Manuals & Forms

Manuals

All research must adhere to the rules set forth in the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair Manuals for

Middle School 

and

High School

There is no longer regional approval of forms. All forms are submitted via ZFairs to the State Scientific Review Committee (SRC). The SRC will email any requests for corrections or missing information directly to you and your teacher. Please correct any errors as soon as possible. Projects can be disqualified for missing or incorrect paperwork. All projects from BLS MUST BE KNOWN to your science teacher AND Mr. Balicki and Ms. Bateman in order to represent the school at the city or state level. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL FORMS

Every Middle School project REQUIRES:

• Research Plan Form 1A

• Research Plan Form 1B

If you are using human subjects you MUST seek prior approval and submit your forms 1A, 1B and Informed Consent Form C by TBD or earlier. 

If you projects uses non-pathogenic microorganisms and other materials and devices requiring supervision  you MUST seek prior approval and submit your forms 1A, 1B and Designated Supervisor Form D by TBD. 

HIGH SCHOOL FORMS

Every student must create an online account on ZFairs.

ZFairs will generate the forms that the student needs for the particular project. 

The student must then:

1. print the forms

2. have the forms signed by parents/guardians, teachers, mentors, etc...

3. upload the forms to the SEFOS site to complete the online account

If the student does not put accurate information into ZFAirs then ZFAirs may not produce all of the required forms. 

Every High School project REQUIRES:

• Checklist for Teacher/Adult Sponsor Form 1

• Student Checklist Form 1A 

• Approval Form 1B

Beyond these forms there are Additional Forms (see Consent Form Checklist and Manual for specific requirements) and ZFairs will indicate which forms to download, print, sign and upload. 

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

Form 2 - Qualified Scientist Form 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.

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

Form 4 - Human Subjects Form & Informed Consent Form Required for all research involving humans. SRC/IRB approval required before experimentation.

Form 5A - Vertebrate Animal Form Required for all research involving vertebrate animals that is conducted in a Non-Regulated Research Site. SRC approval required before experimentation.

Form 5B - Vertebrate Animal Form Required for all research involving vertebrate animals that is conducted in a Regulated Research Institution. SRC/IACUC approval required before experimentation.

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

Form 6B - Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form Required for all projects using fresh 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. All projects using any tissue listed above, must also complete Form 6A.

Form 7 - Continuation Projects Form Required for projects that are a continuation in the same field of study from a previous project. This form should be accompanied by the previous year's abstract, Form (1A) and Research Plan.