GUIDELINES

Area I and II Elementary Science Fair

The following guidelines will be used in the process of selecting and exhibiting projects
for the Area I and II Elementary Science Fair.

• Exhibits will be limited to those projects, which can be classified under Biological Science, Physical Science, or Environmental Science
  
• Each school may send one winner for each division and grade level (3-6) for a maximum total of twelve (12) students.
  
• Only exhibits prepared during the current school year may be entered.
  
• Projects must be individual.  Group exhibits will not be admitted.
  
• Exhibits must be constructed and developed by the students.  Help must be limited to advice only.
  
• Exhibits must be confined to table space with limits of 4 feet in height, 3 feet in width and 15 inches deep.
  
  Display items must fit in front of exhibit on table space only.
  Projects larger than size limitations will be disqualified at check-in area.
  
• The Committee reserves the right to:
  a.    refuse an exhibit that is considered unsafe.
  b.    disqualify an exhibit which may bring discredit to the Fair.
  
• Anything that could be hazardous to public display is prohibited.
  • Live disease-causing organisms which are pathogenic to man or other live vertebrates
  • Food, either human or animal
  • Syringes, pipettes and similar devices
  • Any flames, open or concealed
  • Highly flammable display materials
  • Dangerous chemicals including caustics and acids
  • Highly combustible solids, fluids or gases; inert substitutes MUST be used if such materials are required for display.
  • Tanks which have contained combustible gases, including butane and propane, unless they have been purged with carbon dioxide.
  • Operation of a Class III or IV laser
    
• Microbial Experimentation done by elementary students is potentially dangerous.
  
  Note of caution: Organisms collected, isolated and/or cultured from any environment during student research projects, should be considered potentially pathogenic.
  
  A student who selects to do this type of project must have the Qualified Scientist Form and Designated Supervisor Form signed to ensure student safety.
  
• The following may not be exhibited:
      Live animals, preserved vertebrate animals or parts
      Live or dead plants (flowers/fruit/vegetables)
      Soil, sand or rocks.
      Liquids
  
      Research involving these topics should be displayed through the use of drawings, charts, photographs and graphs.
      Projects with a lot of "stuff" displayed often takes away from the project.
  
• No harm should come to any live animal/insect from the research conducted.
  
• Student and school identifications must be removed from the project.  All projects are coded with an identification dots.
  
• Each participant will be interviewed by a judge.  Students must be present on Judging Day - no exceptions (tapes, videos, etc.)

DEFINITION OF THE CATEGORIES

BIOLOGICAL:
Projects that deal with the vital processes of living organisms and how those processes are affected as a result of controlling variable.

PHYSICAL:
Projects related to the natural sciences such as physics, chemistry and astronomy that deal primarily with non-living materials.

ENVIRONMENTAL:
Projects dealing with man's relationship with the Earth and his effect on the Earth and his relationship with his natural and man-made surrounding, and includes the relations of energy, population, resource allocation and depletion, conservation, transportation, technology, economic impact, and urban and rural planning to the total human environment.

• Project categories are determined by the school and student.
  
  

PROJECT SECURITY FOR AREA FAIR

In order to prevent loss to the student concerning his/her exhibit, the following rules should be followed:

1. Equipment considered valuable should be brought by the student on judging day and be removed after the judging interview is concluded.
2. Student projects should be picked by after the Science Fair Awards Program is concluded.

The Committee will make every effort to safeguard all projects and equipment, but the responsibility for the security of entries rests with the individual contestant.

GRADE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR EXHIBITS