The forms should be filled out and signed BEFORE any research takes place. (Only Forms 1C, 7, 8, 9 are done AFTER the research.) The dates of the signatures reflect when the approval or consent is given.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECTS FORMS REQUIRED (9, 10)
HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECTS FORMS REQUIRED (10, 9, 11, 1, 1a, 1b, 8):
10. Regional Fair Entry Form (one per project)
This form serves as your project’s official entry into the Regional Science Fair.
9. GSEF Liability Agreement, Ethics Statement, Media Permission & Release Form (one per student)
11. GSEF Forms Required Checklist (one per project)
All student participants must agree to the terms in this form in order to participate in the Regional Fair. Complete AFTER experimentation.
1. Checklist for Adult Sponsor (one per student)
The checklist is provided so that the adult sponsor can review what information (and therefore which forms) must be provided. The date signed is the date that the sponsor first reviews the project plan before the experiment begins.
1a. Student Checklist (one per project; accompanied by Research Plan)
On this page, the student outlines what the project is about. Items that especially need to be clear are the following:
Any project conducted in a similar area of research, as previous projects should be considered a continuation. If the project is a continuation, explain on Form 7 as completely as possible how the project will differ from previous experimentation because ONLY a new and different research project is allowed. The current year project must demonstrate significant progress.
- Explain when the actual experimental procedure (not the background literature review) will begin and end because ONLY a 12-month project that occurred within the last 18 months before this Intel ISEF is allowed.
- Explain where the experimental research will be done: research institution, school, field, and home. Universities, research facilities, and industrial settings will require additional documentation on Form 1C to explain what was done at each facility. (Note: Pathogens may NOT be cultured at home.)
- Attach a research plan, as outlined on the next form, which describes the project in detail and answers all applicable questions.
1b. Approval Form (one per student)
These statements attest that each of these people (or committees) approves or consents to this project. The dates should be signed as described below and are before experimentation unless otherwise indicated:
| a) Student | Date they attest that they understand the possible risks, that they will read and follow the rules, and that they will abide by the ethics statement. | |
| b) Parent/Guardian | Date they consent to their child doing this project. | |
| c) SRC Approval BEFORE | Date that the committee reviews this project BEFORE the experimentation. Projects that must be preapproved are research in these areas: human subjects, vertebrate animals, and PHBA’s (potentially hazardous pathogenic agents) including microorganisms, recombinant DNA, and human or animal tissue. | |
| d) SRC Approval AFTER | This applies only to projects that needed preapproval by the SRC but were done at a research institution and were preapproved by that institution instead of the affiliated fair SRC. The date signed indicates when the SRC approved this project after it was completed. All documentation from the research institution showing approval of the project must be attached. | |
| e) Final SRC Approval | All projects must be reviewed by the SRC after the experimentation is complete and shortlyBEFORE competition. The date signed shows the date that SRC gives final approval to this project. |
Each student or team must submit a (maximum) 250-word abstract (typed) which summarizes the current year’s work. The abstract must include research conducted by the student(s), not by adult supervisors. Written AFTER experimentation. Only one abstract should be submitted per project. In addition to the abstract a Project Data Book or Research Paper are recommended, but not required. The Project Data Book or Research Paper do not need to be submitted. Instead students are advised to have them available for the Judges to view on the day of the Fair.
FORMS BELOW REQUIRED FOR SPECIFIC CATEGORIES (1c, 2, 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7):
1c. Regulated Research Institution
This form is completed by the supervising adult, explains what the student researcher actually did and is signed AFTER the project is completed. This form is only needed if the research was done at a research institution (university lab, for example) or in an industrial setting, but is not completed for work done at a high school.
2. Qualified Scientist
On this page, the scientist explains what will be done to oversee this project. The qualified scientist (QS) and, if needed, the designated supervisor (DS), will sign with the date that they approve this project (BEFORE experimentation takes place).
3. Risk Assessment Form
Required for projects using hazardous chemicals, activities or devices and must be completed and signed by the DS or QS BEFORE experimentation begins.
4. Human Participants and Informed Consent
This page, along with the research plan, is submitted by the student researcher to explain to the IRB to explain how the safety and well being of the test subjects and the confidentiality of results will be ensured. The IRB reviews the project, checks the risk level and determines if written documentation of consent/permission is required. Each IRB member signs with the date they approve this project. This review and the date signed must be BEFORE experimentation begins.
When required by the IRB, a written informed consent/parental permission form is used to explain very completely to the research subject and their parent/guardian exactly what will happen to the subject in the project. (See Sample Informed Consent Form.) Questionnaires, sample tests, etc. MUST be given to the IRB and to the parent/guardian. If the subject wishes to participate and when required, the parent/guardian also agrees, they each sign with the date that they approve. (BEFORE experimentation begins). Click here for a: Sample Informed Consent Form.
5ab. Vertebrate Animals Form and Vertebrate Animals Form (Regulated Research Institution)
This form is filled out by the student researcher when the experiment is conducted in a Non-Regulated Research Site such as home or school and describes the housing and care for the animals. The SRC reviews this document and determines the level of supervision required for the study and signs and dates BEFORE experimentation begins. The bottom of the form is filled out by the veterinarian and/or designated supervisor and is signed and dated when they approve this project with these housing conditions. (BEFORE experimentation begins.)
This form is filled out by the student researcher when the research is conducted at a Regulated Research Institution and describes the study. The Qualified Scientist and the IACUC Chair/Coordinator will sign and date to document the student researcher training and other information regarding the study. A copy of the IACUC approval (not a letter from the Qualified Scientist or Principal Investigator) must be attached. (BEFORE experimentation begins.)
6a. Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents
This form is filled out by the student researcher and is required for all research involving microorganisms, rDNA and fresh/frozen tissue, blood and body fluids. SRC/IACUC/IBC/RAC approval required BEFORE experimentation. The qualified scientist will sign and date. The SRC will choose one or more statements that describe the approval process for the study and will add the date that approval occurred.
6b. Human & Vertebrate Animal Tissue
This form is filled out by the student researcher and explains the source of the tissue. The Qualified Scientist or Designated Supervisor signs and dates to document the source and handling of this tissue (BEFORE experimentation).
7. Continuation Projects Form
If the current project is in a similar area of research as any previous project of the student or any team member, it is considered a continuation. Explain as completely as possible how the project is different from previous experimentation because ONLY a new and different research project is allowed. The date signed is the date the student researcher is certifying that this information is correct. Completed AFTER experimentation.