SCIENCE FAIR RULES

1. Display board to be no larger than 30 inches deep front to back, 24 inches wide, side to side; and 108 inches high, floor to top.  This is the standard folded display board size. Askew PTO will sell them in the science lab.

2.The project must be the work of the student.

3. A laboratory notebook/log is required for each project.

4. Students must demonstrate through written reports, pictures, charts, graphs, diagrams, and tables that research was accomplished.

5. No commercial models or kits are allowed.

6. A bibliography is required for each project and should be attached to the display board.  The bibliography should have a minimum of three (3) sources for third grade and five 5 sources for fourth grade. See examples of correct cites for bibliography attached to these rules.

7. PRIOR APPROVAL must be given if invertebrate/vertebrate animals, human surveys, chemicals or potentially dangerous equipment, bacteria, mold or cell cultures are used.  A Research Plan with Application for Research form (included in packet) must be submitted for approval to Mrs. Townes PRIOR to beginning of said project. Chemicals are substances that a student could not purchase by himself or herself, including consumable alcohol and tobacco products.

In working with vertebrates, no deficiency can be studied.  A student’s project cannot involve or withhold any needed substance from any vertebrate.

All survey projects must include the survey submitted with the research plan.  Each participant in your survey must complete an Informed Consent Form.  (Included in packet.)

If you use soil (except potting soil) and/or mud in your project, you need approval.

Water usage is limited to tap, distilled, or bottled water.  Approval is needed for all other water.

8. If the project includes a survey, a copy of the survey questions must accompany the Application for Research.

9. If projects involve cell cultures or bacteria, a Qualified Scientist Certification form must be submitted PRIOR to beginning said project.  (See Mrs. Townes for form.)

10. No soil, water, chemicals, animals, mold, cell cultures, plants, or potentially dangerous equipment may be displayed at the science fair.  Pictures of the aforementioned items may be displayed with the project if previous permission was granted to use these items.

All Research Plans with Applications for Research and Qualified Scientist Certification forms are due to Mrs. Townes no later than March 26, 2008.