Transcript Delaware Valley Science Fairs Rules’ Session 2006-2007

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.
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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.
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DVSF Rules
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There are 15 categories for projects:
1) Behavioral science
2) Biochemistry
3) Botany
4) Chemistry
5) Computer Science
DVSF Rules
6) Earth and Space Sciences
7) Engineering
8) Environmental Science
9) Mathematics
10) Medicine and Health
11) Microbiology
12) Physics
13) Zoology
14) Consumer Sciences (for gr. 6-8 only)
15) Team projects
DVSF Rules
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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 sponsor
Form 1B- Student, Parent, IRB or SRC signatures if needed for
project approval.
DVSF Rules
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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
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Names and Titles of Individuals/Groups used in the rules
Student researcher- the student
Adult sponsor- must be a teacher
- if home-schooled it may be the parent
Qualified Scientist- possesses an earned doctorate in
science. A Master’s degree person may be acceptable if
extensive experience is apparent and approved by the
SRC
Designated Supervisor- an adult who is directly
responsible for oversight of the project is the adult
sponsor is not available
DVSF Rules
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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 animals
microorganisms
tissue, 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.
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DVSF Rules- Human Subjects
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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)
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DVSF Rules- Human Subjects
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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 riskcause emotional stress or breach privacy
DVSF Rules- Human Subjects
Final
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The forms that must be completed for human projects
are:
Form 1
Form 1A
Form 1B
Form 4
Form 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
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Try to do the project with invertebrate animalsthis 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 1
Form 1A(with research plan)
Form 1B
Form 5A(Vertebrate Animal Form)
Form 2(Qualified Scientist)
Form 1C – if working in research facility
See p. 18-19 for appropriate vertebrate protocol
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DVSF Rules- Potentially Hazardous
Biological Agents
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These include projects with:
-microorganisms(including any bacteria)
-DNA
- human/animal tissues, blood or body
fluids
DVSF Rules- Potentially Hazardous
Biological Agents
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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
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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.
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DVSF Rules- Hazardous
Chemicals, Activities and Devices
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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.
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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).
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DVSF Rules
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Items prohibited from display:
Living organisms including plants
Animal preserved parts
Any food type (animal or human)
All chemicals including water
Any hazardous substance/device
Sharp objects
Flames
Batteries with open tops
DVSF Rules
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Prohibited items:
Previous awards
Offensive photos
Photos of dissections, etc
Glass 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
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If you have any questions regarding
certification, contact your fair director or
Mr. Henry Disston at 215-895-5840.