Science Fair Guidelines

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Sponsor: Science Committee

Webmaster: Matt Winkelman

Project Guidelines:

 

Kindergarten - 3rd Grade

Students in kindergarten - 3rd grade can do one of the following types of science fair projects:

                     Collection and Display

                     Demonstration/Observation

                     Invention or Model

                     Experiment

4th Grade - 8th Grade

Students in 4th- 8th grade must solve a problem using the scientific method

  

Exhibit Guidelines:

The following are general rules for the construction and display of exhibits.

·        All work on exhibits must be done by the exhibitors. Sponsors/parents may only provide advice.  

·        The exhibit must be a completely self-contained unit. Many students give stability to their exhibits by constructing it as one transportable unit that is mounted on a suitable base.

·        The exhibit must be no larger than 81cm (32 in) wide x 76cm (30 in) deep x 274cm (108 in) high including 36” table. Students in grades 7-12 should be allowed a width of 122cm (48in).

·        Experimental equipment and materials may be placed in front of the display board as long as they fall within the safety guidelines.

 

Safety Rules

The following rules are necessary for the safety of exhibitors and visitors. Exhibits that do not satisfactorily comply with these rules should be disqualified.

 

1. All electrical equipment must be constructed according to standard electrical safety law. Exhibits requiring electrical current for operation or illumination must be designed for operation on alternating current at 110 volts. If batteries are used, they should be storage batteries to ensure continuity of operation.

2. Ordinary doorbell push buttons and open knife switches may not be used to control 110-volt apparatus. Only suitably rated UL 110 volt toggle or push button type switches mounted on panels or switch boxes are allowed.

3. All wiring, switches and metal parts carrying 110-volt current must be grounded properly and out of reach of visitors.

4. All electrical points must be soldered and taped properly (following UL regulations.)

5. Nails, tacks and uninsulated staples must not be used for fastening wires. Use porcelain or other approved types of insulators.

6. All wiring must be properly insulated for voltage used.

7. Dangerous chemicals, open flames, flammable liquids, and explosives are strictly prohibited.

8. If bacteria are displayed, they must be in sealed containers.

9. No live animals, vertebrate or invertebrate, are to be displayed at the fair.

 

Trifold Guidelines:

  • The title of your project must be clearly visible.

  • The display may be no larger than five feet high, three feet wide, and two feet from front to back.

  • The display must be able to stand on its own.

  • Everything must be on your display or be able to sit right in front of it.

  • If your project display will require electricity, you will need to provide your own extension cord. (Electricity projects may only use batteries as their energy source. Regular electricity requiring an extension cord is for the project display only.)

  • It is a good idea to include photographs as part of your display if it will help others to understand what you have done.

  • Use color to make your display attractive.

  • Include graphs and charts when appropriate.

  • If you did a problem-solving project, label the steps of your procedure such as problem, hypothesis, data, and conclusion.

  • When you have decided what you are going to put on your display board, lay the whole thing on the floor and look at it.

  • Have others look at it and ask their opinion. THEN you can glue or tape everything on your display board.

·        No experiments that harm living organisms will be permitted.