1. FORMS AND RULES:  The Science Fair is linked to the North Carolina Science Fair, as described at  http://ncsciencefair.org/ .  Go to this web site for necessary ISEF forms and rules.  Projects must either use the Scientific Method OR represent an Engineering Process.


2. ISEF FORMS AND SIGNATURES:   ALL STUDENTS (grades 3-12) must complete and submit the proper ISEF forms for signature prior to beginning their experiments.  This is done to ensure safety, and is a good idea because the student can get input into experimental design before beginning. 
   
   In ISEF provides 2 checklist forms, one for the supervising adult, and one for the student which included a project description (click here). These should be filled out ahead of time to ensure that you have completed the appropriate steps.
   
   The ISEF Approval form should be filled out and signed, and the research plan should be attached. You do NOT need to send or email your Approval/Project Form/SRC Form UNLESS you need additional signature by the SRC committee (see below). DO BRING THIS FORM WITH ATTACHED RESEARCH PLAN TO THE SCIENCE FAIR. Your student will present it at check-in.


3. SIGNATURES: Parent, Scientist/Adult Sponsor, and Teacher signatures are required on the Approval/Project form. Yes, they can be the same. Older students, especially Junior and Senior Divisions, would be best served having a signature from the scientific community – ask if you need help. The last signature on the Project Form, Local SRC Approval, is only necessary if the student is working with potential hazards, with human subjects, vertebrate animals, or micro-organisms. There are additional forms needed in that case – use the Rules Wizard (see below).
   
   Email Dixie Fisher (dixie@caryareasciencefair.org) or Linda Whipker (linda@caryareasciencefair.org) ASAP if you need further assistance in this area! You want the documentation in place so your student is qualified to proceed to the Regional competition with a good project!


4. Additional forms are required if the student will be using hazardous chemicals or devices, using human subjects, using micro-organisms, involving vertebrate animals, or involving potentially hazardous biological agents.  The ISEF Rules Wizard (http://apps.societyforscience.org/isef/students/wizard/index.asp) is very helpful to figure out which forms need to be filled out (and is a must for High School students!).  It links to the appropriate forms. 
   
   Email the completed form/s to  dixie@caryareasciencefair.org  and it will be passed along quickly for comment and signature by our local Scientific Review Committee.


5. Projects for grades K-2 do not need to worry about the paperwork.  They are not eligible to compete at the Regional level, and I think we can depend upon our parents to adequately supervise for safety and to ensure humane treatment of vertebrate animals.


6. HUMAN SUBJECTS:  Any projects dealing with Human Subjects:  contact Linda Whipker at linda@caryareasciencefair.org. If your experimentation involves people (for example, taste-testing results from baking experiments, or psychological experiments), there are disclosure questionnaires that are required.  Don’t let this deter you.  But it would be a shame to have a great project and not have the paperwork in place.  Linda can help make this step easy.


7. WHO MAY PARTICIPATE:  This science fair is designed for Cary Homeschoolers and Dayspring Home Educators members.  However, due to the policy that homeschoolers must compete in a smaller fair prior to attending the Regional Fair, we will accept non-member science fair projects as space permits.  Registration fee will be $10 per project for members and $20 per project for non-members. If registration fees are a problem, please contact Dixie about scholarship options..


8. CATEGORIES: 
   • Biological Science
   • Earth/Environmental Science
   • Physical Science and Technology.


9. DIVISIONS:
   • Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12.
10. Students may work on teams of up to 3 students (fill out one registration form).  Team projects with students in overlapping divisions are not eligible to compete at the Regional Competition.


11. The winners of this science fair will be eligible to go on to the North Carolina Region 3-Central Regional Science Fair at Wakefield Middle School in North Raleigh, NC (usually 3rd or 4th week in February). Their website is http://ncsciencefair.org/index.php/students-a-parents/regional-fairs . 
    
    Winners from regional science fairs may compete at the state level. The 2012 North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair is scheduled for March 23-24, 2012 at Meredith College in Raleigh:
    http://ncsciencefair.org/index.php/2012-nc-science-a-engineering-fair .

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