RESEARCH REGULATIONS
1. The Science Fair projects may not involve at any stage of the project the following:
v Blood products, fresh tissue, teeth or bodily fluids v Nonhuman vertebrate animals and their parts* v I Ingestion or inhalation of any substance by humans subjects v Carcinogenic or mutagenic chemicals v Compressed gas (including, but not limited to CO2) v Hazardous substances or devices (including, but not limited to BB guns, paint ball guns, potato cannons, air cannons) v Ionizing radiation X-rays or nuclear energy
*FURTHER EXPLANATIONS
Controlled Substances
Controlled substances, including DEA-classed substances, prescription drugs, alcohol and tobacco are not allowed.
Pathogenic Agents Pathogenic agents are disease causing, or potential disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, viroids, prions, rickettsia, fungi, mold and others. Organisms collected, isolated and/or cultured from any environment (e.g., air, soil) are considered potentially pathogenic and experiments using these procedures will not be allowed. Raw or partially processed human/animal waste is considered to contain potentially pathogenic agents. Please refer any safety questions to:
MWV Regional Science Fair Review Committee Clay Groves, 603-447-3496, or cgroves@ccsnh.edu
Human Subjects All projects involving human subjects are prohibited except for survey/questionnaire based projects. All such projects must obtain approval by the MWV Regional Science and Technology fair safety committee before beginning research. In addition students must sign Informed Consent Forms from all research prior to the beginning of research. To receive Safety Committee approval, students must submit the following: A copy of the research plan, copies of any standardized or student prepared tests or surveys, and a sample Informed Consent Form. Please send the above materials to the MWV Regional Science and Technology Fair Safety Committee c/o Clay Groves, White Mountains Community College, 53 Technology Lane, Suite 150, Room 114, Conway, NH 03818.
Non Human Vertebrate Animals and their parts Projects involving vertebrate animals (live, dead, parts, tissues etc.) are not allowed. Exceptions to this rile include the use of meat or meat by-products obtained from stores, restaurants or packinghouses; animal hair obtained through normal bushing procedures; experiments with pets that rely on normal animal behaviors and conditions
2. General Requirements
v Only new research project done in the current school year will be eligible for participation.
v Individual projects must be entirely the work of the individual student and team projects must be entirely the work of the team.
v Cell phone use is not allowed during the judging period.
v Students are expected to keep a bound logbook with original, hand-written, and dated entries that record each step taken in the development of the project.
v During judging and exhibition times, students must remain with their projects.
PROJECT DISPLAY GUIDELINES
Students must adhere to all display guidelines provided in this Manual. If the MWV Regional Science and Technology Fair Safety Committee considers the presence or operation of any equipment or material to be dangerous or unsafe, it shall have the right to prohibit the presence or operation of such equipment or material. Exhibitors may demonstrate the safe use of materials through photographs, videotapes, charts, diagrams and other simulations.
All Science Fair participants must attend to the safety aspects of their projects as follows:
Ø Projects must fit into a 40” x 26” table space. Wall space for posters is not available. Design your exhibit so that all posters, charts and displays are free standing.
Ø Mercury thermometers are prohibited.
Ø Knives and other sharp objects may not be displayed.
Ø Microorganisms may not be displayed.
Ø Drugs, over-the-counter medications, antibiotics, and vitamins may not be displayed.
Ø A all power driven parts must be suitably guarded to prevent unauthorized or accidental access.
Ø Access to electrical outlets is limited, so please bring a heavy-duty/three-pronged extension cord. Please check the appropriate space on the registration form if electricity is needed.
Ø All exhibits that require an external source of electricity for operation must be designed for a standard 110-125 volt AC supply.
Ø All wiring, switches, power cords and metal parts carrying current in an AC circuit must be properly selected for load requirements and soldered or fixed under approved connectors with insulated connecting wires. No exposed wires, switches, joints, or un-insulated fasteners will be permitted.
Ø Bare wire and exposed knife-type switches are permitted on 12-volt DC circuits or less. Approved standard enclosed switches are required for all other electrical installations.
Ø Wet-cell batteries with open tops are not permitted. Closed-cell or dry-cell batteries are permissible.
Ø The operation of high-pressure vessels and pressurized systems is not permitted.
Ø There must be no open flame, torch or burner in the display area.
Ø All microwave and radio frequency sources must be designed and operated in compliance with state and federal regulations as well as applicable standards of the American National Standards Institute.
NOTE: Students may petition for exceptions to the above rules by contacting the MWV Regional Science and Technology Fair safety Committee.