Delaware Valley Science Fairs Rules’ Session 2006-2007

-- The Steps to Completing Projects with the Proper Certification

DVSF Rules

We follow the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2007 Rules Booklet.

Questions regarding any of the rules should be directed to: Mr. Henry Disston, Director of DVSF at 215-895-5840 (Drexel University)

Your fair’s rules may differ from DVSF. Check with your director for any.

DVSF Rules

The ISEF(DVSF) rules can be found on the web at www. Sciserv.org/isef/primer/rules.asp

A rules wizard is also found at this site for ease of knowing which forms need to be filled out for any project.

A list of common problems is also found at this site.

DVSF Rules

There are 15 categories for projects:

1) Behavioral science

2) Biochemistry

3) Botany

4) Chemistry

5) Computer Science

DVSF Rules

6) Earth and Space Sciences7) Engineering8) Environmental Science9) Mathematics10) Medicine and Health11) Microbiology12) Physics13) Zoology14) Consumer Sciences (for gr. 6-8 only)15) Team projects

DVSF Rules

Each project needs to be certified that it is being done by acceptable means.

All projects must have Forms 1, 1A and1B. An Abstract is to be done after the completion of the project. (An explanation of an abstract is found on the center page of the rules booklet.)

There is a separate form for teams to use to replace the 1A form. It is labeled as 1A TEAM.

Form 1A and 1ATEAM require a research plan to be completed. The parts of the research plan are found in the rules booklet on p. 32.

Be sure that all signatures are filled in on each of the forms:Form 1-Adult sponsorForm 1B- Student, Parent, IRB or SRC signatures if needed for project approval.

DVSF Rules

If a student has done their work at a research facility (university, medical center or industrial setting), Form 1C must be completed. The purpose of this form is to determine what work was done by the scientist and what work was done by the student. (If project was not done at a research facility, no form 1C is needed.)

DVSF Rules

Names and Titles of Individuals/Groups used in the rulesStudent researcher- the studentAdult sponsor- must be a teacher

- if home-schooled it may be the parentQualified Scientist- possesses an earned doctorate in science. A Master’s degree person may be acceptable if extensive experience is apparent and approved by the SRCDesignated Supervisor- an adult who is directly responsible for oversight of the project is the adult sponsor is not available

DVSF Rules

Groups referred to:

IRB- Institutional Review Board- a committee of 3 people at a school (or research setting) that evaluates the potential risk that a project contains. At a school this should be made up of 1 adminstrter, 1 science teacher (not the sponsor) and a doctor/nurse/psychologist that is familiar with the type of project being done. The IRB must approve all human subject projects before the project is started.

DVSF Rules

SRC- Scientific Review Committee- a committee made up of qualified scientist(s), a teacher that approve all projects involving:

vertebrate animalsmicroorganismstissue, blood and body fluids(for some fairs) human projects

The SRC must approve prior to the start of investigations for all projects involving human subjects, vertebrate animals and potentially hazardous biological agents.- some fairs have their own SRC committees while many use Mr. Henry Disston as their SRC Committee- if not sure, contact Mr. Disston.

DVSF Rules- Human Subjects

All projects involving human subjects must be approved by the IRB in your school prior to the start of the project.

To be considered a “human subject” project, the researcher must have some interaction with the subject. (see p.13)

Product testing of engineering projects, analysis of athlete stats, behavioral observation (with no interaction with subjects and no environment manipulation studies) and anonymous data provided by someone else, or publicly available data are not considered human subject research and do not require an IRB.

DVSF Rules- Human Subjects

Informed consent forms(Form 4) are usually required for most human projects.

Projects dealing with children will require informed consent forms.(p.13-#5)

Internet surveys can be done but must follow strict guidelines (p.14-#10)

DVSF Rules- Human Subjects

How do you determine the level of risk?-Risk groups- minors and p.14-#1-Risk activities

=Exercise other than normally encountered in daily life

=Ingestion of any substance or exposure to potentially hazardous materials

-Psychological risk- cause emotional stress or breach privacy

DVSF Rules- Human Subjects Final The forms that must be completed for human projects

are:Form 1Form 1AForm 1BForm 4Form 2(Qualified Scientist)-(If more than minimal risk)Informed Consents on Form 4 for approval

--if required by IRB at your school on Form 4

DVSF Rules- Vertebrate Projects

Try to do the project with invertebrate animals- this will avoid the “hassle” of more paper work other than the basic forms.

All vertebrate projects must be approved by the SRC prior to start of the project.

Projects that give death, pain or suffering to animals are prohibited. (see p. 17-#3 & 4)

Must be done in research facility with proper housing/feeding/temp/etc.- Schools will rarely fit this criteria.

DVSF Rules- Vertebrate Projects

Forms needed for vertebrate projects:Form 1Form 1A(with research plan)Form 1BForm 5A(Vertebrate Animal Form)Form 2(Qualified Scientist)Form 1C – if working in research facility

See p. 18-19 for appropriate vertebrate protocol

DVSF Rules- Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents

These include projects with:

-microorganisms(including any bacteria)

-DNA

- human/animal tissues, blood or body

fluids

DVSF Rules- Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents

First, conduct a Risk Assessment (p.23) Forms must be approved by the SRC prior to

the start of the experiment. No bacteria project may be done in the home.

Specimens may be collected from the home. Exempt from these rules is: baker’s yeast and

brewer’s yeast; composting or fuel production with manures

DVSF Rules- Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents

Forms needed for this type of project are:-Form 1-Form 1A(with research plan)-Form 1B-Form 1C- if applicable-Form 2 (Qualified Scientist)-Form 6A (Hazardous Risk Assessment)- Form 6B (if using tissues or body fluids)

DVSF Rules- Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents

See p. 22 for the exceptions to the definition of what Hazardous Biological Agents are such as: meat purchased from a store, plant tissue, hair, sterilized teeth, fossils and prepared slides of tissues.

Must receive SRC prior approval of project.

DVSF Rules- Hazardous Chemicals, Activities and Devices A risk assessment must be completed. See p. 26 for definition of Hazardous Chemicals Forms needed:

- Form 1, 1A(with research plan), 1B

- Form 1C– if done in a research lab

- Form 2 (Qualified Scientist)- if applicable

- Form 3 (Risk Assessment Form)

DVSF Rules- Continued Projects

All projects that are a continuation of a project from a previous year must complete Form 7 to demonstrate how there is significant work done.

See p. 10 for other criteria regarding the definition of a continuation project.

DVSF Rules

The Presentation of the Project: Maximum Board size: 108”High(floor to

top), 48” side to side, 30” deep- contact your fair to verify these for your fair

An abstract of the project must be displayed on the board or in front (See Student Handbook for demonstration).

DVSF Rules

Items prohibited from display:Living organisms including plantsAnimal preserved partsAny food type (animal or human)All chemicals including waterAny hazardous substance/deviceSharp objectsFlamesBatteries with open tops

DVSF Rules

Prohibited items:Previous awardsOffensive photosPhotos of dissections, etcGlass objects including test tubes

All photos must have credit as to who took photo. Informed consents must be obtained for anyone other than the student researcher for their picture to be displayed.

A log book and research paper are highly recommended. Your regional fair may differ and will require these.

DVSF Rules

If you have any questions regarding certification, contact your fair director or Mr. Henry Disston at 215-895-5840.