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The International Science and Engineering Fair – Rules and Timeline

  • December 19, 2017
  • Category: Academics, Campus Life, Enrichment
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These rules are consistent with The International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), a program of Society for Science& the Public (SSP).

The G-STEM Expo is designed to prepare our students for upper level participation in middle school and high school.

G-STEM Expo participation is required in all grades (kindergarten-5).

Rules and Regulations

Please read all rules and requirements before you start your project. Consult with your science teacher to be sure you understand them.

General Rules

  1. Each student may submit only one project. The entry must be the work of the student entering the Fair. Projects are to be completed independently, there will be only one student per project.
  2. Projects will be assigned after the student completes an interest inventory. Topics reflect what the students have learned in class and STEMlab. Teachers have appropriate in-class resources to assist with the research and writing portions of the project. This is not a parent project, the suggested topics are developmentally appropriate for the students.
  3. Student Entry Form must be turned into the science teacher by the Entry Form Due Date on page 1. Entry form must include title, description of project, and student and parent signatures.
  4. The name or photograph of the student must NOT appear on the exhibit. Each exhibit will be assigned an identification number.
  5. A three-sided backdrop (display board) is required as a part of each exhibit (all grade levels).
  6. The student is responsible for the set-up of his/her own exhibit. Remember to bring whatever tools are required. The exhibitor is responsible for the dismantling of the project.
  7. A Project Data Folder (will be provided) must be included with the student project. The contents will vary by grade level.

Judging and Awards

K-2    Each grade level will be judged independently.  Kindergarten, first, and second grade projects for will be presented orally to faculty and staff. They will not earn ribbons. All participants will receive a certificate to recognize their participation in the EXPO. 

3-5    Third grade will be judged independent of 4th and 5th grade.  4thand 5th will be judged by the same panel of judges.  First, second and third place ribbons will be assigned in each of these categories:  physical science, chemistry, environmental science, consumer science (3rd grade). All participants will receive a certificate to recognize their participation in the Fair. 

Display Rules

All students grades k-5 will have a display board and journal.  Students in grades 3-5 may have additional props and display materials.

SIZE:  Display boards must be freestanding, and must be purchased from any local retailer:  Walmart, Office Depot, the grocery store. Maximum height is 48 inches, maximum width is 36 inches, maximum depth is 15 inches.

OTHER WRITTEN MATERIAL: A project folder including research, sources, and observations must be displayed with the project. The folder is provided to make data collection easier. The display board should show information beyond what is included in the journal. The display board shows what has been learned and what the project can teach others.

ORAL PRESENTATION:  The student should be prepared to give orally a brief explanation of his/her project. The oral presentation is extremely important because it reveals the student’s knowledge and understanding of his/her project. This presentation should not exceed 5 minutes. The student should be prepared to answer any questions about the project.

Safety Rules

Anything which could be hazardous to public display is prohibited. 

Proper attention to safety is expected of all Science Fair Participants, including compliance

with the following requirements for all operating exhibits:

  1. Electric power should be supplied by dry cell batteries of no more than 12 volts each. All wiring must be properly insulated.
  2. Electric power from a wall outlet is not permitted.

 

Three-sided Backdrops (display board)

Below is a sample of how a project might be displayed.  All project components should be included on backdrop.

  • Project title: Your project title should be large enough to be read from a distance of roughly 3 feet (1 meter).
    • Your question
    • Your hypothesis
    • Experiment (including materials and procedure): Summarize your experiment so that it fits on one or two sheets of paper.
    • Data (including tables, graphs, charts, and possibly even photos): If possible, use a color printer to create colorful graphs and tables.
    • Results: Summarize your results so that they fit on one sheet of paper.
    • Conclusions: Your conclusions should be a summary of what you learned. You should try to do this in a paragraph or two. Also, say whether or not your hypothesis is correct.
    • Future experiment plans: As you experimented, you probably thought of new questions,  or  even  how  you  might  do  the  experiment differently if you were to do it again. Share those ideas in this section.

 

 

Science Fair - Master Schedule 2017-2018