Reference Materials

Science Fair Standards

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As a student's grade level increases, so do the expectations of what constitutes a competitive science fair project. Moving from a local to a state or national fair also increases expectations.

This table gives an idea of the level of work expected at different levels of competition.

Science Fair Standards Table

Science Fair Expectations	Middle School Level (Grades 6-8)		High School Level (Grades 9-12)
Aspect of the Project	School Science Fair	State Science Fair	State Science Fair	Intel Int'l Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF)
Topic Overall, judges prefer a simple experiment wherein the Investigator displays complete mastery of the underlying theory and can thoroughly explain why the experiment turns out the way it does over a more sophisticated project that the student understands poorly.		Original scientific research rare at this age OK to repeat an experiment first done 1, 10, or 100 years ago Originality more often displayed in technique and presentation	Original research more common than at middle school level Some projects done in a university research setting under a college professor	Majority of projects are original research Many projects done in a university research setting under a college professor 10-15% of participants file patents on their work Many publish results in a scientific journal
Background Research As the level of competition increases, judges expect, sources that are a bit beyond the Investigator's years, information that stretches his or her thinking, but not too far. "...students are expected to have a thorough understanding of the work that they have done. The students must know why the experiments they have assembled and operated can provide the answers they seek."—CSSF	Encyclopedias Books targeted at a middle school audience Appropriate Web resources	Scientific American American Scientist High school textbooks Appropriate Web resources Research should be footnoted as appropriate	Scientific American American Scientist College textbooks Scientific monographs Peer-reviewed scientific journals Appropriate Web resources Research should be footnoted as appropriate	Scientific American American Scientist College textbooks Scientific monographs Peer-reviewed scientific journals Appropriate Web resources Research should be footnoted as appropriate
Math Content The Research Paper and subsequent data analysis should contain all the relevant math that the Investigator is capable of understanding.	Basic graphs that show relationship between variables Qualitative description of relationship between variables	Graphs that show relationship between variables Quantitative statements about the relationships between variables (equations not generalities)
Experimental Procedures The methodology and experimental design should be appropriate for the student's grade and discipline.		Experiments are appropriate to achieve the stated objective The sample size and/or number of trials is sufficient to establish validity The statistical analysis is appropriate for the students' grade and discipline		Experimental procedures follow "best professional practices" typical of work to be published in a peer-reviewed journal
Display Board	Standard display boards (36" x 48" folding to 36" x 24") available at most office supply stores	Larger boards common	Larger boards common	Larger boards the norm, up to 48" wide by 108" tall.
Judging The higher the level of competition, the more important the role of one-on-one interviews. Interviews are a highly effective means to ascertain the student's understanding of the work presented on the display board.	Generally based only on the project notebook and backboard Interviews rare	One-on-one interviews by 5-10 judges key part of process	One-on-one interviews by 5-10 judges key part of process	One-on-one interviews by 5-10 judges If project done under the supervision of a professional research scientist, his/her written comments vitally important
Prizes	Typically, school fairs award ribbons and certificates	For the California State Science Fair: 1st Place award of $250 2nd Place award of $150 3rd Place award of $100 in each of 19 different subject categories. Also various special awards.	For the California State Science Fair: 1st Place award of $500 2nd Place award of $250 3rd Place award of $125 in each of 15 different subject categories. Also various special awards	Best of Category award of $5000 1st Place award of $3000 2nd Place award of $1500 3rd Place award of $1000 4th Place award of $500 in each of 15 categories. Additional awards worth over $1.5 million include tuition scholarships, summer internships, scientific field trips, and laboratory equipment. The top three students receive a $50,000 scholarship and a high-performance computer.

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