General Requirements Maximum Size of Project Items Required to be Visible at Project at the Intel ISEF Items Required to be at Project But Not Displayed at the Intel ISEF Handouts and Official Abstract at the Intel ISEF Items Not Allowed at Project or in Booth Items Allowed at Project or in Booth BUT with the Restrictions Indicated Electrical Regulations at the Intel ISEF Other Intel ISEF Information and Requirements
General Requirements
The Intel ISEF Display and Safety Committee is the final authority on display and safety issues for projects approved by the SRC to compete in the Intel ISEF. Occasionally, the Intel ISEF Display and Safety Committee may require students to make revisions in their display to conform to display and safety regulations.
Maximum Size of Project
Depth (front to back): 30 inches or 76 centimeters Width (side to side): 48 inches or 122 centimeters Height (floor to top): 108 inches or 274 centimeters
At the Intel ISEF, fair-provided tables will not exceed a height of 36 inches (91 centimeters).
Maximum project sizes include all project materials, supports, and demonstrations for public and judges. If a table is used, it becomes part of the project and must not itself exceed the allowed dimensions nor may the table plus any part of the project exceed the allowed dimensions.
At the Intel ISEF, any project with a component that will be demonstrated by the Finalist must be demonstrated only within the confines of the Finalist’s booth. When not being demonstrated, the component plus the project must not exceed allowed dimensions. Water is no longer permitted in demonstrations.
Position of Project
Table or freestanding display must be parallel to, and positioned at, the back curtain of the booth.
Required to Be Visible and Vertically Displayed at the Intel ISEF
• Original of official Abstract and Certification as approved and stamped/embossed by the Intel ISEF Scientific Review Committee • Completed Intel ISEF Project Set-up Approval Form SRC/DS2 (Received on-site at the Fair) • Regulated Research Institutional/Industrial Setting Form (1C) — when applicable • Continuation Projects Form (7) — when applicable • Photograph / image credits
Required to Be at the Project But Not Displayed at the Intel ISEF
All forms required for Scientific Review Committee approval including, but not limited to Checklist for Adult Sponsor (1), Student Checklist (1A), Research Plan, Approval Form (1B), and Human Subjects (4), do not have to be displayed as part of the project but must be available in the booth in case asked for by a judge or other Intel ISEF officials. In addition, the Display & Safety Committee requires a photograph/video release form signed by the human subject for visual images of humans (other than the Finalist) displayed as part of the project. These forms and any informed consents forms should not be displayed.
Handouts/Official Abstract and Certification at the Intel ISEF
The Intel ISEF Scientific Review Committee defines the “official abstract and certification” as an UNALTERED original abstract and certification as stamped/embossed by the Intel ISEF Scientific Review Committee. If the Scientific Review Committee requires a Finalist to make changes to the abstract and certification submitted with registration papers, the revised version will be stamped/embossed, will replace the earlier version, and will become the Finalist’s official abstract and certification.
The only abstract allowed anywhere at a project is the official abstract. The term “abstract” may not be used as a title or reference for any information on a Finalist’s display or in a Finalist’s materials at the project except as part of displaying the official abstract.
An original stamped/embossed official abstract and certification must appear on the display board or in a vertical position at the project. Handouts to judges and to the public must be limited to UNALTERED photocopies of the official abstract and certification.
Not Allowed at Project or in Booth 1. Living organisms, including plants 2. Soil, sand, rock and/or waste samples even if permanently encased in a slab of plastic 3. Taxidermy specimens or parts 4. Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals 5. Human or animal food 6. Human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine) 7. Plant materials (living, dead, or preserved) that are in their raw, unprocessed, or non-manufactured state (Exception: manufactured construction materials used in building the project or display) 8. All chemicals including water (Exceptions: water integral to an enclosed, sealed apparatus.) 9. All hazardous substances or devices [for example, poisons, drugs, firearms, weapons, ammunition, reloading devices, and lasers (as indicated in item 5 in the section of these rules entitled “Allowed at Project or in Booth BUT with the Restrictions Indicated”)] 10. Dry ice or other sublimating solids 11. Sharp items (for example, syringes, needles, pipettes, knives) 12. Flames or highly flammable materials 13. Batteries with open-top cells 14. Awards, medals, business cards, flags, logos, CD's, endorsements, and/or acknowledgments (graphic or written) unless the item(s) are an integral part of the project (Exception: Intel ISEF medal(s) may be worn at all times.) 15. Photographs or other visual presentations depicting vertebrate animals in surgical techniques, dissections, necropsies, or other lab procedures 16. Active Internet or e-mail connections as part of displaying or operating the project at the Intel ISEF 17. Prior years’ written material or visual depictions on the vertical display board. [Exception: the project title displayed in the Finalist’s booth may mention years or which year the project is (for example, “Year Two of an Ongoing Study”)]. Continuation projects must have the Continuation Project Form (7) vertically displayed. 18. Glass or glass objects unless deemed by the Display and Safety Committee to be an integral and necessary part of the project (Exception: glass that is an integral part of a commercial product such as a computer screen) 19. Any apparatus deemed unsafe by the Scientific Review Committee, the Display and Safety Committee, or Society for Science & the Public (for example, large vacuum tubes or dangerous ray-generating devices, empty tanks that previously contained combustible liquids or gases, pressurized tanks, etc.)
Allowed at Project or in Booth BUT with the Restrictions Indicated 1. Soil, sand, rock, and/or waste samples if permanently encased in a slab of acrylic 2. Postal addresses, World Wide Web and e-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers of Finalist only 3. Photographs and/or visual depictions if: a. They are not deemed offensive or inappropriate by the Scientific Review Committee, the Display and Safety Committee, or Society for Science & the Public. This includes, but is not limited to, visually offensive photographs or visual depictions of invertebrate or vertebrate animals, including humans. The decision by any one of the groups mentioned above is final. b. They have credit lines of origin (“Photograph taken by...” or “Image taken from...”). (If all photographs being displayed were taken by the Finalist or are from the same source, one credit line prominently and vertically displayed is sufficient.) c. They are from the Internet, magazines, newspapers, journals, etc., and credit lines are attached. (If all photographs/images are from the same source, one credit prominently and vertically displayed is sufficient.) d. They are photographs or visual depictions of the Finalist. e. They are photographs of human subjects for which signed consent forms are at the project or in the booth. 4. Any apparatus with unshielded belts, pulleys, chains, or moving parts with tension or pinch points if for display only and not operated. 5. Any demonstration for judges or the public must be performed within the maximum size of the project permitted, an area 30”(Depth) by 48”(Width) by 108” (Height) 6. Class II lasers if: a. The output energy is <1 mW and is operated only by the Finalist b. Operated only during the Display and Safety inspection and during judging c. Labeled with a sign reading “Laser Radiation: Do Not Look into Beam” d. Enclosed in protective housing that prevents physical and visual access to beam e. Disconnected when not operating Note: Class II lasers are found in laser pointers and in aiming and range-finding devices. They pose a risk if the beam is directly viewed over a long period of time. 7. Class III and IV lasers if for display only and not operated (See the description of Class III and Class IV lasers in the Radiation section of the Hazardous Chemicals, Activities, or Devices, p. 27. 8. Any apparatus producing temperatures that will cause physical burns if adequately insulated 9. The only items that may be displayed on the front of the provided tables are the forms listed in the section of these rules entitled “Required to be Visible and Vertically Displayed at the Intel ISEF”
Electrical Regulations at the Intel ISEF
1. Finalists requiring 120 or 220 Volt A.C. electrical circuits must provide a UL-listed 3-wire extension cord which is appropriate for the load and equipment. 2. Electrical power supplied to projects and, therefore, the maximums allowed for projects is 120 or 220 Volt, A.C., single phase, 60 cycle. Maximum circuit amperage/wattage available is determined by the electrical circuit capacities of the exhibit hall and may be adjusted on-site by the Display and Safety Committee. For all electrical regulations, “120 Volt A.C.” or “220 Volt A.C.” is intended to encompass the corresponding range of voltage as supplied by the facility in which the Intel ISEF is being held. 3. All electrical work must conform to the National Electrical Code or exhibit hall regulations. The guidelines presented here are general ones, and other rules may apply to specific configurations. The on-site electrician may review electrical work on any project. 4. All electrical connectors, wiring, switches, extension cords, fuses, etc. must be UL-listed and must be appropriate for the load and equipment. Connections must be soldered or made with UL-listed connectors. Wiring, switches, and metal parts must have adequate insulation and over-current safety devices (such as fuses) and must be inaccessible to anyone other than the Finalist. Exposed electrical equipment or metal that possibly may be energized must be shielded with a non-conducting material or with a grounded metal box to prevent accidental contact. 5. Wiring not part of a commercially available UL-listed appliance or piece of equipment must have a clearly visible fuse or circuit breaker on the supply side of the power source and prior to any project equipment. 6. There must be an accessible, clearly visible on/off switch or other means of disconnect from the 120 or 220 Volt power source. 7. Any lighting that generates considerable and excessive amounts of heat (high-intensity lamps, halogen lights, etc.) must be turned off when the Finalist is not present.
Other Intel ISEF Information and Requirements 1. Finalists must be present at their projects for the Display and Safety inspection. The inspection is a process that takes place between the Finalist and inspector; therefore, no other persons should be present representing the Finalist except for an interpreter if necessary. 2. Returning items that have been removed through a violation and/or adding items that are not permitted after final clearance by the Display and Safety Committee and the Scientific Review Committee is prohibited. 3. Society for Science & the Public, the Scientific Review Committee, and/or the Display and Safety Committee reserve the right to remove any project for safety reasons or to protect the integrity of the Intel ISEF and its rules and regulations. 4. A project data book and research paper are not required but are highly recommended. 5. Display of photographs other than that of the finalist must have a photo release signed by the subject, and if under 18 years of age, also by the guardian of the subject. Sample consent text: “I consent to the use of visual images (photos, videos, etc.) involving my participation/my child’s participation in this research.” 6. Finalists using audio-visual or multi-media presentations (for example, 35mm slides; videotapes; images, graphics, animations, etc., displayed on computer monitors; or other non-print presentation methods) must be prepared to show the entire presentation to the Display and Safety inspectors before the project is approved. 7. If a project fails to qualify and is not removed by the Finalist, Society for Science & the Public will remove the project in the safest manner possible but is not responsible for damage to the project. 8. Any disks, CDs, printed materials, etc. (including unofficial abstracts) designed to be distributed to judges or the public will be confiscated by the Display and Safety Committee and will be discarded immediately. 9. Project sounds, lights, odors, or any other display items must not be distracting. 10. No food or drinks, except small containers of bottled water for personal consumption, are allowed in the Exhibit Hall.
Sign-up for the SSP newsletter today.