FAQ and Rules
Q. Where and when is the Science Fair being held?
A. Union Station, March 21-24, 2012
Q. When do projects need to be picked up?
A. Project pick-up is Friday evening from 4:00-7:00pm!! Please arrange for your projects to be picked up, Science Pioneers and Union Station will NOT hold any projects for anyone.
Q. Where do I find the ISEF 9-12 Rules Wizard?
A. It can be found at http://apps.societyforscience.org/isef/students/wizard/index
Q. Where do we fax forms needing prior approval?
A. Human Tissue (1), Hazardous Materials Form (3), Bacteria Form (4) and ISEF Forms needing prior approval should be faxed to 816-501-4802 prior to application due date. All forms and pre-approved forms should accompany the fair application sent to Science Pioneers.
Q. Do we need to send Human Participant Forms (formerly call Human Subject forms) in for prior approval?
A. No, they do not require prior approval, but should have the appropriate signatures at the school level before experimentation begins. The forms should accompany the fair application sent to Science Pioneers.
Q. When are teachers notified about applications and other science fair information?
A. Fail to Qualify project information is sent to the teacher one week after applications are due. Other information for teachers is sent at least one week prior to the science fair. If your school is on spring break during this time or the fair, please notify Science Pioneers.
Q. How many students can a school enter in the science fair?
A. Schools of any size or grade range may have a maximum of 20 total projects entered in the science fair.
Q. What is an abstract?
A. An abstract should be 1-2 paragraphs including the Title, Problem, Hypothesis, a short Procedure, along with the Results and Conclusion (if completed at time of application). Applications without abstracts will be disqualified.
Q. Who attends the Awards Ceremony and where is it?
A. Any student who has a purple rosette ribbon (Division Category Winner) or a white ribbon (Special Awards) is invited to the Awards Ceremony for recognition. It is held on Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Sheraton Hotel Crown Center Exhibit Hall B (Enter from the Sheraton Hotel parking garage.)
Q. Can individuals enter the science fair?
A. Interested students from schools that do not have science fair support can enter as an individual or team. To be allowed to do so, students must get prior approval from Science Pioneers. Call 816-460-2261 to get details. Note: This does not apply to home schools.
Q. Can students’ pictures and names be displayed on backboards?
A. Student full face pictures or any other pictures relating to the project may be on the backboard and in the notebook along with student names. Senior level students must site source of pictures, graphs and drawings.
Q. Can we experiment on vertebrates?
A. Only observational studies of vertebrates are allowed in grades 4-8. This includes fish who are vertebrates.
Q. Is product testing allowed in the science fair?
A. Yes, with certain restrictions. Product testing requires the complete scientific process with a measurable, objective evaluation scale. Testing must have at least ten trials of the variable. (This applies only to product testing) Opinion surveys are not acceptable.
Q. Are there a minimum number of trials for an experimental project?
A. Experimental projects should have what you consider to be an adequate number of trials to verify your experimental results. Standard at elementary level is usually three, but this can vary by grade level and experimental situation.
Q. Will 7th & 8th graders be penalized by judges if they do not attend the interviews on March 21st from 7:30-8:30pm?
A. They will not be penalized by judges, but being present to answer questions may help clarify points in a project.
Q. What size space do students have for backboards?
A. Grades 4-6 have 32 inches width and grades 7-12 have 48 inches width…..A backboard with sides folded will fit in this space. There are no height limitations for project boards.
Q. Can a company or organization that sponsors supplies for a student have a logo or name on a project?
A. A company or organization that donates supplies to a student cannot have their logo or name on the project. The student may mention them in the Acknowledgement section of their notebook.
Rules:
