CSF - Connecticut Science Fair

CSF – Connecticut Science Fair, being held at Quinnipiac University, Hamden, March 15-19, 2011.
ISEF – International Science and Engineering Fair Los Angeles, California, May 8-13, 2011.
IRB – Institutional Review Board, a committee that, under federal regulations, must evaluate the risk of research involving human subjects.
SRC – Scientific Review Committee, a group of qualified individuals responsible for evaluation of student research for compliance with ISEF Rules and pertinent laws and regulations.
IACUC – Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
IBC – Institutional Biosafety Committee

Important Registration Dates

Dec. 1 – Final date for High School registrations unless participation to be determined by a school fair.
Feb. 15 – Final date for all other registrations, system closed at 8:00 pm.
Mar. 1 – Final date for Abstract submission (apart from your on-line registration) and any ISEF Form 1Cs.

Be Prepared

Have your needed information ready and things will go smoothly. Preview what is needed and review with your advisor. Get a blank copy of the on-line registration for review.

Create your Account for Log-in

You will be asked to create an account so you can return later if you need to gather more information or take a break. You can exit at any time (no log-out requred) and log-in again to continue your registration. Be sure and save the ID and Password that you create so you can access your work.

Be Ready with Following Information

Names, email, and address information for you, your team members (if a team project) and your advisor's email and phone number
Project Title as it will appear at the fair and in all of our fair publications.
Categories that apply to your project. Review the list below. Talk it over with your advisor. Be ready check-off your project's scientific/engineering disciplines so you will be considered for the appropriate awards categories and for special awards. Note the category and special awards judging chairs will be the final word in whether your project is considered for their category.

Applied Technology
Animal Sciences
Behavioral & Social Sciences
Biochemistry
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Science
Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering
Engineering: Electrical & Mechanical
Energy & Transportation
Environmental Analysis
Environmental Management
Mathematical Sciences
Medicine & Health Sciences
Microbiology
Physics and Astronomy
Plant Sciences
Your Research Plan– "What's a Research Plan?" Get the details on what is needed Here. A MS Word template to get you started is Here. Use the template to fill it out and and "copy and paste" where requested. This way you will have a copy of your research in your computer files for your research report and display.
- Problem or Question being addressed
- Hypothesis or if an engineering project, the Objective
- Description in detail or method or procedure
- Bibliography: List at least three major references (i.e., science journal articles, books, etc. Web references must be from credible science or engineering sources.)

You MUST print out a copy of the Release Form, for yourself and team members, if any. Get required signatures – (yourself and all team members, if any, and a parent/guardian of each team member). Note: after you finish completing the on-line registration, and clicked the “Submit” box, a copy of the registration form will be emailed to you at the email address you entered under “Individual/team leader”. Print a copy for your records and your sponsor. You will need to refer to it if we call with questions.
Print out and mail us the signed originals of the release form (one for each team member) and any signed ISEF forms that your research requires.

Required Forms for Your Project

Note: Taking the EZ Path is recommended for first time participants not familiar with life science research concerns. You and your advisor can avoid complicated forms by choosing your research work. Project work that uses the EZ Path approach to selecting a topic will not require any forms except in a few cases.

Forms are required for projects that require PRIOR approval of your project by the CT Science Fair (CSF) Scientific Review Committee (SRC) or a local Institutional Review Board (IRB). If your research requires any of forms 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 DO NOT START YOUR PROJECT until approval has been received. Exceptions are research projects done in research institutions in accordance with their rule committees.

For projects involving human subjects (even questionnaires), vertebrate anminals (including your pets) biological work, or hazardous work, the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) forms will be required. Links to and descriptions of the forms are given below.

Review the list and determine with the help of your advisor which ones, if any, you require. You can use the ISEF Forms Wizard to help to you through the process.

What to do with the forms.

Forms that you and your advisor believe are required for your project should be downloaded to your computer, filled out and saved for mailing to CSF registration. Completed forms may be emailed to Registration. However, signed copies must be provided to CSF Registration for your final project approval; signed as required by you, parent, and advisor submitted on line. These forms are also available through links within the On-Line registration form. These forms also must be printed out and mailed to us.

International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Forms that must be required for CSF competition.

ISEF Form 1 Checklist for Adult Sponsor– This completed form is required for ALL projects and must be completed before experimentation begins.

ISEF Form 1C Regulated Research Institutional/Industrial Setting– This form must be completed after experimentation by the adult supervising the student research conducted in a regulated research institution, industrial setting or any work site other than home, school or field.

CSF Form 1D Release Form: Liability for Exhibits & Risks of Research Plan and Publicity– This form must be completed and signed by student and parent. A form is required for each member of team projects.

ISEF Form 2 Qualified Scientist– May be required for research involving human subjects, vertebrate animals, potentially hazardous biological agents, and DEA-controlled substances. Must be completed and signed before the start of student experimentation.

ISEF Form 3 Risk Assessment Form– Required for projects using hazardous chemicals, activities or devices. Must be completed before experimentation.

ISEF Form 4 Human Subjects and Informed Consent– Required for all research involving human subjects. (IRB approval required before experimentation.)

CSF Form 4A Informed Consent Template– For completion by researcher and human subjects.

ISEF 5A & 5B Vertebrate Animal– Required for all research involving vertebrate animals that is conducted in a Non-Regulated Research Site. (SRC approval required before experimentation.)

ISEF 6A Potential Hazardous Biological Agents– Required for research involving microorganisms, rDNA, fresh/frozen tissue, blood and body fluids. SRC/IACUC/IBC approval required before experimentation.

ISEF 6B Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue– Required for projects using fresh/frozen tissue, primary cell cultures, blood, blood products and body fluids. If the research involves living organisms, please ensure that the proper human or animal forms are completed.

ISEF 7 Continuation Projects– Required for projects that are a continuation in the same field of study as a previous project. This form must be accompanied by the previous year’s abstract and Research Plan.

Once you complete the On-Line Registration

you will be asked to submit the form. After you submit, a copy of the entire registration will be sent to you at the email address entered on the form. You should print a copy for yourself and your sponsor.

Forms that need to be signed and mailed

If your research calls for any of the ISEF forms 1C through 7, signed copies of these forms are also required.

Mail the Release Forms and any ISEF forms required for your project to:

Wynn Muller, Registration Chair, 45 Coles Rd., Cromwell, CT 06416.

Problems or Suggestions for Improvements

If you have a problem contact us. Email to: register@ctsciencefair.org

REGISTER– CLICK HERE!