans are normally good at.

Some activities to try out...
* [https://teachablemachine.withgoogle.com/ Google Teachable Machine] - you provide images or audio, and a machine learning model is created to classify into different classes. For example, is a picture a cat or a dog.

== Python Turtle Art ==
Turtle art in programming is a classic way to learn about loops in programming while getting to do something visual.

Sample programs to try out...
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/turtle_art.py turtle_art.py]

To try the programs out, you should download the program, open the program IDLE, open the python file you just downloaded in IDLE, and run the program. Once you can run the program, you can try changing things in the program to make different pictures.

== Algorithms ==
Computer science is about making computers solve problems and do useful (or fun) things for us, and to do it efficiently. How does google search the entire internet in a fraction of a second? They have to be using the correct algorithms and computers for the task.

Here are some problems that we can look at to see what the best algorithm is.
* Searching a sorted list of numbers, what is the best way? Think of a reverse phone number search. Algorithms to try: linear search, binary search.
* Take an unsorted list of numbers, and put them into sorted order. Algorithms to try: selection sort, merge sort.
* I have a secret number that I have picked that is between 1 and 1,000. You can make guesses, and I will tell you whether you have it right or are too high or too low. Make an algorithm to decide on how you will pick the next number to ask. How many guesses will it take you to get the right answer? What if I have a secret number between 1 and 1,000,000?
* I give you a random number between 1 and 200. You want to check if it is prime or not using trial division. What are the possible divisors that you will need to check? What if the random number is between 1 and 1,000,000?

Visit

2026-02-27T13:57:53Z

Jkinne: /* Algorithms */

This page contains activities for when people (e.g., high school students) come to visit the university.

== Explorations in AI ==
We can look at what current AI LLM's are able to do. Some notes and examples of AI output on a few tasks are here:

== Computers in TC CS Classrooms ==
If you are visiting computer science at ISU, the computers in the classroom might have guest accounts enabled so that you can use the computers for your activities. If so, the login information will be on the board.

== Computer Science at ISU ==
If you want to learn more about computer science at ISU, here are some links to check out.

* Marketing/admissions information - [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-bs CS BS], [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-ms CS MS]
* Information for current students - [https://cs.indstate.edu/ cs.indstate.edu]

== Cyber Capture the Flag ==
A cyber capture the flag contest or activity involves using computer skills to figure out clues. This could involve programming, connecting to servers, looking at source code of webpages, decrypting messages, and more.

Here are some to try out...
* [[Capture The Flag]] - a short list of problems with hints. A good first attempt.
* [https://play.picoctf.org/practice PicoCTF] - practice problems. Requires creating a login.

== Machine Learning ==
Machine learning includes very many different techniques to "teach" computer algorithms to do well at tasks that humans are normally good at.

Some activities to try out...
* [https://teachablemachine.withgoogle.com/ Google Teachable Machine] - you provide images or audio, and a machine learning model is created to classify into different classes. For example, is a picture a cat or a dog.

== Python Turtle Art ==
Turtle art in programming is a classic way to learn about loops in programming while getting to do something visual.

Sample programs to try out...
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/turtle_art.py turtle_art.py]

To try the programs out, you should download the program, open the program IDLE, open the python file you just downloaded in IDLE, and run the program. Once you can run the program, you can try changing things in the program to make different pictures.

== Algorithms ==
Computer science is about making computers solve problems and do useful (or fun) things for us, and to do it efficiently. How does google search the entire internet in a fraction of a second? They have to be using the correct algorithms and computers for the task.

Here are some problems that we can look at to see what the best algorithm is.
* Searching a sorted list of numbers, what is the best way? Think of a reverse phone number search. Algorithms to try: linear search, binary search.
* Take an unsorted list of numbers, and put them into sorted order. Algorithms to try: selection sort, merge sort.
* I have a secret number that I have picked that is between 1 and 1,000. You can make guesses, and I will tell you whether you have it right or are too high or too low. Make an algorithm to decide on how you will pick the next number to ask. How many guesses will it take you to get the right answer? What if I have a secret number between 1 and 1,000,000?

Visit

2026-02-27T13:29:09Z

Jkinne: /* Computers in TC CS Classrooms */

This page contains activities for when people (e.g., high school students) come to visit the university.

== Explorations in AI ==
We can look at what current AI LLM's are able to do. Some notes and examples of AI output on a few tasks are here:

== Computers in TC CS Classrooms ==
If you are visiting computer science at ISU, the computers in the classroom might have guest accounts enabled so that you can use the computers for your activities. If so, the login information will be on the board.

== Computer Science at ISU ==
If you want to learn more about computer science at ISU, here are some links to check out.

* Marketing/admissions information - [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-bs CS BS], [https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/computer-science-ms CS MS]
* Information for current students - [https://cs.indstate.edu/ cs.indstate.edu]

== Cyber Capture the Flag ==
A cyber capture the flag contest or activity involves using computer skills to figure out clues. This could involve programming, connecting to servers, looking at source code of webpages, decrypting messages, and more.

Here are some to try out...
* [[Capture The Flag]] - a short list of problems with hints. A good first attempt.
* [https://play.picoctf.org/practice PicoCTF] - practice problems. Requires creating a login.

== Machine Learning ==
Machine learning includes very many different techniques to "teach" computer algorithms to do well at tasks that humans are normally good at.

Some activities to try out...
* [https://teachablemachine.withgoogle.com/ Google Teachable Machine] - you provide images or audio, and a machine learning model is created to classify into different classes. For example, is a picture a cat or a dog.

== Python Turtle Art ==
Turtle art in programming is a classic way to learn about loops in programming while getting to do something visual.

Sample programs to try out...
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/turtle_art.py turtle_art.py]

To try the programs out, you should download the program, open the program IDLE, open the python file you just downloaded in IDLE, and run the program. Once you can run the program, you can try changing things in the program to make different pictures.

== Algorithms ==
Computer science is about making computers solve problems and do useful (or fun) things for us, and to do it efficiently. How does google search the entire internet in a fraction of a second? They have to be using the correct algorithms and computers for the task.

Here are some problems that we can look at to see what the best algorithm is.
* Searching a sorted list of numbers, what is the best way? Think of a reverse phone number search. Algorithms to try: linear search, binary search.
* Take an unsorted list of numbers, and put them into sorted order. Algorithms to try: selection sort, merge sort.

CS 151 Spring 2026

2026-02-26T14:43:57Z

Jkinne: /* General Information */

CS 151 Introduction to Computer Science is taken by CS majors during their first term, along with ECT 130.

This page contains the syllabus for CS 151 for the most recent offering (spring 2026). Previous terms - [[CS 151 Fall 2025]], [[CS 151 Spring 2025]], [[CS 151 Fall 2024]], [[CS 151 Spring 2024]], [[CS 151 Fall 2023]].

Note that all sections of the course will use the same homeworks and lab assignments. Quizzes and exams may be slightly different for the online versus face to face students.

=General Information=
'''Course website''' - https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/CS_151

'''Your Instructor'''

[https://kinnejeff.com Jeff Kinne], [mailto:jkinne@indstate.edu jkinne@indstate.edu] 
''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 
''Instructor Office Hours:'' normally in my office - M 8:30am-10am; 11:30am-1pm; T 9:30am-3pm; W 8:30-10am; 11:30am-1pm; R 8:30am-3pm; F 8:30am-2:45am. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting 
''Meeting:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting

'''Lecture, Exam'''

''Lecture:'' MW 10-11:15am in Root Hall B-031, over Teams (link in Canvas/Teams, see below), and recorded 
''Exams:'' every three weeks on Wednesdays (Jan 28, Feb 18, Mar 18, Apr 1) during lecture time (10-11:15am). ''(For those with another class at that time, we will arrange the time after the term starts.)'' 
''Final exam:'' Monday, May 4, 10-11:50am. ''(For those with another class at that time, your exam time will be decided after the term starts.)'' 

'''Supplemental Instructor/Hours''' Dan Rady ([mailto:drady@sycamores.indstate.edu drady@sycamores.indstate.edu]). Face to face sessions are Tuesdays 11am-noon and Thursdays 10am-noon in our classroom (Root Hall B-031). You can also email questions to Dan or set up a Teams meeting for extra help. Online sessions are [https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YWExZTVkZWQtY2VjZi00MjhkLThlOGItMWExZmFlNTc3MzQy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%223eeabe39-6b1c-4f95-ae68-2fab18085f8d%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229b4c13b9-6d24-444d-974c-97ad3414362e%22%7d Mondays 2-3pm] and [https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MTVjMWQ4NzgtZmVhNC00MjZhLTgzZjctN2I4NTRlOWQxZTJh%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%223eeabe39-6b1c-4f95-ae68-2fab18085f8d%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229b4c13b9-6d24-444d-974c-97ad3414362e%22%7d Thursdays 4-6pm] on Teams

'''Graduate assistant help''' - David Lakes is a GA that is helping with some parts of the course. See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ISU_CS_People#CS_Departmental_Graduate_Assistants for contact information.

'''Prerequisites''' - none.

'''CRN numbers''' - 10544 for the face to face section, 10194 for the online section.

'''Required text'''
We will use selections from the following free online sources.
* Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (available free at https://automatetheboringstuff.com/2e/). We use the 2nd edition of the book (not the latest, which puts the topics in a different order than we will follow).
* [https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/ap-computer-science-principles Khan Academy AP CS Principles], in particular unit 1 digital information and unit 4 algorithms.
* Additional online sources as needed.
* [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ccy6CXrdP9415bDEbzcI773cyDNI7p3rr3yA76QmgtQ/edit#slide=id.g877391eabf_0_116 turtle graphics]

'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs151/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs151/public_html/</code>.

'''Programming practice''' Challenge problems...
* [https://leetcode.com/explore/learn/card/the-leetcode-beginners-guide/692/challenge-problems/4421/ LeetCode beginning problems]
* [https://open.kattis.com/problems?f_language=-1&show_more_filters=on&f_min_difficulty=&f_max_difficulty=2&order=difficulty_data Open Kattis problems]

=Supplemental Instruction=
This course uses a supplemental instructor (SI) to provide extra sessions to help students who can use additional instruction beyond the regular lecture hours. The SI is a student who previously took the course and did well, and who works closely with the instructor to stay up to help students. SI sessions review content from lecture and what is needed for homework assignments. The SI is part of the course in Canvas so you can communicate with them that way if you like.

=Announcements/Assignments/Quizzes/Exams=
'''HW'''
These are posted in Canvas or on the CS server. Some HWs are due the next lecture day, some are due a week after assigned. All times are Eastern US time.

'''Rules'''
Rules for HWs, quizzes, exams are in the course policies below.

'''Announcements'''
Announcements will normally be posted to the course in Canvas (and will probably be emailed to your ISU email address if you have the default settings for notifications in Canvas).

=Course Description and Content=

'''Course Description'''

The official description of this course from the catalog is

"Core concepts that are foundational in computer science, including programming, use of computers for dealing with files and programs, how data is stored, number systems. Focus on building skills needed for programming and further study of computer science, and intermediate mastery of a particular programming language."

'''Course Outline'''

This course outline is subject to change.

'''Weeks 1-6'''
* Setup accounts
* Intro to Linux
* Variables
* I/O
* Flow Control
* If-statements
* Turtle
* Loops

'''Weeks 7-14'''
* Functions
* Chapter 4 - Lists
* Chapter 5 - Collections
* Chapter 6 - Strings
* Bits, Bytes, Base and Logic
* Intro to algorithms
* Chapter 9 & 10 (Files)

'''Week 15-16'''
* Final project and interviews

'''Learning Outcomes'''
* Able to use Linux systems and terminal - managing files, running code, using utility programs.
* Basic mastery of core programming concepts - data types, conditionals and loops, Boolean logic, functions, string operations, reading and writing files. In particular,
* Can take a specification and produce code implementing it.
* Can take code and "play computer" to determine the precise results of running the code on a given input.
* Can take a partially complete program and specification for how it should work, and complete it.
* Can take a program with syntax or logical errors and fix the errors.
* Understanding of good coding style and able to practice good coding style - use of functions to avoid redundant code, whitespace formatting, variable and function names, comments.
* Understanding of base systems, including ability to convert between binary, hex, octal, and decimal.
* Understanding of and ability to explain different file types - text versus binary.
* Able to read and write data with programs, including parsing simple file formats (e.g., csv).
* Understanding of sorting algorithms - able to "play computer" to execute sorting algorithms that were covered in class on small test cases.

=Assignments=

'''Start Assignments and Exam Studying Early''' -
I suggest attempting an assignment the day it is given, or the day after, so that if you have a problem you can ask early. If you continue to have problems in trying to complete the assignment, you will have time to ask again. Many of the assignments require thought and problem solving, which takes "time on the calendar" not just "time on the clock". By that I mean that spending an hour on 3 consecutive days is likely to be more productive than trying to spend 3 hours at once on the assignment.

'''Expected Amount of Work''' -
If you take this class seriously and get what you should out of it, some weeks you will likely be spending around '''6-10 hours or more''' on the class. The students who get A’s in their CS courses and have an easier time finding jobs do spend this much time on this course. Not everyone would need to spend this much time and not all weeks will be the same, but you should plan on putting in whatever time it takes. Note that the federal government definition of 1 credit hour as requiring 2 hours worth of time on the course for each credit hour of lecture, so you should think of this as the default for all of your courses.

'''Note - your classes in your major should ideally be more important than your part-time job.'''

'''Each week''', you will normally have at least one assignment, often more than one (in particular at the beginning when the assignments are pretty small).

=Grade Meanings=
The letter grades are intended to have the following rough meaning. For letter grades I will use the usual breakdown as a starting point (90 is A-, 80 is B-, etc.), but will raise letter grades above this if I think it is needed (e.g., if assignments, exams, and quizzes are really tough).
* A+/A: You understand everything and probably could teach the course yourself.
* B+/A-: You understand nearly everything, and should be all set to use this knowledge in other courses or in a job.
* C/C+/B-/B: Some things you understand very well and others you don't (more towards the former for a B and more towards the latter for a C).
* D-/D+/C-: You did put some effort in, and understand many things at a high level, but you haven't mastered the details well enough to be able to use this knowledge in the future.
* F: Normally, students that get an F simply stopped doing the required work at some point, or cheated on something in the course.

{{:Jeff Kinne Course Policies}}

{{:Policies}}

{{:ISU Syllabus Items}}

ECT 438 Spring 2026

2026-02-25T14:22:17Z

Jkinne: /* Course Description and Content */

ECT 437 Senior Project 1: Project Management and ECT 438 Senior Project 2: Capstone together comprise the senior project for students in the ECET department. ECT 437 is taken in the fall, and ECT 438 is taken in the spring.

This website is used to keep track of the sections of ECT 438 that are for the CS majors, taught by Jeff Kinne. The sections for other majors is managed separately and taught by Dr. Javaid.

=General Information=
'''Course website''' - https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ECT_438_Spring_2026

'''Your Instructor'''

[https://kinnejeff.com Jeff Kinne], [http://mailto:jkinne@indstate.edu jkinne@indstate.edu] 
''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 
''Instructor Office Hours:'' normally in my office - M 8:30am-10am; 11:30am-1pm; T 9:30am-3pm; W 8:30-10am; 11:30am-1pm; R 8:30am-3pm; F 8:30am-2:45am. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting 
''Meeting:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting

'''Graduate assistant help''' - TBD. See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ISU_CS_People#CS_Departmental_Graduate_Assistants

'''Lecture, Exam'''

''Lecture:'' arranged meetings with project groups 
''Exams:'' none 
''Final exam:'' no exams in the course; instead there will be final project presentations

'''Prerequisites''' - ECT 437

'''CRN numbers''' - 12705 (ECT 438-002), 12706 (ECT 438-302).

'''Required text'''
For the project management content of the course, we will the the following.
* [https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-project-management Coursera Google Project Management] - should be free to take online, and can get certificate with ISU's Coursera license this term.
* Free online - [https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/ Project Management – 2nd Edition] by Adrienne Watt.
* Information technology Project Management by Schwalbe (maybe not free).
Note that the other sections of the course use the following textbook. This is not required for Jeff Kinne's sections of the course.
* [https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/project-management-for-engineering-and-technology/P200000001110/9780132817523?srsltid=AfmBOorbY72RPx2VISEBqx9WhJLN3_N5KnkwO2Q-OzlVwimjnNKmgcce Project Management for Engineering and Technology] by David L. Goetsch.

'''Software/Programs'''
* TBA

'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs473/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs473/public_html/</code>.

=Announcements/Assignments/Quizzes/Exams=
'''HW'''
These are posted in Canvas or on the CS server. Some HWs are due the next lecture day, some are due a week after assigned. All times are Eastern US time.

'''Rules'''
Rules for HWs, quizzes, exams are in the course policies below.

'''Announcements'''
Announcements will normally be posted to the course in Canvas (and will probably be emailed to your ISU email address if you have the default settings for notifications in Canvas).

=Course Description and Content=

'''Course Description'''

The official description of this course from the catalog is

"A planned project approved by the professor and performed by the student. The project demonstrates an advanced level of design competency in the student’s major and is performed in consultation with one or more faculty consultants/advisors. Representatives of industry, government agencies, or community institutions collaboration is encouraged. "

Since these are the sections of the course for CS majors, we will be focusing our discussions and projects on software management and development. We may have some groups that work together with students in the other sections of the course if there are projects that make sense for this to happen.

'''Course Outline'''

This course outline is subject to change.

Unit A - Project Management, complete the remaining courses in the Google Project Management Coursera certificate.

Unit B - Project, complete a major software project.

==Learning Objectives==

===Foundational Studies HIP===
ECT 438 is a Foundational Studies High Impact Practice (HIP) course. The requirements for HIP courses are the following.

'''HIP Learning Objectives'''

* Integrate and apply multiple (foundational studies and disciplinary) ways of knowing to address a particular topic or issue. <ref>Students are expected to use multiple ways of knowing in the course and these are explicitly addressed and assessed in the progress report and grading rubric.</ref>
* Adapt and apply skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning gained in one situation to new situations/projects to solve difficult problems or explore complex issues. <ref>Adapting and applying skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning is explicitly addressed in the progress reports and feedback rubric.</ref>
* Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively across or within a different cultural or disciplinary community context. <ref>This is assessed in various ways including the progress report rubric, the peer evaluation, and the overall teamwork rubric.</ref>

'''Skill Applied Learning Requirements'''

* Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop critical thinking skills. <ref>The entire course is based on critical thinking: the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. The final report is the culminating experience where the critical thinking is clearly demonstrated, documented, and assessed.</ref>
* Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop information literacy skills. <ref>Information literacy skills are developed in the required significant literature review of the final report and evidence in this document in the final report requirements of “extensive library research...” It is expected that development will be reflected in the progress reports and feedback rubric.</ref>
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to apply what they are learning to real world scenarios (be they through applied experiences or in-depth research). <ref>The projects proposed and approved are akin to expectations of the major and often are involving actual industry connected projects.</ref>
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will require a written student reflection.<ref>The progress reports are expected to be written reflections of the progress addressing the HIP learning objectives and the course objectives and performance indicators. The rubric is more focused on the feedback and comments rather than an efficient grading rubric which minimizes comments while providing standard feedback. The assignment and rubric is included at the end of this syllabus.</ref>
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to identify and solve problems. <ref>Solving problems is the primary goal of the course. This is spelled out in the brief list of topics and is carried through to the final report.</ref>

===CS Major===
Computer Science Program Student Outcomes addressed in this course:

* SO 1: Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
* SO 2: Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
* SO 3: Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
* SO 4: Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
* SO 5: Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
* SO 6: Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. [CS]

==Project Topics==
Each student is required to research and complete a software project according to a proposal approved by instructor to pursue as a final semester long project in this course. Students are expected to work in teams. The project proposal is approved by the instructor. On occasions, industry involvement facilitated by the faculty member are pre-approved but is not always available. If you have connections with industry through internships, friends, family members who know people, you can use all your networking and resources to explore these opportunities. Projects in the past have included the following types of components.

* Data scraping and analysis.
* Website interface.
* Data collection from physical sensors (using raspberry pi / arduino).
* Machine learning.

Course Objectives and Performance Indicators

Project Identification

Students will review and research approved proposal for a semester long team-oriented based project related to their program of study
# Student teams will investigate project alternatives, and propose a single complete turnkey industry-based project.
#Student teams will research relevant topics and issues related to their proposed design project to further gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs and deliverable.
# Student teams will re-define the project scope, objectives, constraints, criteria, specifications, and other necessary elements that will be required to successfully complete the proposed design.
# Students will compose a comprehensive industry grade project proposal for approval

Project Planning

Students will develop a comprehensive project plan to facilitate the management of the design and completion of their semester-based industry project
# Students will employ the use of a Gantt chart to identify the necessary tasks and duties required to facilitate the completion of their project
# Students will identify and assign tasks and duties to team members to delineate the roles and responsibilities of each team member
# Students will formulate start dates, durations, and end dates to produce a timeline of events for each task
# Students will investigate potential issues within their project by performing a Critical Path Analysis
# Students will formulate a Risk Management plan to identify, assess, and prioritize risks used for control and reduction of risk occurrence
# Students will formulate a final User Manual for project

Project Execution

Students will execute all stated elements of their semester long industry-based project
# Students will complete the investigation, design, drawing, and analysis of all systems and components of the project deliverables
# Students will perform all analysis, simulation, modeling, prototyping, and calculations necessary to gather empirical data for the use of their design decisions and design alternatives
# Students will modify all designs as necessary to meet the project objectives, specifications, and deliverables based on their analytical results and design options
# Students will develop a full list of vendor and supplier information of standard items and equipment utilized within their design, and construct a general cost of associated goods

Project Evaluation

Students will create and present their final project to a panel of faculty and industry representatives during a comprehensive design review for conformance to the stated design objectives and deliverables
# Students will prepare all necessary written, oral, and graphical documentation of presentation material related to communicate their technical design project to an industry and professional level of acceptance
# Students will conduct a detailed and systematic design review of all elements of their project
# Students will justify all calculations, analysis, design features, materials, processes, and elements of their project
# Students will validate their choices and correlate those choices to meeting the projects stated outcomes
# Students will complete peer evaluations of each team member’s contributions to the project

Program Accreditation Assessment

Students will complete assessment evaluations related to their program of study for use in program assessment and accreditation.
# Students will solve problems based on academic, industry, or certification related testing to evaluate the comprehensive nature of the educational outcomes and objectives presented during their course of study

Course Assignment
This course is a semester long project with a large scope and intended to be an encompassing project of your studies within your degree. Intention of project to offer student an understanding, and sense of magnitude, of work in the professional setting. In conclusion, this project is intended to also be of such quality, breadth, and depth that is serves as the best possible indicator of student potential to prospective employers when student interviews for industry positions upon graduation. The students should work in a team. Each team will produce the following:
* Project Ideas
* Pre-approved proposal by the instructor for each team project.
* Project Proposal (consists of the problem statement (goal/objective), methodology to achieve theobjective (design criteria), implementation plan, and criteria to evaluate the implementation (result) constraints, GAANT chart etc).
* Six bi-weekly/periodic progress reports these reports detail team/student progress and document student integration of the FS Learning Objectives for this category.
* Final report design requirements (Library research expectation – extensive): for writing this report. The report must be typed and free of spelling/grammar errors. Report consist recommended engineering report with the following: title page, summary, introduction (problem statement), background info (literature review), methodology, calculations, drawings, component/parts list, results & discussion, conclusion, list of references, etc. The references must be cited in the text and conform to APA guidelines. The title page should include the topic, course #, industry & supervisor name (if applicable), instructor name, and team/student names.)

Finalized Project Proposal & Planning
* Gantt charts (occasional checks of your planning and process documentation)
* Midterm Project Review
* Final design portfolio (possible elements included as necessary to your project)
** 1 Page Executive Summary of Project
** Background Information and Subject Research
** Project Objectives
** Project Constraints
** Design Specifications & Criteria
** Project Schedule
** GAANT Chart
** Critical Path Analysis
** Project Methodology to Achieve Objectives
** Problem Identification & Needs Assessment
** Design Concepts and Ideas
** Design (Program code/Architecture/Schema)
** Modeling and Prototyping
** Production of Detail and Assembly Drawings
** Component/Part List
** Vendor / Supplier Information
** Implementation Plan
** Budget Analysis
** Risk Management Plan/Analysis
** Evaluation Criteria for meeting objectives with final design
** Project Team Notebooks
** Final PowerPoint presentation document
** Project Poster
** Peer evaluations

Course Evaluation

All material will be graded on the values of accuracy, necessary inclusion of items in your project, individual justifications of each decision, proper design criteria, meeting your design objectives, etc.….

* Introductory Assignment 3% 15 Points
* 6 Progress Reports (Control/Monitor/Test Phase) 24% 120 Points
* Midterm Project Review 16% 80 Points
* Final Project Portfolio and Design Elements 35% 175 Points
* Final Presentation and/or Documentation 12% 60 Points
* Peer Evaluations 10% 50 Points
* TOTAL 100% 500 Points

Schedule of Assignments:

* Week No
* Week Start
* Day Required Assignment
* 1 12-Jan Optional Project Meeting
* 2 19-Jan Introductory Assignment (Resume) Submission - Optional Project Meeting
* 3 26-Jan Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 1
* 4 2-Feb Optional Project Meeting
* 5 9-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 2
* 6 16-Feb Optional Project Meeting
* 7 23-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 3
* 8 2-Mar Optional Project Meeting
* 9 9-Mar Spring Break
* 10 16-Mar Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 4
* 11 23-Mar Mid-Term Review
* 12 30-Mar Project Presentations
* 13 6-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 5
* 14 13-Apr Optional Project Meeting
* 15 20-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 6
* 16 27-Apr Final Project Presentations
* 17 4-May Final Submissions

=Assignments=

'''Start Assignments and Exam Studying Early''' -
I suggest attempting an assignment the day it is given, or the day after, so that if you have a problem you can ask early. If you continue to have problems in trying to complete the assignment, you will have time to ask again. Many of the assignments require thought and problem solving, which takes "time on the calendar" not just "time on the clock". By that I mean that spending an hour on 3 consecutive days is likely to be more productive than trying to spend 3 hours at once on the assignment.

'''Expected Amount of Work''' -
If you take this class seriously and get what you should out of it, some weeks you will likely be spending around '''6-10 hours or more''' on the class. The students who get A’s in their CS courses and have an easier time finding jobs do spend this much time on this course. Not everyone would need to spend this much time and not all weeks will be the same, but you should plan on putting in whatever time it takes. Note that the federal government definition of 1 credit hour as requiring 2 hours worth of time on the course for each credit hour of lecture, so you should think of this as the default for all of your courses.

'''Note - your classes in your major should ideally be more important than your part-time job.'''

'''Each week''', you will normally have at least one assignment, often more than one (in particular at the beginning when the assignments are pretty small).

=Grade Meanings=
The letter grades are intended to have the following rough meaning. For letter grades I will use the usual breakdown as a starting point (90 is A-, 80 is B-, etc.), but will raise letter grades above this if I think it is needed (e.g., if assignments, exams, and quizzes are really tough).
* A+/A: You understand everything and probably could teach the course yourself.
* B+/A-: You understand nearly everything, and should be all set to use this knowledge in other courses or in a job.
* C/C+/B-/B: Some things you understand very well and others you don't (more towards the former for a B and more towards the latter for a C).
* D-/D+/C-: You did put some effort in, and understand many things at a high level, but you haven't mastered the details well enough to be able to use this knowledge in the future.
* F: Normally, students that get an F simply stopped doing the required work at some point, or cheated on something in the course.

{{:Jeff Kinne Course Policies}}

{{:Policies}}

{{:ISU Syllabus Items}}

ECT 438 Spring 2026

2026-02-25T13:37:07Z

Jkinne: /* Course Description and Content */

ECT 437 Senior Project 1: Project Management and ECT 438 Senior Project 2: Capstone together comprise the senior project for students in the ECET department. ECT 437 is taken in the fall, and ECT 438 is taken in the spring.

This website is used to keep track of the sections of ECT 438 that are for the CS majors, taught by Jeff Kinne. The sections for other majors is managed separately and taught by Dr. Javaid.

=General Information=
'''Course website''' - https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ECT_438_Spring_2026

'''Your Instructor'''

[https://kinnejeff.com Jeff Kinne], [http://mailto:jkinne@indstate.edu jkinne@indstate.edu] 
''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 
''Instructor Office Hours:'' normally in my office - M 8:30am-10am; 11:30am-1pm; T 9:30am-3pm; W 8:30-10am; 11:30am-1pm; R 8:30am-3pm; F 8:30am-2:45am. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting 
''Meeting:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting

'''Graduate assistant help''' - TBD. See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ISU_CS_People#CS_Departmental_Graduate_Assistants

'''Lecture, Exam'''

''Lecture:'' arranged meetings with project groups 
''Exams:'' none 
''Final exam:'' no exams in the course; instead there will be final project presentations

'''Prerequisites''' - ECT 437

'''CRN numbers''' - 12705 (ECT 438-002), 12706 (ECT 438-302).

'''Required text'''
For the project management content of the course, we will the the following.
* [https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-project-management Coursera Google Project Management] - should be free to take online, and can get certificate with ISU's Coursera license this term.
* Free online - [https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/ Project Management – 2nd Edition] by Adrienne Watt.
* Information technology Project Management by Schwalbe (maybe not free).
Note that the other sections of the course use the following textbook. This is not required for Jeff Kinne's sections of the course.
* [https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/project-management-for-engineering-and-technology/P200000001110/9780132817523?srsltid=AfmBOorbY72RPx2VISEBqx9WhJLN3_N5KnkwO2Q-OzlVwimjnNKmgcce Project Management for Engineering and Technology] by David L. Goetsch.

'''Software/Programs'''
* TBA

'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs473/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs473/public_html/</code>.

=Announcements/Assignments/Quizzes/Exams=
'''HW'''
These are posted in Canvas or on the CS server. Some HWs are due the next lecture day, some are due a week after assigned. All times are Eastern US time.

'''Rules'''
Rules for HWs, quizzes, exams are in the course policies below.

'''Announcements'''
Announcements will normally be posted to the course in Canvas (and will probably be emailed to your ISU email address if you have the default settings for notifications in Canvas).

=Course Description and Content=

'''Course Description'''

The official description of this course from the catalog is

"A planned project approved by the professor and performed by the student. The project demonstrates an advanced level of design competency in the student’s major and is performed in consultation with one or more faculty consultants/advisors. Representatives of industry, government agencies, or community institutions collaboration is encouraged. "

Since these are the sections of the course for CS majors, we will be focusing our discussions and projects on software management and development. We may have some groups that work together with students in the other sections of the course if there are projects that make sense for this to happen.

'''Course Outline'''

This course outline is subject to change.

Unit A - Project Management, complete the remaining courses in the Google Project Management Coursera certificate.

Unit B - Project, complete a major software project.

==Learning Objectives==

===Foundational Studies HIP===
ECT 438 is a Foundational Studies High Impact Practice (HIP) course. The requirements for HIP courses are the following.

'''HIP Learning Objectives'''

* Integrate and apply multiple (foundational studies and disciplinary) ways of knowing to address a particular topic or issue. <ref>Students are expected to use multiple ways of knowing in the course and these are explicitly addressed and assessed in the progress report and grading rubric.</ref>
* Adapt and apply skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning gained in one situation to new situations/projects to solve difficult problems or explore complex issues. <ref>Adapting and applying skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning is explicitly addressed in the progress reports and feedback rubric.</ref>
* Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively across or within a different cultural or disciplinary community context. <ref>This is assessed in various ways including the progress report rubric, the peer evaluation, and the overall teamwork rubric.</ref>

'''Skill Applied Learning Requirements'''

* Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop critical thinking skills. <ref>The entire course is based on critical thinking: the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. The final report is the culminating experience where the critical thinking is clearly demonstrated, documented, and assessed.</ref>
* Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop information literacy skills. <ref>Information literacy skills are developed in the required significant literature review of the final report and evidence in this document in the final report requirements of “extensive library research...” It is expected that development will be reflected in the progress reports and feedback rubric.</ref>
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to apply what they are learning to real world scenarios (be they through applied experiences or in-depth research). <ref>The projects proposed and approved are akin to expectations of the major and often are involving actual industry connected projects.</ref>
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will require a written student reflection.<ref>The progress reports are expected to be written reflections of the progress addressing the HIP learning objectives and the course objectives and performance indicators. The rubric is more focused on the feedback and comments rather than an efficient grading rubric which minimizes comments while providing standard feedback. The assignment and rubric is included at the end of this syllabus.</ref>
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to identify and solve problems. <ref>Solving problems is the primary goal of the course. This is spelled out in the brief list of topics and is carried through to the final report.</ref>

===CS Major===
Computer Science Program Student Outcomes addressed in this course:

* SO 1: Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
* SO 2: Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
* SO 3: Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
* SO 4: Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
* SO 5: Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
* SO 6: Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. [CS]

Brief List of Topics
Each student is required to research and build the project according to proposal approved by Instructor
to pursue as a final semester long project in this course. Student expected to work in teams, however,
with the approval of the instructor. Student may be allowed to work individually, if deemed
appropriate. Proposal approved by Instructor and industry leader(s) permit students to make industry
connections and work with elements of their respective fields on actual projects for companies. On
occasions, industry involvement facilitated by the faculty member are pre-approved but is not always
available. If you have connections with industry through internships, friends, family members who
know people, you can use all your networking and resources to explore these opportunities.
Examples of these problems/projects are, but not limited to:
• Design of electronic, mechanical or mechatronic system/component for a specific application
used in pharmaceutical, packaging, manufacturing or society
• Design or improve a device/system
• Design involving renewable energy
• Design community, service for homeless, sustainability, or manufacturing, and supply chain
initiatives

Course Objectives and Performance Indicators
Project Identification
Students will review and research approved proposal for a semester long team-
oriented based project related to their program of study
1. Student teams will investigate project alternatives, and propose a single complete turnkey
industry-based project
2. Student teams will research relevant topics and issues related to their proposed design project
to further gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs and deliverable
3. Student teams will re-define the project scope, objectives, constraints, criteria, specifications,
and other necessary elements that will be required to successfully complete the proposed
design
4. Students will compose a comprehensive industry grade project proposal for approval
Project Planning
Students will develop a comprehensive project plan to facilitate the management
of the design and completion of their semester-based industry project
1. Students will employ the use of a Gantt chart to identify the necessary tasks and duties required
to facilitate the completion of their project
2. Students will identify and assign tasks and duties to team members to delineate the roles and
responsibilities of each team member
3. Students will formulate start dates, durations, and end dates to produce a timeline of events
for each task
4. Students will investigate potential issues within their project by performing a Critical Path
Analysis
5. Students will formulate a Risk Management plan to identify, assess, and prioritize risks used
for control and reduction of risk occurrence
6. Students will formulate a final User Manual for project
Project Execution
Students will execute all stated elements of their semester long industry-based
project
1. Students will complete the investigation, design, drawing, and analysis of all systems and
components of the project deliverables
2. Students will perform all analysis, simulation, modeling, prototyping, and calculations
necessary to gather empirical data for the use of their design decisions and design alternatives
3. Students will modify all designs as necessary to meet the project objectives, specifications, and
deliverables based on their analytical results and design options
4. Students will develop a full list of vendor and supplier information of standard items and
equipment utilized within their design, and construct a general cost of associated goods
Project Evaluation
Students will create and present their final project to a panel of faculty and
industry representatives during a comprehensive design review for conformance
to the stated design objectives and deliverables
1. Students will prepare all necessary written, oral, and graphical documentation of presentation
material related to communicate their technical design project to an industry and professional
level of acceptance
2. Students will conduct a detailed and systematic design review of all elements of their project
3. Students will justify all calculations, analysis, design features, materials, processes, and
elements of their project
4. Students will validate their choices and correlate those choices to meeting the projects stated
outcomes
5. Students will complete peer evaluations of each team member’s contributions to the project
Program Accreditation Assessment
Students will complete assessment evaluations related to their program of study for use in program
assessment and accreditation.
1. Students will solve problems based on academic, industry, or certification related testing to
evaluate the comprehensive nature of the educational outcomes and objectives presented
during their course of study

Course Assignment
This course is a semester long project with a large scope and intended to be an encompassing project
of your studies within your degree. Intention of project to offer student an understanding, and sense
of magnitude, of work in the professional setting. In conclusion, this project is intended to also be of
such quality, breadth, and depth that is serves as the best possible indicator of student potential to
prospective employers when student interviews for industry positions upon graduation.
The students should work in a team. Each team will produce the following:
Project Ideas Pre-approved proposal by the instructor for each team project.
Project Proposal (consists of the problem statement (goal/objective), methodology to achieve the
objective (design criteria), implementation plan, and criteria to evaluate the implementation (result)
constraints, GAANT chart etc).
Six bi-weekly/periodic progress reports these reports detail team/student progress and document
student integration of the FS Learning Objectives for this category.
Final report design requirements (Library research expectation – extensive): for writing this report.
The report must be typed and free of spelling/grammar errors. Report consist recommended
engineering report with the following: title page, summary, introduction (problem statement),
background info (literature review), methodology, calculations, drawings, component/parts list,
results & discussion, conclusion, list of references, etc. The references must be cited in the text and
conform to APA guidelines. The title page should include the topic, course #, industry & supervisor
name (if applicable), instructor name, and team/student names.)
1. Finalized Project Proposal & Planning
2. Gantt charts (occasional checks of your planning and process documentation)
3. Midterm Project Review
4. Final design portfolio (possible elements included as necessary to your project)
• 1 Page Executive Summary of Project
• Background Information and Subject Research
• Project Objectives
• Project Constraints
• Design Specifications & Criteria
• Project Schedule
o GAANT Chart
o Critical Path Analysis
• Project Methodology to Achieve Objectives
o Problem Identification & Needs Assessment
o Design Concepts and Ideas
o Design (Program code/Architecture/Schema)
o Modeling and Prototyping
o Production of Detail and Assembly Drawings
o Component/Part List
o Vendor / Supplier Information
• Implementation Plan
o Budget Analysis
o Risk Management Plan/Analysis
• Evaluation Criteria for meeting objectives with final design
• Project Team Notebooks
5. Final PowerPoint presentation document
6. Project Poster
7. Peer evaluations

Course Evaluation
All material will be graded on the values of accuracy, necessary inclusion of items in your project,
individual justifications of each decision, proper design criteria, meeting your design objectives, etc.….
Introductory Assignment 3% 15 Points
6 Progress Reports (Control/Monitor/Test Phase) 24% 120 Points
Midterm Project Review 16% 80 Points
Final Project Portfolio and Design Elements 35% 175 Points
Final Presentation and/or Documentation 12% 60 Points
Peer Evaluations 10% 50 Points
TOTAL 100% 500 Points

Schedule of Assignments:
Week No
Week Start
Day Required Assignment
1 12-Jan Optional Project Meeting
2 19-Jan Introductory Assignment (Resume) Submission - Optional Project
Meeting
3 26-Jan Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 1
4 2-Feb Optional Project Meeting
5 9-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 2
6 16-Feb Optional Project Meeting
7 23-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 3
8 2-Mar Optional Project Meeting
9 9-Mar Spring Break
10 16-Mar Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 4
11 23-Mar Mid-Term Review
12 30-Mar Project Presentations
13 6-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 5
14 13-Apr Optional Project Meeting
15 20-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 6
16 27-Apr Final Project Presentations
17 4-May Final Submissions

=Assignments=

'''Start Assignments and Exam Studying Early''' -
I suggest attempting an assignment the day it is given, or the day after, so that if you have a problem you can ask early. If you continue to have problems in trying to complete the assignment, you will have time to ask again. Many of the assignments require thought and problem solving, which takes "time on the calendar" not just "time on the clock". By that I mean that spending an hour on 3 consecutive days is likely to be more productive than trying to spend 3 hours at once on the assignment.

'''Expected Amount of Work''' -
If you take this class seriously and get what you should out of it, some weeks you will likely be spending around '''6-10 hours or more''' on the class. The students who get A’s in their CS courses and have an easier time finding jobs do spend this much time on this course. Not everyone would need to spend this much time and not all weeks will be the same, but you should plan on putting in whatever time it takes. Note that the federal government definition of 1 credit hour as requiring 2 hours worth of time on the course for each credit hour of lecture, so you should think of this as the default for all of your courses.

'''Note - your classes in your major should ideally be more important than your part-time job.'''

'''Each week''', you will normally have at least one assignment, often more than one (in particular at the beginning when the assignments are pretty small).

=Grade Meanings=
The letter grades are intended to have the following rough meaning. For letter grades I will use the usual breakdown as a starting point (90 is A-, 80 is B-, etc.), but will raise letter grades above this if I think it is needed (e.g., if assignments, exams, and quizzes are really tough).
* A+/A: You understand everything and probably could teach the course yourself.
* B+/A-: You understand nearly everything, and should be all set to use this knowledge in other courses or in a job.
* C/C+/B-/B: Some things you understand very well and others you don't (more towards the former for a B and more towards the latter for a C).
* D-/D+/C-: You did put some effort in, and understand many things at a high level, but you haven't mastered the details well enough to be able to use this knowledge in the future.
* F: Normally, students that get an F simply stopped doing the required work at some point, or cheated on something in the course.

{{:Jeff Kinne Course Policies}}

{{:Policies}}

{{:ISU Syllabus Items}}

ISU Syllabus Items

2026-02-24T22:49:06Z

Jkinne: /* Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct */

=ISU Required Course Information Items=
The items in this section are required and are the same for every ISU course.

==Academic Freedom==
Indiana State subscribes to the [https://www.aaup.org/report/1940-statement-principles-academic-freedom-and-tenure American Association of University Professors’ guidelines for academic freedom] and faculty duties and responsibilities as described on their website. Here is an excerpt from the site:

<blockquote>Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject. As scholars and educational officers, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.</blockquote>

==Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement==

Indiana State University recognizes that students with disabilities may have special needs that must be met to give them equal access to college programs and facilities. If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please contact us as soon as possible in a confidential setting either after class or in my office. All conversations regarding your disability will be kept in strict confidence.

Indiana State’s Accessibility & Advocacy Resources Office coordinates services for students
with disabilities: documentation of a disability needs to be on file in that office before any
accommodations can be provided. The Accessibility & Advocacy Resources Office is located at HMSU room 816. They can be contacted at 812-237-3829 or isu-aaro@indstate.edu. Appointments to discuss accommodations with the Accessibility Resources Office staff are encouraged.

Once a faculty member is notified by the Accessibility Resources Office that a student is qualified to receive academic accommodations, a faculty member is obligated to provide or allow a reasonable classroom accommodation under ADA.

==Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct==
Indiana State University is committed to inclusive excellence. To further this goal, the university does not tolerate discrimination in its programs or activities on the basis of: race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 in particular prohibits discrimination based on sex in any educational institution that receives federal funding. This includes sexual violence, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. If you witness or experience any form of the above discrimination, you are asked to report the incident immediately to Public Safety: 812-237-5555 or to The Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX: 812-237-8954. With respect to sexual discrimination, instructors, faculty, and some staff are required by law and institutional policy to report what you share with them to The Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX. You do, however, have the option of sharing your information with the following confidential resources on campus:
* Student Counseling Center: 812-237-3939; Gillum Hall, 2nd Floor
* Victim Advocate: 812-237-3849 or 812-243-7272 (cell); HMSU 8th Floor

For more information about discrimination and the support resources available to you visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website. Please direct any questions or concerns to: Title IX Coordinator; 812-237-8954; Rankin Hall 426; ISU-equalopportunity-titleix@indstate.edu.

==The Sycamore Standard==
Indiana State University Students at Indiana State University are expected to accept certain personal responsibilities that constitute the “standard” for behavior in a community of scholars.

<blockquote>As a student at Indiana State University: I will practice personal and academic integrity; I will commit my energies to the pursuit of truth, learning, and scholarship; I will foster an environment conducive to the personal and academic accomplishment of all students; I will avoid activities that promote bigotry or intolerance; I will choose associations and define my relationships with others based on respect for individual rights and human dignity; I will conduct my life as a student in a manner that brings honor to me and to the University Community; I will discourage actions or behaviors by others that are contrary to these standards.</blockquote>

==TimelyCare==
''The ISU dean of students asked faculty and staff to spread the word about this, so I am including it here in the syllabus.''

''Attention all faculty and staff!'' Indiana State University is now partnered with [https://app.timelycare.com/auth/login TimelyCare] to deliver a new virtual health and well-being platform for students. This service is in addition to the in-person counseling services offered in the Student Counseling Center, 2nd floor Gillum Hall. The service provides 24/7 access to virtual care at no cost! Remind your students to take advantage of the TimelyCare services when they feel stressed or overwhelmed. We’ve included a slide that you can attach to emails, input in Canvas and present to students before and after class.

In addition to services for students, TimelyCare offers Faculty Support — a service for faculty and staff that is designed to equip you with information to help students who may be struggling. It’s available 24/7/365 for free so you can get the guidance on how to support a student in need of care. Access Faculty Support by calling 833-4-TIMELY, ext. 2.

''How can students access TimelyCare?'' Students can go to https://timelycare.com/indianastate or directly download the TimelyCare app from the app store to register with their school email address by clicking the "Get registered" link. It is important that our students all register in advance on the platform-- and this is where you can help us! Students can then start visits from any web-enabled device – smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop – anywhere in the United States.

''Who can use TimelyCare?'' Any enrolled student.

''What services are available?'' TalkNow - 24/7, on-demand emotional support. Scheduled Counseling - Select the day, time, and mental health provider of your choice. (6 visits per year). Self-Care Content - 24/7 access to self-care tools and resources, such as meditation and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts.

''How much does a visit cost?'' TimelyCare services are available at no cost to students.

==Getting Help==
You are also strongly encouraged to take advantage of Indiana State’s Writing Center. The Writing Center offers a variety of services designed to help students succeed in their classes and careers. The Writing Center is available to assist all registered ISU students with any area of reading or writing for any class. They can also help with personal projects like short stories or personal statements. They offer one-on-one consultations, drop-in services, and online appointments as well as group study tables. All services are free of charge. Students can make appointments by calling (812) 237-2989 or by using the link on the Writing Center website. Please prepare for your appointment by bringing your textbook, relevant notes and materials, and a printed copy of the writing you have attempted so far.

The Math Lab provides free tutoring for math students through on-campus and virtual meetings. By providing a judgement-free environment, students can build their confidence and view learning math as positive and rewarding. The Math Lab is located in Root Hall, room A009. The hours vary so be sure to check the Math Lab’s website (current link still needed, after website refresh in fall 2024) to see when tutoring hours are available for your particular math course. If you have any questions, email ISU-MathLab@indstate.edu or call (812) 237-2130.

Student support and accountability: https://sycamoresindstate.sharepoint.com/sites/STU-StudentSupportandAccountability

Accessibility and Resource Office: https://indianastate.edu/life-state/dean-students/aaro#request-accommodations

Student Affairs: https://indianastate.edu/life-state/dean-students

Writing Center: https://sycamoresindstate.sharepoint.com/sites/STU-WritingCenter

==Commitment to Career Readiness==

The administration, faculty, and staff at Indiana State University believe that in addition to educating students in academic content, it is important to prepare them to be professional and competent employees in the job market. We are committed to incorporating the eight career competencies outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as being necessary to success in the job search and workplace. Many of these eight career readiness competencies will be taught and integrated into your classroom learning:

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Oral/Written Communications, Teamwork/Collaboration, Digital Technology Application, Leadership, Professionalism/Work Ethic, Career Management, Global/Intercultural Fluency.

For additional assistance with your career development and preparation, please contact the Career Center (ISU-Career-Center@indstate.edu) or visit the [https://indianastate.edu/about/engagement/career-center Career Center's website].

==Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom==

Indiana State University recognizes the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence programs and encourages faculty and students to develop literacy regarding these programs.

Your instructor may decide how to best pursue that goal within the following levels:

'''Most Restrictive: AI use not permitted.'''
Any use of generative AI without explicit permission will be considered academic misconduct and may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to failing the assignment, course, or even expulsion from the university.

'''Moderately Restrictive: AI use permitted, but all usage must be documented.'''
Students must follow their assigned citation method for attributing ideas from outside sources, including generative AI.
Failure to document AI usage may result in incomplete assignments, a lower grade, or a requirement to re-do the assignment. Assignments that rely too heavily on AI without sufficient student input may receive reduced grades.

'''Least Restrictive: AI use required for some course assignments.'''
Some assignments will require students to explore generative AI tools and platforms.

Please note that the Indiana State University Office of Information Technology cannot provide support for artificial intelligence platforms, so faculty should carefully consider how to respond to students in the event of technical problems.

Your instructor may provide more explicit instructions regarding AI usage as part of the course syllabus and assignment descriptions.

As a student, you need to assess the validity and applicability of any generative AI output you use; you bear the final responsibility for all work you submit.

Policies clarifying methods of enforcement against the use of AI tools should be made available in the syllabus. Faculty are discouraged from relying solely on AI-detection programs since such programs can be unreliable and prone to bias.

Several programs and applications have options to view the edit history of a file. If a student is suspected of using an AI tool in violation of course policy, they should be given the opportunity to present this history as evidence. Additionally, students should be able to explain their work and reasoning on the assignment during an in-person meeting with their instructor.

You should always protect your data when using generative AI platforms. Do not share what you do not want easily found by others; this includes but is not limited to: private information, sensitive material, any text protected by copyright, or any course content (lecture notes, assignment descriptions, etc.) without the explicit permission of your instructor.

Generative AI platforms are part of a rapidly developing field, and policies listed here may need to change to reflect those technological advances.

ISU Syllabus Items

2026-02-24T22:47:44Z

Jkinne: /* ISU Required Course Information Items */

=ISU Required Course Information Items=
The items in this section are required and are the same for every ISU course.

==Academic Freedom==
Indiana State subscribes to the [https://www.aaup.org/report/1940-statement-principles-academic-freedom-and-tenure American Association of University Professors’ guidelines for academic freedom] and faculty duties and responsibilities as described on their website. Here is an excerpt from the site:

<blockquote>Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject. As scholars and educational officers, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.</blockquote>

==Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement==

Indiana State University recognizes that students with disabilities may have special needs that must be met to give them equal access to college programs and facilities. If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please contact us as soon as possible in a confidential setting either after class or in my office. All conversations regarding your disability will be kept in strict confidence.

Indiana State’s Accessibility & Advocacy Resources Office coordinates services for students
with disabilities: documentation of a disability needs to be on file in that office before any
accommodations can be provided. The Accessibility & Advocacy Resources Office is located at HMSU room 816. They can be contacted at 812-237-3829 or isu-aaro@indstate.edu. Appointments to discuss accommodations with the Accessibility Resources Office staff are encouraged.

Once a faculty member is notified by the Accessibility Resources Office that a student is qualified to receive academic accommodations, a faculty member is obligated to provide or allow a reasonable classroom accommodation under ADA.

==Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct==
''Standard ISU language required in all syllabi...''

Indiana State University is committed to inclusive excellence. To further this goal, the university does not tolerate discrimination in its programs or activities on the basis of: race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 in particular prohibits discrimination based on sex in any educational institution that receives federal funding. This includes sexual violence, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. If you witness or experience any form of the above discrimination, you are asked to report the incident immediately to Public Safety: 812-237-5555 or to The Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX: 812-237-8954. With respect to sexual discrimination, instructors, faculty, and some staff are required by law and institutional policy to report what you share with them to The Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX. You do, however, have the option of sharing your information with the following confidential resources on campus:
* Student Counseling Center: 812-237-3939; Gillum Hall, 2nd Floor
* Victim Advocate: 812-237-3849 or 812-243-7272 (cell); HMSU 8th Floor

For more information about discrimination and the support resources available to you visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website. Please direct any questions or concerns to: Title IX Coordinator; 812-237-8954; Rankin Hall 426; ISU-equalopportunity-titleix@indstate.edu.

==TimelyCare==
''The ISU dean of students asked faculty and staff to spread the word about this, so I am including it here in the syllabus.''

''Attention all faculty and staff!'' Indiana State University is now partnered with [https://app.timelycare.com/auth/login TimelyCare] to deliver a new virtual health and well-being platform for students. This service is in addition to the in-person counseling services offered in the Student Counseling Center, 2nd floor Gillum Hall. The service provides 24/7 access to virtual care at no cost! Remind your students to take advantage of the TimelyCare services when they feel stressed or overwhelmed. We’ve included a slide that you can attach to emails, input in Canvas and present to students before and after class.

In addition to services for students, TimelyCare offers Faculty Support — a service for faculty and staff that is designed to equip you with information to help students who may be struggling. It’s available 24/7/365 for free so you can get the guidance on how to support a student in need of care. Access Faculty Support by calling 833-4-TIMELY, ext. 2.

''How can students access TimelyCare?'' Students can go to https://timelycare.com/indianastate or directly download the TimelyCare app from the app store to register with their school email address by clicking the "Get registered" link. It is important that our students all register in advance on the platform-- and this is where you can help us! Students can then start visits from any web-enabled device – smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop – anywhere in the United States.

''Who can use TimelyCare?'' Any enrolled student.

''What services are available?'' TalkNow - 24/7, on-demand emotional support. Scheduled Counseling - Select the day, time, and mental health provider of your choice. (6 visits per year). Self-Care Content - 24/7 access to self-care tools and resources, such as meditation and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts.

''How much does a visit cost?'' TimelyCare services are available at no cost to students.

==Getting Help==
You are also strongly encouraged to take advantage of Indiana State’s Writing Center. The Writing Center offers a variety of services designed to help students succeed in their classes and careers. The Writing Center is available to assist all registered ISU students with any area of reading or writing for any class. They can also help with personal projects like short stories or personal statements. They offer one-on-one consultations, drop-in services, and online appointments as well as group study tables. All services are free of charge. Students can make appointments by calling (812) 237-2989 or by using the link on the Writing Center website. Please prepare for your appointment by bringing your textbook, relevant notes and materials, and a printed copy of the writing you have attempted so far.

The Math Lab provides free tutoring for math students through on-campus and virtual meetings. By providing a judgement-free environment, students can build their confidence and view learning math as positive and rewarding. The Math Lab is located in Root Hall, room A009. The hours vary so be sure to check the Math Lab’s website (current link still needed, after website refresh in fall 2024) to see when tutoring hours are available for your particular math course. If you have any questions, email ISU-MathLab@indstate.edu or call (812) 237-2130.

Student support and accountability: https://sycamoresindstate.sharepoint.com/sites/STU-StudentSupportandAccountability

Accessibility and Resource Office: https://indianastate.edu/life-state/dean-students/aaro#request-accommodations

Student Affairs: https://indianastate.edu/life-state/dean-students

Writing Center: https://sycamoresindstate.sharepoint.com/sites/STU-WritingCenter

==Commitment to Career Readiness==

The administration, faculty, and staff at Indiana State University believe that in addition to educating students in academic content, it is important to prepare them to be professional and competent employees in the job market. We are committed to incorporating the eight career competencies outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as being necessary to success in the job search and workplace. Many of these eight career readiness competencies will be taught and integrated into your classroom learning:

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Oral/Written Communications, Teamwork/Collaboration, Digital Technology Application, Leadership, Professionalism/Work Ethic, Career Management, Global/Intercultural Fluency.

For additional assistance with your career development and preparation, please contact the Career Center (ISU-Career-Center@indstate.edu) or visit the [https://indianastate.edu/about/engagement/career-center Career Center's website].

==Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom==

Indiana State University recognizes the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence programs and encourages faculty and students to develop literacy regarding these programs.

Your instructor may decide how to best pursue that goal within the following levels:

'''Most Restrictive: AI use not permitted.'''
Any use of generative AI without explicit permission will be considered academic misconduct and may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to failing the assignment, course, or even expulsion from the university.

'''Moderately Restrictive: AI use permitted, but all usage must be documented.'''
Students must follow their assigned citation method for attributing ideas from outside sources, including generative AI.
Failure to document AI usage may result in incomplete assignments, a lower grade, or a requirement to re-do the assignment. Assignments that rely too heavily on AI without sufficient student input may receive reduced grades.

'''Least Restrictive: AI use required for some course assignments.'''
Some assignments will require students to explore generative AI tools and platforms.

Please note that the Indiana State University Office of Information Technology cannot provide support for artificial intelligence platforms, so faculty should carefully consider how to respond to students in the event of technical problems.

Your instructor may provide more explicit instructions regarding AI usage as part of the course syllabus and assignment descriptions.

As a student, you need to assess the validity and applicability of any generative AI output you use; you bear the final responsibility for all work you submit.

Policies clarifying methods of enforcement against the use of AI tools should be made available in the syllabus. Faculty are discouraged from relying solely on AI-detection programs since such programs can be unreliable and prone to bias.

Several programs and applications have options to view the edit history of a file. If a student is suspected of using an AI tool in violation of course policy, they should be given the opportunity to present this history as evidence. Additionally, students should be able to explain their work and reasoning on the assignment during an in-person meeting with their instructor.

You should always protect your data when using generative AI platforms. Do not share what you do not want easily found by others; this includes but is not limited to: private information, sensitive material, any text protected by copyright, or any course content (lecture notes, assignment descriptions, etc.) without the explicit permission of your instructor.

Generative AI platforms are part of a rapidly developing field, and policies listed here may need to change to reflect those technological advances.

ISU Course Syllabus Items

2026-02-24T22:44:58Z

Jkinne: Created page with "=ISU Required Course Information Items= The items in this section are required and are the same for every (or most) ISU course. ==Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement== Indiana State University recognizes that students with disabilities may have special needs that must be met to give them equal access to college programs and facilities. If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please contact us as soon as possible in a confid..."

=ISU Required Course Information Items=
The items in this section are required and are the same for every (or most) ISU course.

==Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement==

Indiana State University recognizes that students with disabilities may have special needs that must be met to give them equal access to college programs and facilities. If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please contact us as soon as possible in a confidential setting either after class or in my office. All conversations regarding your disability will be kept in strict confidence.

Indiana State’s Accessibility & Advocacy Resources Office coordinates services for students
with disabilities: documentation of a disability needs to be on file in that office before any
accommodations can be provided. The Accessibility & Advocacy Resources Office is located at HMSU room 816. They can be contacted at 812-237-3829 or isu-aaro@indstate.edu. Appointments to discuss accommodations with the Accessibility Resources Office staff are encouraged.

Once a faculty member is notified by the Accessibility Resources Office that a student is qualified to receive academic accommodations, a faculty member is obligated to provide or allow a reasonable classroom accommodation under ADA.

==Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct==
''Standard ISU language required in all syllabi...''

Indiana State University is committed to inclusive excellence. To further this goal, the university does not tolerate discrimination in its programs or activities on the basis of: race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 in particular prohibits discrimination based on sex in any educational institution that receives federal funding. This includes sexual violence, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. If you witness or experience any form of the above discrimination, you are asked to report the incident immediately to Public Safety: 812-237-5555 or to The Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX: 812-237-8954. With respect to sexual discrimination, instructors, faculty, and some staff are required by law and institutional policy to report what you share with them to The Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX. You do, however, have the option of sharing your information with the following confidential resources on campus:
* Student Counseling Center: 812-237-3939; Gillum Hall, 2nd Floor
* Victim Advocate: 812-237-3849 or 812-243-7272 (cell); HMSU 8th Floor

For more information about discrimination and the support resources available to you visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website. Please direct any questions or concerns to: Title IX Coordinator; 812-237-8954; Rankin Hall 426; ISU-equalopportunity-titleix@indstate.edu.

==TimelyCare==
''The ISU dean of students asked faculty and staff to spread the word about this, so I am including it here in the syllabus.''

''Attention all faculty and staff!'' Indiana State University is now partnered with [https://app.timelycare.com/auth/login TimelyCare] to deliver a new virtual health and well-being platform for students. This service is in addition to the in-person counseling services offered in the Student Counseling Center, 2nd floor Gillum Hall. The service provides 24/7 access to virtual care at no cost! Remind your students to take advantage of the TimelyCare services when they feel stressed or overwhelmed. We’ve included a slide that you can attach to emails, input in Canvas and present to students before and after class.

In addition to services for students, TimelyCare offers Faculty Support — a service for faculty and staff that is designed to equip you with information to help students who may be struggling. It’s available 24/7/365 for free so you can get the guidance on how to support a student in need of care. Access Faculty Support by calling 833-4-TIMELY, ext. 2.

''How can students access TimelyCare?'' Students can go to https://timelycare.com/indianastate or directly download the TimelyCare app from the app store to register with their school email address by clicking the "Get registered" link. It is important that our students all register in advance on the platform-- and this is where you can help us! Students can then start visits from any web-enabled device – smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop – anywhere in the United States.

''Who can use TimelyCare?'' Any enrolled student.

''What services are available?'' TalkNow - 24/7, on-demand emotional support. Scheduled Counseling - Select the day, time, and mental health provider of your choice. (6 visits per year). Self-Care Content - 24/7 access to self-care tools and resources, such as meditation and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts.

''How much does a visit cost?'' TimelyCare services are available at no cost to students.

==Getting Help==
You are also strongly encouraged to take advantage of Indiana State’s Writing Center. The Writing Center offers a variety of services designed to help students succeed in their classes and careers. The Writing Center is available to assist all registered ISU students with any area of reading or writing for any class. They can also help with personal projects like short stories or personal statements. They offer one-on-one consultations, drop-in services, and online appointments as well as group study tables. All services are free of charge. Students can make appointments by calling (812) 237-2989 or by using the link on the Writing Center website. Please prepare for your appointment by bringing your textbook, relevant notes and materials, and a printed copy of the writing you have attempted so far.

The Math Lab provides free tutoring for math students through on-campus and virtual meetings. By providing a judgement-free environment, students can build their confidence and view learning math as positive and rewarding. The Math Lab is located in Root Hall, room A009. The hours vary so be sure to check the Math Lab’s website (current link still needed, after website refresh in fall 2024) to see when tutoring hours are available for your particular math course. If you have any questions, email ISU-MathLab@indstate.edu or call (812) 237-2130.

Student support and accountability: https://sycamoresindstate.sharepoint.com/sites/STU-StudentSupportandAccountability

Accessibility and Resource Office: https://indianastate.edu/life-state/dean-students/aaro#request-accommodations

Student Affairs: https://indianastate.edu/life-state/dean-students

Writing Center: https://sycamoresindstate.sharepoint.com/sites/STU-WritingCenter

==Commitment to Career Readiness==

The administration, faculty, and staff at Indiana State University believe that in addition to educating students in academic content, it is important to prepare them to be professional and competent employees in the job market. We are committed to incorporating the eight career competencies outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as being necessary to success in the job search and workplace. Many of these eight career readiness competencies will be taught and integrated into your classroom learning:

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Oral/Written Communications, Teamwork/Collaboration, Digital Technology Application, Leadership, Professionalism/Work Ethic, Career Management, Global/Intercultural Fluency.

For additional assistance with your career development and preparation, please contact the Career Center (ISU-Career-Center@indstate.edu) or visit the [https://indianastate.edu/about/engagement/career-center Career Center's website].

==Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom==

Indiana State University recognizes the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence programs and encourages faculty and students to develop literacy regarding these programs.

Your instructor may decide how to best pursue that goal within the following levels:

'''Most Restrictive: AI use not permitted.'''
Any use of generative AI without explicit permission will be considered academic misconduct and may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to failing the assignment, course, or even expulsion from the university.

'''Moderately Restrictive: AI use permitted, but all usage must be documented.'''
Students must follow their assigned citation method for attributing ideas from outside sources, including generative AI.
Failure to document AI usage may result in incomplete assignments, a lower grade, or a requirement to re-do the assignment. Assignments that rely too heavily on AI without sufficient student input may receive reduced grades.

'''Least Restrictive: AI use required for some course assignments.'''
Some assignments will require students to explore generative AI tools and platforms.

Please note that the Indiana State University Office of Information Technology cannot provide support for artificial intelligence platforms, so faculty should carefully consider how to respond to students in the event of technical problems.

Your instructor may provide more explicit instructions regarding AI usage as part of the course syllabus and assignment descriptions.

As a student, you need to assess the validity and applicability of any generative AI output you use; you bear the final responsibility for all work you submit.

Policies clarifying methods of enforcement against the use of AI tools should be made available in the syllabus. Faculty are discouraged from relying solely on AI-detection programs since such programs can be unreliable and prone to bias.

Several programs and applications have options to view the edit history of a file. If a student is suspected of using an AI tool in violation of course policy, they should be given the opportunity to present this history as evidence. Additionally, students should be able to explain their work and reasoning on the assignment during an in-person meeting with their instructor.

You should always protect your data when using generative AI platforms. Do not share what you do not want easily found by others; this includes but is not limited to: private information, sensitive material, any text protected by copyright, or any course content (lecture notes, assignment descriptions, etc.) without the explicit permission of your instructor.

Generative AI platforms are part of a rapidly developing field, and policies listed here may need to change to reflect those technological advances.

ECT 438 Spring 2026

2026-02-24T22:37:50Z

Jkinne: /* Course Description and Content */

ECT 437 Senior Project 1: Project Management and ECT 438 Senior Project 2: Capstone together comprise the senior project for students in the ECET department. ECT 437 is taken in the fall, and ECT 438 is taken in the spring.

This website is used to keep track of the sections of ECT 438 that are for the CS majors, taught by Jeff Kinne. The sections for other majors is managed separately and taught by Dr. Javaid.

=General Information=
'''Course website''' - https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ECT_438_Spring_2026

'''Your Instructor'''

[https://kinnejeff.com Jeff Kinne], [http://mailto:jkinne@indstate.edu jkinne@indstate.edu] 
''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 
''Instructor Office Hours:'' normally in my office - M 8:30am-10am; 11:30am-1pm; T 9:30am-3pm; W 8:30-10am; 11:30am-1pm; R 8:30am-3pm; F 8:30am-2:45am. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting 
''Meeting:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting

'''Graduate assistant help''' - TBD. See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ISU_CS_People#CS_Departmental_Graduate_Assistants

'''Lecture, Exam'''

''Lecture:'' arranged meetings with project groups 
''Exams:'' none 
''Final exam:'' no exams in the course; instead there will be final project presentations

'''Prerequisites''' - ECT 437

'''CRN numbers''' - 12705 (ECT 438-002), 12706 (ECT 438-302).

'''Required text'''
For the project management content of the course, we will the the following.
* [https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-project-management Coursera Google Project Management] - should be free to take online, and can get certificate with ISU's Coursera license this term.
* Free online - [https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/ Project Management – 2nd Edition] by Adrienne Watt.
* Information technology Project Management by Schwalbe (maybe not free).
Note that the other sections of the course use the following textbook. This is not required for Jeff Kinne's sections of the course.
* [https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/project-management-for-engineering-and-technology/P200000001110/9780132817523?srsltid=AfmBOorbY72RPx2VISEBqx9WhJLN3_N5KnkwO2Q-OzlVwimjnNKmgcce Project Management for Engineering and Technology] by David L. Goetsch.

'''Software/Programs'''
* TBA

'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs473/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs473/public_html/</code>.

=Announcements/Assignments/Quizzes/Exams=
'''HW'''
These are posted in Canvas or on the CS server. Some HWs are due the next lecture day, some are due a week after assigned. All times are Eastern US time.

'''Rules'''
Rules for HWs, quizzes, exams are in the course policies below.

'''Announcements'''
Announcements will normally be posted to the course in Canvas (and will probably be emailed to your ISU email address if you have the default settings for notifications in Canvas).

=Course Description and Content=

'''Course Description'''

The official description of this course from the catalog is

"A planned project approved by the professor and performed by the student. The project demonstrates an advanced level of design competency in the student’s major and is performed in consultation with one or more faculty consultants/advisors. Representatives of industry, government agencies, or community institutions collaboration is encouraged. "

Since these are the sections of the course for CS majors, we will be focusing our discussions and projects on software management and development. We may have some groups that work together with students in the other sections of the course if there are projects that make sense for this to happen.

'''Course Outline'''

This course outline is subject to change.

Unit A - Project Management, complete the remaining courses in the Google Project Management Coursera certificate.

Unit B - Project, complete a major software project.

==Learning Objectives==

'''HIP Learning Objectives'''

* Integrate and apply multiple (foundational studies and disciplinary) ways of knowing to address a particular topic or issue. <ref>Students are expected to use multiple ways of knowing in the course and these are explicitly addressed and assessed in the progress report and grading rubric.</ref>
* Adapt and apply skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning gained in one situation to new situations/projects to solve difficult problems or explore complex issues. <ref>Adapting and applying skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning is explicitly addressed in the progress reports and feedback rubric.</ref>
* Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively across or within a different cultural or disciplinary community context. <ref>This is assessed in various ways including the progress report rubric, the peer evaluation, and the overall teamwork rubric.</ref>

'''Skill Applied Learning Requirements'''

* Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop critical thinking skills. <ref>The entire course is based on critical thinking: the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. The final report is the culminating experience where the critical thinking is clearly demonstrated, documented, and assessed.</ref>
* Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop information literacy skills.
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to apply what they are learning to real world scenarios (be they through applied experiences or in-depth research).
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will require a written student reflection.
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to identify and solve problems.

Program Student Outcomes addressed in this course:

* SO 1: Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
* SO 2: Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
* SO 3: Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
* SO 4: Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
* SO 5: Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
* SO 6: Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. [CS]

5 Information literacy skills are developed in the required significant literature review of the final report and
evidence in this document in the final report requirements of “extensive library research...” It is expected that
development will be reflected in the progress reports and feedback rubric.
6 The projects proposed and approved are akin to expectations of the major and often are involving actual
industry connected projects.
7 The progress reports are expected to be written reflections of the progress addressing the HIP learning
objectives and the course objectives and performance indicators. The rubric is more focused on the feedback
and comments rather than an efficient grading rubric which minimizes comments while providing standard
feedback. The assignment and rubric is included at the end of this syllabus.
8 Solving problems is the primary goal of the course. This is spelled out in the brief list of topics and is carried
through to the final report.

Brief List of Topics
Each student is required to research and build the project according to proposal approved by Instructor
to pursue as a final semester long project in this course. Student expected to work in teams, however,
with the approval of the instructor. Student may be allowed to work individually, if deemed
appropriate. Proposal approved by Instructor and industry leader(s) permit students to make industry
connections and work with elements of their respective fields on actual projects for companies. On
occasions, industry involvement facilitated by the faculty member are pre-approved but is not always
available. If you have connections with industry through internships, friends, family members who
know people, you can use all your networking and resources to explore these opportunities.
Examples of these problems/projects are, but not limited to:
• Design of electronic, mechanical or mechatronic system/component for a specific application
used in pharmaceutical, packaging, manufacturing or society
• Design or improve a device/system
• Design involving renewable energy
• Design community, service for homeless, sustainability, or manufacturing, and supply chain
initiatives

Course Objectives and Performance Indicators
Project Identification
Students will review and research approved proposal for a semester long team-
oriented based project related to their program of study
1. Student teams will investigate project alternatives, and propose a single complete turnkey
industry-based project
2. Student teams will research relevant topics and issues related to their proposed design project
to further gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs and deliverable
3. Student teams will re-define the project scope, objectives, constraints, criteria, specifications,
and other necessary elements that will be required to successfully complete the proposed
design
4. Students will compose a comprehensive industry grade project proposal for approval
Project Planning
Students will develop a comprehensive project plan to facilitate the management
of the design and completion of their semester-based industry project
1. Students will employ the use of a Gantt chart to identify the necessary tasks and duties required
to facilitate the completion of their project
2. Students will identify and assign tasks and duties to team members to delineate the roles and
responsibilities of each team member
3. Students will formulate start dates, durations, and end dates to produce a timeline of events
for each task
4. Students will investigate potential issues within their project by performing a Critical Path
Analysis
5. Students will formulate a Risk Management plan to identify, assess, and prioritize risks used
for control and reduction of risk occurrence
6. Students will formulate a final User Manual for project
Project Execution
Students will execute all stated elements of their semester long industry-based
project
1. Students will complete the investigation, design, drawing, and analysis of all systems and
components of the project deliverables
2. Students will perform all analysis, simulation, modeling, prototyping, and calculations
necessary to gather empirical data for the use of their design decisions and design alternatives
3. Students will modify all designs as necessary to meet the project objectives, specifications, and
deliverables based on their analytical results and design options
4. Students will develop a full list of vendor and supplier information of standard items and
equipment utilized within their design, and construct a general cost of associated goods
Project Evaluation
Students will create and present their final project to a panel of faculty and
industry representatives during a comprehensive design review for conformance
to the stated design objectives and deliverables
1. Students will prepare all necessary written, oral, and graphical documentation of presentation
material related to communicate their technical design project to an industry and professional
level of acceptance
2. Students will conduct a detailed and systematic design review of all elements of their project
3. Students will justify all calculations, analysis, design features, materials, processes, and
elements of their project
4. Students will validate their choices and correlate those choices to meeting the projects stated
outcomes
5. Students will complete peer evaluations of each team member’s contributions to the project
Program Accreditation Assessment
Students will complete assessment evaluations related to their program of study for use in program
assessment and accreditation.
1. Students will solve problems based on academic, industry, or certification related testing to
evaluate the comprehensive nature of the educational outcomes and objectives presented
during their course of study

Course Assignment
This course is a semester long project with a large scope and intended to be an encompassing project
of your studies within your degree. Intention of project to offer student an understanding, and sense
of magnitude, of work in the professional setting. In conclusion, this project is intended to also be of
such quality, breadth, and depth that is serves as the best possible indicator of student potential to
prospective employers when student interviews for industry positions upon graduation.
The students should work in a team. Each team will produce the following:
Project Ideas Pre-approved proposal by the instructor for each team project.
Project Proposal (consists of the problem statement (goal/objective), methodology to achieve the
objective (design criteria), implementation plan, and criteria to evaluate the implementation (result)
constraints, GAANT chart etc).
Six bi-weekly/periodic progress reports these reports detail team/student progress and document
student integration of the FS Learning Objectives for this category.
Final report design requirements (Library research expectation – extensive): for writing this report.
The report must be typed and free of spelling/grammar errors. Report consist recommended
engineering report with the following: title page, summary, introduction (problem statement),
background info (literature review), methodology, calculations, drawings, component/parts list,
results & discussion, conclusion, list of references, etc. The references must be cited in the text and
conform to APA guidelines. The title page should include the topic, course #, industry & supervisor
name (if applicable), instructor name, and team/student names.)
1. Finalized Project Proposal & Planning
2. Gantt charts (occasional checks of your planning and process documentation)
3. Midterm Project Review
4. Final design portfolio (possible elements included as necessary to your project)
• 1 Page Executive Summary of Project
• Background Information and Subject Research
• Project Objectives
• Project Constraints
• Design Specifications & Criteria
• Project Schedule
o GAANT Chart
o Critical Path Analysis
• Project Methodology to Achieve Objectives
o Problem Identification & Needs Assessment
o Design Concepts and Ideas
o Design (Program code/Architecture/Schema)
o Modeling and Prototyping
o Production of Detail and Assembly Drawings
o Component/Part List
o Vendor / Supplier Information
• Implementation Plan
o Budget Analysis
o Risk Management Plan/Analysis
• Evaluation Criteria for meeting objectives with final design
• Project Team Notebooks
5. Final PowerPoint presentation document
6. Project Poster
7. Peer evaluations

Course Evaluation
All material will be graded on the values of accuracy, necessary inclusion of items in your project,
individual justifications of each decision, proper design criteria, meeting your design objectives, etc.….
Introductory Assignment 3% 15 Points
6 Progress Reports (Control/Monitor/Test Phase) 24% 120 Points
Midterm Project Review 16% 80 Points
Final Project Portfolio and Design Elements 35% 175 Points
Final Presentation and/or Documentation 12% 60 Points
Peer Evaluations 10% 50 Points
TOTAL 100% 500 Points

Schedule of Assignments:
Week No
Week Start
Day Required Assignment
1 12-Jan Optional Project Meeting
2 19-Jan Introductory Assignment (Resume) Submission - Optional Project
Meeting
3 26-Jan Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 1
4 2-Feb Optional Project Meeting
5 9-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 2
6 16-Feb Optional Project Meeting
7 23-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 3
8 2-Mar Optional Project Meeting
9 9-Mar Spring Break
10 16-Mar Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 4
11 23-Mar Mid-Term Review
12 30-Mar Project Presentations
13 6-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 5
14 13-Apr Optional Project Meeting
15 20-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 6
16 27-Apr Final Project Presentations
17 4-May Final Submissions

=Assignments=

'''Start Assignments and Exam Studying Early''' -
I suggest attempting an assignment the day it is given, or the day after, so that if you have a problem you can ask early. If you continue to have problems in trying to complete the assignment, you will have time to ask again. Many of the assignments require thought and problem solving, which takes "time on the calendar" not just "time on the clock". By that I mean that spending an hour on 3 consecutive days is likely to be more productive than trying to spend 3 hours at once on the assignment.

'''Expected Amount of Work''' -
If you take this class seriously and get what you should out of it, some weeks you will likely be spending around '''6-10 hours or more''' on the class. The students who get A’s in their CS courses and have an easier time finding jobs do spend this much time on this course. Not everyone would need to spend this much time and not all weeks will be the same, but you should plan on putting in whatever time it takes. Note that the federal government definition of 1 credit hour as requiring 2 hours worth of time on the course for each credit hour of lecture, so you should think of this as the default for all of your courses.

'''Note - your classes in your major should ideally be more important than your part-time job.'''

'''Each week''', you will normally have at least one assignment, often more than one (in particular at the beginning when the assignments are pretty small).

=Grade Meanings=
The letter grades are intended to have the following rough meaning. For letter grades I will use the usual breakdown as a starting point (90 is A-, 80 is B-, etc.), but will raise letter grades above this if I think it is needed (e.g., if assignments, exams, and quizzes are really tough).
* A+/A: You understand everything and probably could teach the course yourself.
* B+/A-: You understand nearly everything, and should be all set to use this knowledge in other courses or in a job.
* C/C+/B-/B: Some things you understand very well and others you don't (more towards the former for a B and more towards the latter for a C).
* D-/D+/C-: You did put some effort in, and understand many things at a high level, but you haven't mastered the details well enough to be able to use this knowledge in the future.
* F: Normally, students that get an F simply stopped doing the required work at some point, or cheated on something in the course.

{{:Jeff Kinne Course Policies}}

{{:Policies}}

{{:ISU Syllabus Items}}

ECT 438 Spring 2026

2026-02-24T22:29:45Z

Jkinne: /* Course Description and Content */

ECT 437 Senior Project 1: Project Management and ECT 438 Senior Project 2: Capstone together comprise the senior project for students in the ECET department. ECT 437 is taken in the fall, and ECT 438 is taken in the spring.

This website is used to keep track of the sections of ECT 438 that are for the CS majors, taught by Jeff Kinne. The sections for other majors is managed separately and taught by Dr. Javaid.

=General Information=
'''Course website''' - https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ECT_438_Spring_2026

'''Your Instructor'''

[https://kinnejeff.com Jeff Kinne], [http://mailto:jkinne@indstate.edu jkinne@indstate.edu] 
''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 
''Instructor Office Hours:'' normally in my office - M 8:30am-10am; 11:30am-1pm; T 9:30am-3pm; W 8:30-10am; 11:30am-1pm; R 8:30am-3pm; F 8:30am-2:45am. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting 
''Meeting:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting

'''Graduate assistant help''' - TBD. See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ISU_CS_People#CS_Departmental_Graduate_Assistants

'''Lecture, Exam'''

''Lecture:'' arranged meetings with project groups 
''Exams:'' none 
''Final exam:'' no exams in the course; instead there will be final project presentations

'''Prerequisites''' - ECT 437

'''CRN numbers''' - 12705 (ECT 438-002), 12706 (ECT 438-302).

'''Required text'''
For the project management content of the course, we will the the following.
* [https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-project-management Coursera Google Project Management] - should be free to take online, and can get certificate with ISU's Coursera license this term.
* Free online - [https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/ Project Management – 2nd Edition] by Adrienne Watt.
* Information technology Project Management by Schwalbe (maybe not free).
Note that the other sections of the course use the following textbook. This is not required for Jeff Kinne's sections of the course.
* [https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/project-management-for-engineering-and-technology/P200000001110/9780132817523?srsltid=AfmBOorbY72RPx2VISEBqx9WhJLN3_N5KnkwO2Q-OzlVwimjnNKmgcce Project Management for Engineering and Technology] by David L. Goetsch.

'''Software/Programs'''
* TBA

'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs473/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs473/public_html/</code>.

=Announcements/Assignments/Quizzes/Exams=
'''HW'''
These are posted in Canvas or on the CS server. Some HWs are due the next lecture day, some are due a week after assigned. All times are Eastern US time.

'''Rules'''
Rules for HWs, quizzes, exams are in the course policies below.

'''Announcements'''
Announcements will normally be posted to the course in Canvas (and will probably be emailed to your ISU email address if you have the default settings for notifications in Canvas).

=Course Description and Content=

'''Course Description'''

The official description of this course from the catalog is

"A planned project approved by the professor and performed by the student. The project demonstrates an advanced level of design competency in the student’s major and is performed in consultation with one or more faculty consultants/advisors. Representatives of industry, government agencies, or community institutions collaboration is encouraged. "

Since these are the sections of the course for CS majors, we will be focusing our discussions and projects on software management and development. We may have some groups that work together with students in the other sections of the course if there are projects that make sense for this to happen.

'''Course Outline'''

This course outline is subject to change.

Unit A - Project Management, complete the remaining courses in the Google Project Management Coursera certificate.

Unit B - Project, complete a major software project.

'''Learning Objectives"

HIP Learning Objectives
* Integrate and apply multiple (foundational studies and disciplinary) ways of knowing to
address a particular topic or issue. <ref>Students are expected to use multiple ways of knowing in the course and these are explicitly addressed and assessed in the progress report and grading rubric.</ref>
* Adapt and apply skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning gained in one situation
to new situations/projects to solve difficult problems or explore complex issues.2
* Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively across or within a different cultural or
disciplinary community context.3

Skill Applied Learning Requirements
* Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop critical thinking skills4
* Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop information literacy skills
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to apply what they are
learning to real world scenarios (be they through applied experiences or in-depth research)
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will require a written student reflection
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to identify and solve
problems

2 Adapting and applying skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning is explicitly addressed in the progress
reports and feedback rubric.
3 This is assessed in various ways including the progress report rubric, the peer evaluation, and the overall teamwork
rubric
4 The entire course is based on critical thinking: the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully
conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by,
observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. The final report is
the culminating experience where the critical thinking is clearly demonstrated, documented, and assessed.

Program Student Outcomes addressed in this course:
an ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science,
engineering, and technology to solve broadly defined engineering problems appropriate to
the discipline (SO 1)
• an ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly
defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline (SO 2)
• an ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly defined technical
and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical
literature (SO 3)
• an ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and
interpret the results to improve processes (SO 4)
• an ability to function effectively as a member as well as a leader on technical teams (SO 5)

5 Information literacy skills are developed in the required significant literature review of the final report and
evidence in this document in the final report requirements of “extensive library research...” It is expected that
development will be reflected in the progress reports and feedback rubric.
6 The projects proposed and approved are akin to expectations of the major and often are involving actual
industry connected projects.
7 The progress reports are expected to be written reflections of the progress addressing the HIP learning
objectives and the course objectives and performance indicators. The rubric is more focused on the feedback
and comments rather than an efficient grading rubric which minimizes comments while providing standard
feedback. The assignment and rubric is included at the end of this syllabus.
8 Solving problems is the primary goal of the course. This is spelled out in the brief list of topics and is carried
through to the final report.

Brief List of Topics
Each student is required to research and build the project according to proposal approved by Instructor
to pursue as a final semester long project in this course. Student expected to work in teams, however,
with the approval of the instructor. Student may be allowed to work individually, if deemed
appropriate. Proposal approved by Instructor and industry leader(s) permit students to make industry
connections and work with elements of their respective fields on actual projects for companies. On
occasions, industry involvement facilitated by the faculty member are pre-approved but is not always
available. If you have connections with industry through internships, friends, family members who
know people, you can use all your networking and resources to explore these opportunities.
Examples of these problems/projects are, but not limited to:
• Design of electronic, mechanical or mechatronic system/component for a specific application
used in pharmaceutical, packaging, manufacturing or society
• Design or improve a device/system
• Design involving renewable energy
• Design community, service for homeless, sustainability, or manufacturing, and supply chain
initiatives

Course Objectives and Performance Indicators
Project Identification
Students will review and research approved proposal for a semester long team-
oriented based project related to their program of study
1. Student teams will investigate project alternatives, and propose a single complete turnkey
industry-based project
2. Student teams will research relevant topics and issues related to their proposed design project
to further gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs and deliverable
3. Student teams will re-define the project scope, objectives, constraints, criteria, specifications,
and other necessary elements that will be required to successfully complete the proposed
design
4. Students will compose a comprehensive industry grade project proposal for approval
Project Planning
Students will develop a comprehensive project plan to facilitate the management
of the design and completion of their semester-based industry project
1. Students will employ the use of a Gantt chart to identify the necessary tasks and duties required
to facilitate the completion of their project
2. Students will identify and assign tasks and duties to team members to delineate the roles and
responsibilities of each team member
3. Students will formulate start dates, durations, and end dates to produce a timeline of events
for each task
4. Students will investigate potential issues within their project by performing a Critical Path
Analysis
5. Students will formulate a Risk Management plan to identify, assess, and prioritize risks used
for control and reduction of risk occurrence
6. Students will formulate a final User Manual for project
Project Execution
Students will execute all stated elements of their semester long industry-based
project
1. Students will complete the investigation, design, drawing, and analysis of all systems and
components of the project deliverables
2. Students will perform all analysis, simulation, modeling, prototyping, and calculations
necessary to gather empirical data for the use of their design decisions and design alternatives
3. Students will modify all designs as necessary to meet the project objectives, specifications, and
deliverables based on their analytical results and design options
4. Students will develop a full list of vendor and supplier information of standard items and
equipment utilized within their design, and construct a general cost of associated goods
Project Evaluation
Students will create and present their final project to a panel of faculty and
industry representatives during a comprehensive design review for conformance
to the stated design objectives and deliverables
1. Students will prepare all necessary written, oral, and graphical documentation of presentation
material related to communicate their technical design project to an industry and professional
level of acceptance
2. Students will conduct a detailed and systematic design review of all elements of their project
3. Students will justify all calculations, analysis, design features, materials, processes, and
elements of their project
4. Students will validate their choices and correlate those choices to meeting the projects stated
outcomes
5. Students will complete peer evaluations of each team member’s contributions to the project
Program Accreditation Assessment
Students will complete assessment evaluations related to their program of study for use in program
assessment and accreditation.
1. Students will solve problems based on academic, industry, or certification related testing to
evaluate the comprehensive nature of the educational outcomes and objectives presented
during their course of study

Course Assignment
This course is a semester long project with a large scope and intended to be an encompassing project
of your studies within your degree. Intention of project to offer student an understanding, and sense
of magnitude, of work in the professional setting. In conclusion, this project is intended to also be of
such quality, breadth, and depth that is serves as the best possible indicator of student potential to
prospective employers when student interviews for industry positions upon graduation.
The students should work in a team. Each team will produce the following:
Project Ideas Pre-approved proposal by the instructor for each team project.
Project Proposal (consists of the problem statement (goal/objective), methodology to achieve the
objective (design criteria), implementation plan, and criteria to evaluate the implementation (result)
constraints, GAANT chart etc).
Six bi-weekly/periodic progress reports these reports detail team/student progress and document
student integration of the FS Learning Objectives for this category.
Final report design requirements (Library research expectation – extensive): for writing this report.
The report must be typed and free of spelling/grammar errors. Report consist recommended
engineering report with the following: title page, summary, introduction (problem statement),
background info (literature review), methodology, calculations, drawings, component/parts list,
results & discussion, conclusion, list of references, etc. The references must be cited in the text and
conform to APA guidelines. The title page should include the topic, course #, industry & supervisor
name (if applicable), instructor name, and team/student names.)
1. Finalized Project Proposal & Planning
2. Gantt charts (occasional checks of your planning and process documentation)
3. Midterm Project Review
4. Final design portfolio (possible elements included as necessary to your project)
• 1 Page Executive Summary of Project
• Background Information and Subject Research
• Project Objectives
• Project Constraints
• Design Specifications & Criteria
• Project Schedule
o GAANT Chart
o Critical Path Analysis
• Project Methodology to Achieve Objectives
o Problem Identification & Needs Assessment
o Design Concepts and Ideas
o Design (Program code/Architecture/Schema)
o Modeling and Prototyping
o Production of Detail and Assembly Drawings
o Component/Part List
o Vendor / Supplier Information
• Implementation Plan
o Budget Analysis
o Risk Management Plan/Analysis
• Evaluation Criteria for meeting objectives with final design
• Project Team Notebooks
5. Final PowerPoint presentation document
6. Project Poster
7. Peer evaluations

Course Evaluation
All material will be graded on the values of accuracy, necessary inclusion of items in your project,
individual justifications of each decision, proper design criteria, meeting your design objectives, etc.….
Introductory Assignment 3% 15 Points
6 Progress Reports (Control/Monitor/Test Phase) 24% 120 Points
Midterm Project Review 16% 80 Points
Final Project Portfolio and Design Elements 35% 175 Points
Final Presentation and/or Documentation 12% 60 Points
Peer Evaluations 10% 50 Points
TOTAL 100% 500 Points

Schedule of Assignments:
Week No
Week Start
Day Required Assignment
1 12-Jan Optional Project Meeting
2 19-Jan Introductory Assignment (Resume) Submission - Optional Project
Meeting
3 26-Jan Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 1
4 2-Feb Optional Project Meeting
5 9-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 2
6 16-Feb Optional Project Meeting
7 23-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 3
8 2-Mar Optional Project Meeting
9 9-Mar Spring Break
10 16-Mar Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 4
11 23-Mar Mid-Term Review
12 30-Mar Project Presentations
13 6-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 5
14 13-Apr Optional Project Meeting
15 20-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 6
16 27-Apr Final Project Presentations
17 4-May Final Submissions

=Assignments=

'''Start Assignments and Exam Studying Early''' -
I suggest attempting an assignment the day it is given, or the day after, so that if you have a problem you can ask early. If you continue to have problems in trying to complete the assignment, you will have time to ask again. Many of the assignments require thought and problem solving, which takes "time on the calendar" not just "time on the clock". By that I mean that spending an hour on 3 consecutive days is likely to be more productive than trying to spend 3 hours at once on the assignment.

'''Expected Amount of Work''' -
If you take this class seriously and get what you should out of it, some weeks you will likely be spending around '''6-10 hours or more''' on the class. The students who get A’s in their CS courses and have an easier time finding jobs do spend this much time on this course. Not everyone would need to spend this much time and not all weeks will be the same, but you should plan on putting in whatever time it takes. Note that the federal government definition of 1 credit hour as requiring 2 hours worth of time on the course for each credit hour of lecture, so you should think of this as the default for all of your courses.

'''Note - your classes in your major should ideally be more important than your part-time job.'''

'''Each week''', you will normally have at least one assignment, often more than one (in particular at the beginning when the assignments are pretty small).

=Grade Meanings=
The letter grades are intended to have the following rough meaning. For letter grades I will use the usual breakdown as a starting point (90 is A-, 80 is B-, etc.), but will raise letter grades above this if I think it is needed (e.g., if assignments, exams, and quizzes are really tough).
* A+/A: You understand everything and probably could teach the course yourself.
* B+/A-: You understand nearly everything, and should be all set to use this knowledge in other courses or in a job.
* C/C+/B-/B: Some things you understand very well and others you don't (more towards the former for a B and more towards the latter for a C).
* D-/D+/C-: You did put some effort in, and understand many things at a high level, but you haven't mastered the details well enough to be able to use this knowledge in the future.
* F: Normally, students that get an F simply stopped doing the required work at some point, or cheated on something in the course.

{{:Jeff Kinne Course Policies}}

{{:Policies}}

{{:ISU Syllabus Items}}

ECT 438 Spring 2026

2026-02-24T22:29:14Z

Jkinne: /* Course Description and Content */

ECT 437 Senior Project 1: Project Management and ECT 438 Senior Project 2: Capstone together comprise the senior project for students in the ECET department. ECT 437 is taken in the fall, and ECT 438 is taken in the spring.

This website is used to keep track of the sections of ECT 438 that are for the CS majors, taught by Jeff Kinne. The sections for other majors is managed separately and taught by Dr. Javaid.

=General Information=
'''Course website''' - https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ECT_438_Spring_2026

'''Your Instructor'''

[https://kinnejeff.com Jeff Kinne], [http://mailto:jkinne@indstate.edu jkinne@indstate.edu] 
''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 
''Instructor Office Hours:'' normally in my office - M 8:30am-10am; 11:30am-1pm; T 9:30am-3pm; W 8:30-10am; 11:30am-1pm; R 8:30am-3pm; F 8:30am-2:45am. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting 
''Meeting:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting

'''Graduate assistant help''' - TBD. See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ISU_CS_People#CS_Departmental_Graduate_Assistants

'''Lecture, Exam'''

''Lecture:'' arranged meetings with project groups 
''Exams:'' none 
''Final exam:'' no exams in the course; instead there will be final project presentations

'''Prerequisites''' - ECT 437

'''CRN numbers''' - 12705 (ECT 438-002), 12706 (ECT 438-302).

'''Required text'''
For the project management content of the course, we will the the following.
* [https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-project-management Coursera Google Project Management] - should be free to take online, and can get certificate with ISU's Coursera license this term.
* Free online - [https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/ Project Management – 2nd Edition] by Adrienne Watt.
* Information technology Project Management by Schwalbe (maybe not free).
Note that the other sections of the course use the following textbook. This is not required for Jeff Kinne's sections of the course.
* [https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/project-management-for-engineering-and-technology/P200000001110/9780132817523?srsltid=AfmBOorbY72RPx2VISEBqx9WhJLN3_N5KnkwO2Q-OzlVwimjnNKmgcce Project Management for Engineering and Technology] by David L. Goetsch.

'''Software/Programs'''
* TBA

'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs473/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs473/public_html/</code>.

=Announcements/Assignments/Quizzes/Exams=
'''HW'''
These are posted in Canvas or on the CS server. Some HWs are due the next lecture day, some are due a week after assigned. All times are Eastern US time.

'''Rules'''
Rules for HWs, quizzes, exams are in the course policies below.

'''Announcements'''
Announcements will normally be posted to the course in Canvas (and will probably be emailed to your ISU email address if you have the default settings for notifications in Canvas).

=Course Description and Content=

'''Course Description'''

The official description of this course from the catalog is

"A planned project approved by the professor and performed by the student. The project demonstrates an advanced level of design competency in the student’s major and is performed in consultation with one or more faculty consultants/advisors. Representatives of industry, government agencies, or community institutions collaboration is encouraged. "

Since these are the sections of the course for CS majors, we will be focusing our discussions and projects on software management and development. We may have some groups that work together with students in the other sections of the course if there are projects that make sense for this to happen.

'''Course Outline'''

This course outline is subject to change.

Unit A - Project Management, complete the remaining courses in the Google Project Management Coursera certificate.

Unit B - Project, complete a major software project.

'''Learning Objectives"

HIP Learning Objectives
* Integrate and apply multiple (foundational studies and disciplinary) ways of knowing to
address a particular topic or issue.1
* Adapt and apply skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning gained in one situation
to new situations/projects to solve difficult problems or explore complex issues.2
* Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively across or within a different cultural or
disciplinary community context.3

Skill Applied Learning Requirements
* Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop critical thinking skills4
* Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop information literacy skills
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to apply what they are
learning to real world scenarios (be they through applied experiences or in-depth research)
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will require a written student reflection
* Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to identify and solve
problems

1 Students are expected to use multiple ways of knowing in the course and these are explicitly addressed and
assessed in the progress report and grading rubric
2 Adapting and applying skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning is explicitly addressed in the progress
reports and feedback rubric.
3 This is assessed in various ways including the progress report rubric, the peer evaluation, and the overall teamwork
rubric
4 The entire course is based on critical thinking: the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully
conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by,
observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. The final report is
the culminating experience where the critical thinking is clearly demonstrated, documented, and assessed.

Program Student Outcomes addressed in this course:
an ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science,
engineering, and technology to solve broadly defined engineering problems appropriate to
the discipline (SO 1)
• an ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly
defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline (SO 2)
• an ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly defined technical
and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical
literature (SO 3)
• an ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and
interpret the results to improve processes (SO 4)
• an ability to function effectively as a member as well as a leader on technical teams (SO 5)

5 Information literacy skills are developed in the required significant literature review of the final report and
evidence in this document in the final report requirements of “extensive library research...” It is expected that
development will be reflected in the progress reports and feedback rubric.
6 The projects proposed and approved are akin to expectations of the major and often are involving actual
industry connected projects.
7 The progress reports are expected to be written reflections of the progress addressing the HIP learning
objectives and the course objectives and performance indicators. The rubric is more focused on the feedback
and comments rather than an efficient grading rubric which minimizes comments while providing standard
feedback. The assignment and rubric is included at the end of this syllabus.
8 Solving problems is the primary goal of the course. This is spelled out in the brief list of topics and is carried
through to the final report.

Brief List of Topics
Each student is required to research and build the project according to proposal approved by Instructor
to pursue as a final semester long project in this course. Student expected to work in teams, however,
with the approval of the instructor. Student may be allowed to work individually, if deemed
appropriate. Proposal approved by Instructor and industry leader(s) permit students to make industry
connections and work with elements of their respective fields on actual projects for companies. On
occasions, industry involvement facilitated by the faculty member are pre-approved but is not always
available. If you have connections with industry through internships, friends, family members who
know people, you can use all your networking and resources to explore these opportunities.
Examples of these problems/projects are, but not limited to:
• Design of electronic, mechanical or mechatronic system/component for a specific application
used in pharmaceutical, packaging, manufacturing or society
• Design or improve a device/system
• Design involving renewable energy
• Design community, service for homeless, sustainability, or manufacturing, and supply chain
initiatives

Course Objectives and Performance Indicators
Project Identification
Students will review and research approved proposal for a semester long team-
oriented based project related to their program of study
1. Student teams will investigate project alternatives, and propose a single complete turnkey
industry-based project
2. Student teams will research relevant topics and issues related to their proposed design project
to further gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs and deliverable
3. Student teams will re-define the project scope, objectives, constraints, criteria, specifications,
and other necessary elements that will be required to successfully complete the proposed
design
4. Students will compose a comprehensive industry grade project proposal for approval
Project Planning
Students will develop a comprehensive project plan to facilitate the management
of the design and completion of their semester-based industry project
1. Students will employ the use of a Gantt chart to identify the necessary tasks and duties required
to facilitate the completion of their project
2. Students will identify and assign tasks and duties to team members to delineate the roles and
responsibilities of each team member
3. Students will formulate start dates, durations, and end dates to produce a timeline of events
for each task
4. Students will investigate potential issues within their project by performing a Critical Path
Analysis
5. Students will formulate a Risk Management plan to identify, assess, and prioritize risks used
for control and reduction of risk occurrence
6. Students will formulate a final User Manual for project
Project Execution
Students will execute all stated elements of their semester long industry-based
project
1. Students will complete the investigation, design, drawing, and analysis of all systems and
components of the project deliverables
2. Students will perform all analysis, simulation, modeling, prototyping, and calculations
necessary to gather empirical data for the use of their design decisions and design alternatives
3. Students will modify all designs as necessary to meet the project objectives, specifications, and
deliverables based on their analytical results and design options
4. Students will develop a full list of vendor and supplier information of standard items and
equipment utilized within their design, and construct a general cost of associated goods
Project Evaluation
Students will create and present their final project to a panel of faculty and
industry representatives during a comprehensive design review for conformance
to the stated design objectives and deliverables
1. Students will prepare all necessary written, oral, and graphical documentation of presentation
material related to communicate their technical design project to an industry and professional
level of acceptance
2. Students will conduct a detailed and systematic design review of all elements of their project
3. Students will justify all calculations, analysis, design features, materials, processes, and
elements of their project
4. Students will validate their choices and correlate those choices to meeting the projects stated
outcomes
5. Students will complete peer evaluations of each team member’s contributions to the project
Program Accreditation Assessment
Students will complete assessment evaluations related to their program of study for use in program
assessment and accreditation.
1. Students will solve problems based on academic, industry, or certification related testing to
evaluate the comprehensive nature of the educational outcomes and objectives presented
during their course of study

Course Assignment
This course is a semester long project with a large scope and intended to be an encompassing project
of your studies within your degree. Intention of project to offer student an understanding, and sense
of magnitude, of work in the professional setting. In conclusion, this project is intended to also be of
such quality, breadth, and depth that is serves as the best possible indicator of student potential to
prospective employers when student interviews for industry positions upon graduation.
The students should work in a team. Each team will produce the following:
Project Ideas Pre-approved proposal by the instructor for each team project.
Project Proposal (consists of the problem statement (goal/objective), methodology to achieve the
objective (design criteria), implementation plan, and criteria to evaluate the implementation (result)
constraints, GAANT chart etc).
Six bi-weekly/periodic progress reports these reports detail team/student progress and document
student integration of the FS Learning Objectives for this category.
Final report design requirements (Library research expectation – extensive): for writing this report.
The report must be typed and free of spelling/grammar errors. Report consist recommended
engineering report with the following: title page, summary, introduction (problem statement),
background info (literature review), methodology, calculations, drawings, component/parts list,
results & discussion, conclusion, list of references, etc. The references must be cited in the text and
conform to APA guidelines. The title page should include the topic, course #, industry & supervisor
name (if applicable), instructor name, and team/student names.)
1. Finalized Project Proposal & Planning
2. Gantt charts (occasional checks of your planning and process documentation)
3. Midterm Project Review
4. Final design portfolio (possible elements included as necessary to your project)
• 1 Page Executive Summary of Project
• Background Information and Subject Research
• Project Objectives
• Project Constraints
• Design Specifications & Criteria
• Project Schedule
o GAANT Chart
o Critical Path Analysis
• Project Methodology to Achieve Objectives
o Problem Identification & Needs Assessment
o Design Concepts and Ideas
o Design (Program code/Architecture/Schema)
o Modeling and Prototyping
o Production of Detail and Assembly Drawings
o Component/Part List
o Vendor / Supplier Information
• Implementation Plan
o Budget Analysis
o Risk Management Plan/Analysis
• Evaluation Criteria for meeting objectives with final design
• Project Team Notebooks
5. Final PowerPoint presentation document
6. Project Poster
7. Peer evaluations

Course Evaluation
All material will be graded on the values of accuracy, necessary inclusion of items in your project,
individual justifications of each decision, proper design criteria, meeting your design objectives, etc.….
Introductory Assignment 3% 15 Points
6 Progress Reports (Control/Monitor/Test Phase) 24% 120 Points
Midterm Project Review 16% 80 Points
Final Project Portfolio and Design Elements 35% 175 Points
Final Presentation and/or Documentation 12% 60 Points
Peer Evaluations 10% 50 Points
TOTAL 100% 500 Points

Schedule of Assignments:
Week No
Week Start
Day Required Assignment
1 12-Jan Optional Project Meeting
2 19-Jan Introductory Assignment (Resume) Submission - Optional Project
Meeting
3 26-Jan Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 1
4 2-Feb Optional Project Meeting
5 9-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 2
6 16-Feb Optional Project Meeting
7 23-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 3
8 2-Mar Optional Project Meeting
9 9-Mar Spring Break
10 16-Mar Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 4
11 23-Mar Mid-Term Review
12 30-Mar Project Presentations
13 6-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 5
14 13-Apr Optional Project Meeting
15 20-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 6
16 27-Apr Final Project Presentations
17 4-May Final Submissions

=Assignments=

'''Start Assignments and Exam Studying Early''' -
I suggest attempting an assignment the day it is given, or the day after, so that if you have a problem you can ask early. If you continue to have problems in trying to complete the assignment, you will have time to ask again. Many of the assignments require thought and problem solving, which takes "time on the calendar" not just "time on the clock". By that I mean that spending an hour on 3 consecutive days is likely to be more productive than trying to spend 3 hours at once on the assignment.

'''Expected Amount of Work''' -
If you take this class seriously and get what you should out of it, some weeks you will likely be spending around '''6-10 hours or more''' on the class. The students who get A’s in their CS courses and have an easier time finding jobs do spend this much time on this course. Not everyone would need to spend this much time and not all weeks will be the same, but you should plan on putting in whatever time it takes. Note that the federal government definition of 1 credit hour as requiring 2 hours worth of time on the course for each credit hour of lecture, so you should think of this as the default for all of your courses.

'''Note - your classes in your major should ideally be more important than your part-time job.'''

'''Each week''', you will normally have at least one assignment, often more than one (in particular at the beginning when the assignments are pretty small).

=Grade Meanings=
The letter grades are intended to have the following rough meaning. For letter grades I will use the usual breakdown as a starting point (90 is A-, 80 is B-, etc.), but will raise letter grades above this if I think it is needed (e.g., if assignments, exams, and quizzes are really tough).
* A+/A: You understand everything and probably could teach the course yourself.
* B+/A-: You understand nearly everything, and should be all set to use this knowledge in other courses or in a job.
* C/C+/B-/B: Some things you understand very well and others you don't (more towards the former for a B and more towards the latter for a C).
* D-/D+/C-: You did put some effort in, and understand many things at a high level, but you haven't mastered the details well enough to be able to use this knowledge in the future.
* F: Normally, students that get an F simply stopped doing the required work at some point, or cheated on something in the course.

{{:Jeff Kinne Course Policies}}

{{:Policies}}

{{:ISU Syllabus Items}}

ECT 438 Spring 2026

2026-02-24T18:49:12Z

Jkinne: /* Course Description and Content */

ECT 437 Senior Project 1: Project Management and ECT 438 Senior Project 2: Capstone together comprise the senior project for students in the ECET department. ECT 437 is taken in the fall, and ECT 438 is taken in the spring.

This website is used to keep track of the sections of ECT 438 that are for the CS majors, taught by Jeff Kinne. The sections for other majors is managed separately and taught by Dr. Javaid.

=General Information=
'''Course website''' - https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ECT_438_Spring_2026

'''Your Instructor'''

[https://kinnejeff.com Jeff Kinne], [http://mailto:jkinne@indstate.edu jkinne@indstate.edu] 
''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 
''Instructor Office Hours:'' normally in my office - M 8:30am-10am; 11:30am-1pm; T 9:30am-3pm; W 8:30-10am; 11:30am-1pm; R 8:30am-3pm; F 8:30am-2:45am. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting 
''Meeting:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting

'''Graduate assistant help''' - TBD. See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ISU_CS_People#CS_Departmental_Graduate_Assistants

'''Lecture, Exam'''

''Lecture:'' arranged meetings with project groups 
''Exams:'' none 
''Final exam:'' no exams in the course; instead there will be final project presentations

'''Prerequisites''' - ECT 437

'''CRN numbers''' - 12705 (ECT 438-002), 12706 (ECT 438-302).

'''Required text'''
For the project management content of the course, we will the the following.
* [https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-project-management Coursera Google Project Management] - should be free to take online, and can get certificate with ISU's Coursera license this term.
* Free online - [https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/ Project Management – 2nd Edition] by Adrienne Watt.
* Information technology Project Management by Schwalbe (maybe not free).
Note that the other sections of the course use the following textbook. This is not required for Jeff Kinne's sections of the course.
* [https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/project-management-for-engineering-and-technology/P200000001110/9780132817523?srsltid=AfmBOorbY72RPx2VISEBqx9WhJLN3_N5KnkwO2Q-OzlVwimjnNKmgcce Project Management for Engineering and Technology] by David L. Goetsch.

'''Software/Programs'''
* TBA

'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs473/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs473/public_html/</code>.

=Announcements/Assignments/Quizzes/Exams=
'''HW'''
These are posted in Canvas or on the CS server. Some HWs are due the next lecture day, some are due a week after assigned. All times are Eastern US time.

'''Rules'''
Rules for HWs, quizzes, exams are in the course policies below.

'''Announcements'''
Announcements will normally be posted to the course in Canvas (and will probably be emailed to your ISU email address if you have the default settings for notifications in Canvas).

=Course Description and Content=

'''Course Description'''

The official description of this course from the catalog is

"A planned project approved by the professor and performed by the student. The project demonstrates an advanced level of design competency in the student’s major and is performed in consultation with one or more faculty consultants/advisors. Representatives of industry, government agencies, or community institutions collaboration is encouraged. "

Since these are the sections of the course for CS majors, we will be focusing our discussions and projects on software management and development. We may have some groups that work together with students in the other sections of the course if there are projects that make sense for this to happen.

'''Course Outline'''

This course outline is subject to change.

Unit A - Project Management, complete the remaining courses in the Google Project Management Coursera certificate.

Unit B - Project, complete a major software project.

'''Learning Objectives"

HIP Learning Objectives
• Integrate and apply multiple (foundational studies and disciplinary) ways of knowing to
address a particular topic or issue.1
• Adapt and apply skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning gained in one situation
to new situations/projects to solve difficult problems or explore complex issues.2
• Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively across or within a different cultural or
disciplinary community context.3

Skill Applied Learning Requirements
• Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop critical thinking skills4
• Explicitly demonstrate how the curriculum will develop information literacy skills
• Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to apply what they are
learning to real world scenarios (be they through applied experiences or in-depth research)
• Demonstrate how the curriculum will require a written student reflection
• Demonstrate how the curriculum will give students the opportunity to identify and solve
problems

1 Students are expected to use multiple ways of knowing in the course and these are explicitly addressed and
assessed in the progress report and grading rubric
2 Adapting and applying skills, knowledge, experience, and ethical reasoning is explicitly addressed in the progress
reports and feedback rubric.
3 This is assessed in various ways including the progress report rubric, the peer evaluation, and the overall teamwork
rubric
4 The entire course is based on critical thinking: the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully
conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by,
observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. The final report is
the culminating experience where the critical thinking is clearly demonstrated, documented, and assessed.

Program Student Outcomes addressed in this course:
an ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science,
engineering, and technology to solve broadly defined engineering problems appropriate to
the discipline (SO 1)
• an ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly
defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline (SO 2)
• an ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly defined technical
and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical
literature (SO 3)
• an ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and
interpret the results to improve processes (SO 4)
• an ability to function effectively as a member as well as a leader on technical teams (SO 5)

5 Information literacy skills are developed in the required significant literature review of the final report and
evidence in this document in the final report requirements of “extensive library research...” It is expected that
development will be reflected in the progress reports and feedback rubric.
6 The projects proposed and approved are akin to expectations of the major and often are involving actual
industry connected projects.
7 The progress reports are expected to be written reflections of the progress addressing the HIP learning
objectives and the course objectives and performance indicators. The rubric is more focused on the feedback
and comments rather than an efficient grading rubric which minimizes comments while providing standard
feedback. The assignment and rubric is included at the end of this syllabus.
8 Solving problems is the primary goal of the course. This is spelled out in the brief list of topics and is carried
through to the final report.

Brief List of Topics
Each student is required to research and build the project according to proposal approved by Instructor
to pursue as a final semester long project in this course. Student expected to work in teams, however,
with the approval of the instructor. Student may be allowed to work individually, if deemed
appropriate. Proposal approved by Instructor and industry leader(s) permit students to make industry
connections and work with elements of their respective fields on actual projects for companies. On
occasions, industry involvement facilitated by the faculty member are pre-approved but is not always
available. If you have connections with industry through internships, friends, family members who
know people, you can use all your networking and resources to explore these opportunities.
Examples of these problems/projects are, but not limited to:
• Design of electronic, mechanical or mechatronic system/component for a specific application
used in pharmaceutical, packaging, manufacturing or society
• Design or improve a device/system
• Design involving renewable energy
• Design community, service for homeless, sustainability, or manufacturing, and supply chain
initiatives

Course Objectives and Performance Indicators
Project Identification
Students will review and research approved proposal for a semester long team-
oriented based project related to their program of study
1. Student teams will investigate project alternatives, and propose a single complete turnkey
industry-based project
2. Student teams will research relevant topics and issues related to their proposed design project
to further gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs and deliverable
3. Student teams will re-define the project scope, objectives, constraints, criteria, specifications,
and other necessary elements that will be required to successfully complete the proposed
design
4. Students will compose a comprehensive industry grade project proposal for approval
Project Planning
Students will develop a comprehensive project plan to facilitate the management
of the design and completion of their semester-based industry project
1. Students will employ the use of a Gantt chart to identify the necessary tasks and duties required
to facilitate the completion of their project
2. Students will identify and assign tasks and duties to team members to delineate the roles and
responsibilities of each team member
3. Students will formulate start dates, durations, and end dates to produce a timeline of events
for each task
4. Students will investigate potential issues within their project by performing a Critical Path
Analysis
5. Students will formulate a Risk Management plan to identify, assess, and prioritize risks used
for control and reduction of risk occurrence
6. Students will formulate a final User Manual for project
Project Execution
Students will execute all stated elements of their semester long industry-based
project
1. Students will complete the investigation, design, drawing, and analysis of all systems and
components of the project deliverables
2. Students will perform all analysis, simulation, modeling, prototyping, and calculations
necessary to gather empirical data for the use of their design decisions and design alternatives
3. Students will modify all designs as necessary to meet the project objectives, specifications, and
deliverables based on their analytical results and design options
4. Students will develop a full list of vendor and supplier information of standard items and
equipment utilized within their design, and construct a general cost of associated goods
Project Evaluation
Students will create and present their final project to a panel of faculty and
industry representatives during a comprehensive design review for conformance
to the stated design objectives and deliverables
1. Students will prepare all necessary written, oral, and graphical documentation of presentation
material related to communicate their technical design project to an industry and professional
level of acceptance
2. Students will conduct a detailed and systematic design review of all elements of their project
3. Students will justify all calculations, analysis, design features, materials, processes, and
elements of their project
4. Students will validate their choices and correlate those choices to meeting the projects stated
outcomes
5. Students will complete peer evaluations of each team member’s contributions to the project
Program Accreditation Assessment
Students will complete assessment evaluations related to their program of study for use in program
assessment and accreditation.
1. Students will solve problems based on academic, industry, or certification related testing to
evaluate the comprehensive nature of the educational outcomes and objectives presented
during their course of study

Course Assignment
This course is a semester long project with a large scope and intended to be an encompassing project
of your studies within your degree. Intention of project to offer student an understanding, and sense
of magnitude, of work in the professional setting. In conclusion, this project is intended to also be of
such quality, breadth, and depth that is serves as the best possible indicator of student potential to
prospective employers when student interviews for industry positions upon graduation.
The students should work in a team. Each team will produce the following:
Project Ideas Pre-approved proposal by the instructor for each team project.
Project Proposal (consists of the problem statement (goal/objective), methodology to achieve the
objective (design criteria), implementation plan, and criteria to evaluate the implementation (result)
constraints, GAANT chart etc).
Six bi-weekly/periodic progress reports these reports detail team/student progress and document
student integration of the FS Learning Objectives for this category.
Final report design requirements (Library research expectation – extensive): for writing this report.
The report must be typed and free of spelling/grammar errors. Report consist recommended
engineering report with the following: title page, summary, introduction (problem statement),
background info (literature review), methodology, calculations, drawings, component/parts list,
results & discussion, conclusion, list of references, etc. The references must be cited in the text and
conform to APA guidelines. The title page should include the topic, course #, industry & supervisor
name (if applicable), instructor name, and team/student names.)
1. Finalized Project Proposal & Planning
2. Gantt charts (occasional checks of your planning and process documentation)
3. Midterm Project Review
4. Final design portfolio (possible elements included as necessary to your project)
• 1 Page Executive Summary of Project
• Background Information and Subject Research
• Project Objectives
• Project Constraints
• Design Specifications & Criteria
• Project Schedule
o GAANT Chart
o Critical Path Analysis
• Project Methodology to Achieve Objectives
o Problem Identification & Needs Assessment
o Design Concepts and Ideas
o Design (Program code/Architecture/Schema)
o Modeling and Prototyping
o Production of Detail and Assembly Drawings
o Component/Part List
o Vendor / Supplier Information
• Implementation Plan
o Budget Analysis
o Risk Management Plan/Analysis
• Evaluation Criteria for meeting objectives with final design
• Project Team Notebooks
5. Final PowerPoint presentation document
6. Project Poster
7. Peer evaluations

Course Evaluation
All material will be graded on the values of accuracy, necessary inclusion of items in your project,
individual justifications of each decision, proper design criteria, meeting your design objectives, etc.….
Introductory Assignment 3% 15 Points
6 Progress Reports (Control/Monitor/Test Phase) 24% 120 Points
Midterm Project Review 16% 80 Points
Final Project Portfolio and Design Elements 35% 175 Points
Final Presentation and/or Documentation 12% 60 Points
Peer Evaluations 10% 50 Points
TOTAL 100% 500 Points

Schedule of Assignments:
Week No
Week Start
Day Required Assignment
1 12-Jan Optional Project Meeting
2 19-Jan Introductory Assignment (Resume) Submission - Optional Project
Meeting
3 26-Jan Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 1
4 2-Feb Optional Project Meeting
5 9-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 2
6 16-Feb Optional Project Meeting
7 23-Feb Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 3
8 2-Mar Optional Project Meeting
9 9-Mar Spring Break
10 16-Mar Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 4
11 23-Mar Mid-Term Review
12 30-Mar Project Presentations
13 6-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 5
14 13-Apr Optional Project Meeting
15 20-Apr Mandatory Project Meeting and Progress Report 6
16 27-Apr Final Project Presentations
17 4-May Final Submissions

=Assignments=

'''Start Assignments and Exam Studying Early''' -
I suggest attempting an assignment the day it is given, or the day after, so that if you have a problem you can ask early. If you continue to have problems in trying to complete the assignment, you will have time to ask again. Many of the assignments require thought and problem solving, which takes "time on the calendar" not just "time on the clock". By that I mean that spending an hour on 3 consecutive days is likely to be more productive than trying to spend 3 hours at once on the assignment.

'''Expected Amount of Work''' -
If you take this class seriously and get what you should out of it, some weeks you will likely be spending around '''6-10 hours or more''' on the class. The students who get A’s in their CS courses and have an easier time finding jobs do spend this much time on this course. Not everyone would need to spend this much time and not all weeks will be the same, but you should plan on putting in whatever time it takes. Note that the federal government definition of 1 credit hour as requiring 2 hours worth of time on the course for each credit hour of lecture, so you should think of this as the default for all of your courses.

'''Note - your classes in your major should ideally be more important than your part-time job.'''

'''Each week''', you will normally have at least one assignment, often more than one (in particular at the beginning when the assignments are pretty small).

=Grade Meanings=
The letter grades are intended to have the following rough meaning. For letter grades I will use the usual breakdown as a starting point (90 is A-, 80 is B-, etc.), but will raise letter grades above this if I think it is needed (e.g., if assignments, exams, and quizzes are really tough).
* A+/A: You understand everything and probably could teach the course yourself.
* B+/A-: You understand nearly everything, and should be all set to use this knowledge in other courses or in a job.
* C/C+/B-/B: Some things you understand very well and others you don't (more towards the former for a B and more towards the latter for a C).
* D-/D+/C-: You did put some effort in, and understand many things at a high level, but you haven't mastered the details well enough to be able to use this knowledge in the future.
* F: Normally, students that get an F simply stopped doing the required work at some point, or cheated on something in the course.

{{:Jeff Kinne Course Policies}}

{{:Policies}}

{{:ISU Syllabus Items}}

CS accounts

2026-02-18T02:13:15Z

Jkinne: /* Node, Django, etc. */

This page gives information about logging into and using the CS server (cs.indstate.edu). For help about getting started with using the terminal once you can login, see [[Linux and CS Systems - Getting Started]].

=Logging In=
The CS server is a Linux server. The primary ways you will login to the server is either (a) with a terminal (aka shell) that allows you to type text commands, or (b) with sftp to transfer files between your computer and the server. In either case, you need a username (aka login) and password. There are two types of accounts on the system - ISU portal accounts, and local accounts.

==ISU Portal Accounts==
Any student/faculty/staff who is involved in CS courses or programs (enrolled in a course, teaching a course, etc.) can login to cs.indstate.edu using their full ISU email address and portal password. The first time you login to the system, an account is created on the system that you can use. It will set your home directory on the system to <code>/home/SID@isuad.indstate.edu/</code> where <code>SID</code> is your portal id (aka sycamore id - for students it is the part before the @sycamores in your email address). After logging in, you can run the <code>pwd</code> command to see this.

Note that there is not currently "finger information" about ISU portal account users. In fact, trying to run something like "finger jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu" will fail. Note that instructors of current courses can get a class list (aka roster) of accounts for their course; see below.

==Local Accounts==
Some users will have accounts on the CS server that are not tied to their ISU portal accounts. For example, CS faculty have local accounts, and a number of users of the server prior to 2025 have local accounts. These are accounts with username and password that were created just on the server (the ability to login to the server with ISU portal credentials was added in 2025). Any new instructor teaching a CS course can ask for a local account if you do not have one already - write to root@cs.indstate.edu.

=Student Use and Course Account=
For courses that are currently being offered, if the course uses the server, a class account is created that the instructor of the course can use if they like. This is explained with two examples: CS 151 Intro to Computer Science, and CS 473/573 Computer Networks.

==Course Account==
An account on the system is created where files for the class can be kept that are to be shared with the students. For CS 151, the account created has username <code>cs151</code>. For CS 473/573, a single account, <code>cs473</code>, is created that is to be used for both courses.

==Student Use==
For students who are currently enrolled in a CS course that uses the server, the first time you login to the system with your ISU portal account, a directory should be created within your account for the course. For example, students in CS 151 will have a directory <code>cs151</code>, and students in CS 473/573 will have a directory <code>cs473</code>.

Permissions are set on the system so that instructors of the course have read access to the files within student's course directories for their courses. The instructor for CS 151 will have read access to the <code>cs151</code> directories of the students enrolled in CS 151; the instructor for CS 473/573 will have read access to the <code>cs473</code> directories of the students enrolled in CS 473/573; etc. The instructor of the course might have the students submit their work on the server within these directories. Each instructor can choose how they would like to do this.

The course account for each course also has read access to the directories for that course. For example, the <code>cs151</code> account will have read access to the <code>cs151</code> directories within any student enrolled in CS 151.

==Course Account - Instructor Private Files==
The course account is created with a <code>~/private</code> directory that is not accessible to other users (i.e., not accessible to students). The class list (aka roster) of students and their accounts is put into this directory (<code>classlist_brief.csv</code> with the most important information for each student, and <code>classlist_full.csv</code> with more information). The instructor could keep other files in this <code>private</code> directory that is meant to be private (e.g., model solutions or grading information).

Inside the <code>~/private/</code> directory of the course account, there is also a <code>students</code> directory that has symbolic links to each of the student's course directories in the course. For example, if the course is cs151, and if the user jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu is a student in the course, then there will be a link <code>/home/cs151/private/students/jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu</code> that is a link to the cs151 directory for this student (<code>/home/jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu/cs151/</code>). The instructor for the course can quickly get into the students' directories for the course (but not their home directory) by going to the private/students/ directory and going from there.

The accounts for the instructors of the course are set so they can sudo as the course account. If the instructor of CS 151 uses the local account <code>jkinne</code> then this user can run the following command to get a shell running as the CS 151 course account: <code>sudo -u cs151 -i</code>
Note that this only works for local accounts, and does not work for ISU Portal accounts (it might work for the jkinne local account but not for the jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu account).

====Change of Semester and Backups====
Before the next semester, a backup copy of each course account will be created that will be in the course's <code>~/private/backup/</code> directory. A directory will be created for the term, and it will have all of the course account's files from that term within it.

Once the backup has been created for the previous term, the instructor for the current semester can remove files and directories that are no longer needed for the new term. For example, you can clear out the assignment directories in the course account's home directory, and also the student submissions that are in <code>~/private/submissions/</code>. Those files will still be in the backup directory in case you need them later.

When the new semester starts (if the course is running in the new semester), the following in the <code>~/private</code> directory will be updated to be for the new term: classlist_brief.csv, classlist_full.csv, students directory (symbolic links to new semester's students).

=Websites / Webservers=
==Apache==
The main cs.indstate.edu website uses the Apache web server. This is configured so that any user can put html and php files in the right directory in their account to be on the web server. Jeff Kinne, who has portal id <code>jkinne</code> and therefore account on the server with home directory <code>jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu</code>, would do the following to create the right directories.
<pre>
cd ~jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu # jkinne's home directory
mkdir public_html # directory apache looks in for website files
setfacl -m group:www-data:x . # give apache execute access to home directory
setfacl -R -m group:www-data:rX public_html # give apache rX access to public_html
setfacl -R -m default:group:www-data:rX public_html # and new files will also have access
cd public_html # go into that directory
echo "Hello world" > index.html # write a hello world file
</pre>
Then the file index.html will be accessible on the web at https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu. Since the web server is Apache, you can look for help on the Apache web server about configuration options (in particular .htaccess files that you can put in your public_html directory to change some settings). By default, the Apache web server understands html and php files. There may be other types of files you would want it to be able to understand; if so you can write to root@cs.indstate.edu.

==Node, Django, etc.==
Node, Django, and many other web server frameworks can also be run off of the CS server. These generally will pick a port that they will run off of, and you run the main file for your server. Note that the Apache web server uses the "standard" ports (80 for http and 443 for https), so you cannot use those. If you want to run a Node, Django, or similar web server off of the CS server, you need to pick a port that isn't used for anything else. You should never pick a port number that is below 1024 and really should avoid port numbers below 10000. If you want to make sure to pick a port that will not interfere with anything, write to root@cs.indstate.edu. If you were to run your node web server with port 60000, then you would browse to it on the web at https://cs.indstate.edu:60000. Note that there is indeed normally a node server running on that particular port.

=Assignments=
Any directory within the course account can be used as an assignment. For example, suppose the account <code>cs151</code> contains a directory <code>h7</code>. This directory might have files for the students to use on the assignment; they can view these files by going to the directory <code>/home/cs151/h7/</code>.

A student can "checkout" or "get" an assignment by running
<pre>hw_get.py cs151 h7</pre>
This will copy the <code>h7</code> directory that is in the <code>cs151</code> account into the <code>cs151</code> directory of the user that executes the command.

An instructor can collect an assignment by running the script <code>hw_collect.py</code>. For the above example, the instructor would run: <code>hw_collect.py cs151 h7</code>. This will go into each student in the course's <code>cs151</code> directory and copy their h7 directory into <code>/home/cs151/private/submissions/h7/</code>. There will be a new directory in that submissions directory for the date and time the submissions were collected. For example, if the user jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu is in the cs151 course, then the contents of <code>/home/jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu/h7/</code> will be copied into the submission directory (inside of <code>/home/cs151/private/submissions/h7/</code>). The directory <code>/home/cs151/private/submissions/h7/</code> will have a symbolic link <code>latest</code> that is a pointer to the latest submission.

=Spring 2026=
The following is the list of courses that are supported on the server for the fall 2025, along with the instructor accounts (aka admin accounts) for each course.
<pre>
course,admin_accounts
cs151,"jkinne,jeff,jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs170,"hrafieipour@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs201,"majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs203,"namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs211,"mjenkins1@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs351,"rabhyankar@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs331,"namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs401,cs501","majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs401L,"majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs456,cs556","jcompton5,jcompton5@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs456L,"jcompton5,jcompton5@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs457,cs557","kwexoo,kexoo@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs457L,"kwexoo,kexoo@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs458,cs558","namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs458L,"namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs469,cs569","katterson1,katterson1@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs475,cs575","rabhyankar@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs500,"jkinne,jeff,jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs600,"arash,arafiey@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs601,cs417","majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs609,"katterson1,katterson1@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs611,"rabhyankar@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs618,"shosseini@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs685,"arash,arafiey@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs695,"arash,arafiey@isuad.indstate.edu"
ect438,"jkinne,jeff,jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu"
</pre>
If any course instructors would like any additions, subtractions, or changes to these, let the sys-admin know.

CS accounts

2026-02-18T02:09:20Z

Jkinne: /* Apache */

This page gives information about logging into and using the CS server (cs.indstate.edu). For help about getting started with using the terminal once you can login, see [[Linux and CS Systems - Getting Started]].

=Logging In=
The CS server is a Linux server. The primary ways you will login to the server is either (a) with a terminal (aka shell) that allows you to type text commands, or (b) with sftp to transfer files between your computer and the server. In either case, you need a username (aka login) and password. There are two types of accounts on the system - ISU portal accounts, and local accounts.

==ISU Portal Accounts==
Any student/faculty/staff who is involved in CS courses or programs (enrolled in a course, teaching a course, etc.) can login to cs.indstate.edu using their full ISU email address and portal password. The first time you login to the system, an account is created on the system that you can use. It will set your home directory on the system to <code>/home/SID@isuad.indstate.edu/</code> where <code>SID</code> is your portal id (aka sycamore id - for students it is the part before the @sycamores in your email address). After logging in, you can run the <code>pwd</code> command to see this.

Note that there is not currently "finger information" about ISU portal account users. In fact, trying to run something like "finger jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu" will fail. Note that instructors of current courses can get a class list (aka roster) of accounts for their course; see below.

==Local Accounts==
Some users will have accounts on the CS server that are not tied to their ISU portal accounts. For example, CS faculty have local accounts, and a number of users of the server prior to 2025 have local accounts. These are accounts with username and password that were created just on the server (the ability to login to the server with ISU portal credentials was added in 2025). Any new instructor teaching a CS course can ask for a local account if you do not have one already - write to root@cs.indstate.edu.

=Student Use and Course Account=
For courses that are currently being offered, if the course uses the server, a class account is created that the instructor of the course can use if they like. This is explained with two examples: CS 151 Intro to Computer Science, and CS 473/573 Computer Networks.

==Course Account==
An account on the system is created where files for the class can be kept that are to be shared with the students. For CS 151, the account created has username <code>cs151</code>. For CS 473/573, a single account, <code>cs473</code>, is created that is to be used for both courses.

==Student Use==
For students who are currently enrolled in a CS course that uses the server, the first time you login to the system with your ISU portal account, a directory should be created within your account for the course. For example, students in CS 151 will have a directory <code>cs151</code>, and students in CS 473/573 will have a directory <code>cs473</code>.

Permissions are set on the system so that instructors of the course have read access to the files within student's course directories for their courses. The instructor for CS 151 will have read access to the <code>cs151</code> directories of the students enrolled in CS 151; the instructor for CS 473/573 will have read access to the <code>cs473</code> directories of the students enrolled in CS 473/573; etc. The instructor of the course might have the students submit their work on the server within these directories. Each instructor can choose how they would like to do this.

The course account for each course also has read access to the directories for that course. For example, the <code>cs151</code> account will have read access to the <code>cs151</code> directories within any student enrolled in CS 151.

==Course Account - Instructor Private Files==
The course account is created with a <code>~/private</code> directory that is not accessible to other users (i.e., not accessible to students). The class list (aka roster) of students and their accounts is put into this directory (<code>classlist_brief.csv</code> with the most important information for each student, and <code>classlist_full.csv</code> with more information). The instructor could keep other files in this <code>private</code> directory that is meant to be private (e.g., model solutions or grading information).

Inside the <code>~/private/</code> directory of the course account, there is also a <code>students</code> directory that has symbolic links to each of the student's course directories in the course. For example, if the course is cs151, and if the user jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu is a student in the course, then there will be a link <code>/home/cs151/private/students/jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu</code> that is a link to the cs151 directory for this student (<code>/home/jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu/cs151/</code>). The instructor for the course can quickly get into the students' directories for the course (but not their home directory) by going to the private/students/ directory and going from there.

The accounts for the instructors of the course are set so they can sudo as the course account. If the instructor of CS 151 uses the local account <code>jkinne</code> then this user can run the following command to get a shell running as the CS 151 course account: <code>sudo -u cs151 -i</code>
Note that this only works for local accounts, and does not work for ISU Portal accounts (it might work for the jkinne local account but not for the jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu account).

====Change of Semester and Backups====
Before the next semester, a backup copy of each course account will be created that will be in the course's <code>~/private/backup/</code> directory. A directory will be created for the term, and it will have all of the course account's files from that term within it.

Once the backup has been created for the previous term, the instructor for the current semester can remove files and directories that are no longer needed for the new term. For example, you can clear out the assignment directories in the course account's home directory, and also the student submissions that are in <code>~/private/submissions/</code>. Those files will still be in the backup directory in case you need them later.

When the new semester starts (if the course is running in the new semester), the following in the <code>~/private</code> directory will be updated to be for the new term: classlist_brief.csv, classlist_full.csv, students directory (symbolic links to new semester's students).

=Websites / Webservers=
==Apache==
The main cs.indstate.edu website uses the Apache web server. This is configured so that any user can put html and php files in the right directory in their account to be on the web server. Jeff Kinne, who has portal id <code>jkinne</code> and therefore account on the server with home directory <code>jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu</code>, would do the following to create the right directories.
<pre>
cd ~jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu # jkinne's home directory
mkdir public_html # directory apache looks in for website files
setfacl -m group:www-data:x . # give apache execute access to home directory
setfacl -R -m group:www-data:rX public_html # give apache rX access to public_html
setfacl -R -m default:group:www-data:rX public_html # and new files will also have access
cd public_html # go into that directory
echo "Hello world" > index.html # write a hello world file
</pre>
Then the file index.html will be accessible on the web at https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu. Since the web server is Apache, you can look for help on the Apache web server about configuration options (in particular .htaccess files that you can put in your public_html directory to change some settings). By default, the Apache web server understands html and php files. There may be other types of files you would want it to be able to understand; if so you can write to root@cs.indstate.edu.

==Node, Django, etc.==
Node, Django, and many other web server frameworks can also be run off of the CS server. These generally will pick a port that they will run off of, and you run the main file for your server. Note that the Apache web server uses the "standard" ports (80 for http and 443 for https), so you cannot use those. If you want to run a Node, Django, or similar web server off of the CS server, you need to pick a port that isn't used for anything else. You should never pick a port number that is below 1024 and really should avoid port numbers below 10000. If you want to make sure to pick a port that will not interfere with anything, write to root@cs.indstate.edu

=Assignments=
Any directory within the course account can be used as an assignment. For example, suppose the account <code>cs151</code> contains a directory <code>h7</code>. This directory might have files for the students to use on the assignment; they can view these files by going to the directory <code>/home/cs151/h7/</code>.

A student can "checkout" or "get" an assignment by running
<pre>hw_get.py cs151 h7</pre>
This will copy the <code>h7</code> directory that is in the <code>cs151</code> account into the <code>cs151</code> directory of the user that executes the command.

An instructor can collect an assignment by running the script <code>hw_collect.py</code>. For the above example, the instructor would run: <code>hw_collect.py cs151 h7</code>. This will go into each student in the course's <code>cs151</code> directory and copy their h7 directory into <code>/home/cs151/private/submissions/h7/</code>. There will be a new directory in that submissions directory for the date and time the submissions were collected. For example, if the user jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu is in the cs151 course, then the contents of <code>/home/jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu/h7/</code> will be copied into the submission directory (inside of <code>/home/cs151/private/submissions/h7/</code>). The directory <code>/home/cs151/private/submissions/h7/</code> will have a symbolic link <code>latest</code> that is a pointer to the latest submission.

=Spring 2026=
The following is the list of courses that are supported on the server for the fall 2025, along with the instructor accounts (aka admin accounts) for each course.
<pre>
course,admin_accounts
cs151,"jkinne,jeff,jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs170,"hrafieipour@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs201,"majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs203,"namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs211,"mjenkins1@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs351,"rabhyankar@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs331,"namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs401,cs501","majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs401L,"majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs456,cs556","jcompton5,jcompton5@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs456L,"jcompton5,jcompton5@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs457,cs557","kwexoo,kexoo@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs457L,"kwexoo,kexoo@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs458,cs558","namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs458L,"namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs469,cs569","katterson1,katterson1@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs475,cs575","rabhyankar@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs500,"jkinne,jeff,jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs600,"arash,arafiey@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs601,cs417","majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs609,"katterson1,katterson1@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs611,"rabhyankar@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs618,"shosseini@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs685,"arash,arafiey@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs695,"arash,arafiey@isuad.indstate.edu"
ect438,"jkinne,jeff,jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu"
</pre>
If any course instructors would like any additions, subtractions, or changes to these, let the sys-admin know.

CS accounts

2026-02-18T02:07:30Z

Jkinne: /* Apache */

This page gives information about logging into and using the CS server (cs.indstate.edu). For help about getting started with using the terminal once you can login, see [[Linux and CS Systems - Getting Started]].

=Logging In=
The CS server is a Linux server. The primary ways you will login to the server is either (a) with a terminal (aka shell) that allows you to type text commands, or (b) with sftp to transfer files between your computer and the server. In either case, you need a username (aka login) and password. There are two types of accounts on the system - ISU portal accounts, and local accounts.

==ISU Portal Accounts==
Any student/faculty/staff who is involved in CS courses or programs (enrolled in a course, teaching a course, etc.) can login to cs.indstate.edu using their full ISU email address and portal password. The first time you login to the system, an account is created on the system that you can use. It will set your home directory on the system to <code>/home/SID@isuad.indstate.edu/</code> where <code>SID</code> is your portal id (aka sycamore id - for students it is the part before the @sycamores in your email address). After logging in, you can run the <code>pwd</code> command to see this.

Note that there is not currently "finger information" about ISU portal account users. In fact, trying to run something like "finger jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu" will fail. Note that instructors of current courses can get a class list (aka roster) of accounts for their course; see below.

==Local Accounts==
Some users will have accounts on the CS server that are not tied to their ISU portal accounts. For example, CS faculty have local accounts, and a number of users of the server prior to 2025 have local accounts. These are accounts with username and password that were created just on the server (the ability to login to the server with ISU portal credentials was added in 2025). Any new instructor teaching a CS course can ask for a local account if you do not have one already - write to root@cs.indstate.edu.

=Student Use and Course Account=
For courses that are currently being offered, if the course uses the server, a class account is created that the instructor of the course can use if they like. This is explained with two examples: CS 151 Intro to Computer Science, and CS 473/573 Computer Networks.

==Course Account==
An account on the system is created where files for the class can be kept that are to be shared with the students. For CS 151, the account created has username <code>cs151</code>. For CS 473/573, a single account, <code>cs473</code>, is created that is to be used for both courses.

==Student Use==
For students who are currently enrolled in a CS course that uses the server, the first time you login to the system with your ISU portal account, a directory should be created within your account for the course. For example, students in CS 151 will have a directory <code>cs151</code>, and students in CS 473/573 will have a directory <code>cs473</code>.

Permissions are set on the system so that instructors of the course have read access to the files within student's course directories for their courses. The instructor for CS 151 will have read access to the <code>cs151</code> directories of the students enrolled in CS 151; the instructor for CS 473/573 will have read access to the <code>cs473</code> directories of the students enrolled in CS 473/573; etc. The instructor of the course might have the students submit their work on the server within these directories. Each instructor can choose how they would like to do this.

The course account for each course also has read access to the directories for that course. For example, the <code>cs151</code> account will have read access to the <code>cs151</code> directories within any student enrolled in CS 151.

==Course Account - Instructor Private Files==
The course account is created with a <code>~/private</code> directory that is not accessible to other users (i.e., not accessible to students). The class list (aka roster) of students and their accounts is put into this directory (<code>classlist_brief.csv</code> with the most important information for each student, and <code>classlist_full.csv</code> with more information). The instructor could keep other files in this <code>private</code> directory that is meant to be private (e.g., model solutions or grading information).

Inside the <code>~/private/</code> directory of the course account, there is also a <code>students</code> directory that has symbolic links to each of the student's course directories in the course. For example, if the course is cs151, and if the user jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu is a student in the course, then there will be a link <code>/home/cs151/private/students/jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu</code> that is a link to the cs151 directory for this student (<code>/home/jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu/cs151/</code>). The instructor for the course can quickly get into the students' directories for the course (but not their home directory) by going to the private/students/ directory and going from there.

The accounts for the instructors of the course are set so they can sudo as the course account. If the instructor of CS 151 uses the local account <code>jkinne</code> then this user can run the following command to get a shell running as the CS 151 course account: <code>sudo -u cs151 -i</code>
Note that this only works for local accounts, and does not work for ISU Portal accounts (it might work for the jkinne local account but not for the jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu account).

====Change of Semester and Backups====
Before the next semester, a backup copy of each course account will be created that will be in the course's <code>~/private/backup/</code> directory. A directory will be created for the term, and it will have all of the course account's files from that term within it.

Once the backup has been created for the previous term, the instructor for the current semester can remove files and directories that are no longer needed for the new term. For example, you can clear out the assignment directories in the course account's home directory, and also the student submissions that are in <code>~/private/submissions/</code>. Those files will still be in the backup directory in case you need them later.

When the new semester starts (if the course is running in the new semester), the following in the <code>~/private</code> directory will be updated to be for the new term: classlist_brief.csv, classlist_full.csv, students directory (symbolic links to new semester's students).

=Websites / Webservers=
==Apache==
The main cs.indstate.edu website uses the Apache web server. This is configured so that any user can put html and php files in the right directory in their account to be on the web server. Jeff Kinne, who has portal id <code>jkinne</code> and therefore account on the server with home directory <code>jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu</code>, would do the following to create the right directories.
<pre>
cd ~jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu
mkdir public_html
setfacl -m group:www-data:x .
setfacl -R -m group:www-data:rX public_html
setfacl -R -m default:group:www-data:rX public_html
cd public_html
echo "Hello world" > index.html
</pre>
Then the file index.html will be accessible on the web at https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu. Since the web server is Apache, you can look for help on the Apache web server about configuration options (in particular .htaccess files that you can put in your public_html directory to change some settings). By default, the Apache web server understands html and php files. There may be other types of files you would want it to be able to understand; if so you can write to root@cs.indstate.edu.

==Node, Django, etc.==
Node, Django, and many other web server frameworks can also be run off of the CS server. These generally will pick a port that they will run off of, and you run the main file for your server. Note that the Apache web server uses the "standard" ports (80 for http and 443 for https), so you cannot use those. If you want to run a Node, Django, or similar web server off of the CS server, you need to pick a port that isn't used for anything else. You should never pick a port number that is below 1024 and really should avoid port numbers below 10000. If you want to make sure to pick a port that will not interfere with anything, write to root@cs.indstate.edu

=Assignments=
Any directory within the course account can be used as an assignment. For example, suppose the account <code>cs151</code> contains a directory <code>h7</code>. This directory might have files for the students to use on the assignment; they can view these files by going to the directory <code>/home/cs151/h7/</code>.

A student can "checkout" or "get" an assignment by running
<pre>hw_get.py cs151 h7</pre>
This will copy the <code>h7</code> directory that is in the <code>cs151</code> account into the <code>cs151</code> directory of the user that executes the command.

An instructor can collect an assignment by running the script <code>hw_collect.py</code>. For the above example, the instructor would run: <code>hw_collect.py cs151 h7</code>. This will go into each student in the course's <code>cs151</code> directory and copy their h7 directory into <code>/home/cs151/private/submissions/h7/</code>. There will be a new directory in that submissions directory for the date and time the submissions were collected. For example, if the user jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu is in the cs151 course, then the contents of <code>/home/jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu/h7/</code> will be copied into the submission directory (inside of <code>/home/cs151/private/submissions/h7/</code>). The directory <code>/home/cs151/private/submissions/h7/</code> will have a symbolic link <code>latest</code> that is a pointer to the latest submission.

=Spring 2026=
The following is the list of courses that are supported on the server for the fall 2025, along with the instructor accounts (aka admin accounts) for each course.
<pre>
course,admin_accounts
cs151,"jkinne,jeff,jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs170,"hrafieipour@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs201,"majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs203,"namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs211,"mjenkins1@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs351,"rabhyankar@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs331,"namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs401,cs501","majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs401L,"majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs456,cs556","jcompton5,jcompton5@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs456L,"jcompton5,jcompton5@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs457,cs557","kwexoo,kexoo@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs457L,"kwexoo,kexoo@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs458,cs558","namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs458L,"namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs469,cs569","katterson1,katterson1@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs475,cs575","rabhyankar@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs500,"jkinne,jeff,jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs600,"arash,arafiey@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs601,cs417","majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs609,"katterson1,katterson1@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs611,"rabhyankar@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs618,"shosseini@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs685,"arash,arafiey@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs695,"arash,arafiey@isuad.indstate.edu"
ect438,"jkinne,jeff,jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu"
</pre>
If any course instructors would like any additions, subtractions, or changes to these, let the sys-admin know.

CS accounts

2026-02-18T02:06:41Z

Jkinne: /* Assignments */

This page gives information about logging into and using the CS server (cs.indstate.edu). For help about getting started with using the terminal once you can login, see [[Linux and CS Systems - Getting Started]].

=Logging In=
The CS server is a Linux server. The primary ways you will login to the server is either (a) with a terminal (aka shell) that allows you to type text commands, or (b) with sftp to transfer files between your computer and the server. In either case, you need a username (aka login) and password. There are two types of accounts on the system - ISU portal accounts, and local accounts.

==ISU Portal Accounts==
Any student/faculty/staff who is involved in CS courses or programs (enrolled in a course, teaching a course, etc.) can login to cs.indstate.edu using their full ISU email address and portal password. The first time you login to the system, an account is created on the system that you can use. It will set your home directory on the system to <code>/home/SID@isuad.indstate.edu/</code> where <code>SID</code> is your portal id (aka sycamore id - for students it is the part before the @sycamores in your email address). After logging in, you can run the <code>pwd</code> command to see this.

Note that there is not currently "finger information" about ISU portal account users. In fact, trying to run something like "finger jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu" will fail. Note that instructors of current courses can get a class list (aka roster) of accounts for their course; see below.

==Local Accounts==
Some users will have accounts on the CS server that are not tied to their ISU portal accounts. For example, CS faculty have local accounts, and a number of users of the server prior to 2025 have local accounts. These are accounts with username and password that were created just on the server (the ability to login to the server with ISU portal credentials was added in 2025). Any new instructor teaching a CS course can ask for a local account if you do not have one already - write to root@cs.indstate.edu.

=Student Use and Course Account=
For courses that are currently being offered, if the course uses the server, a class account is created that the instructor of the course can use if they like. This is explained with two examples: CS 151 Intro to Computer Science, and CS 473/573 Computer Networks.

==Course Account==
An account on the system is created where files for the class can be kept that are to be shared with the students. For CS 151, the account created has username <code>cs151</code>. For CS 473/573, a single account, <code>cs473</code>, is created that is to be used for both courses.

==Student Use==
For students who are currently enrolled in a CS course that uses the server, the first time you login to the system with your ISU portal account, a directory should be created within your account for the course. For example, students in CS 151 will have a directory <code>cs151</code>, and students in CS 473/573 will have a directory <code>cs473</code>.

Permissions are set on the system so that instructors of the course have read access to the files within student's course directories for their courses. The instructor for CS 151 will have read access to the <code>cs151</code> directories of the students enrolled in CS 151; the instructor for CS 473/573 will have read access to the <code>cs473</code> directories of the students enrolled in CS 473/573; etc. The instructor of the course might have the students submit their work on the server within these directories. Each instructor can choose how they would like to do this.

The course account for each course also has read access to the directories for that course. For example, the <code>cs151</code> account will have read access to the <code>cs151</code> directories within any student enrolled in CS 151.

==Course Account - Instructor Private Files==
The course account is created with a <code>~/private</code> directory that is not accessible to other users (i.e., not accessible to students). The class list (aka roster) of students and their accounts is put into this directory (<code>classlist_brief.csv</code> with the most important information for each student, and <code>classlist_full.csv</code> with more information). The instructor could keep other files in this <code>private</code> directory that is meant to be private (e.g., model solutions or grading information).

Inside the <code>~/private/</code> directory of the course account, there is also a <code>students</code> directory that has symbolic links to each of the student's course directories in the course. For example, if the course is cs151, and if the user jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu is a student in the course, then there will be a link <code>/home/cs151/private/students/jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu</code> that is a link to the cs151 directory for this student (<code>/home/jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu/cs151/</code>). The instructor for the course can quickly get into the students' directories for the course (but not their home directory) by going to the private/students/ directory and going from there.

The accounts for the instructors of the course are set so they can sudo as the course account. If the instructor of CS 151 uses the local account <code>jkinne</code> then this user can run the following command to get a shell running as the CS 151 course account: <code>sudo -u cs151 -i</code>
Note that this only works for local accounts, and does not work for ISU Portal accounts (it might work for the jkinne local account but not for the jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu account).

====Change of Semester and Backups====
Before the next semester, a backup copy of each course account will be created that will be in the course's <code>~/private/backup/</code> directory. A directory will be created for the term, and it will have all of the course account's files from that term within it.

Once the backup has been created for the previous term, the instructor for the current semester can remove files and directories that are no longer needed for the new term. For example, you can clear out the assignment directories in the course account's home directory, and also the student submissions that are in <code>~/private/submissions/</code>. Those files will still be in the backup directory in case you need them later.

When the new semester starts (if the course is running in the new semester), the following in the <code>~/private</code> directory will be updated to be for the new term: classlist_brief.csv, classlist_full.csv, students directory (symbolic links to new semester's students).

=Websites / Webservers=
==Apache==
The main cs.indstate.edu website uses the Apache web server. This is configured so that any user can put html and php files in the right directory in their account to be on the web server. Jeff Kinne, who has portal id <code>jkinne</code>, would do the following to create the right directories.
<pre>
cd ~jkinne
mkdir public_html
setfacl -m group:www-data:x .
setfacl -R -m group:www-data:rX public_html
setfacl -R -m default:group:www-data:rX public_html
cd public_html
echo "Hello world" > index.html
</pre>
Then the file index.html will be accessible on the web at https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu. Since the web server is Apache, you can look for help on the Apache web server about configuration options (in particular .htaccess files that you can put in your public_html directory to change some settings). By default, the Apache web server understands html and php files. There may be other types of files you would want it to be able to understand; if so you can write to root@cs.indstate.edu.

==Node, Django, etc.==
Node, Django, and many other web server frameworks can also be run off of the CS server. These generally will pick a port that they will run off of, and you run the main file for your server. Note that the Apache web server uses the "standard" ports (80 for http and 443 for https), so you cannot use those. If you want to run a Node, Django, or similar web server off of the CS server, you need to pick a port that isn't used for anything else. You should never pick a port number that is below 1024 and really should avoid port numbers below 10000. If you want to make sure to pick a port that will not interfere with anything, write to root@cs.indstate.edu

=Assignments=
Any directory within the course account can be used as an assignment. For example, suppose the account <code>cs151</code> contains a directory <code>h7</code>. This directory might have files for the students to use on the assignment; they can view these files by going to the directory <code>/home/cs151/h7/</code>.

A student can "checkout" or "get" an assignment by running
<pre>hw_get.py cs151 h7</pre>
This will copy the <code>h7</code> directory that is in the <code>cs151</code> account into the <code>cs151</code> directory of the user that executes the command.

An instructor can collect an assignment by running the script <code>hw_collect.py</code>. For the above example, the instructor would run: <code>hw_collect.py cs151 h7</code>. This will go into each student in the course's <code>cs151</code> directory and copy their h7 directory into <code>/home/cs151/private/submissions/h7/</code>. There will be a new directory in that submissions directory for the date and time the submissions were collected. For example, if the user jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu is in the cs151 course, then the contents of <code>/home/jdoe12345@isuad.indstate.edu/h7/</code> will be copied into the submission directory (inside of <code>/home/cs151/private/submissions/h7/</code>). The directory <code>/home/cs151/private/submissions/h7/</code> will have a symbolic link <code>latest</code> that is a pointer to the latest submission.

=Spring 2026=
The following is the list of courses that are supported on the server for the fall 2025, along with the instructor accounts (aka admin accounts) for each course.
<pre>
course,admin_accounts
cs151,"jkinne,jeff,jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs170,"hrafieipour@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs201,"majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs203,"namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs211,"mjenkins1@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs351,"rabhyankar@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs331,"namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs401,cs501","majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs401L,"majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs456,cs556","jcompton5,jcompton5@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs456L,"jcompton5,jcompton5@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs457,cs557","kwexoo,kexoo@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs457L,"kwexoo,kexoo@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs458,cs558","namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs458L,"namoako,namoako@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs469,cs569","katterson1,katterson1@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs475,cs575","rabhyankar@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs500,"jkinne,jeff,jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs600,"arash,arafiey@isuad.indstate.edu"
"cs601,cs417","majid,mafsharnoghon@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs609,"katterson1,katterson1@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs611,"rabhyankar@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs618,"shosseini@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs685,"arash,arafiey@isuad.indstate.edu"
cs695,"arash,arafiey@isuad.indstate.edu"
ect438,"jkinne,jeff,jkinne@isuad.indstate.edu"
</pre>
If any course instructors would like any additions, subtractions, or changes to these, let the sys-admin know.

Jeff Kinne Course Policies

2026-02-17T14:40:11Z

Jkinne: /* Course Policies Quiz */

=Jeff Kinne Course Policies=
Note that many of my course policies are changing for the 2025-2026 academic year. In particular, I will be trying out allowing the use of AI on assignments, but then also focusing a much higher percentage of points on exams and interviews / demonstrations.

To see what my course policies were previously, see [[Jeff Kinne Course Policies 2024]].
==Summary==
* '''Assignments''' - frequent, required header section with citations (0 credit if missing), allowed to use AI or work together (but you will not be prepared for exams if you don't do your own work), graded pass/fail for participation (but with some comments on your code/solutions). I will go through my solutions soon after the assignment is due (many times, the next lecture day). The focus is on you learning quickly; the focus is not the grades.
* '''Exams''' - every 3 weeks, on paper for face to face students, lockdown browser with follow-up interview for distance students, very much based on assignments (so if you understand how to do the assignments, you should do well).
* '''Code review / demo''' - at least every few weeks, maybe more frequent - will be based on submitted assignments and will explain to the class and/or during office hours. You will do well if you can do the assignments on your own.
* '''Project''' - at least one per semester, multiple check points, required header section with citations (0 credit if missing), graded based on code review / demo. The goal is to do something "real", interesting, and/or exciting, and have something you can use in your portfolio (i.e., github).
* '''Academic misconduct''' - leaving out a citation from assignment or project, using anything not allowed on exams (not allowed to use anything other than paper/pencil on the exams). Penalty - F for the course and academic misconduct form filed.
* '''AI''' - allowed for assignments and projects, you will get 0 points for code review/demo if you don't actually understand what you are handing in. Some assignments may require using AI, learning using AI, finding and fixing problems with AI solutions. The goal is to learn to use AI responsibly and see potential pitfalls.
* '''Total course grade''' - will be 60% exams, 30% code review/demos, 10% participation (assignments marked pass/fail). The goal is to assign a grade based on what you can do on your own (fine to learn using AI or others, but the grade should be what you can do on your own after all of that). (Note: for ECT 437/438, the breakdown is different - 50% code review/demos, 50% participation.)
* '''400/500 level courses''' - courses that are offered as a combined section with a 400 level for undergraduates and a 500 level for graduates (e.g., CS 473 and CS 573) will have some learning outcomes that are required for graduate students that are not required for undergraduates.

Note - all CS [[Policies]] are in effect.

More details are in the rest of this page.

==400/500 Level Courses==
For courses that are offered simultaneously at the 400 and 500 level (e.g., CS 473 and CS 573), the course is normally managed as a single course. The 400 level course is for undergraduates, and the 500 level course is for graduate students.

Note that graduate students who previously took the 400 level version should NOT take the corresponding 500 level version because in this case the 500 level course does NOT count as credits towards graduating.

For 400/500 level courses, the course is supposed to have some content/learning outcomes/assignments/etc. that are for the graduate students and not required for the undergraduate students. The course syllabus will indicate course learning outcomes that are for the graduate students. These outcomes will be assessed by having some assignments (or parts of assignments) that are required for graduate students and not for undergraduates (undergraduates might be able to complete them for extra credit).

==Attendance==
I will record attendance (a count of how many lectures you were present and on time for). This does not count towards the grade, but it does give me information about who is at least showing up. You are supposed to attend lecture. For online students who have a conflict with the lecture time, I will count attendance based on you send a message or email after watching the lecture whether you have any questions or not.

==AI Learning Unit==
I plan to take one unit of material and have us do a test to compare learning the material using lecture versus using AI. The basic plan will be to split the class in half; half of the class participates in lectures like normal; half of the class interacts with AI rather than participating in lecture (for an equal amount of time). I will make to catch people up from both sections after we do the test period. Why will we do this? We should be trying to figure out what types of learning might be improved by using AI more, so this will give us some information about this.

==Grades==
Your overall course grade will be computed as: exams 60%, participation 10%, demonstrations/interviews 30%. (Note: for ECT 437/438, the breakdown is different - 50% code review/demos, 50% participation, with no exams.)

'''Exams''' - These will be roughly every 3 weeks (4 exams during the term plus 1 final exam). Each exam will normally be worth a little bit more than the previous one. The lowest exam score (but not the final exam) will be dropped. There will be no makeup exams; if you miss an exam, then that is your dropped exam. Online students will take the exam at the same time as the rest of the class, in a lockdown browser, and will schedule an interview followup soon after the exam to confirm that this was your own work. For all students (online and face to face), for exams you are not allowed to use anything except yourself - no internet, phone, calculator, AI, communicating with other people, etc.

'''Participation''' - There will be frequent assignments. For most assignments, they will be graded strictly pass/fail based on whether you made some reasonable attempt to complete the assignment. Late work will not be accepted. My solutions will be shared with the class soon after the due date. The goal is to have frequent assignments that you do your best on, and then see my solutions so that you can more quickly learn. I will not do detailed grading on these assignments so that more of our time is spent working new problems than focusing too much on grading them. After you see my solution to a problem, you should go back to your work after class and fix your work so it is also correct.

'''Demonstrations/interviews/projects''' - Some assignments will be to demonstrate your code/solutions to the class. For some assignments, I will interview you to confirm your solutions. Some assignments will be to work on a project that is more open-ended or in-depth (and that will have a demo or interview). These are all things that give you practice on soft skills, and also allow me to confirm your understanding. You will be graded based on the understanding that is demonstrated during the demo/interview.

For each of the above categories, the total grade for that category will just be the sum of all the points in that category.

==Assignments==

===Attribution and Comments===
For all assignments that are handed in (this includes assignments, projects, or anything else that you submit for the course), you are required to have at the top of the submission a summary that includes the following elements.

* Author: your name
* Contents: what is this file for (e.g., hw 1 cs 500)
* Date: date handed in
* Summary: summary of a sentence or few - what does the program do or what is the file about, what changes did you make, etc.
* Attributions: list of sources you used. If you used AI you need to list the prompts you used, which AI was used, and if possible a link back to the AI's responses. If you discussed with anyone, list their names and the amount of discussion. If anyone looked at your code, you need to list that. If you copy/pasted code from anywhere, you need to indicate that and give a link to where you got it from. If you started with a file from class, you list that as well. If you have no attributions to list, then just put "none".

'''Missing''' - if this summary is missing, you get a 0 for the assignment.

'''Inaccurate attribution''' - if you give an inaccurate attribution (failing to cite that you used AI, failure to indicate that you talked with someone or showed someone your code, etc.), this is academic misconduct.

'''Very limited effort''' - if I determine that you put forth very little effort on any assignment, you will get a 0 for the assignment. For example, if all you did was ask an AI for the answer and then provide the AI's response. Or, if all you did was copy code from the internet or another student.

==Schedule==
The default schedule for my courses is the following.

* Exams - every third week on Wednesdays. Online students take the exam at the same time as the face to face students, and should schedule a 15 minute online meeting with me for the same day as the exam at a time that is after the exam.
* Assignments - most weeks there will be multiple assignments that are graded for participation. Normally, the recommended due date is the next lecture, and my solution will be shared at the beginning of the next lecture.
* Demonstrations - we will normally have around 10 minutes per lecture that is allocated for demonstrations. Depending on the number of students in the course, each student should expect to give a demo to the class roughly every few weeks.
* Interviews - these will be conducted during office hours. These may be about once/week if I have enough time for that. Interviews for assignments will be short (5-10 minutes).
* Projects - there will normally be one or two projects per course. They will normally have multiple check points that are graded. For each check point you will meet with me for a code review.

==Exam Content==
Most exams will be over just the content from that period in the course. So they are cumulative only in so far as earlier content is still needed for doing the later content in the course. The final exam will be cumulative.

Exam questions will be similar to those that were given as assignments in the class. Some questions will be identical to what was given as an assignment. Some questions will be an extension/modification of an assignment. Those who do what you are supposed to on the assignments (do them on your own as much as possible, only go to AI or others for help after you have struggled on your own, really understand the model solutions) should do well on the exams.

There will normally be a few exam questions that are a challenge even for the top students in the class. There will normally be a few questions that are easy even for the bottom students in the class. The goal is to have a broad range of scores so that the exam accurately measures your skills/knowledge.

The final exam is normally cumulative.

==Academic Misconduct==
What is considered academic misconduct in this course -
* Assignments/projects - '''lack of citation'''. All assignments and projects require to have a header section that includes citations to anything used (AI, internet sites, etc.) or anyone you discussed the assignment with. If this section is missing, the assignment is worth 0 points. If the citation section is present but is not accurate (i.e., you leave out a source that you used), '''that is academic misconduct'''.
* Quiz/exam - '''using anything that is not allowed'''. For quizzes/exams, you are not allowed to use anything except pen/pencil and paper. No calculators, no phones, no notes, no internet, no AI, no communicating with other people. '''Using any of these is academic misconduct.'''
* Quiz/exam - distance students will take the quiz/exam in a lockdown browser and otherwise have the same rules (no internet, no notes, etc.). Distance students are not allowed to take the quiz/exam on the same computer as another student in the course; '''doing so would be academic misconduct'''.

Penalty for academic misconduct -
* F for the course. This is a 0 tolerance policy. You do not get a second chance, the penalty is F for the course.
* Report is filed for academic misconduct (see [https://sycamoresindstate.sharepoint.com/sites/STU-StudentSupportandAccountability Student Support and Accountability]) violation (link to file report is https://cm.maxient.com/reporting.php?IndianaStateUniv and then select Academic Misconduct).

==Grading Programs and Problems==
* '''Programs''': sometimes will be given scores for correctness, style, and being safe/secure code. By default, 1/2 of the points are for correctness, 1/4 for style, 1/4 for being safe/secure. Sometimes only the correctness will be graded. For programming style, see [[Programming Style - Generic]]. For safe/secure code, see [[Programming safe and secure code - generic]].
* '''Math/proofs/essays''': sometimes will be given scores for correctness and style. By default, 2/3 of the points are for correctness and 1/3 for style. Points are subtracted for any statement that you include that is false - so you should avoid a brain dump of every thought that you have because I will take off for things that you say that are not correct. For style in writing math/proofs/essay responses, see [[CS Writing Style - Generic]].

==Complaints or Questions==
If you have any complaints or questions about anything in a course, you should always communicate with the instructor first. If you skip communicating with the instructor and go straight to complaining to someone else (your advisor, the department chairperson, the dean, the university president, etc.), they will generally tell you that you need to talk to the instructor first.

==Course Announcements==
Announcements regarding the course will be made both during class and in Canvas. You should make sure your settings are such that you will be notified of these announcements (e.g., by email). You should regularly check your ISU email account or have it forwarded to an account that you check regularly. You can set the account to forward by logging into your indstate.edu email online (if you aren't able to find the option, try a different browser or search online for things like - outlook online forward email setting).

==Classroom Conduct==
You may not use cell phones, iPods/music players, etc. during class. You should be civil and respectful to both the instructor and your classmates, and you should arrive to class a few minutes before the scheduled lecture so you are ready for lecture to begin on time. You may use your computer during class if you are using it to follow along with the examples that are being discussed. You should avoid spending time on email, Facebook, work on other courses, etc. during the lecture for this class (be fully present wherever you are, make the most of each experience).

==Office hours==
You can contact me by email or Teams or come to my office during the hours I am normally there. If you want to be sure I am there you can sign up for an appointment. Note that I normally am available for online meetings SMTWR 8-10pm as well. If you would like to meet in person you should reserve an appointment using http://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting to reserve an in person meeting with Jeff Kinne. I am normally in my office during my listed office hours, but by making an appointment you can be more certain.

==Canvas==
The course has a canvas site. Click https://indstate.instructure.com/ to go to canvas. You should see this course listed under your courses for the current term. If you don't you may need to click on the Courses icon and then click the "All courses" link. The canvas site is used for giving you your grades, for quizzes/exams, for getting to online lectures (which are done using Teams), and for posting announcements.

==Online Lectures (using Teams) ==
Here at ISU section numbers starting with the number 3 (e.g.3xx: 301, 302, etc.) are generally online sections. There are 2 types of online sections, synchronous online and asynchronous online. Sections that are synchronous should be joined at the regularly scheduled time of the course, whereas sections that are asynchronous generally keep up with the material independently without regularly scheduled meetings. In general async sections are more difficult to stay on top of, and require a great deal of self-discipline (it is much easier to think "I can watch the videos tomorrow" and just get behind). So if you are in one of these sections make sure you get off to a strong start, and ask for help sooner rather than later. If you are in an online section, check your course schedule for course meeting times; if you have a meeting time, then your section is synchronous, otherwise it is asynchronous (or there is an error in the system).

You will get to the online lectures for this course by going to Canvas, select this course, click Microsoft Education on the left, and click on Meetings. You should see the schedule of lectures under the "Upcoming" heading; click on the "Recordings" to see videos/lectures that have been recorded. Note that the lectures are recorded and only available to those in our class. Recorded lectures normally appear later the same day as the lecture.

==Participating online==
If you are participating online, you are expected to either join lectures live through Teams or watch the recordings once they are available. You will complete assignments, quizzes, and exams on the same schedule as the rest of the class. For most of my courses, you can join the lecture live at the same time as the face to face students (as long as you don't have a time conflict). If you do this, then you can ask questions during lecture. Or, if you choose to watch the lecture recordings (so you can pause as needed, or watch at 1.5x or 2x), then you should send me questions you have before the next scheduled lecture.

Note that exams are required to be taken at the same time as the face to face students. These dates and times are given near the top of the syllabus.

For attendance when you are not in the room... If joining by Teams, you should post a comment in the chat to say if you have any questions about the current assignments, reading, the last lecture, etc. If watching the lecture later, you should watch it before the next lecture and send me a message by Teams or email saying if you have any questions or want any more examples about a particular topic. So, if not in the room, you should participate at least as much as "no questions from me right now".

==Course Policies Quiz==
The following is a quiz over Jeff Kinne's course policies: [https://indstate.instructure.com/courses/12565/quizzes/290624 sample quiz]. The link is to a practice quiz that you can try out. Those enrolled in the course need to take the quiz within the course for it to count. For Jeff Kinne's courses, you are required to score a 100% on this quiz within the first week of classes in order to continue in the course. Note that you will be able to take the quiz multiple times. If you choose not to score 100% on this quiz you should drop the course.

Alumni

2026-02-13T17:25:00Z

Jkinne: /* Indiana & Vicinity */

Where ISU CS Alumni have ended up, in alphabetical order by location ... If you are an ISU CS alumnus and don't see your current place of employment listed please get in touch with the a CS faculty member.

=Corporate/Government=

==Terre Haute area==
City Government of Terre Haute, Clabber Girl, Hopebridge, Indiana State University, Infraware Inc., North American Lighting, Police Technical LLC, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Vigo County Public Library

==Indianapolis Area==
Allegion, Anthem, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, Clarian Health Partners, Community Health Network, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Dow AgroSciences, Eli Lilly and Company, GyanSys, Ernst and Young, Exacq Technologies, Heritage Group, Indiana Health Information Exchange, Indiana State Government, Indianapolis Power & Light Company, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Infosys, Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives, Interactive Intelligence / Genesys, IU Health Riley's Childrens Hospital, Knowledge Services, Liberty Mutual, LifeOmic, MicroMetl Corporation, myCOI, PAR North America, Pondurance, Protective Insurance, ProTrans Development, Raytheon, Republic Airways, Rolls Royce, Ryan Consulting Group, Salesforce, T2 Systems, Van Ausdall & Farrar, Wishard Health Services

==Indiana & Vicinity==
AIM Specialty Health, AllScripts, Aon, Aprimo, Ascension Technologies, Aunalytics, Bioanalytical Systems Inc., Cummins, Engineering Computer Network - Purdue University, FireEye, Five-Star Technology Solutions, Good Samaritan Hospital (Vincennes), Health Alliance, High Wire Networks, Hinge Health, iGenMedia, Keller Schroeder, Kimball International, Mead Johnson, Midrange Professionals Inc., NAP Gladu, Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane Division, Northern Illinois University, Pringle Technologies Inc., Purdue University, Rally Health, Rediminds, RLI Corp, SCHOTT Gemtron, Sherwin Williams, State Farm Insurance, TrueScripts Management Services, Turnkey Computer Systems, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USRRB, Vincennes University, Zirmed

==US==
4C Insights, Accenture, Aeronautical Radio Incorporated (ARINC), AirWatch, Amazon, AMD, American Society of Composers and Publishers, Apple, Astra Inc., AU Optronics, Bank of America, Blackboard, Boston Scientific, Budweiser, CACI, Cap Gemini S.A., Caterpillar, CenturyLink, Cisco, Cogent Infotech, Columbia Sports, Dell, Department of Defense, DigitalOcean, Egiants Technologies, Epic Systems, Euclid Elementz, Foxconn, GalaxE Solutions, Geico, Georgia-Pacific LLC, GlobalFoundries, Gogo Business Aviation, Google, Halliburton, Hewlett-Packard, Internet Brands, Intuitive Machines, ITHAKA, JPMorgan Chase, Kovarus Professional Services, Lawrence Livermore National laboratory, Lockheed-Martin, Los Alamos National Labs, Maine Department of Education, MAQ Software, Miami University, Microsoft, National Security Agency, Northrop Grumman, Ohio Department of Commerce, Oracle, Principal Financial Group, Proofpoint, Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union, Sally Beauty Holdings, Red Hat Software, Sprint, Starbucks Corp, State of Alabama CARES, SWM International, Travelers Insurance, Sallie Mae, The George Washington University, Thomson Reuters, TracFone Wireless Inc., United Healthcare, United States Air Force, United States Army, University of Texas at Dallas, Veritas, Verizon, Veterans Health Administration, Visa, VRBO, Walmart eCommerce, Walt Disney, Wells Fargo

==International==
Academia Sinica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dar Al-Hekma University, Majmaah University, Petronas ICT Sdn Bhd, Phonon Communications Pvt Ltd, Sadara Chemical Company, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Electricity, Savola Group, SFDA, Tata Consultancy Services, Universiti Sains Malaysia

=PhD Programs=
Some of the universities where our graduates have had offers of assistantships for PhD programs -
University of Arizona, University of California-Merced, University of California-Riverside, Emory University, Georgia University, Indiana University Bloomington, University of Louisville, University of Massachusetts-Boston, University of Miami, University of Pittsburgh, Queen's University (Ontario), Simon Fraser University, University of Maine, Syracuse University, University of Texas-Dallas, University of Utah, Virginia Tech

ISU CS People

2026-02-10T19:12:34Z

Jkinne: /* CS Departmental Graduate Assistants */

See below for contact information for faculty and staff. The following are who you should contact, depending on what you need.
* Undergraduate advising, admissions, transfer credit - Jeff Kinne
* Graduate advising and admissions - R.B. Abhyankar or Arash Rafiey
* Graduate transfer credit - R.B. Abhyankar
* Course overrides - check with the instructor of the course and they should pass along the request to the chairperson and administrative assistant
* Server accounts/issues - CS system administrator

Students - make sure to include your ISU id # when asking about courses and advising.

== Administrative/Departmental Staff ==
'''Administrative Assistant''' 
Terri May 
[mailto:Terri.May@indstate.edu Terri.May@indstate.edu], 812-237-3456 
Myers Technology Center, <s>301</s> 219A for spring/summer 2026 
BS from St. Mary of the Woods 
----
'''Chairperson''' 
Alister McLeod - Professor 
[mailto:Alister.McLeod@indstate.edu Alister.McLeod@indstate.edu],
812-237-3455 
Myers Technology Center, <s>301B</s> 216A for spring/summer 2026 
----
'''CS System Administrator''' 
Jeff Kinne - Professor 
[mailto:jkinne@indstate.edu jkinne@indstate.edu],
812-237-3394,
Myers Technology Center, 301D 

== Faculty ==
=== Full Time ===
Arash Rafiey - Associate Professor 
[mailto:Arash.Rafiey@indstate.edu Arash.Rafiey@indstate.edu],
812-237-5475 
<s>Myers Technology Center, 301</s>
Root Hall, A-181 for spring/summer 2026 
PhD from Royal Holloway, University of London,
[http://cs.indstate.edu/~arash/index.html website]
----
Jeff Kinne - Professor 
[mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu],
812-237-3394 
<s>Myers Technology Center, 301D</s>
Root Hall, A-165 for spring/summer 2026 
Office hours: TBA 
PhD from University of Wisconsin-Madison,
[http://www.kinnejeff.com website],
[https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting Schedule meeting]
----
Majid Afshar - Assistant Professor 
<s>Myers Technology Center, 301E</s>
Root Hall A-180 for spring/summer 2026 
PhD from Memorial University 
[http://cs.indstate.edu/~majid/index.html website] 
[mailto:Majid.AfsharNoghondari@indstate.edu Majid.AfsharNoghondari@indstate.edu] 
----
R.B. Abhyankar - Associate Professor 
[mailto:R.B.Abhyankar@indstate.edu R.B.Abhyankar@indstate.edu],
812-237-5421 
<s>Myers Technology Center, 301</s>Root Hall A-182 for spring/summer 2026 
PhD from Purdue University
----
'''Previous full time faculty''' - Luke May, Truong Son Hy, Laci Egri
----

=== Part Time ===
Nathan Awuku Amoako - Lecturer 
[mailto:Nathan.AwukuAmoako@indstate.edu Nathan.AwukuAmoako@indstate.edu] 
MS from Indiana State University
 
----
[https://indianastate.edu/profile/kyle-atterson Kyle Atterson] - Lecturer 
[mailto:Kyle.Atterson@indstate.edu Kyle.Atterson@indstate.edu] 
MS from Indiana State University
 
----
[https://www.indstate.edu/faculty-staff/john-compton John Compton] - Lecturer 
[mailto:John.Compton@indstate.edu John.Compton@indstate.edu] 
MS from Indiana State University
 
----
Kevin Exoo - Lecturer 
[mailto:Kevin.Exoo@indstate.edu Kevin.Exoo@indstate.edu] 
email address coming soon 
MS from Indiana State University
 
[mailto:Matt.Jenkins@indstate.edu Matt.Jenkins@indstate.edu] 
MS from Indiana State University
 
----
[https://indianastate.edu/profile/mohammad-noureddine Mohammad Noureddine] - Lecturer 
[mailto:Mohammad.Noureddine@indstate.edu Mohammad.Noureddine@indstate.edu]
 
----
[https://indianastate.edu/profile/hoda-rafieipour Hoda Rafieipour] - Lecturer 
[mailto:Hoda.Rafieipour@indstate.edu Hoda.Rafieipour@indstate.edu]
 
----
'''Previous Part Time''' - Maira Javaid, Kamalamalini Nagasundaram, Xavier Saunders, Shahab Shamshirband, Kul Prasad Subedi, Devon Kinne, Chelsy Schnabel, Aaron Cox, Gage Golish, Tevis Boulware, Troy Schotter
----

=== Emeritus ===
Steve Baker - Instructor and Lab/Server Coordinator 
MS from Indiana State University 
[https://cs.indstate.edu/~sbaker/ cs website], [http://oldmanprogrammer.net/ oldmanprogrammer.net]
 
----
Geoff Exoo - Professor Emeritus 
PhD from University of Michigan 
[http://ginger.indstate.edu/ge/ website]
 
----
Dave Hutchison - Associate Professor Emeritus 
PhD from University of Kansas
 
----
Rob Sternfeld - Associate Professor Emeritus 
PhD from University of Wisconsin-Madison
 
----

== Students ==
=== CS Departmental Graduate Assistants ===
David Lakes - Graduate Assistant 
[mailto:dlakes1@sycamores.indstate.edu dlakes1@sycamores.indstate.edu] 
Office hours (online): TBD 
----
Tristian Lynch - Graduate Assistant 
[mailto:tlynch7@sycamores.indstate.edu tlynch7@sycamores.indstate.edu] 
Office hours: TBD 
Office hours (online): TBD 
----
Rohit Maharjan - Graduate Assistant 
[mailto:rmaharjan@sycamores.indstate.edu rmaharjan@sycamores.indstate.edu] 
Office hours: TBD and online (message him on Teams) 
Office hours (online only, message him on Teams): TBD
----
James Roberts - Graduate Assistant 
[mailto:jroberts79@sycamores.indstate.edu jroberts79@sycamores.indstate.edu] 
Office hours: TBD and online (message him on Teams) 
Office hours (online only, message him on Teams): TBD

----
 
'''Past GAs''' - Isaiah Bartlett, Nathan Awuku Amoako, Anvesh Khetavath, Ganesh Channamsetti, Ben Johnson, Mo Sorkhpar, Nirmal Babu, Nithin Gaddameedi, Dasarath Sridhar, Naga Tadiboina, Zach Noble, John Compton, Erin Tooley, Nutan Nara, Krupali Parmar, Akit Kumar, Kevin Exoo, Tyler Jenkins, Sana Ebrahimi, Ashwin Murali, Gage Golish, Adam Davenport, Xavier Saunders, Thiago Santos, Rahul Kumar, Dhananjaya Vasipalli, Deepti Vaidya, Anas Mansouri, Monika Ancha, Lavanya Maganti, Andy Carrillo, Aaron Cox, Fatemeh Hadinezhad, Sharath Raini, Ali Salman
----

=== CS Departmental Undergraduate Assistants ===

----
'''Past undergraduate assistants''' - Isaiah Bartlett, Tara Hoffman, Dawn (Erika) Youngdahl, Andrew Williamson, Calee Fulling, Gage Golish, Ali Salman
----

=== CS Graduate Assistants in Other Offices ===
Sai Mahitha Balijepalli - Graduate Assistant (Developmental Math) 
[mailto:sbalijepalli@sycamores.indstate.edu sbalijepalli@sycamores.indstate.edu] 
----
Gopiram Gunturu - Graduate Assistant (ECET Department) 
[mailto:ggunturu@sycamores.indstate.edu ggunturu@sycamores.indstate.edu]
----
'''Past GAs''' -
Khan Maazin (Teaching and Learning, BCoE), Virali Munshi (Developmental Math), Sumit Singh (Office of the Registrar), Venkata Yasodhara Sai Samraj Sudanagunta (Office of Information Technology), Naga Tadiboina (Tech Management PhD Program, Bailey College of Engineering and Technology), Dwayne Tally (BD4ISU), Gaurang Pai Palondicar (Built Environment), Aman Anand (Developmental Math), Santhoshi Neeraja Poreddy, Meghna Reddy Billa, Nithin Gaddameedi, Gowthami Arekatla, Esdras Simervil, Shravani Bommisetty, Akit Kumar, Muhammad Hashmi, Kevin Exoo, Gaurav Kushwaha (Residential Life IT), Zheyun Feng (TCGA), Neha Swarup (TCGA), Aditi Kulkarni (CGE), Daniel Zakka, Kartheeka Pothumarthi, Ashwini Maregowd, Ravi Chandra Veeramachane, Chithkala Basavaraj (Communications and Marketing), Abhijit Chintagunta (TCGA), Rahul Kumar Dass (TCGA), Bhagyashri Dhome, Siva Dharman Naidu (Institutional Research), Rishav Raj, Abdul Parray, Yichuan Wang
----

=== CS Unix Lab Volunteers ===
----
'''Past Lab Volunteers''' - Beixi Hao, Nathaniel Devine, Xinqing Dai, John Bontjes
----

Science Bowl

2026-02-08T21:42:46Z

Jkinne: /* Historical Results */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

=Start Here=

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

'''2026 Packet of information that is printed for volunteers/teams/etc. - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/packet%20for%20parents%202026.pdf packet for 2026]'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2026, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 7, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in the main first floor hall of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2026: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Creekside, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Mason
* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''' (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals)
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 13th at nationals)
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt designs/colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg 2026 jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg 2025 yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg 2024 purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png 2023 red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png 2022 orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png 2021 grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png 2021 navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-08T21:33:54Z

Jkinne: /* Historical Results */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

=Start Here=

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

'''2026 Packet of information that is printed for volunteers/teams/etc. - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/packet%20for%20parents%202026.pdf packet for 2026]'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2026, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 7, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in the main first floor hall of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2026: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Creekside, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Mason
* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''' (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals)
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 13th at nationals)
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-06T02:59:22Z

Jkinne: /* Contact */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

=Start Here=

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

'''2026 Packet of information that is printed for volunteers/teams/etc. - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/packet%20for%20parents%202026.pdf packet for 2026]'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2026, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 7, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in the main first floor hall of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''' (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals)
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 13th at nationals)
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-06T02:59:01Z

Jkinne: /* Contact */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

'''2026 Packet of information that is printed for volunteers/teams/etc. - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/packet%20for%20parents%202026.pdf packet for 2026]'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2026, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 7, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in the main first floor hall of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''' (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals)
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 13th at nationals)
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-05T18:47:38Z

Jkinne: /* Detailed Schedule and Results */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2026, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 7, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in the main first floor hall of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''' (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals)
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 13th at nationals)
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-05T18:47:03Z

Jkinne: /* Date and Time */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2026, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 7, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in the main first floor hall of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''' (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals)
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 13th at nationals)
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-03T02:23:47Z

Jkinne: /* Historical Results */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2025, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 8, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in room A-011 in the basement of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''' (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals)
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 13th at nationals)
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-03T02:20:36Z

Jkinne: /* Historical Results */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2025, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 8, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in room A-011 in the basement of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''' (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals)
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School'''
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-03T02:01:54Z

Jkinne: /* Historical Results */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2025, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 8, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in room A-011 in the basement of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''' (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School'''
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-03T02:00:02Z

Jkinne: /* Historical Results */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2025, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 8, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in room A-011 in the basement of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''' (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''', Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School'''
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-03T01:56:54Z

Jkinne: /* Historical Results */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2025, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 8, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in room A-011 in the basement of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''' (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''', Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''', Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School'''
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-02T19:35:19Z

Jkinne: /* Historical Results */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2025, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 8, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in room A-011 in the basement of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''', Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''', Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School'''
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-02T14:38:34Z

Jkinne: /* Historical Results */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2025, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 8, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in room A-011 in the basement of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''', Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''', Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School'''
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-02T14:31:00Z

Jkinne: /* Historical Results */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2025, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 8, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in room A-011 in the basement of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''', Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''', Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''', Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School'''
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-02-02T14:27:13Z

Jkinne: /* Historical Results */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2025, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 8, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in room A-011 in the basement of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''', Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''', Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''', Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''', Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School'''
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Procedures

2026-02-02T13:48:46Z

Jkinne: /* 3 Week Attendance */

=For Faculty and GAs=
The items in this section are related to managing courses, etc. for faculty and GAs. For CS faculty and administrative assistant, the following is the link to the shared OneDriver folder with files related to CS students and faculty: [https://cs.indstate.edu/CS-files CS Files OneDrive Folder]

==Entering Grades and Attendance==
Note that the deadlines for entering grades and attendance are '''hard''' deadlines. It is not possible to submit these late. You 100% need to have these done on time, since this is very important to the administration (for purposes of federal reporting, etc.).

===3 Week Attendance===
The instructor of record is required to enter 3 week attendance to the university. You get to this by doing -
* ISU portal, then Faculty Self Service, then Reporting Services, then Attendance Reporting, then select the term, then select each course.
* If it is showing the wrong term, then click on Attendance Reporting Worksheet at the bottom, then click on Select Term, and select the correct term, and then go back to click on Attendance Reporting again from the Faculty Self Service.

You enter "Attended" if the student has participated in any way in the course. The fastest way to do this is to select Attended for everyone by repeatedly typing "tab tab a, tab tab a, tab tab a, ..." and then going back to change any that never attended.

For students who have dropped the course, they do not show up in the gradebook in Canvas, but they do show up under People. So, in Canvas, click on People on the left hand side, and then click on the student. If you do not see People as an option on the left, then go to the Settings for the course, and Navigation, and set People so you can see it.

This must normally be done during the 4th week of classes and by 4pm on the Friday of the 4th week. It is not possible to submit attendance after that time, so this is a hard deadline.

===Interim Grades===
Interim grades are entered in a similar way to attendance. This is after the 6th week of class, and is only for undergraduate courses. You can decide how exactly you will calculate the interim grades, you just need to let the students know. It is good if it is a best guess of what their grade would be in the term ended now, but this is not required.

===Final Grades===
Final grades are entered in a similar way to attendance. These are due by noon on the Tuesday after final exams.

==Graduate Admissions==
===Entering Decisions===
Entering admissions decisions (for faculty member in charge of this). Note that you will need to choose an advisor for the student and need that advisor's id #. Note also that you need to know the student's undergraduate GPA.
* Start at: https://apply.indstate.edu/manage/
* Hover over icon that looks like a document with a bell, click on Slate Reader.
* Click on Queue on the left, select the applicant you want to put a decision for.
* Once that person is selected, click on "Review Form / Send to Bin" in the bottom right.
* Put in the decision and click through the form. Note that after you have entered the decision, you won't see this applicant in Slate anymore.

===Applicant Data===
* Undergraduate GPA - can be found in Banner with SHATERM (for those who went to ISU as an undergrad) or SOAPCOQ (for those who were undergrads at a different university).
* General application information - Banner screen SAAADMS.

==GAs - Administrative Things ==
'''Kronos''' -
GA time should be reported in Kronos. There is information about how to do this in the grad school's GA orientation. The departmental staff person who signs off on your time is [https://www.indstate.edu/faculty-staff/jessica-markle Jessica Markle]. You should normally report 20 hours worked, and make sure this is entered by Friday morning by the end of the 2 week pay period. You should put a repeating calendar reminder for yourself so you will remember to do this on time.

'''Picture''' -
A picture of you will be posted to [[ISU CS People]] and posted in the lab. If you want something other than your ISU id photo used, send it to the CS faculty member who is managing the ISU CS People page.

'''Zoom Lab Hour''' -
For your lab hours, you will have Zoom running so that people can come online for help as well. You need to create a Zoom meeting with your ISU zoom account and set it so it is only open to ISU zoom accounts. Test the link with someone else to make sure it works, and then send the zoom id the the faculty member supervising the GAs.

'''Lab hours''' -
Send to the CS faculty member supervising the GAs your preferred hours (e.g., mostly afternoon, or give specifics) and hours you ''cannot'' do (e.g., classes, or recurring appointments).

'''Programming languages and operating systems''' -
Send to the CS faculty member managing the CS wiki which programming languages you can help students with (should include at least C and python since those are covered in your first term in the CS MS), and which operating systems you can help students with (should at least include the OS of your own personal computer(s)).

==FERPA==
All graduate assistants and faculty members are required to be informed about FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and agree to abide by it. This basically entails keeping all information about students (their grades, which courses they are in, etc.) private and not disclosing to anyone else (e.g., including their family members, unless the student has followed the process to grant anyone else access).

To indicate your agreement, do the following: ISU portal / Employee self service / FERPA Acknowledgement, and then click the check box that you agree and Submit.

==Course Setup, Jeff Kinne==
Some notes on how Jeff Kinne sets up his most of his courses...
* Merge sections: If there are multiple sections of the course, merge them in Canvas (see https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/Procedures#Canvas_-_Merge.2FCombine_Sections).
* Syllabus: Use whatever you like (document, webpage, CS wiki) to make the syllabus. You either upload it into Canvas, or put a link in Canvas to the syllabus. You can use someone else's previous syllabus as a starting point (so it contains all of the required items in it).
* Zoom lectures: In Canvas, make a module called "Zoom for lectures", and add the Zoom tool in the module (see https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/Procedures#Canvas_-_Setting_up_Zoom). Click into the zoom module, and schedule a zoom meeting that is the regular days and times of the lecture. When you do a lecture, open the zoom meeting through Canvas, share your screen (or turn on video if using a document camera/webcam to show the board or notes on paper, but don't do both share screen and video [because one or the other becomes too small to see in the recording]), and record to the cloud. Recordings to the cloud will show up as "Cloud recordings" in the zoom tool in the course after some amount of time (normally within 15-45 minutes), and you need to go into the Cloud recordings and click a button to publish the recording. Once you do this, students can go here to watch the recording.
* Drawing: In the CS classrooms, there are drawing tablets that can be used to draw on the screen.
* Powerpoint notes: Start a new powerpoint presentation for each week of the class, named "Week __ - main topic" (e.g., Week 1 - Linux and Python getting started). Share your screen, and the powerpoint slides are what everyone sees. In the presentation for the week, put more details on announcements as needed. Use the presentation as the "board" for the lecture. You can type as you would write on the board. You can use the drawing tablet to draw (click on Draw at the top) things (e.g., math, data structures, whatever you would draw on a board). You can also put hints on assignments, solutions to assignments, anything that would go on the board. Try to keep the presentation notes organized with headings that make sense.
* Announcements: Each day there is a lecture, make a new announcement entry for the day in Canvas (e.g., Jan 13 class) with bullet points of announcements (upcoming assignments, things that have been graded recently, brief description of what the lecture plan is for the day, anything else that is important to keep in mind). Set the date for the announcement in the future if you want to type in notes that aren't available to the students yet, and then clear the date once class is over so students will be able to see the announcement (and probably get an email with the announcement, depending on their settings).
* Class documents: Make a OneDrive folder that you will put files into for the class. Keep the powerpoint slides here, and any other files you might want to share with the students. Make settings so the folder has read access for anyone at ISU and publish the link in the syllabus, so students can get back to these files if they want to.
* Programming assignments: Either use the handin system on the CS server for assignments (see [[Handin]] and https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/Procedures#Handin_and_Class_accounts), or you can make the assignments in Canvas and have them turn in the assignments there (you can download a zip of all of the submitted files from all of the students).
* Math-ish assignments: Have them handed in with Canvas (so you don't have to deal with papers). Note that for most file types that they would hand in, you can highlight/draw on/make comments on their submitted files (may be easier/faster than typing in comments).
* Grading: All items that have grades should be in Canvas. You can use something else to have the assignment details, but the grades should be put into Canvas. After grading something, update the assignment information in Canvas to have some notes on what you took off for (e.g., -1 for no name in file, -10 program doesn't run, etc.). Canvas does not give a lot of options in how to calculate final grades. You can have grade categories that get a certain percentage of the total (e.g., Exams worth 50%), and that's it. Within a grade category it just adds up the total points, so you have to pick the number of points for assignments, quizzes, etc. so that the breakdown is about right.
* CS server accounts: See [[CS Accounts and CS Lab Computers]].
* Quizzes and exams: See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/Jeff_Kinne_Course_Policies#Quizzes
* Attendance: I don't take attendance or count it for anything. For attendance reporting, I use the last activity in the course in Cavnas as the date of last attendance.

==Class Picture Roster==
For an instructor to get pictures of students in their classes (to help remember names), you can do the following.
* Login to the ISU portal, then Faculty Self Service, then Faculty Services, then Class List. Select a section of a course, and it should show small pictures next to each student. You can screen capture blocks of them and paste into a document, which can then be printed.

Note that you can also see a student's major in the Class List (hover over their name, or select the Detailed View near the top).

==Lockdown Browser==
To require the lockdown browser for a quiz or exam in Canvas, you need to do this...
* Go to the course in Canvas, then Settings, then Navigation. Find Lockdown Browser in the list, and drag it to the ones that are visible to students. Save.
* On the left, you should now see Lockdown Browser in the menu on the left. Click on it. Then you can click the settings for each quiz or exam.

==Textbook Adoptions==
Instructors are supposed to indicate to the book store what materials are required (i.e., textbook) or if none are required. You get to this by logging in to the ISU Portal and then finding the "Textbook Adoptions" app/link.

==Canvas - Merge/Combine Sections==
The steps are outlined here: https://indstate.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/1851/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=139949

Note that the destination course needs to be published before you can crosslist/merge.

==Canvas - Setting up Zoom==
The steps are outlined here: https://indstate.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/1851/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=140452

==Canvas - Creating MS Teams Team==
To create a MS Teams team for a course, do the following. Note that the team will automatically contain all of the students, so you don't need to worry about adding students to the team. If you are merging multiple sections, you should do that first before enabling the team.
* In the canvas site for the course, click Settings on the left menu.
* Click Integrations on the tab options on the top.
* Under Microsoft Sync, enable the push button and then click the Sync Now button.

==Canvas - Importing==
To import course content, you go to the course you want to import into, click Settings at the bottom of the menu on the left, then Import Course Content on the right.

==Canvas - Adding People==
Note that the +People button to add people to a course may be greyed out if it is past the end of the course's term. To be able to add someone, you need to go to the Settings and set it so the end of availability for the courses is in the future, and after adding a person you can then change it back to how it was.

==Canvas - Email the class==
From canvas, click the Inbox icon on the left (that looks kind of like a printer), then click the icon that looks like a pencil for writing a new message. From there it's relatively clear.

Note that if you have cross-listed sections (merged) this is likely the easiest way to write a message to the whole class.

==Canvas - Let Students View Roster==
The roster in Canvas is under the "People" link on the left. By default this is not visible to students. So you need to go to Settings, then Navigation, and drag People up to the part top area where the tools are that are visible to students.

==Student Course Evaluations==
Student end of course evaluations are available for students to complete at the end of the term. The deadline for students is the last Friday of classes (before exam week). Faculty will be able to see them after final grades are turned in (after the Tuesday after exam week). For faculty to see the evaluations, go to the ISU Portal, then open Faculty Activity Database (use the search, or click around on the menu on the left), then click on Course Evaluations & Surveys.

==TC 307, TC 308 - CS room setup==
To connect your laptop or use the CS system that is at the sympodium, do the following.
* In TC 307 and TC 308, press the On button on the podium, and press the PC button on the podium.
* For CS system, set the KVM switch to 1.
* For laptop use, set the KVM switch to 2. You should plug in the usb-c cable coming as the output from the KVM switch into your laptop. Depending on your laptop connections, you might need to unplug the HDMI USB cables from the usb-c dongle and plug the HDMI and USB cables directly into your laptop.
* Once things are going through the projector properly, check the audio. You may need to adjust the volume knob on the top of the podium.
* You should also confirm that your microphone is working.

If the connection is not working, some troubleshooting steps that sometimes work.
* Unplug each cable going into the KVM switch and plug back in.
* Unplug HDMI cables going into the wall and plug back in.
* Sometimes, powering off the entire podium and powering it on again is needed. Note, though, that this also powers off the CS system in the podium, so make sure it comes back on.

==Zoom==
As of 2020 ISU has a site license for Zoom so you can use your ISU credentials to login to Zoom and have "professional" features (no limits on meeting length, etc.). For getting started info, see https://indstate.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/1851/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=109823 from OIT and a quick tour video https://youtu.be/zTuIN5SsjQA from Jeff Kinne.

Some notes -
* '''Use Application''' - the application in Windows/Mac (and probably Linux) has some features that the web version and phone/tablet/chromebook app do not. If you can you should use the application on Windows/Mac. For a comparison, see https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360027397692
* '''Configuration''' - there are some configuration options that you can get to at http://indstate-edu.zoom.us that you cannot through the application. If you don't see something you think you should, look for it here.
* '''Limiting access''' - in the advanced settings for a meeting, you can limit access to ISU Accounts only. You can also use a different meeting id for each meeting and require a password. It is recommended to do all of these.
* '''Attendance''' - if you login to http://indstate-edu.zoom.us with your ISU credentials, you can click on Reports and then Usage, and you can get an attendance report for each meeting. You can also ask participants to type "here" into the meeting chat, and select a setting for the meeting that will automatically save the chat when the meeting is done.
* '''Host vs coHost''' - a host can manage breakout rooms and some other features that a cohost cannot. There can be only one host at a time. In the advanced settings you can designate possible alternate hosts (e.g., GAs) that can also start the meeting as hosts. Alternate hosts have to be ISU email addresses (e.g., Jeffrey.Kinne@indstate.edu, randomGA@sycamores.indstate.edu).
* '''Breakout rooms''' - you can put people into breakout rooms, and the host can jump around between them. You can upload preset breakout rooms by clicking the right settings for the meeting in indstate-edu.zoom.us. Or you can do it manually during the meeting, or let it assign at random.
* '''Polls''' - you can create a poll with multiple choice questions ahead of time (csv, click around in the meeting settings), or create it on the fly during the meeting. Results are anonymous and not saved after the meeting.
* '''Click yes/no/raise-hand/etc.''' - on the participant list users can click yes/no (if you ask a question, then you'll see how many said yes), they can raise their hand, or click a few other things.
* '''Recording''' - you can set a meeting to auto-record (but then it will start recording when the first person joins) either to the local computer (in which case you'll get an mp4) or to the cloud (a link to see it on zoom, and you can download the mp4 if you want to). You can also start recording whenever you like, and can pause and start the recording again.
* '''Share screens''' - works like in Teams, Skype, etc.
* '''Shared whiteboard''' - is cute, could be used as the whiteboard for the class. You can save it as a jpg, and click between pages during the meeting.
* '''Waiting room''' - a setting available for each meeting. You can let others join the meeting before you do, or make them wait in a waiting room until you join the meeting. You can also send participants to the waiting room during a meeting (e.g., during lab hours GAs might do this if helping one student and having the next wait in the waiting room until ready).
* '''Share screen - zoom controls''' - to show the zoom controls while doing a screen share, see http://tuftsedtech.screenstepslive.com/s/19028/m/94934/l/1231030-how-do-i-share-my-zoom-windows-and-control-bar. This allows the attendees to see what you are clicking on with the zoom controls (useful when explaining how to use zoom).
* '''Zoom App on CS Systems''' - it might work for you to use the Zoom App on Chrome from the CS systems. You would need to add the Zoom extension and then launch the Zoom app/extension from here - https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/zoom/hmbjbjdpkobdjplfobhljndfdfdipjhg?hl=en-US

For a comparison of what different types of users can do during a meeting, see https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360040324512-Roles-in-a-meeting and https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206330935.

==Zoom - Attendance==
To see who was in a meeting after the fact, you can: go to https://indstate-edu.zoom.us, login with your ISU email and password, go to Reports, click Usage, pick a date range. You will see a list of past meetings. Each row has a link on the last column that you can click to see who was in the meeting (and for what duration).

==Course Websites==
Using Steve's course website system (for faculty) -
<pre>
cd ~/public_html
mkdir csXYZ
cd csXYZ
cp -R ~sbaker/public_html/cst/* .
</pre>
Then edit the files in ~/public_html/csXYZ.

Some notes...
* The information about the course will be in ~/public_html/csXYZ/config.json. You edit that file and make changes to individualize it to your course.
* This file is a json file - contains a javascript dictionary that contains all of the course information.
* Note that if you have syntax errors in config.json, the webpage won't render properly.
* config.json can have multiline strings, newlines _do not_ need to be escaped (a local modification to the JSON5 interpreter), but may be escaped with a backslash \, like
<pre>
"courseDesc" : "This is a description\
of the course. Is it not\
wonderful?"
</pre>
* Note - strings are interpreted with [https://github.com/erusev/parsedown parsedown markdown] which seems to follow the syntax of [https://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/basics this], see [https://parsedown.org/tests/ parsedown tests] for examples of each supported markdown feature, the file as a whole is [https://json5.org/ JSON5]. Note that JSON5 does allow some things that JSON does not.
* The config.json file can have C style multi-line comments as well.
* The config can be validated on the CS server using the command ''''json5 -v config.json''''. Note that un-escaped newlines in strings will cause it to fail validation.

== CS Online Teaching ==
Proposal for minimum standards and requirements for CS online courses.

# Oversite - Include another CS faculty member the blackboard site and any other systems, as a student.
# Email - Reply to emails within 24 hours during the work week, within 48 hours otherwise.
# Discussion - Use some discussion system where students can post questions, answer each other’s questions, and the instructor can do the same. The standard discussion system used is [https://judy.indstate.edu/ CS's mattermost server].
# Course management template - Use the CS course management template (blackboard, syllabus, anything else that is included) that the CS faculty have agreed on.
# Lecture content - lecture content (asynchronous videos and/or synchronous) must be at least half as many hours as the total # of lecture-credit-hours (½ of 45, for a 3 credit hour course).
# Assignments - assignments are well documented in text, and proper solutions and hints are demo’ed (either by a video demo, good powerpoint, etc.).
# Final exam - is proctored by the [https://www.indstate.edu/online/resources/faculty/online-proctoring university-standard proctoring service].
# Phone - talk on the phone/skype/etc. with each student at least once.
# Content and assignments - cover the same content and use the same types of assignments as the face-to-face version of the course.
# Regular schedule - decide during the first week of classes what the regular schedule will be for the course and stick with it. Preferred - pick two days per week when assignments can be due, and give at least 48 hours notice before any due date. Preferred - pick a few different times per week to hold live-chat office hours (using some live-text-chat system).
# Absence - notify students and department when you will be absent from the normal course schedule (not available for email, not delivering content on normal schedule, etc.).
# Grading turnaround - items graded within 1 week of due date.
# CS policies - abide by all standard CS course policies
# Abide by university guidelines

=== The following are suggestions from students ===
# Keep videos 20 minutes or shorter
# Make sure students have a way to interact with each other and instructor. Make it not for many points.
# Keep regular assignments (daily even) to keep students engaged and working on the course.
# Have enough videos and/or simulation/demos since people are mainly visual learners.

=== Suggestions from someone who has taught online at other universities ===
# Consistency - types of assignments, lecture content, off-line information, short web casts are the best
# 8 weeks or 16 or something else - 8 weeks can work, more pressure to stay on track
# Cheating - usual things, also can do live presentations, narrated powerpoints
# Training for faculty - similar to our OICC, not quite as heavyweight, have a peer review / mentor helping with first time doing one, require faculty to use each of the possible options so they know how to do it
# Training for students - yes for how to navigate courses, use the system, etc.
# Standards - actively taking care of the course (answering questions, etc.) at least 4 out of 6 days, peer review is important
# Requiring attendance at live sessions - could offer to let students who do this not be required to do discussion posts, etc.
# Hints/tips - due dates on Sunday/Saturday for flexibility, use group work, ability to get asynchronous help is very important, early assignments to get everyone on track
# Something - having GA/Steve help on checking for cheating, running auto-graders, etc.

== Syllabi ==
The following link is the standard template used for the syllabus for CS courses - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cqXZZp0JOg0FOlGOBpMhffbDMiWBV-hw6VkV2KnwBO4/edit?usp=sharing

==Student information==
Advisors can do the following for any student (whether it is your advisee or not)...
* ISU portal, then Faculty Self Service, then Advisor Services, then Advisee Search. Put in the current term and the information you have (id #, name, or email). After you click on a student you can look at their unofficial transcript (and click around for some other information - class schedule, etc.).

Useful banner screens...
* SHATERM - undergrad GPA (at ISU), course grades, transfer courses
* SOAPCOQ - undergrad incoming GPA (from outside ISU)
* SOATEST - test scores (Maple TA, SAT)
* SPAAPIN - advising pin
* SAAADMS - student admission information
* SOAHOLD - information on holds

==Printers and Supplies==
GAs have a key to the CS work room. GAs can use the printers, copier/scanner, and supplies in the work room - for your use as students and lab assistants / TAs. You will be told how to add these to their computers and the code needed for using the copier. If you notice any supplies being low, let the administrative assistant know.

==Faculty review==
For full time regular faculty, the college guidelines are here: [https://www.indstate.edu/policy-library/faculty-appointment-promotion-and-tenure-policies university guidelines], [https://www.indstate.edu/technology/sites/technology.indstate.edu/files/COT%20PTE%20Policy%20approved%20by%20COTFC-%2002142018.pdf BCET college guidelines], [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/ECET_P_and_T.pdf ECET department P&T guidelines 2018 version], [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/ECET%20TE%20DOCUMENT%20%20Approved%204.9.21.pdf ECET department faculty performance evaluation evaluation (triennial evaluation) 2021 version].

= Email Lists =
See [[Email Lists]].

=Honors Conversions=
Students in the honors program often decide to do an "honors conversion" for some of the courses in the major. It is up to the instructor and student to agree on an extra project or additional work to be done to count for the conversion.

One generic plan that can be given is the following: ''A significant project related to course material. This will be agreed upon at the mid-term. Possible options include: paper and presentations on the historical development of BLANK (whatever the course is) with a focus on key figures, paper and presentations highlighting applications of BLANK (whatever the course is) to computer science and beyond, tutorial materials that show how to solve more challenging problems within BLANK (whatever the course is).'' This is fairly open-ended and has the student making connections between the course and something outside of the course.

Another generic plan is to have the student work on more challenging problems/assignments throughout the semester. Each time there is an assignment for the course, the instructor would give some additional problems/requirements for the honors conversion students.

The instructor also needs to put on the honors conversion form how the project or additional work will be evaluated. One option is the following: ''The project will be given a letter grade, and the overall course grade given cannot be higher than the grade of the project. The rubric for the project grading will be agreed upon when the particular project is finalized.'' Note that this sets higher than "just" a pass/fail standard for the project, so is likely to provide more motivation to the student.

= Graduate admissions =
# When the department receives an email “Admission Status Recommendation” email from ISU-GradInfo, the administrative assistant writes to the email listed for the applicant with the “MS Applicant with a Complete Application” message below.
# When the applicant replies with their contact information, current resume, and answers to programming problems, this is forwarded to a CS faculty member. The faculty member picks one of the faculty to be responsible for the technical interview and replies to that faculty member and the applicant, and updates a spreadsheet that keeps track of status for each applicant.
# When the CS faculty member reports back after the interview, either Admit, Deny, or Postpone the decision. Send the decision to the faculty member who puts the decisions into the system.
# A few times during the semester, write to all applicants in the admissions spreadsheet, and let them know what their status is (some do not know their application is missing something). You can use the “MS Application Status” message below. Applicant status comes to the department automatically once per week. The administrative assistant merges these updates into the applicant list.

Requests from applicants.
* Change of term requests
** If more than one year since original application, need to create a new application but should ''not'' be charged an application fee a second time.
** Within one calendar year: if referred application then department can update term, if admitted or incomplete application then department asks CGPS to update term.
* Unofficial transcripts
** Unofficial transcripts can be used for international students for their application, but they also need to have official transcripts sent. For domestic students, only official transcripts will be accepted.
** Test scores - only official test score reports will be accepted, these need to be sent directly from the testing company.

= Graduate student probation and dismissals =
Graduate students with below 3.0 GPA are put on probation and by default retained. Having below 3.0 GPA for a second semester in a row by default results in a dismissal. Students on the dismissal list can be retained if the department recommends this. First semester students with below 3.0 GPA after the first semester can be dismissed if the department recommends this. Our standard policy has been to dismiss students with below 3.0 GPA who have an F due to cheating or plagiarism. The dean of the graduate school writes with a probation and dismissal list in the week after final grades are due, and the department needs to respond promptly if we want any of the default options changed for any of the students. Plan on checking email and replying to the dean’s message during the week that final grades are due.

== CS graduate assistants ==
''Advising current GAs'' First time GAs should be observed if they are teaching or lecturing. First time GAs should also have their grading checked if they are grading for the first time. GAs should be encouraged to observe each other, and check each other’s grading, and offer advice to each other.

''Beginning of semester meeting'' The faculty member supervising the GAs normally meets with them as a group before or near the beginning of the semester to discuss expectations, answer questions, etc.

''Weekly meeting'' The supervisor of the GAs can hold a brief weekly meeting with the GAs during the first part of the semester to make sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to and to answer questions. GAs should look at all the information linked off the CS homepage.

''Website'' One of the GAs can be chosen to make sure information on the website is current and get the GA schedule into the calendar that shows on the CS homepage.

''Other GA duties'' Note - https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/Unix_Lab_and_Help#Lab_Assistant_Duties

''Choosing GAs'' See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/Graduate_Admissions#Assistantships_and_Funding for deadlines and discussion.

= ACM Club =
The advisor to the club signs reimbursement forms for the club treasurer (normally for pizza). The advisor should check out the normal Friday noon meeting every once in a while. The advisor might have a meeting with the officers to discuss how things are going, etc. The advisor may choose to have the officers help in running a programming contest or other events during the semester. See also http://cs.indstate.edu/acm/

= Transfer credit =
See [[Undergraduate Transfer Credit]] and [[Graduate Transfer Credit]].

= Academic Misconduct =
See [[Policies]]. For any cheating or plagiarism, the case should be discussed with the CS faculty member that deals with academic misconduct. This should normally done BEFORE discussing with the student or notifying the student there is a problem. The faculty member gives advice on how to deal with the situation and is a second opinion to confirm that the activity is indeed cheating/plagiarism.

= Assessment =
An exit survey is sent to graduating students. The CS programs committee and administrative assistant use Blue Reports to get a list of students that includes all CS majors (whether it is listed as primary or not), and can check on which are planning to graduate a given term. The exit survey is sent through Qualtrics.

See also [[CS Program Assessment]].

=Programming assessment =
See [[Policies]] for details.

= Email Messages =

The following are templates for email messages to send for various things.

==MS Applicant with a Complete Application==

Subject: your application to the CS MS program at Indiana State University

Body:

Cheers. I am writing regarding your application to the MS in Computer Science at Indiana State University.

You have submitted the documents required by the university (normally, transcripts demonstrating a four-year university degree or equivalent, and English language proficiency, if required).

Your application is now with Computer Science. To move your application forward, it is require that you are competent in programming in some programming language and have a good knowledge of basic data structures and algorithms. If you have completed a degree in computer science, you, hopefully, have these skills already. If you do not have a degree in computer science, you should have done some additional training/study to get these skills.

We evaluate your computer science skills in two stages. First, you need to complete a series of quizzes/challenges. For this step, complete the quizzes at this link and follow the instructions. 
https://indstate.instructure.com/courses/12565/pages/cs-ms-admissions-instructions

Once you have completed these tasks, you will send the information to me at Brenda.Lower@indstate.edu.

Second, we will schedule an online technical interview with you. Information about the technical interview itself is here: https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/Graduate_Admissions_Interview

If you have any questions about the process please be in touch.

Note - to view our curriculum, which courses we offer, and new updates to our program (including a new concentration in data science) please 
see http://cs.indstate.edu/info/programs.html#grad

Best regards, 
''Signature''

===Applicant has replied with solutions to programming problems===
If applicant replies to the above message with insufficient quiz scores or without attaching the programs and resume, reply with --
* We don't schedule the interview until you complete the quizzes at the required score and send your programs as instructed. Since you only get one chance for the interview we want you to have the best chance. Please send the solutions when you have them ready.

When applicant replies with sufficient quiz scores and the solutions attached, reply with --
<blockquote>Great, thank you! You will have your technical interview with one of our computer science faculty.

Note that the technical interview will require you to share your screen to show your solutions to the programming problems. You will need to be on a reliable internet connection on a desktop or laptop so that you can share your screen. The interview will be in Microsoft Teams, so please make sure you are able to use this software (you can use a free microsoft account), including using it to screen share during a meeting.</blockquote>

When applicant replies with options for dates/time, reply/forward (with their solutions to the programming problems) and include faculty member who will do the interview (alternate through all of the technical interviewers). Update admissions spreadsheet to indicate which faculty member is talking to the applicant and the date that assignment was made.

==MS Application Status==

Subject: Status - Application to CS MS program at Indiana State University

Body:

I am writing to let you know the status of your application to the CS MS program at Indiana State University.

''For Incomplete Application, use the following.''

Your application status is: Incomplete Application

See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/Graduate_Admissions#Applying for what this status means. Note that our normal application deadline for the spring is Nov 15 and for the fall is June 15. Our normal deadlines for consideration for department assistantship positions is March 15 for fall intake and Oct 15 for spring intake. For all deadlines, a complete application and everything we have asked for should be in before the deadline.

If you have any questions, feel free to be in touch. If you have a question about what is missing in your application, please first check your online application, and if you are still unsure then write to admissions@indstate.edu.

''For Referred to Department, use the following.''

Your application status is: Referred to Department.

You should have received the message below from computer science administrative assistant Brenda Lower. If you have already replied to her with the required items and have not heard from me about scheduling an interview, please reply to Brenda to let her know. If you have not submitted the required items yet, please send those to Brenda when you have them complete. Note that the required items are designed so that if you complete them in good faith (on your own) successfully you are likely to pass the technical interview.

Note that our normal application deadline for the spring is Nov 15 and for the fall is June 15 (though can often take domestic students past this deadline as long as seats are available). Our normal deadlines for consideration for department assistantship positions is March 15 for fall intake and Oct 15 for spring intake. For all deadlines, a complete application and everything we have asked for should be in before the deadline.

''For Admitted, use the following.''

Reply to welcome email, and use the following for the email body.

Cheers again to those admitted to the CS MS program to start in the fall.

I am writing to ask that you please register for courses if you plan to start in the fall (if you have not already). If something changes you can drop the courses before the term starts and will not be charged. It looks like we may have a larger incoming group than normal, so I would like people to get registered so we can plan accordingly.

Please see the links below about getting registered for courses. For those of you starting full time, you should be registering for CS 500, CS 501, and CS 600 - unless you have been given approval otherwise from your advisor (either Dr. Rafiey or Dr. Abhyankar). If you have any questions, you can be in touch with your advisor or myself about courses and concentrations, and Brenda about registering, etc.

==MS New Admits - Welcome, etc.==

Subject: Indiana State University Computer Science - Welcome!

Cheers. You are receiving this message because you have been admitted to the CS MS at Indiana State University. Information on signing up for courses is below. See also the three linked webpages which contain answers to many of your questions. Please read them all before replying to ask any questions.

Make sure to start making arrangements for where you will live in Terre Haute. My only recommendation in that regard is to not live in University Apartments unless you will have a roommate - it is pretty expensive. You should add your ISU email address to the cs-chat email list by going to https://cs.indstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/cs-chat/ and using the form to add your @sycamores.indstate.edu email address to the cs-chat email address. Once your ISU email address has been added you can write to cs-chat@cs.indstate.edu from your @sycamores.indstate.edu email address for recommendations from other students.

Note also that the registration system opens for registering for courses in early November for the spring classes and early April for the summer and fall classes.

Best regards,
''signature...''

Please begin by reading the following pages completely -
https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/For_New_Graduate_Students
http://cs.indstate.edu/info/programs.html
https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/Graduate_Advising

By default all students are put into the professional concentration. If you want to consider the academic concentration, the main requirement is that you want to work hard to be a good programmer and algorithms designer. If you are not sure, take a course from each concentration the first semester. The advising-grad page linked above has recommendations of which courses to sign up for. All new students take CS 500 (except for those who earned their BS at ISU - ISU BS students are only required to take CS 500 if you choose the professional concentration) regardless of concentration.

Follow the instructions on the graduates-new page linked above to get your ISU id and sign up for courses. Note that you can only sign up for 500 and 600 level courses.

Note that most 500 level courses (except CS 500) have prerequisites, so the system will not let you register. Please go ahead and register for the courses you can, and then write an email to me with your list of courses you would like and which you need a prerequisite override for. Include your id number in the email.

Note that adding/dropping classes on or after the first day of classes results in a fee.

You can write to the cs-chat@cs.indstate.edu list from your @sycamores.indstate.edu email address (see link above to add your email address to the cs-chat email list) for advice from current and recent students. Feel free to write back to me with questions as well.

If you still need assistance in ordering an I-20, contact the Center for Global Engagement - https://www.indstate.edu/global

If you have issues setting up your ISU accounts, contact the OIT help desk at 1-812-237-2910 oit-help@indstate.edu

==MS Application - Rejection==
Subject: your application - Indiana State University Computer Science

Hello. I am writing to inform you of the decision on your application to the MS in Computer Science at Indiana State University. I am sorry to inform you that your application is being declined.

Please note that you are welcome to apply for a future term if you work on your basic programming skills and data structures & algorithms. If you have not done so, you should check the sample questions at the end of the interview evaluation form linked from the Skype Interview section of https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/Graduate_Admissions. If you work on solving these questions and would like to know if your solutions are correct please be in touch.

We wish you the best, and feel free to be in touch if you have any remaining questions.

''Salutation''

Science Bowl

2026-02-01T02:13:41Z

Jkinne: /* Resources */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2025, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 8, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in room A-011 in the basement of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''', Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''', Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''', Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''', Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''', Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School'''
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

Science Bowl

2026-01-29T15:07:21Z

Jkinne: /* Contact */

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''

'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.] We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''

=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2025, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 8, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in room A-011 in the basement of Root Hall.

=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].

=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]

=National Competition=
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

=Eligibility=
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

=Refreshments and Lunch=
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

=Registration=
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl 
Indiana State University 
650 Cherry St. 
Terre Haute IN, 47809 
</blockquote>

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match 
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

=Resources=
* Official information at DOE website - [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals])
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers]. See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].

=Historical Results=
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''', Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''', Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''', Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''', Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''', Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* 2015: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School'''
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].

ISU Computer Science

2026-01-29T15:06:28Z

Jkinne: /* More information */

This wiki is used to keep detailed information related to the CS programs at ISU. If you want to see marketing information about CS at ISU, you can go to the [https://indianastate.edu/ ISU home page] and do a search for computer science.

==Main links/information==

'''Contact/people''' - [[ISU CS People]], [https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ISU_CS_People#CS_Departmental_Graduate_Assistants GA Office Hours]

'''Admissions''' - [[Undergraduate Admissions]], [[Graduate Admissions]], [[For New Graduate Students]]

'''CS Programs''' - [[CS Programs]] ([https://catalog.indstate.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=64&poid=11211&returnto=3743 BS], [https://catalog.indstate.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=64&poid=11212&returnto=3743 minor], [https://catalog.indstate.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=64&poid=11185&returnto=3743 certificate], [https://catalog.indstate.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=64&poid=11468&returnto=3743 teaching minor]), ([https://catalog.indstate.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=65&poid=11704&returnto=3879 MS], [https://catalog.indstate.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=64&poid=11965&returnto=3743 4+1 MS])

'''Advising''' - [[Undergraduate Advising]], [[Graduate Advising]], [[Courses]] ( [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/course_schedule.php class schedule], [https://catalog.indstate.edu/content.php?filter%5B27%5D=CS&filter%5B29%5D=&filter%5Bkeyword%5D=&filter%5B32%5D=1&filter%5Bcpage%5D=1&cur_cat_oid=64&expand=&navoid=3744&search_database=Filter#acalog_template_course_filter ugrad courses], [https://catalog.indstate.edu/content.php?filter%5B27%5D=CS&filter%5B29%5D=&filter%5Bkeyword%5D=&filter%5B32%5D=1&filter%5Bcpage%5D=1&cur_cat_oid=65&expand=&navoid=3880&search_database=Filter#acalog_template_course_filter grad courses])

[[Start of Term Announcements]], [[Welcome New Students]], [[Course Scheduling Announcements]], [[Statement On Cheating]], '''[[Visit]]'''

==More information==
* [[Policies]]
* [[Procedures]]
* [[FAQ]]
* [[Labs and Office Hours]]
* [[CS Help and Getting Started]]
* [[Programming Practice]]
* [[Project Contest]]
* [[Project Requests]]
* [[Giving]]
* [[Careers]]
* Events - '''[[Science Bowl]]''', [https://www.indstate.edu/cas/chem_phys/summer-undergraduate-research-experiences-sure-program SURE], [[Museum]], [[Seminar]]
<hr>
Pages that are old and no longer current - [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/cs-homeroom.html IndianaComputes], [http://www.indstate.edu/cas/bd4isu BD4ISU], [http://cs.indstate.edu/acm/ ACM], [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/research.html Research], [https://cs.indstate.edu/acm/contests.html programming contests]

[[Media_Wiki|Help / Getting Started on Media Wiki]]

CS 151 Spring 2026

2026-01-27T18:14:56Z

Jkinne: /* General Information */

CS 151 Introduction to Computer Science is taken by CS majors during their first term, along with ECT 130.

This page contains the syllabus for CS 151 for the most recent offering (spring 2026). Previous terms - [[CS 151 Fall 2025]], [[CS 151 Spring 2025]], [[CS 151 Fall 2024]], [[CS 151 Spring 2024]], [[CS 151 Fall 2023]].

Note that all sections of the course will use the same homeworks and lab assignments. Quizzes and exams may be slightly different for the online versus face to face students.

=General Information=
'''Course website''' - https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/CS_151

'''Your Instructor'''

[https://kinnejeff.com Jeff Kinne], [mailto:jkinne@indstate.edu jkinne@indstate.edu] 
''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 
''Instructor Office Hours:'' normally in my office - M 8:30am-10am; 11:30am-1pm; T 9:30am-3pm; W 8:30-10am; 11:30am-1pm; R 8:30am-3pm; F 8:30am-2:45am. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting 
''Meeting:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting

'''Lecture, Exam'''

''Lecture:'' MW 10-11:15am in Root Hall B-031, over Teams (link in Canvas/Teams, see below), and recorded 
''Exams:'' every three weeks on Wednesdays (Jan 28, Feb 18, Mar 18, Apr 1) during lecture time (10-11:15am). ''(For those with another class at that time, we will arrange the time after the term starts.)'' 
''Final exam:'' Monday, May 4, 10-11:50am. ''(For those with another class at that time, your exam time will be decided after the term starts.)'' 

'''Supplemental Instructor/Hours''' Dan Rady ([mailto:drady@sycamores.indstate.edu drady@sycamores.indstate.edu]). Face to face sessions are Tuesdays 11am-noon and Thursdays 10am-noon in our classroom (Root Hall B-031). You can also email questions to Dan or set up a Teams meeting for extra help. Online sessions are [https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YWExZTVkZWQtY2VjZi00MjhkLThlOGItMWExZmFlNTc3MzQy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%223eeabe39-6b1c-4f95-ae68-2fab18085f8d%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229b4c13b9-6d24-444d-974c-97ad3414362e%22%7d Mondays 2-3pm] and [https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MTVjMWQ4NzgtZmVhNC00MjZhLTgzZjctN2I4NTRlOWQxZTJh%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%223eeabe39-6b1c-4f95-ae68-2fab18085f8d%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229b4c13b9-6d24-444d-974c-97ad3414362e%22%7d Thursdays 4-6pm] on Teams

'''Graduate assistant help''' - TBD. See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ISU_CS_People#CS_Departmental_Graduate_Assistants

'''Prerequisites''' - none.

'''CRN numbers''' - 10544 for the face to face section, 10194 for the online section.

'''Required text'''
We will use selections from the following free online sources.
* Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (available free at https://automatetheboringstuff.com/2e/). We use the 2nd edition of the book (not the latest, which puts the topics in a different order than we will follow).
* [https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/ap-computer-science-principles Khan Academy AP CS Principles], in particular unit 1 digital information and unit 4 algorithms.
* Additional online sources as needed.
* [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ccy6CXrdP9415bDEbzcI773cyDNI7p3rr3yA76QmgtQ/edit#slide=id.g877391eabf_0_116 turtle graphics]

'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs151/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs151/public_html/</code>.

'''Programming practice''' Challenge problems...
* [https://leetcode.com/explore/learn/card/the-leetcode-beginners-guide/692/challenge-problems/4421/ LeetCode beginning problems]
* [https://open.kattis.com/problems?f_language=-1&show_more_filters=on&f_min_difficulty=&f_max_difficulty=2&order=difficulty_data Open Kattis problems]

=Supplemental Instruction=
This course uses a supplemental instructor (SI) to provide extra sessions to help students who can use additional instruction beyond the regular lecture hours. The SI is a student who previously took the course and did well, and who works closely with the instructor to stay up to help students. SI sessions review content from lecture and what is needed for homework assignments. The SI is part of the course in Canvas so you can communicate with them that way if you like.

=Announcements/Assignments/Quizzes/Exams=
'''HW'''
These are posted in Canvas or on the CS server. Some HWs are due the next lecture day, some are due a week after assigned. All times are Eastern US time.

'''Rules'''
Rules for HWs, quizzes, exams are in the course policies below.

'''Announcements'''
Announcements will normally be posted to the course in Canvas (and will probably be emailed to your ISU email address if you have the default settings for notifications in Canvas).

=Course Description and Content=

'''Course Description'''

The official description of this course from the catalog is

"Core concepts that are foundational in computer science, including programming, use of computers for dealing with files and programs, how data is stored, number systems. Focus on building skills needed for programming and further study of computer science, and intermediate mastery of a particular programming language."

'''Course Outline'''

This course outline is subject to change.

'''Weeks 1-6'''
* Setup accounts
* Intro to Linux
* Variables
* I/O
* Flow Control
* If-statements
* Turtle
* Loops

'''Weeks 7-14'''
* Functions
* Chapter 4 - Lists
* Chapter 5 - Collections
* Chapter 6 - Strings
* Bits, Bytes, Base and Logic
* Intro to algorithms
* Chapter 9 & 10 (Files)

'''Week 15-16'''
* Final project and interviews

'''Learning Outcomes'''
* Able to use Linux systems and terminal - managing files, running code, using utility programs.
* Basic mastery of core programming concepts - data types, conditionals and loops, Boolean logic, functions, string operations, reading and writing files. In particular,
* Can take a specification and produce code implementing it.
* Can take code and "play computer" to determine the precise results of running the code on a given input.
* Can take a partially complete program and specification for how it should work, and complete it.
* Can take a program with syntax or logical errors and fix the errors.
* Understanding of good coding style and able to practice good coding style - use of functions to avoid redundant code, whitespace formatting, variable and function names, comments.
* Understanding of base systems, including ability to convert between binary, hex, octal, and decimal.
* Understanding of and ability to explain different file types - text versus binary.
* Able to read and write data with programs, including parsing simple file formats (e.g., csv).
* Understanding of sorting algorithms - able to "play computer" to execute sorting algorithms that were covered in class on small test cases.

=Assignments=

'''Start Assignments and Exam Studying Early''' -
I suggest attempting an assignment the day it is given, or the day after, so that if you have a problem you can ask early. If you continue to have problems in trying to complete the assignment, you will have time to ask again. Many of the assignments require thought and problem solving, which takes "time on the calendar" not just "time on the clock". By that I mean that spending an hour on 3 consecutive days is likely to be more productive than trying to spend 3 hours at once on the assignment.

'''Expected Amount of Work''' -
If you take this class seriously and get what you should out of it, some weeks you will likely be spending around '''6-10 hours or more''' on the class. The students who get A’s in their CS courses and have an easier time finding jobs do spend this much time on this course. Not everyone would need to spend this much time and not all weeks will be the same, but you should plan on putting in whatever time it takes. Note that the federal government definition of 1 credit hour as requiring 2 hours worth of time on the course for each credit hour of lecture, so you should think of this as the default for all of your courses.

'''Note - your classes in your major should ideally be more important than your part-time job.'''

'''Each week''', you will normally have at least one assignment, often more than one (in particular at the beginning when the assignments are pretty small).

=Grade Meanings=
The letter grades are intended to have the following rough meaning. For letter grades I will use the usual breakdown as a starting point (90 is A-, 80 is B-, etc.), but will raise letter grades above this if I think it is needed (e.g., if assignments, exams, and quizzes are really tough).
* A+/A: You understand everything and probably could teach the course yourself.
* B+/A-: You understand nearly everything, and should be all set to use this knowledge in other courses or in a job.
* C/C+/B-/B: Some things you understand very well and others you don't (more towards the former for a B and more towards the latter for a C).
* D-/D+/C-: You did put some effort in, and understand many things at a high level, but you haven't mastered the details well enough to be able to use this knowledge in the future.
* F: Normally, students that get an F simply stopped doing the required work at some point, or cheated on something in the course.

{{:Jeff Kinne Course Policies}}

{{:Policies}}

{{:ISU Syllabus Items}}