We are finding there are a few questions regarding the rules, so we have added these pages for you. These will help with your forms for the South Central/Southwest Minnesota Regional Science & Engineering Fair, Minnesota Academy of Science State Science Fair and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. At all levels there are protocol of the projects. Please contact the South Central/Southwest Minnesota Regional Science & Engineering Fair Office (507-389-2849) if you have further questions that are not answered here or in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Rules booklet.
Q: What is the proper makeup of an Institutional Review Board?
A: The Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is responsible for reviewing projects involving human subjects, must have at least three members. The preferred membership would include the following: 1) science educator, 2) school administrator, and 3) medical doctor, registered nurse, or psychiatrist.
Q: My fair is located in a rural area, and we do not have access to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. What can we do?
A: We understand that many rural areas may find it difficult or impossible to comply with the Rules of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) because the designated primary individuals are not available. In that case, other qualified persons may be considered: 1) clergy member, 2) school counselor, or 3) attorney. When in doubt, call Science Service: (202) 785-2255.
Q: Does my project need prior review and approval?
A: All projects need an initial review by an adult sponsor which is documented on Form 1. Studies involving human subjects need additional review and approval by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). This board should be established at your school or your regional fair. Studies involving vertebrate animals or potentially hazardous biological agents require an additional review and approval by your fair's Scientific Review Committee (SRC). Hazardous chemicals, activities and devices require an additional review by a supervising adult and a Risk Assessment Form must be completed.
Q: Can the Adult Sponsor or Qualified Scientist serve on the Scientific Review Committee and/or Institutional Review Board reviewing their particular project?
A: No. In the interest of fairness, and to eliminate potential conflicts of interest, an Adult Sponsor or Qualified Scientist who oversees a specific project is not permitted to serve on the IRB/SRC during review of that project. The IRB should always have at least one alternate member who can serve when a Qualified Scientist or Adult Sponsor is involved.
Q: What is the process for a student who wishes to submit a continuation of a previous project?
A: If a student followed Intel ISEF Rules, that student may refer to the previous year's project. However, they will not be judged on the previous year's research.
Q: How do you know if a project requires Form 1C?
A: A Form 1C is required for experiments or equipment use on projects in research institutions, commercial or college laboratories, government or industrial settings (i.e. machine shop, manufacturer facility), and medical facilities. The form needs to be completed by the supervising scientist AFTER you have completed your work. In addition to submitting a Form 1C, you need to check the appropriate box on Student Checklist Form 1A, question 7.
Q: Is Form 1C required when a student uses only the equipment in an institutional or industrial setting?
A: Yes. If the student uses equipment but does not perform experiments, the scientist need not answer questions 1-4 of Form (1C). The student, however, is required to obtain an approval signature from the institution.
Q: When students work as teams, which forms must be submitted individually and which forms must be submitted jointly?
A: Each team member must complete a separate form for Form 1B - Approval Form. Jointly, the team should submit one abstract listing all team members' names. If other forms are required, they may also be submitted jointly.
Q: If a project involves a survey or questionnaire given to human subjects, what is required?
A: Every project involving human subjects must be assessed for risk by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). If surveys or questionnaires are involved, an IRB must approve the student's Research Plan (1A), Approval Form (1B), and the survey or questionnaire before they are distributed to human subjects. In addition, Intel ISEF Rules require student researchers to submit Human Subjects Form (4). The Intel ISEF Rules require that student researchers obtain informed consent from ALL human subjects participating in behavioral projects.
Q: What is informed consent?
A: Informed consent means the subject is fully informed of the details of the research in which they are to participate. For science fair projects, the basic elements of informed consent must include the following: 1) a statement of the purpose of research, a description of procedures to be followed, including identification of any experimental procedures, 2) a description of foreseeable risks or discomfort, as well as potential benefits to the subject, 3) a statement of confidentiality that the subject will not be identified, 4) statement that participation is voluntary, and 5) an explanation of whom to contact for answers to pertinent questions about the research.
Q: Could I use my farm animal in my science project?
A: Yes, farm animals may be used at a "non-regulated [research?] site", i.e., farm or ranch. The animals can be used in non-invasive, non-intrusive, non-biomedical studies utilizing standard farming practices that do not negatively affect an animal's health and well-being.
Q: When is an egg embryo considered a vertebrate animal?
A: For pre-college science and science project purposes, this occurs in frogs when the egg hatches and becomes a tadpole; for reptiles and birds, it occurs three (3) days prior to hatching (e.g., chicken eggs at 18 days).
Q: If a project involves more than one species, does the student need to submit a separate Vertebrate Animal Form for each species?
A: Yes. The student is required to submit a separate Vertebrate Animal Form (5A or 5B) for each species involved in the project.
Q: What is meant by "invasive" procedures?
A: This includes all procedures involving entry into a living body by an incision, and/or by insertion of instruments, tubes, probes, etc. Injections for the health of an animal, as directed by a veterinarian, are not considered invasive (e.g., insulin, vitamins).
Q: Why should organisms isolated from the environment be considered as potentially pathogenic?
A: Microbial specimens collected by students for use in science research projects must be considered potential pathogens for several reasons. The primary reason is for the student's health and safety. There are many organisms that are pathogenic. For example, the organisms that cause anthrax, tetanus or botulism are readily found in soil. Also, E. coli has both pathogenic and nonpathogenic forms. Thus, all organisms isolated from the environment should be considered potentially pathogenic.
Q: How do I find out the Biosafety level of an organism?
A: Visit the website for the American Biological Safety Association at www.absa.org or the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) at www.atcc.org
Q: How do I determine if a chemical is hazardous?
A: Ask your supervising adult and consult the Material Safety and Data Sheet (MSDS) for the chemical(s) you plan to use. Some MSDS sheets (e.g. Flinn), rank the degree of hazard associated with a chemical. Generally a rating more than 1 should be considered hazardous. It is possible that two or more chemicals ranked 0 or 1 when mixed can react and form a hazardous chemical.
Q: Can I culture potentially hazardous biological agents at home?
A: No - collection may be done at home, but the culturing must be done at a school or a lab, given the potential risks inherent in the process.
All of the Intel ISEF Certification Forms are available at www.sciserv.org/isef or through the regional web site.
Projects will be inspected for rules violations by the team captain during the judging process at the Elementary Fair. Projects found to be in violation will receive only a ribbon and not be eligible for any special awards or grand awards.
All of the Intel ISEF Certification Forms are available at www.sciserv.org/isef or through the regional web site. The simplified form for the Elementary Division only, is exclusively available at our regional web site or by requesting a paper copy from the Regional Science Fair Office at 507-389-2849 or science.fair@mnsu.edu. A hard copy was sent to each of the school contacts.
