Limiting Factors of a Science
Fair Project
Is the project feasible?
Is the project safe?
Is the project ethical?
Time

Start Early!!

Set a timeline/deadline for each
step

How much time is needed for data
collection?

Does the project require a specific
time of year?
Money

Take into
consideration the
cost of materials
required for each
project

A winning project
can be conducted on
a low budget
General Resources

Does the project require resources not available
at the school?

Transportation: Does the project require the
student to travel?

Restrict projects to resources that are generally
easily accessible (materials, tools, chemicals,
etc.)
General Ethics

Scientific fraud and misconduct are not condoned


No plagiarism, use of others’ material
Adult help

Teachers and parents should act as mentors and provide guidance

All work should be done by the student

Adults should assess safety and associated risks of project

Be aware of what students are doing
Case Study 1
A team of students submits a project in which
they wish to use pule rate to measure emotion.
They will have each volunteer ride three fun
but potentially scary rides at an amusement
park. After each ride, they will rate emotion
on a numerical scale for “thrill factor” and
take a measurement of their pulse.
Is this project allowable?
What additional paperwork is needed?
Case Study 2
A student whose family has a private farm has sought out a veterinarian
to serve as her Qualified Scientist for her project. During the project
she compared the egg production between hens in two different
chicken coops receiving different amounts of light. In one chicken
coop, 20 chickens received 15 hours of light (sunlight followed by
artificial light). In the other coop, 20 chickens received 11 hours of
light (sunlight only). Each day she monitored the chickens for signs of
distress by weighing them and collecting other observational data
(molting, etc.). After two weeks, several chickens receiving 15 hours
of light have lost twenty percent of their initial weight.
Is this project allowable?
What additional forms are needed?
Case Study 3
A team of students submits a project in which
they wish to compare data from local
songbirds. The group will count the number of
times Eastern Meadowlarks sing when perched
on a tree and compare this to the number of
times they sing when sitting on the ground.
Is this project allowable?
What additional forms are needed?
Case Study 4
A student submits a project in which they wish to test
how food preservatives affect the growth of
microorganisms. The student will dissolve chicken
broth cubes in boiling, divide this solution into four
containers, and add a preservative to each container.
A sample from each container will be streaked onto
an agar plate after the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day. Plates
will be immediately taped shut and inspected for
bacterial growth.
Is this project allowable?
What additional forms are needed?
Case Study 5
A student submits a project proposal in
which they will administer three different
chemical weed killers on Kudzu I their
parents’ privately owned backyards to
determine which chemical was the most
effective weed killer.
Is this project allowable?
What additional forms are needed?
Safety



What type of lab/work space is required?
Determine if BSL-1 or BSL-2 lab is required

See ISEF rules regarding Potentially Hazardous Biological
Agents

Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Risk Assessment
Form (6A)
Does the project involve any hazardous chemicals,
activities or devices?


See ISEF rules
Determine proper disposal of any potentially
hazardous biological agents or chemicals
Ethics (Vertebrate Animals)

If possible, avoid using vertebrate animals
 Use

invertebrate organisms as an alternative
If using vertebrate animals:
 Minimize
the amount of stress or discomfort to the
organism
 See
ISEF rules regarding vertebrate animals
 Vertebrate
(5B)
Animal Form (5A) or Vertebrate Animal Form
Ethics (Human Participants)

How will data be gathered

Will the project be observational or interactive?

Minimize physical and emotional stress for participants

Remind participants that participation is voluntary and
they can resign at any time

See ISEF rules for human participants

Human participant form (4)

Human Informed Consent Form