Safety Rules

You must be sure to carry out all your experiments safely. Take all sensible precautions and ask for adult help if you are unsure how to proceed safely. Observe any written warnings on the substances you use. The use of safety glasses is always advisable when working with chemicals or mechanical apparatus.

Please remember that the Science Fair will be attended by children of all ages. What may be safe for an 8th grader, may be extremely dangerous to a 1st grader.

Projects will be scrutinized on the day of the Fair for compliance with the rules, and may be disabled or even rejected due to violations. If you have any doubts about the safety of your project, please email the Science Fair Committee well in advance of the Fair.

1. Hazardous materials are PROHIBITED

Includes but not limited to:

  • drugs of any kind (prescription or over the counter)

  • alcohol (ethyl, ethanol, grain, denatured, isopropyl, or rubbing)

  • explosive, flammable, or corrosive substances

  • armed rockets or their propellants

  • compressed gases

  • dry ice

  • gasoline, diesel or propane powered engines of any kind, unless disabled for display only and empty of fuel

  • poisonous materials

All other substances must be shielded in such a way that maximum protection is provided for spectators, neighboring exhibits, and yourself. Judges or the Science Fair Committee may ask that unsafe experiments be removed.

Microbiological samples in petri dishes must be sealed and not open. Fumes from the old cultures can be harmful when exposed.

If you intend to bring ANY chemicals at all to the Fair, you must email the Science Fair Committee after you register and at least 1 month prior to the Fair and provide a list of the chemicals you are bringing and their purpose. An email reply with Science Fair Committee approval is required, or your project may be rejected.

2. Glassware

All chemical glassware should be secured in a stable manner. Use plastic lab equipment if available. Glass display panels may not be used.

3. Mechanized Assemblies

All moving parts of machines must have adequate protective covering, guards, or shields to prevent physical injury.

4. Fire Hazards

Open flames, torches, or burners are prohibited. Electrical heating units must be well protected and must not be near the front of the exhibit.

5. Electrical Safety

If your project requires electricity from a wall outlet, you must indicate this when you register your project. you must email the Science Fair Committee after you register and at least 1 month prior to the Fair and provide an estimate for the amount of power your project needs.

Projects requiring wall outlets are assigned to tables by walls with electrical plugs - for safety reasons, extension cords may not be run across aisles.

Any electrical circuit can be dangerous and should be constructed with careful attention to safety. Even low-voltage circuits can be dangerous under certain conditions, and should be evaluated for safety.

For example, an automobile storage battery is only a 12 volt source, but can deliver hundreds of Amps of current, which can result in serious injury or death.

All electrical projects must be constructed with sufficient insulation of all conductors to prevent any chance of hazardous short circuits, electric shocks, or otherwise dangerous effects.

AC power must conform to the standard safety laws for voltages and currents as specified by the National Electrical Code and the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Most important, power must be accessed through a three-prong electric plug that effectively grounds all exposed metallic structures in the exhibit to the building safety ground. Extension cords must also have three wires connected to three-prong plugs and sockets to assure a continuous ground path through the cord. Two-wire extension cords are prohibited.

6. Live Animal Care and Safety

NO LIVE ANIMALS may be brought to the Fair. Please use photographs on your display boards.

Live animals in projects should, in all cases, be treated humanely and subjected to minimal stress. No project involving mistreated, injured, sick or dead animals will be allowed to exhibit at the Fair.