Responsibility
1. Fort Atkinson Science Fair, Inc., is not responsible for loss or damage of displays. Displays are entered at exhibitor’s own risk.
Those Eligible
2. Any student fitting the description of one of the seven divisions who is a resident of the communities of Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Jefferson, Milton, Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, or Whitewater, or is attending a school in these districts, is eligible. The Science Fair Board reserves the right to limit entrants based upon space available.
3. The Special Science Kindergarten – Grade 5, and the Special Science Grades 6-8, and the Special Science Grades 9-12 divisions are designed for Special Education students. Participants allowed in this category shall be either cognitively delayed or are learning disabled students receiving science instruction in special education. All entries submitted in this category must include the name of a special education instructor.
Team Projects
4. Team projects are permitted in all divisions of the science fair and are eligible for prizes and awards. Awards are distributed by project with no consideration given to the number of people involved in the project. In other words, a winning team project will receive one medal and one rosette ribbon. However, each member of the team will receive a t-shirt per the awards criteria.
5. The division in which the team will compete is assigned based on the highest grade level achieved among the team members.
6. If there is a significant number of team entries in a division, they may split off into a separate division for the competition. This determination is made at the sole discretion of the FASF Board of Directors.
7. Guidelines for entering a team project can be found here.
Entries
8. Entries must be brought to the Science Fair as a physical display for judging and viewing. Projects by students in grades 6 through 12 must be submitted in PDF form for judging not later than 8 days prior to the day of the Science Fair; late submissions will be accepted for viewing only and will not be considered for awards.
No Names
9. The exhibitor’s name, picture, or school must not appear anywhere on or in the exhibit (including the log book). Numbers will be assigned to identify exhibits.
10. Acknowledgements of help from family members or teachers should list them by title (Mother, father, 4th Grade Teacher, etc.) so as to ensure anonymity. Only the first names of people used in a survey or similar project can appear in the display or log book. Pictures of participants or assistants in the project must have their faces covered.
Project Requirements
11. Only projects meeting all criteria are eligible for prizes and awards.
12. All of the work performed on each project entered in the fair must substantially be the entrant’s own work. This includes the research for the project, the work carried out during the experiment, and the creation of the display. Those projects deemed by the judges to be questionable in this area will be subject to closer scrutiny by having the entrant called in to explain his or her work.
13. Assistance provided to the entrant by others shall be merely supportive in nature and must be acknowledged. Details must be given as to who provided assistance and what specifically they did to help. (Example: “Thank you to my mom for helping me pick out and buy the supplies and to my brother for checking my spelling.”) This can be described on the display or in the log book. Remember – no proper names! Failure to provide this information can result in disqualification.
Log Books / Project Verification Form
14. A log book is required for each exhibit at the 4th grade level and older and Special Science 6th grade and older. You may use spiral notebooks or three ring binders for your log book.
15. An adult must verify that the project entered in the fair is the product of original work done by the entrant or team. This is a question on the online form.
Special Requirements Grades 9-12
16. A formal report is required in addition to the log book for grades 9-12. It must be typewritten. The report should include a clear statement of the problem, experimental methods, presentation of data, results, summary, bibliography, and acknowledgments.
17. All students in grade 9-12 division must have an adult sponsor. An adult sponsor can be a teacher, parent, university professor, or a scientist. This individual must have a solid background in science and will have close contact with the student during the course of the project from start to finish. The Science Fair board members should be contacted if a student needs help finding a sponsor.
Display Requirements
18. Exhibit size is limited to 76 cm (30 in.) deep, 122 cm (48 in.) wide, and 274 cm (108 in.) high, including 76 cm (30 in.) table height. Any exceptions must be approved by the entry chair.
19. Any project involving animals, human subjects, tissue/blood research, pathogenic agents/controlled substances, or recombinant DNA must be certified prior to the start of research. Contact the Science Fair at (920) 568-8850 with any questions.
The Use of Live Animals
20. Projects using any live animals, including invertebrates, must be approved prior to the submission of the entry form or start of research. Contact the Science Fair (920) 568-8850 with any questions.
21. Humane treatment of animal subjects is expected and required.
22. No live animals may be exhibited. This exclusion includes invertebrates such as worms, insects, or mollusks. The method and results of a project involving use of live animals may display drawings, charts, photos, or graphs.
Safety Rules for Displays
23. No preserved vertebrate animals or parts, including embryos, may be exhibited. The exhibition of human parts is prohibited except: teeth, hair, nails, histological sections and liquid tissue slides properly acquired.
24. Displays must not include any food items, any mold, fungi, or microbial cultures, open flames, syringes, chemicals, highly combustible materials, or Class III or IV lasers. Photographs and sketches are preferred alternatives to the actual object. When in doubt call the Science Fair (920) 568-8850 with any questions.
25. Exhibits must be durable. Moveable parts must be firmly attached. Push buttons and levers must be securely mounted and may not be attached to tables or walls.
26. Participants requiring electrical power (110 volts AC) must so indicate on the entry form. All electrical apparatus must be UL approved. If electrical power is required, the participant must provide a grounded heavy-duty extension cord at least 6 feet long.
Judging
27. Judging of the Science Fair projects is closed to exhibitors and the public.
28. Judges reserve the right to call the student for a personal interview.
Set-Up
29. AIl projects are to be brought and set up during the designated time on the morning of the fair, except by prior arrangement. Public viewing is NOT permitted at the time of set-up.
Pick-Up
31. All projects are to be picked up on the day of the fair between 4 and 4:30 p.m. except by prior arrangement.