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