Rules for SCIENCE FAIR
Rules For All
Science Fair Participants


 Students in grades 1-6 may enter only one research project and it must be his/her own work. Group projects are allowed. A group is defined as up to three students in the same grade level working on a project together. Teachers and technically trained professionals may give information and advice to all students entering science fair projects.

 Identical repetition of a previous year’s work is not permitted; however, a student may exhibit previous research on a continuing problem, provided the research shows significant progress when compared with the previous year. A separate research report and notebook showing previous research must be part of the new exhibit.

 The student must furnish all equipment and other necessary supplies when setting up an exhibit. This includes electrical extension cords and duct tape.

 All exhibits must be self-supporting and must not exceed the size requirements:
30 inches deep, 32 inches wide, 108 inches high
from the floor to the top of the exhibit.
 No previous awards, name of student or school, or any other identification may be displayed.

 All research involving animals must be conducted with a respect for life and an appreciation of human considerations that must be offered all animals.

 Teachers and students must indicate a familiarity and understanding of all rules involving vertebrate animals, human subjects, recombinant DNA, tissues and/or microorganisms PRIOR to starting the research.

 All research involving human subjects should be reviewed by the teacher PRIOR to the investigation to determine that there is no risk or harm to the subjects, either physically or emotionally, and that privacy is insured.

 One grand prize winner from grades 1-3 and one grand prize winner from grades 4-5 from each elementary campus are eligible to enter the North Dallas Regional Elementary Science and Engineering Fair. Grade 6 may submit three entries from each middle school.

The metric system should be used for all measurements.

 Display boards for projects should list the hypothesis, materials, variables, procedure, results, and conclusion, and should show charts, graphs, pictures or photographs to represent what has been done. A title, introduction, problem or question, and purpose should precede your hypothesis.

 A student’s name should not appear on the front of the project. Student information (name, address, phone number, parent’s name, grade, school, and teacher) should be placed in an envelope attached to the back of the display board.

 All students are encouraged to write a short report on readings related to the project to accompany it. A logbook or journal is encouraged.

Safety and Project Display Rules

It is essential for teachers to inform students and parents of these safety rules.

The North Dallas Regional Elementary Science Fair strongly discourages experimentation involving toxic, caustic, explosive (including rocket propellants), flammable or pathogenic substances and experimentation using dangerous equipment unless supervised by a knowledgeable professional. Teachers are encouraged to assist students in seeking such professionals when needed. All projects involving vertebrate animals, human subjects, lasers, controlled substances, tissues, pathogenic agents, recombinant DNA, gasohol must be approved by the DISTRICT Science Coordinator BEFORE the project begins.

ANYTHING THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED HAZARDOUS AS A PUBLIC DISPLAY IS PROHIBITED. For display purposes, students should use photographs or drawings in place of actual objects. It is essential that the classroom teacher discuss with each student the safety precautions to be observed.

The rules for display include, but are not limited to, the following items:

1. All displays must be self-supporting, single-sided and must NOT exceed the size requirements: 30 inches deep, 32 inches wide, and 108 inches high (from floor to the top of the exhibit).

2. Personal information including names (student, teacher, school, and test or survey subjects), accomplishments, acknowledgements, addresses, and phone numbers may not be displayed.

3. Photographs may not show the student's face or other faces. Photographs should not show dissections or animal parts, trauma or injuries. Animals may not be harmed during experimentation.

4. No food “stuffs” sealed or unsealed (candy, gum, popcorn, etc.) may be displayed.

5. No living plants or plant materials, which are in their raw, unprocessed, unmanufactured or natural state such as leaves, seeds/nuts, bark, stems, or roots may be displayed.

6. No live animals (vertebrate or invertebrate) or animal tissues (including eggs or egg shells) may be displayed.

7. No preserved animals or their parts may be displayed. Preserved invertebrates insects or seashells are acceptable in sealed containers.

8. No human parts, blood or other body fluids (except teeth or hair) may be displayed. Teeth and hair must be in sealed containers.

9. Experimentation with microbial cultures, mold, or fungi (disease or non-disease causing) is not allowed.

10. No soil (sand, clay, rock, etc.) or waste product may be displayed.

11. No liquids (including water) may be displayed in sealed or unsealed containers.

12. No laboratory / household chemicals (including detergents) may be displayed.

13. No dangerous chemical substances, such as caustics, acids, or highly combustible solids, fluids, or gases in pressurized tanks may be displayed.

14. No poisons, drugs, hazardous substances, controlled substances or devices may be displayed.

15. No dry ice or other sublimating solids may be displayed.

16. No syringes, needles, pipettes and similar devices may be displayed.

17. No flames, open or concealed, or highly flammable display materials (including candles) may be displayed.

18. Lasers may not be displayed.

Advice for a Winning Project

CAREFULLY PREPARE YOUR LOG BOOK
A project logbook is your most valuable piece of work. It is a day-to-day record of the experiment. Accurate and detailed notes make for a logical and winning project. Good notes show consistency and thoroughness to the judges, and help when writing a paper.

VISUAL DISPLAY
You want to attract and inform. Construct a clear and concise display. Make headings stand out and label everything clearly and correctly.

A GOOD TITLE
Your title is an extremely important attention-grabber. A good title should simply present your research and should make the casual observer want to know more.

BE ORGANIZED
Make sure your display is logically presented and easy to read.

EYE-CATCHING
Make your display stand out. Use neat, colorful headings, charts and graphs.

CORRECTLY PRESENTED AND WELL-CONSTRUCTED
Be sure to adhere to the size limitations and safety rules when constructing your display. Display all required forms in your lab notebook.







Information for Students about Science Fair Projects
A Successful Science Project:
1. represents your work--not that of an expert or your parents.
2. indicates an understanding of the science area chosen.
3. shows careful planning that would eliminate a “rush” project.
4. has a notebook showing a complete record of all your work.
5. has a simple, well-stated title and neat lettering.
6. includes photographs, charts, pictures, graphs, etc., that might be necessary to explain your work.
7. has accurate, valid, and correct observations.
8. tells a complete story--Problem and Solution.
9. is original in approach and presentation.
10. is self-explanatory.
11. is attractive and organized.
12. does not have to cost much money.
13. is best if it is an experiment.
14. is one that gives credit to those who gave help.

A Science Fair Project Is Not:
1. only a report.
2. necessarily a new discovery or an original piece of research.
3. constructing a plastic model from a hobby kit.
4. an enlarged model or drawing.
5. a weekend chore.
6. one, two, or even three posters.
7. something done by your parents or teachers.

Steps in Making a Science Project:
1. Pick Your Topic. Choose something that interests you. Ideas might come from hobbies or problems you see that need solutions. Be curious!
2. Research Your Topic. Find out as much about it as you can. Go to the library, search the web. Observe related events. Gather existing information and talk to professionals in the field.
3. Organize and Theorize. Organize everything you have learned about your topic. At this point you should determine your hypotheses by focusing on a particular problem/idea.
4. Make a Timetable. Choose a topic that can be completed in the amount of time you have. Use a calendar to identify important dates. Allow plenty of time to experiment and collect data. You should repeat the experiment several times. Leave time to write a report and build a display. Work on your project a little each day. Don’t wait until the last minute.

5. Plan Your Experiment. Once you have a project idea, write a plan. This plan should explain how you will do your experiment. Set up a work area in your house where you can work on your project. Make sure the area is off limits to pets and younger siblings.
6. Consult Your Teacher or Adult Sponsor. Make sure your project adheres to all Rules and Guidelines (see page 2-3). Check with your teacher for suggestions and materials. He or she might be able to save you time and money.
7. Conduct Your Experiments. During experimentation, keep detailed notes in a logbook. Remember to change only one variable and include control experiments in which none of the variables change.
8. Examine Your Results. When you complete your experiments, examine and organize your findings. Did your experiments give you the expected results? Why or why not?
9. Draw conclusions. Does your data support your hypothesis? Did you collect enough data? Do you need to conduct more experimentation? Keep an open mind. Even if your results do not support your original hypothesis, you still have accomplished successful scientific research.
10. Further Questions: What further questions do you have about your experiment? What else would you like to know about this topic?
11. Construct your exhibit. Organize your information according to guidelines on pages 2 and 3. Remember, everything does not need to fit on your display board. The display board is to show the highlights of your project. Pictures, charts, and graphs should be included on the display board. (See sample display board and logbook guidelines on the following pages.)







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