Investigatory Project Division Rules

Applicants for the Investigatory Project Division must submit the application form and an abstract (150 to 250 words) to register for the fair. The abstract should include the title, purpose/application, hypothesis, procedure, and conclusion. All appropriate certification, in accord with ISEF rules, must be completed and displayed with project, but should not be sent to the Fair Director.

Please do not send me an email asking me to give you an investigatory project. You need to come up with the project on your own with the help of your teacher, parents, or a researcher.

Judging Criteria

Project judging will incorporate analysis of the projects and interviews with the students. The following criteria will be used for the judging:

Creative Ability	30%
Scientific Thought	30%
Thoroughness	15%
Skill	15%
Clarity	10%

Projects may not be removed until after 5:00 p.m.

Rules

Because this fair is affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair competition, projects must follow the rules of the ISEF. Up to 2 individual and one team projects may be selected to compete at the 2007 Intel ISEF in Albuquerque, New Mexico, May 13-18, 2007.

This page lists some of the highlights of the ISEF rules, particularly those that have created problems for students in the past. However, it is not intended to be a complete list. The complete list of the rules is available at the Intel ISEF website:

http://www.sciserv.org/isef/document/

Or start at the homepage:

http://www.sciserv.org/isef/

Each school is entitled to one printed copy of the rules, free of charge, by contacting Science Service at the website or call the main ISEF line at (202) 785-2255.

Before experimentation

All research involving humans, including questionnaires, must be approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) before experimentation begins. The student and the IRB must evaluate psychological and physical risks and informed consent is needed when there is more than minimal risk to the subject (determined by the IRB).
Any research with Non-human Vertebrate Animals must be approved by an IRB before research begins. This includes all fish, amphibians (frogs and salamanders), reptiles (including snakes), birds, and mammals. It does not include crayfish, insects, or other invertebrates.
Research on recombinant DNA must be conducted at a registered research facility with a supervisor that is trained in the proper handling of equipment and organisms. Students may not handle ethidium bromide or gels stained with it. Production of antibiotic resistant bacteria is prohibited.
Research using Human and Non-human Vertebrate tissues, including embryos, blood, saliva, and urine, must be approved by an IRB before research begins. Hair is not considered a tissue does not need prior approval.

The IRB may be associated with the school, school district, or the research institution where the research is being conducted. If the student does not have access an IRB, the science fair has a Scientific Review Committee (SRC) that can review and approve the research. Contact the fair director or the chair of the SRC, Lisa Ferrara, at lferrara@wvutech.edu .

Any project requiring prior IRB approval that does not have the approval forms will be disqualified from the regional fair and will not be judged.

During experimentation

Use of any type of hazardous substances or devices, including fire, must be supervised by a trained, adult supervisor and must adhere to federal and state regulations.
Experimental animals must be well cared for, even during vacations and holidays.
Microorganisms collected, isolated, and/or cultured should be considered potentially pathogenic and may not be handled at home. Samples may be collected at home but any other handling of the agent should be done at a Registered Research Institution.

At the fair

1. Project exhibit size is limited to 76 cm deep (front and back), 122 cm wide (side to side), and 274 cm high (floor to top). Any project exceeding these dimensions is oversize and does not qualify for entrance in the fair.

2. Photos – All photos on the display should have a photo credit.

a. Most of the photos should be the work of the student. However, photos of the student conducting research may be the work of someone else as long as proper credit is given.

b. Copyrighted photos are not permitted unless the student has written permission from the copyright holder. The written permission should be displayed but should be available to show the judges. The copyright holder must be given credit on the display.

c. Photos or other visual presentations depicting vertebrate animals in non-natural conditions, including surgical techniques, dissections, necropsies or lab procedures, are not permitted.

d. Any photo deemed offensive by the SRC must be removed from the display.

3. Avoid having anything in the display that could be potentially harmful or offensive including:

a. chemicals, including water,

b. poisons, drugs, controlled substances,

c. dry ice

d. sharp objects, including syringes, needles, pipettes

e. living organisms, including plants

f. taxidermy specimens or preserved parts of animals

g. plant material (except paper and cotton material used to build display)

h. flames, highly flammable materials

i. human or animal tissues or body fluids

j. hazardous devices (including firearms and ammunition)

4. Two copies of a typed abstract, not more than 250 words, are required; one must be displayed with the project and the other submitted with the entry form for preview by the judges. All projects require proper certification. The nature of this certification differs for various types of projects. Please refer to the official ISEF rules for the proper certifications. Lack of proper certification in accord with ISEF rules will result in disqualification.

5. The Scientific Committee will inspect each project prior to judging and sign the safety review certificate. A determination of eligibility of the project will be made by the Scientific Review

6. No awards, medals, business cards, flags, etc. may be displayed.

7. Each student must assemble his or her exhibit without major outside help, except for transportation and unpacking. Projects should not be removed prior to 5:00 p.m. Judging for special awards may continue into the afternoon. Students need to be present at their display during the morning to answer judges’ questions. The only exceptions are students participating in the symposium; they should leave a note informing the judge when they plan to return.

8. 110-volt AC service with 300 watts per project will be provided. Additional power will be at the exhibitor's expense and require:

a. prior notification of the rules committee requesting clearance

b. a safety statement by an adult supervisor.

Displays that violate the "at the fair" rules will be allowed to compete in the regional fair and are still eligible for the Intel ISEF after the violations are fixed.

Investigatory Project Division Rules

Judging Criteria

Project judging will incorporate analysis of the projects and interviews with the students. The following criteria will be used for the judging:

Projects may not be removed until after 5:00 p.m.

Rules

Because this fair is affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair competition, projects must follow the rules of the ISEF. Up to 2 individual and one team projects may be selected to compete at the 2007 Intel ISEF in Albuquerque, New Mexico, May 13-18, 2007.

This page lists some of the highlights of the ISEF rules, particularly those that have created problems for students in the past. However, it is not intended to be a complete list. The complete list of the rules is available at the Intel ISEF website:

http://www.sciserv.org/isef/document/

Or start at the homepage:

http://www.sciserv.org/isef/

Each school is entitled to one printed copy of the rules, free of charge, by contacting Science Service at the website or call the main ISEF line at (202) 785-2255.

Before experimentation

Any research with Non-human Vertebrate Animals must be approved by an IRB before research begins. This includes all fish, amphibians (frogs and salamanders), reptiles (including snakes), birds, and mammals. It does not include crayfish, insects, or other invertebrates.

Research on recombinant DNA must be conducted at a registered research facility with a supervisor that is trained in the proper handling of equipment and organisms. Students may not handle ethidium bromide or gels stained with it. Production of antibiotic resistant bacteria is prohibited.

Research using Human and Non-human Vertebrate tissues, including embryos, blood, saliva, and urine, must be approved by an IRB before research begins. Hair is not considered a tissue does not need prior approval.

Any project requiring prior IRB approval that does not have the approval forms will be disqualified from the regional fair and will not be judged.

During experimentation

Use of any type of hazardous substances or devices, including fire, must be supervised by a trained, adult supervisor and must adhere to federal and state regulations.

Experimental animals must be well cared for, even during vacations and holidays.

Microorganisms collected, isolated, and/or cultured should be considered potentially pathogenic and may not be handled at home. Samples may be collected at home but any other handling of the agent should be done at a Registered Research Institution.

At the fair

1. Project exhibit size is limited to 76 cm deep (front and back), 122 cm wide (side to side), and 274 cm high (floor to top). Any project exceeding these dimensions is oversize and does not qualify for entrance in the fair.

2. Photos – All photos on the display should have a photo credit.

a. Most of the photos should be the work of the student. However, photos of the student conducting research may be the work of someone else as long as proper credit is given.

b. Copyrighted photos are not permitted unless the student has written permission from the copyright holder. The written permission should be displayed but should be available to show the judges. The copyright holder must be given credit on the display.

c. Photos or other visual presentations depicting vertebrate animals in non-natural conditions, including surgical techniques, dissections, necropsies or lab procedures, are not permitted.

d. Any photo deemed offensive by the SRC must be removed from the display.

3. Avoid having anything in the display that could be potentially harmful or offensive including:

a. chemicals, including water,

b. poisons, drugs, controlled substances,

c. dry ice

d. sharp objects, including syringes, needles, pipettes

e. living organisms, including plants

f. taxidermy specimens or preserved parts of animals

g. plant material (except paper and cotton material used to build display)

h. flames, highly flammable materials

i. human or animal tissues or body fluids

j. hazardous devices (including firearms and ammunition)

5. The Scientific Committee will inspect each project prior to judging and sign the safety review certificate. A determination of eligibility of the project will be made by the Scientific Review

6. No awards, medals, business cards, flags, etc. may be displayed.

8. 110-volt AC service with 300 watts per project will be provided. Additional power will be at the exhibitor's expense and require:

a. prior notification of the rules committee requesting clearance

b. a safety statement by an adult supervisor.

Displays that violate the "at the fair" rules will be allowed to compete in the regional fair and are still eligible for the Intel ISEF after the violations are fixed.