Fair Rules

Rules and Regulations

1. Original work - Project must represent original work done by the student(s); a student may exhibit work on a continuing problem, provided the work shows significant progress over the previous year. Continued research must include previous year(s)' abstract(s) and research report(s), as a separate notebook.

2. All entrants are required to submit a research plan and certain other documentation as required by the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. These rules may be obtained as explained above (see front page).

3. Student's name, photographs of student or school name should not appear anywhere on the project or reports.

4. Size of the project display is restricted to 40 inches wide, 30 inches deep and 8 feet high measured from the floor; tables are 30 inches high. If a project exceeds 9 feet when placed on a table, arrangements may be made to display it on the floor. Projects must be self-supported. Projects not meeting these criteria will be disqualified.

5. No living plants, dried plant materials, soil or waste may be displayed.

6. Chemicals, caustic substances, acids, drugs: One of the biggest problems for the Rules and Safety checker is controlling the display of potentially harmful substances in a safe and consistent manner. In most cases the display of the actual chemical used during an experiment is not necessary for the presentation of the results of the experiment. If some display is desired, the chemicals used may be simulated with colored water, drawings, models or photographs. We request that even everyday household chemicals such as soaps, shampoos, dyes, salt solutions, sugar solutions, vinegar, etc., be left at home and either the empty container or the container with simulated chemicals be displayed. Our goal is to reduce the display of harmful chemicals to an absolute minimum.

Where the display of a relatively harmless chemical is crucial to a project, e.g. as in crystal growth, we request that you follow these guidelines: display them only in screw-top or snap-top containers, preferably plastic rather than glass, that are then securely taped shut. Even then, if it is determined that a chemical has any potential for harm, removal will be required. A final solution is for the participant to bring in and remove the chemicals on the day of final judging, with approval. But again, our goal is to keep the display of chemicals to an absolute minimum and to see that any chemicals that are displayed are done so securely.

7. Microbial cultures including bacteria, molds, viruses and fungi, live or dead are strictly prohibited from being displayed at the Fair. Only photographs or simulations, e.g. sketches inserted in clean petri dishes, are permitted.

8. Food items: No food items whatsoever may be displayed; they may be effectively represented by sketches, photographs or models. Some foods may decompose and become harmful to young viewers during the day the fair is open to the public. Rather than asking Rules and Safety checkers to distinguish harmful from harmless foods, we ask that you leave ALL foods at home.

9. Vertebrate animals, human subjects, recombinant DNA, potential/known pathogens, and tissues: Projects involving live vertebrate animals, human subjects, recombinant DNA, potential/known pathogens human or vertebrate tissues or tissue samples, including the observation of pets and wild animals in their natural habitat, must be conducted in strict accordance with International Science and Engineering Fair rules designed to ensure proper and humane care and compliance with local, state and Federal laws. Students planning such projects must submit a Research Plan and complete the appropriate International Science and Engineering Fair forms and receive written approval from the Science Horizons Scientific Review Committee and/or Institutional Review Board prior to starting the research. See your registration form instructions for information.

SPECIAL NOTE: Do not submit a research plan dealing with potential/known pathogens (including all projects using agar/culture plates) unless you have made arrangements to conduct all work with the potential/known pathogens in a qualified laboratory. It is strictly forbidden for this type of work to be conducted in a home environment. Also, proper decontamination procedures (e.g. bleaching overnight or autoclaving) must be performed by qualified individuals prior to disposal of potential/known pathogenic materials (including all agar/culture plates). The method of disposal must be described in your project display.

10. Animals and animal parts: No live animals whatsoever may be displayed. No preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals or parts or embryos whatsoever may be displayed, including human parts, except for teeth, hair or nails dried animal bones and histological sections or liquid tissue slides. Research involving the use of animals may display drawings, charts or photographs to illustrate the conditions, developments and results of investigations. Photographs or other displays of abnormal conditions of vertebrates must be kept in a notebook and may be shown only during final judging.

11. Sharp or otherwise dangerous instruments or items such as sharp tools, knives, scalpels, needles, syringes or pipettes may not be displayed.

12. Flames, open or concealed, flammable substances or materials, matches and lighters required for any experiment are unacceptable for display.

13. Temperatures exceeding 50°C (120°F) must be insulated.

14. Electrical: Bare wire and exposed knife switches may be used only on circuits of 12 volts or less with low current (less than 5 amperes). Circuits exceeding 12 volts, including all standard 110 volt circuits and all circuits carrying high currents (greater than 5 amperes), must use wire of proper load-carrying capacity, must have connections soldered or made with approved connectors, must be properly enclosed or insulated and must in general comply with electrical codes. Equipment producing voltages in excess of 110 volts must be shielded. Open-top electrical cells are prohibited.

16. Lasers: Class I and Class II lasers must be displayed and operated in compliance with safety standards as specified in the International Science and Engineering Fair rules. Class III and Class IV lasers may be displayed but not operated at any time.

16. Radioactive materials: may not be displayed.

17. Anything not mentioned above, but that could be hazardous to the public is prohibited from being displayed. This could include projects involving high pressure, any open fan blades, projectiles, sublimating solids such as dry ice, and so forth. Decisions will be based on the safety of the participants and the viewing public.

18. Set-up: All tools and equipment for setting up must be supplied by the exhibitor. This includes electrical cords at least six feet long and equipped with a standard grounded plug. Single-phase 110 volt AC service with 500 watts per exhibit will be available if requested in advance.

Fair Security

Security is provided at the Fair in an attempt to assure that project-related materials left by the student in his/her designated display area are not disturbed. Security of personal property (e.g. CD players, etc.) not directly related to a student's project display is the responsibility of the student.  Science Horizons will not be responsible for such personal property.