1. Wilkes County Science Fair

2. Resources

3. Important Dates
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Paperwork from school winners due to Angie Lamb by 4:30 (NO EXCEPTIONS) Monday, November 14, 2016: 12:00-6:00 Projects set up by students and/or teachers Tuesday, November 15, :00-10:00 Project Display Closed for Judging 10:00-6:00 Projects Displayed for Public Viewing 6:00-7:00 Awards Program All projects must be removed after the program

4. Rules All entries MUST have an abstract
All entries MUST have a research plan
No more than three students may work on any project
Only students in grades 3rd-5th can compete in the Elementary Division
All rules will follow the ISEF rules and regulations
Maximum size of project is 30”X 48”X108”
Make sure students cite all sources

5. Checklist for Adult Sponsor
Required for all students that are participating on the project
Date must be prior to actual start date on 1A

6. Student Checklist (1A) Required
Dates cannot be before the date on the adult sponsor form and approval form

7. Approval Form (1B) Required from each member of the project team
Date needs to be prior to experiment

8. Abstract
Required as a form and can be on the board or set up in front of the board as well
An abstract has to be submitted to me with the school winners
Keep the original with the project

9. Tips on Writing Abstract
Brief paragraph or two (limit to 250 words)
Focus on your purpose, methods, data summary or analysis, and conclusions
Use short, complete sentences
Use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation
**Use a cheap picture frame to put your abstract in to set up in front of your project

10. Research Plan

11. Tips for the Research Plan
What is the rationale for your project?
State your hypothesis, research questions, engineering goals, and expected outcomes
Describe in detail your research methods and conclusions (Procedures, risk and safety, and data analysis)
Bibliography (At least 5)
Refer to the website for special instructions for human participant research, vertebrate animal research, hazardous chemicals, activities, devices, and biological agents research

12. Regulated Research Institutional Form (1C)
Required if the experiment was completed at any site other than home, school or field

13. Qualified Scientist Form (2)
Required for experiment using human participants, vertebrate animals and hazardous biological agents
Date must be prior to experiment

14. Risk Assessment Form (3)
Required for projects using hazardous chemicals, activities, or devices and microorganisms exempt from pre-approval
Dated before experiment begins

15. Human Participants Form (4)
Attach survey or questionnaires and consent forms
Required for all research using human participants
Date must be prior to experiment

16. Vertebrate Animal Form (5A)
Required for all research involving vertebrate animals that is conducted in a school/home or field research site
Dated prior to experiment
Veterinarian signature required

17. Vertebrate Animal Form (5B)
Required for all research involving vertebrate animals that is conducted at a Regulated Research Institution
If you use this form, you must complete Form 1C also

18. Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Risk Assessment Form (6A)
Required for research involving microorganisms, rDNA, fresh/frozen tissue, blood, blood products, and body fluids
Form 6B is also required if you fill this out
Pay close attention to this!

19. Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (6B)
Form 6A is also required if this form is needed
Required for research involving fresh/frozen tissue, blood, blood products, and body fluids
Dated prior to experiment

20. Continuation/Research Progression Projects Form (7)
Required for projects that are a continuation or progression in the same field of study as a previous project
The previous year’s abstract and research plan must be attached to this form

21. Junior and Senior Division Categories
Biological Science (Animal Science, Medicine and Health Science, Microbiology)
Biological Science B (Behavioral and Social Sciences, Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Plant Sciences)
Chemistry (Composition, structure, properties and reactions of matter, especially atomic and molecular systems)

22. Junior and Senior Categories
Earth/Environmental Science (Geology, Mineralogy, Physiography, Oceanography, Meteorology, Climatology, and Pollution)
Physics (Matter and Energy and the interactions between the two)
Technology/Engineering (Directly apply scientific principles and manufacturing and practical uses)

23. Elementary Division
Elementary projects should basically include the same categories as the junior division
ABSOLUTELY no bacteria or culture projects allowed in the elementary division except experiments using Baker’s/Brewer’s yeast and experiments using lactobacillus or probiotic cultures (yogurt, buttermilk, or commercially available probiotic supplements)
Students at all levels may NOT grow microorganisms at home

24. Reminders No liquids can be displayed with the boards
No live or dead creatures can be displayed with boards
No food of any kind can be displayed on boards
Any large props that do not fit in front of the board will be placed under the table and will not be judged
Research plans and abstracts need to be with the boards. The judges will not ask for these.

25. Projects Per School Elementary Schools: 10 per school
Middle and High Schools: 2 entries per category (12 entries)
10 first place winners will be chosen from elementary

26. New Requirements
All elementary and middle school AIG students are required to complete a project (this should replace another assignment in science, not as extra work)
It is recommended that high school students taking an honors science class complete a project but it is not required
Interviews will be a new criteria for all entries that will be sent to the county competition
After I have a list of the school winners, I will come to your schools to complete the interviews and the points will be added to their rubric

27. Judging Criteria Creative Ability 20 points
Scientific Thought points
Skill and Thoroughness 15 points
Clarity and Dramatic Presentation 10 points
Research points
Interview points
***Emphasis will be placed on research and thought more than the looks of the board

28. Regional Science Fair Tuesday, December 13, 2016 ASU (all day)
All students are expected to attend
Up to 12 elementary projects can be selected to attend regionals. All ten 1st place entries will attend. The two extra slots will depend on quality and scores of 2nd place entries.
Up to 24 middle and high school projects can be selected (2 entries per category)
Students can ride with parents or a designated person from that school.