Who Can Enter the Elementary School Science Fair Competition?

All students from grades K-5 in our seven-county region are invited to enter the science fair competition. 


Elementary School Rules

Before experimentation begins, the Great Falls College MSU Regional Science & Engineering Fair Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Scientific Review Committee (SRC) must review and approve most projects involving human participants; vertebrate animals; potentially hazardous biological agents; and hazardous chemicals, activities, or devices. 

Teams are limited to 3 members.

Submit the following form prior to project start:  Elementary Assessment of Risk & Project Approval

 

Note: If a project involves the testing of a student designed invention, prototype, or concept by a human, an IRB review and approval may be required prior to experimentation.  

Please expect three to five working days for the local IRB/SRC to review your submission. 

Please review the following ISEF Rules:

Submit your project Research Plan for review when you register for your fair. Below is a Sample Research Plan for your reference. If you have any IRB/SRC techinical questions contact Leanne Frost at leanne.frost@gfcmsu.edu.

Sample Research Plan


Project Display Rules

Maximum Size of Project:

  • Depth (front to back): 30 inches
  • Width (side to side): 48 inches 
  • Height (floor to top): 108 inches (assuming a table 36" high)

Displays at the fair may include the following:

  1. Living organisms, including plants
  2. Glass
  3. Soil, sand, rock, and cement samples
  4. Taxidermy specimens or parts
  5. Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals
  6. Human or animal food 
  7. Plant materials (living, dead, or preserved) that are in their raw, unprocessed, or non-manufactured state 
  8. Any apparatus with belts, pulleys, chains, or moving parts with tension or pinch points that are appropriately shielded
  9. Personal items or packaging materials stored underneath the booth

Tips/Ideas for Elementary Science Fair Projects

There is a myriad of websites available to help students get started on their science fair projects. Below is just a small list of links. Explore!

Science Buddies - Tips for Success

Science Fair Fun

Education.com

Science Buddies - Ideas by Grade

NASA Climate Kids

Business Insider

Science Kids

Explorable

This Grandma is Fun

Scholastic - 40 Cool Science Fair Projects

Home Science Tools

Engineering Games & Projects

 All Science Fair Projects

 Left Brain, Craft Brain

 

Discovery Channel STEM Education

Kids Online Learning-Science, Technology & More!  
 

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Contact Information:

Charla Merja

Charla Merja
Great Falls College MSU
2100 16th Avenue South
Great Falls, MT 59405
406-771-4301
charla.merja@gfcmsu.edu 

 

Institutional Review Board

Leanne Frost, Ed.D. 
Executive Director of Instruction 

Brenda Canine, Ph.D.  
Biology Faculty

Daniel Casmier, Ph.D.  
Chemistry Faculty

Elfriede Neber, Ed.D  
Behavioral Science Faculty

Russel Motschenbacher, M.S.N.
Nursing Program Director/Faculty

 

Scientific Review Committee

Leanne Frost, Ed.D.
Executive Director of Instruction

Brenda Canine, Ph.D.  
Biology Faculty

Daniel Casmier, Ph.D.  
Chemistry Faculty

Raimund Hahn, M.S.
Registered Professional Geologist

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