Limiting Factors of a Science Fair Project

Is the project feasible? Is the project safe? Is the project ethical?

Time  Start Early!!  Set a timeline/deadline for each step  How much time is needed for data collection?  Does the project require a specific time of year?

Money  Take into consideration the cost of materials required for each project  A winning project can be conducted on a low budget

General Resources  Does the project require resources not available at the school?  Transportation: Does the project require the student to travel?  Restrict projects to resources that are generally easily accessible (materials, tools, chemicals, etc.)

General Ethics  Scientific fraud and misconduct are not condoned  No plagiarism, use of others’ material  Adult help  Teachers and parents should act as mentors and provide guidance  All work should be done by the student  Adults should assess safety and associated risks of project  Be aware of what students are doing

Case Study 1 A team of students submits a project in which they wish to use pule rate to measure emotion. They will have each volunteer ride three fun but potentially scary rides at an amusement park. After each ride, they will rate emotion on a numerical scale for “thrill factor” and take a measurement of their pulse. Is this project allowable? What additional paperwork is needed?

Case Study 2 A student whose family has a private farm has sought out a veterinarian to serve as her Qualified Scientist for her project. During the project she compared the egg production between hens in two different chicken coops receiving different amounts of light. In one chicken coop, 20 chickens received 15 hours of light (sunlight followed by artificial light). In the other coop, 20 chickens received 11 hours of light (sunlight only). Each day she monitored the chickens for signs of distress by weighing them and collecting other observational data (molting, etc.). After two weeks, several chickens receiving 15 hours of light have lost twenty percent of their initial weight. Is this project allowable? What additional forms are needed?

Case Study 3 A team of students submits a project in which they wish to compare data from local songbirds. The group will count the number of times Eastern Meadowlarks sing when perched on a tree and compare this to the number of times they sing when sitting on the ground. Is this project allowable? What additional forms are needed?

Case Study 4 A student submits a project in which they wish to test how food preservatives affect the growth of microorganisms. The student will dissolve chicken broth cubes in boiling, divide this solution into four containers, and add a preservative to each container. A sample from each container will be streaked onto an agar plate after the 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th, and 7 th day. Plates will be immediately taped shut and inspected for bacterial growth. Is this project allowable? What additional forms are needed?

Case Study 5 A student submits a project proposal in which they will administer three different chemical weed killers on Kudzu I their parents’ privately owned backyards to determine which chemical was the most effective weed killer. Is this project allowable? What additional forms are needed?

Safety  What type of lab/work space is required?  Determine if BSL-1 or BSL-2 lab is required  See ISEF rules regarding Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents  Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Risk Assessment Form (6A)  Does the project involve any hazardous chemicals, activities or devices?  See ISEF rules  Determine proper disposal of any potentially hazardous biological agents or chemicals

Ethics (Vertebrate Animals)  If possible, avoid using vertebrate animals  Use invertebrate organisms as an alternative  If using vertebrate animals:  Minimize the amount of stress or discomfort to the organism  See ISEF rules regarding vertebrate animals  Vertebrate Animal Form (5A) or Vertebrate Animal Form (5B)

Ethics (Human Participants)  How will data be gathered  Will the project be observational or interactive?  Minimize physical and emotional stress for participants  Remind participants that participation is voluntary and they can resign at any time  See ISEF rules for human participants  Human participant form (4)  Human Informed Consent Form