Registration for the Blue Ridge Highlands Regional Science Fair

Which Forms Do I Need?

ISEF Rules Wizard

All Forms are due February 22, 2013

The Intel ISEF forms constitute written documentation of what will occur, or in some cases, has already occurred, in a research project. They are designed to provide the information that is needed to review the project to ensure compliance with the Intel ISEF rules and with laws and regulations that apply to the project. The forms should be filled out and signed before any research takes place. (Only Forms 1C, 7, and the abstract are done after the research.) The dates of the signatures reflect when the approval or consent is given.

Registration Form

    $5 PER STUDENT MUST BE ATTACHED.  This form is for the Blue Ridge Highlands Regional Science Fair.

Abstract Form

ABSTRACT MUST BE IN ABSTRACT BOX

    The abstract is a summary of the study and is written after experimentation. ISEF finalists must use the on-line system.

Form 1:  Checklist for Adult Sponsor /Safety Assessment Form

    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.

Form 1A:  Student Checklist and Research Plan

    On this page, the student outlines what the project is about. Items that especially need to be clear are the following:
    #5 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.
    #6 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.
    #7 Explain where the experimental research will be done: research institution, school, field, 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.)
#9 Attach a research plan, as outlined on the next form, which describes the project in detail and answers all applicable questions.

Form 1B:  Approval Form

    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 shortly BEFORE competition in the affiliated fair. The date signed shows the date that SRC gives final approval to this project.

Form 1C:  Regulated Research Institution / Indiustrial Setting Form

    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.

Form 2:  Qualified Scientist Form

    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).

Form 3:  Risk Assessment Form

    Required for projects using hazardous chemicals, activities or devices and must be completed and signed by the DS or QS prior to student experimentation.

Form 4:  Human Subject and Consent Form

    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 any experimentation takes place.
    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 the experiment begins).

Form 5:  Vertebrate Animal Form (5A and 5B)

    Form 5A -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.)
    Form 5B - 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.

Form 6A:   Potentially Hazardous Biological Forms

    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.

Form 6B:  Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form

    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).

Form 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.

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Each registration form must be accompanied by the $5 registration fee PER STUDENT, which will be refunded after the student sets up his/her exhibit and the project has been approved. FAILURE TO INCLUDE ALL FORMS OR THE REGISTRATION FEE MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR.

All projects must be submitted for approval prior to exhibition at the fair, with a registration form and abstract, no later than February 22, 2013. 

The science fair committee will be combining categories, within a division, once projects are submitted.

All forms and registration fees must be mailed to:

Dr. Kim Lane
Chair of the Scientific Review Committee
Blue Ridge Highlands Regional Science Fair
Box 6949, Chemistry Department
Radford University
Radford, Virginia 24142

If you have questions about student projects, please contact Dr. Kim Lane at sciencefair@radford.edu.