RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE
SUSSEX COUNTY SCIENCE FAIR (SCSF)

APPROVAL AND DOCUMENTATION:

1. Before experimentation begins, a local or regional Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Scientific Review Committee (SRC) must review and approve projects involving human participants, vertebrate animals, firearms, toxic and or controlled substances as well as potentially hazardous biological agents.

2. Every student must complete the Student Checklist (1A), a Research Plan and Approval Form (1B) and review the project with the Adult Sponsor in coordination with completion by the Adult Sponsor of the Checklist for Adult Sponsor (1) as well as the Sussex County Science Fair entry form.

3. A Qualified Scientist is required for all studies involving potentially hazardous biological agents and controlled substances and is also required for many human participant studies and most vertebrate animal studies.

4. After initial research plan approval (if required), any proposed changes in the Student Checklist (1A) and Research Plan must be re-approved before laboratory experimentation/ data collection resumes.

5. Projects which are continuations of a previous year’s work and which require IRB/SRC approval must undergo the review process with the current year proposal prior to experimentation/data collection for the current year.

6. Any continuing project must document that the additional research is new and different (see Continuation Projects Form (7)).

7. If work was conducted in a Regulated Research Institution, industrial setting or any work site other than home, school or field, at any time during the current SCSF project year, the Regulated Research Institutional/ Industrial Setting Form (1C) must be completed and displayed at the project booth.

8. After experimentation, each student must submit a (maximum) 250-word, one-page abstract that summarizes the current year’s work. The abstract must describe research conducted by the student, not by the supervising adult(s).

9. A project data book and research paper are not required, but are highly recommended.

10. All signed forms, certifications, and permits must be available for review by all regional, state, national and internatioeout="style.backgroundColor='lightskyblue';">Judging Procedures