INTEL INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR (IISEF) PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, MAY 10 - 15, 2015 HTTP://WWW.SOCIETYFORSCIENCE.ORG/INTELISEF2015 The International Rules for Pre-college Science Research: Guidelines for Science and Engineering Fairs The purpose of these rules is to: protect the rights and welfare of the student researcher protect the rights and welfare of the human participant ensure adherence to government regulations ensure use of safe laboratory practices protect the environment determine eligibility for competition in the Intel ISEF 2015 Go to http://www.societyforscience.org/intelisef2015 and follow the links: Intel ISEF Rules Wizard - This "wizard" asks a series of questions about your planned project and will provide a list of forms that you need to complete. IISEF SRC FAQs – Top paperwork issues for IISEF potential participants. Overview of Forms and Dates – Fill out the forms interactively ! http://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=401 Common Scientific Review Committee (SRC) Problems - Summarizes IISEF SRC reviews leading up to the Intel ISEF, with pointers about what NOT to do. Most Common Reasons for Projects to Fail to Qualify at Intel ISEF - This document summarizes the most common reasons that a project fails to qualify at the Intel ISEF. Intel ISEF Categories and Subcategories - Summarizes the categories and subcategories at Intel ISEF. Sources of Information for 2015 International Rules and Guidelines Listing of outside sources of information to supplement the Rules and Guidelines. Intel ISEF Student Handbook - An aid to help in the research process and judging criteria. Science Fair Project Guide - Steps to take to do a good project. ELIGIBILITY Students from grades 9 to 12. High quality projects – keep an eye on your best projects and encourage the student(s) to consider IISEF. Experimentation and design projects only can be considered for IISEF (no study projects). Must be able to travel to USA (in May) with a valid passport. GET INVOLVED and start your project soon! Let us know if you have already started and wish to attend IISEF in 2015 The IISEF is a great experience for participants to meet other international students (about 1600 finalists from 70 countries) and present their projects in what can be considered as the “Science Fair Olympiad”. The participants will be judged by high profile Scientists and Nobel Laureates! …..and can win numerous awards.. more than $4 million dollars worth! APPROVAL BEFORE EXPERIMENTATION Certain projects, such as those involving human subjects, vertebrate animals, PHBA's (potentially hazardous pathogenic agents) including microorganisms, recombinant DNA, and human or animal tissue and that have been done in research labs and other institutions, require the approval of a supervising scientist and before the experimentation starts. This “approval before experimentation” information must be sent to the MRSTF SRC. You should have consulted the following links to get the proper forms. Intel ISEF Rules Wizard and Overview of Forms and Dates We need to hear from the MRSTF participants that want to be considered for IISEF competition. They are not “applying” for IISEF and must win at the MRSTF to be able to go to IISEF 2015. December 15, 2014 is the first deadline for submitting IISEF proposals and required forms to the MRSTF SRC for projects that require approval before experimentation begins. Do not send anything to IISEF! What do you submit to the MRSTF SRC: a research plan (not necessarily the final one) with experimental details and procedures risk assessment forms forms that need to be signed by the research supervisor (mentor) a draft of the abstract. February 23, 2015 is the second and final deadline for submitting IISEF proposals to SRC For projects that require approval before experimentation begins. This 2nd deadline may be needed in case the research scientist is away or the project started early in 2015. Risk Assessment Form If a project is done at home or at school, a supervising adult (teacher) must assess the risks involved. To help with this procedure, a Risk Assessment Form is provided. Concern for the students’ safety is the priority. If a teacher recognizes an IISEF level project then, based on the risk assessment form, have the student(s) fill out the appropriate IISEF FORMS in case the project is chosen for IISEF at the MRSTF. In fact, you could request that ALL projects fill out this form so that you do not miss out on those “really good projects” that may become eligible for the IISEF at the MRSTF but can’t go because the necessary forms have not been filled out. Final SRC Approval needed for IISEF The MRSTF SRC has the obligation to sign off on all projects that win at the MRSTF and are chosen to go on to IISEF 2015. This means that ALL required FORMS must have been completed according to the 2014 – 2015 International IISEF Rules and Guidelines and properly dated and signed. MRSTF SRC COMMITTEE 2014 - 2015 Susan Pamboukian susanpamboukian@videotron.ca Stewart Daly S.Daly@marianopolis.edu Rocco Iafigliola (Chair) r.iafigliola@marianopolis.edu