Part 4: The District Science Fair - The Rules

The Bartlesville District Science Fair is affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) must follow the ISEF Rules. Copies of the ISEF and Entry forms may be obtained by 1) visiting with your science teacher, 2) visiting the Reference Section of the Bartlesville Community Library or contacting Doug Hausler, Director, Bartlesville District Science Fair, 363E PL, Phillips Research Center, Bartlesville, OK 74004 (661-9295). If you are interested in more information and rules of the OKLAHOMA JUNIOR ACADEMY OF SCIENCES COMPETITION, try out the following website: http://bmb-fs1.biochem.okstate.edu/OAS/OJAS/HOMEPAGE.HTML

Copies of the current rules for the International Science and Engineering Fair conducted by Science Service under the National Science Foundation may be obtained by writing to Science Service at: 1719 N Street N.W., Washington D.C. 20036 or calling them at: (202) 785-2255 Fax: (202) 785-1243. Alternately you can go to the SCIENCE SERVICE website (http://www.sciserv.org/isef/isefpubs.htm) where you can obtain electronic copies of the rules in .PDF files using Adobe® Acrobat Reader.

An important note: The Bartlesville District Science Fair has a deadline for submission of plans, if required. Be sure to watch out for scheduling conflicts and contact us if you have conflicts for the day of the Fair.

The information below is taken from the ISEF Website (www.sciserv.org/isef/).

CAUTION: Simply knowing the timetable of the fair will not tell you when you should accomplish specific steps of your individual project. You need to create your own Project Timetable for each step of your experiment and include the dates when you must submit forms to the Science Fair Director. Be sure to include enough time at the beginning to look up and read bibliographic reference needed as background for your research.  

Other considerations: in each set of rules, be sure to read the sections on safety regulations. Every project must comply with safety rules designed to keep the student and others safe around the project. A project can be disqualified on the day of the competition if it is judged to be unsafe for viewing.

Read the rules on display of the project. Know what materials you can use (and what you canít) and the height, weight, width, and other limitations on the project. No one is trying to cramp your style; however, most fairs have many participants and space is limited. Also, judges have to be able to see your project and move around it. Yhe Bartlesville Fair requires the student to be present to explain the project to the judges. You need to find out all the regulations and expectations for you and your project on the actual day of judging. A lapse at this stage could ruin all your hard work!

Restricted Projects

Restricted projects involve some very specific rules within the ISEF. These rules are designed to minimize the risk to the student and the subjects under study.

HUMAN SUBJECTS You must have your project plan approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before you begin. You must consider the psychological as well as physical risks to your human subjects. This includes doing a survey! You will need to have an "informed consent" form signed by human subjects under 18 years old and for all other human subjects when the IRB determines your project has acceptable risk.  

RECOMBINANT DNA Learn the difference between non-exempt and exempt recombinant DNA (rDNA). Non-exempt rDNA projects must be done in a federally registered research institution with a Qualified Scientist directly supervising your work. Exempt rDNA projects may be done in a school laboratory under the direct supervision of a trained teacher or Qualified Scientist.  

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES There are many federal regulations covering controlled substances and you must comply with the law in your handling of these substances. Learn the rules that apply to your specific project.  

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES OR DEVICES Again, many laws and regulations apply to using the substances in research or other use. You also need a Designated Supervisor. Fair officials from your local fair to the International Fair want to be sure you and everyone around you is safe while conducting and exhibiting your project.  

NONHUMAN VERTEBRATE ANIMALS This is a very restrictive area! The many laws, rules, and regulations that apply to projects using nonhuman vertebrate animals include some of the following:

- You must explore alternatives to using vertebrate animals for research.

- Reputable animal breeders must legally supply the research animals.

- You cannot do your experiments at home, with few exceptions.

- You have to plan to care for the research animals over holidays, weekends, and vacations.

- You cannot cause unnecessary pain or discomfort in your experiment.

- Your project cannot be designed to kill vertebrate animals.

- Students may not perform euthanasia, with few exceptions.

- Half a lethal dose or higher of any substance is not permitted.

HUMAN AND ANIMAL TISSUES The human blood and products used must be documented to be free of HIV and hepatitis viruses and/or should be handled in ways conforming to blood borne pathogen procedures. An exception is made when you use your own blood. Check the current list for what is defined as human tissues; the list has included all body fluids including saliva and urine.

PATHOGENIC AGENTS These include organisms from any environment which could be pathogenic.

Questions? Contact the Director, Lee Carvell, at 918-661-3450.

  

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