Who Can Enter the Science & Engineering Fair Competition?

All students from grades 9-12 in our seven-county region are invited to enter the science fair competition. Students compete for trips, cash prizes, awards, and the ability to compete on the international stage. Full eligibility requirements may be found on the Student Society for Science website.

What You Need to Know Before Starting a Project

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.

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:

• Human Participants
• Vertebrate Animals 
• Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents
• Hazardous Chemicals, Activities, or Devices

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 technical questions contact Leanne Frost at leanne.frost@gfcmsu.edu.

Sample Research Plan

SEE FULL RULES BELOW.

High School Project Rules

All students are strongly encouraged to complete ISEF's Rules Wizard to help determine what forms and approvals are necessary before beginning a science fair project. Visit the Student Society for Science website for a complete listing of the INTEL ISEF Rules & Guidelines and forms. The Great Falls College MSU Regional Science & Engineering Fair adheres to the ISEF Display and Safety Regulations. 

Teams are limited to 3 members.

Students/teachers may also choose to review the forms below with links to the applicable forms. Please note: All projects involving Humans, Vertebrate Animals, or Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (microorganisms, DNA, or Tissues) require prior approval by an SRC or IRB. If you have questions about the required ISEF paperwork, please submit submit your questions with a detailed research plan/protocol to: leanne.frost@gfcmsu.edu.

The Great Falls College MSU Regional Science & Engineering Fair adheres to the ISEF Display and Safety Regulations. 

Forms REQUIRED for all Projects:

• Form 1: Checklist for Adult Sponsor
• Form 1A: Student Checklist with Research Plan
• Form 1B: Approval Form
• Abstract Form

Additional Forms if the Project involves:

1) Hazardous Chemicals, Activities, or Devices

• Form 2: Qualified Scientist Form
• Form 3: Risk Assessment Form

OR

• Form 1C: Regulated Research Institution Form
• Form 3: Risk Assessment Form

(see ISEF rules to determine appropriate form set)

2) Vertebrate Animals**

• Form 2: Qualified Scientist Form
• Form 5A: Vertebrate Animal Form

OR

• Form 1C: Regulated Research Institution Form
• Form 5B: Vertebrate Animal Form

(**Requires SRC or IRB approval PRIOR to experimentation; see ISEF rules to determine appropriate form set)

3) Human Subjects**

• Form 2: Qualified Scientist Form
• Form 4: Human Subjects Form
  

OR

• Form 1C: Regulated Research Institution Form
• Form 4: Human Subjects Form

(**Requires SRC or IRB approval PRIOR to experimentation; Documentation of written Informed Consent is required for most projects; see ISEF rules for additional information on risk assessment, informed consent, and the rules governing human research)

4) Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents**

• Form 2: Qualified Scientist Form
• Form 6A: Hazardous Risk Assessment Form
• Form 6B: Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (if applicable)

OR

• Form 1C: Regulated Research Institution Form
• Form 6A: Hazardous Risk Assessment Form
• Form 6B: Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (if applicable)

 OR

 (**Requires SRC or IRB approval PRIOR to experimentation; see ISEF rules to determine appropriate form set)

5) If the Project is a continuation from a previous year:

• Form 7: Continuation Projects Form

(In addition to all other relevant forms)

For projects involving Humans, Vertebrate Animals, or Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (microorganisms, DNA, or Tissues), all applicable forms should be scanned and emailed to: leanne.frost@gfcmsu.edu.

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)

In line with ISEF Safety Rules, displays at the fair may not include the following:

1. Living organisms, including plants
2. Glass
3. Soil, sand, rock, cement and/or waste samples, even if permanently encased in a slab of acrylic
4. Taxidermy specimens or parts
5. Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals
6. Human or animal food 
7. Human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine)
8. Plant materials (living, dead, or preserved) that are in their raw, unprocessed, or non-manufactured state 
9. All chemicals including water. Absolutely no liquids can be utilized in the Project Display. 
10. All hazardous substances or devices (Example: poisons, drugs, firearms, weapons, ammunition, reloading devices, grease/oil and sublimating solids such as dry ice)
11. Items that may have contained or been in contact with hazardous chemicals (Exception: Item may be permitted if professionally cleaned and document for such cleaning is available). Filters (including microbial) may not be displayed unless the Display & Safety Committee can reasonably determine that the device was cleaned or was never used (please include receipts in your notebooks and/or logbooks). 
12. Sharp items (for example, syringes, needles, pipettes, knives)
13. Flames and highly flammable materials 
14. Batteries with open-top cells or wet cells
15. Drones or any flight-capable apparatus unless the propulsion power source is removed
16. 3D Printers unless the power source is removed
17. Inadequately insulated apparatus capable of producing dangerous temperatures are not permitted
18. Any apparatus with belts, pulleys, chains, or moving parts with tension or pinch points that are not appropriately shielded
19. Any display items that are deemed distracting (i.e. sounds, lights, odors, etc.)
20. Personal items or packaging materials stored underneath the booth
21. Any apparatus deemed unsafe by the Scientific Review Committee, the Display and Safety Committee, or Society for Science & the Public (Example: large vacuum tubes or dangerous ray-generating devices, empty tanks that previously contained combustible liquids or gases, pressurized tanks, etc.

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