What are the divisions and where does my child fit?
Does my child need special forms? If so what are they and where may I get them?
What forms must be completed online?
What is the Scientific Review Committee and does my child have to submit forms to them?
Does my child need forms if he/she is doing a survey?
On the day of the fair, must I remain with my child?
Why would the DC Citywide Science Fair Committee reject my child's project if the school selected the project to represent them?

What are the divisions and where does my child fit?

There are 2 divisions: Junior and Senior. The Junior Division is inclusive of students in the 6th, 7th, and the 8th grades. The Senior Divisions is inclusive of students in the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades.

Does my child need special forms? If so what are they and where may I get them?

Depending upon the nature of the experiment you child has chosen, he/she may indeed need to file several forms to be in compliance with INTEL, the governing body for the Science Fair. Go to the Intel ISEF Document library to download the appropriate documents and forms.

What forms must be completed online?

Students must register online by clicking either on Individual Register or Team Register. If you have problems with the online registration, PLEASE CONTACT SWATI. E-mail & fax are on the student page.

What is the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) and does my child have to submit forms to them?

A SRC is required for protection of the researcher, research project, school, parents,and community. In brief, the SRC makes certain that no person and no living being is injured or harmed in any manner during experimental research. The SRC assures that there is proper adult supervision of student projects by requiring:

1. Signatures and written evidence of proper supervision;
2. That safe, documented, effective research techniques are employed;
3. That an Institutional Review Board determine that the research is in full compliance with rules and laws governing human and animal research.
4. That animals are treated humanely at all times and places;
5. That there is appropriate use of recombinant DNA, pathogenic organisms, controlled substances, tissues, and hazardous substances and devices;
6. All appropriate documents, reviews and signatures are completed in a timely manner.

Any project using humans, animals, physiological products, tissues, or cells of human or animals, as well as all materials listed in above, REQUIRES approval BEFORE beginning research.

Does my child need forms if he/she is doing a survey?

ALL students doing a survey involving human response MUST complete a the Human Subject Form 4 and request an educational waiver prior to beginning the survey.

On the day of the fair, must I remain with my child?

You may remain on site but you will not be permitted on the judging floor. After the main judging, there will be a public viewing of the exhibits between 12:30 – 2:00 pm. We will announce the winners and give out the awards on Saturday itself.

Why would the DC Citywide Science Fair Committee reject my child's project if the school selected the project to represent them?

The Scientific Review Committee or SRC must review all projects prior to display. If a project does not conform to the laws and rules governing research it will be rejected. The most common problems encountered are:

• Your child used written surveys without having a consent form. This is especially important when giving a survey to those under 18.
• Your child used human medical records that someone lent you. This includes dental records.
• Your child used a pet as part of your project and that is FORBIDDEN. Some purchase animals, like white mice, for experiments. Using pets or self-purchased animals is ILLEGAL.
• Your child used illegal street drugs or any controlled substance.
• Your child used family members as experimental subjects without written consent and prior approval from the SRC.
• Your child broke any of the rules and regulations found on the Intel ISEF website.

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