Compliance required by all exhibitors.

Maximum Size of Project

• Depth (front to back) 30 inches

• Width (side to side) 48 inches

• Height (tabletop to top) 72 inches

Projects must be exhibited on the tabletop. No floor exhibits. No part of an exhibit may be placed on the floor or under the table.  All project materials, supports, equipment, and demonstrations must be contained on the tabletop. Displays do not have to be trifold boards; pull-ups and pop-ups are allowed if within allowed dimensions.

Official Abstract - The complete, unaltered 8.5x11 Official GSEF Abstract Form is the only abstract that may be exhibited. It must be displayed vertically, preferably by taping it to hang from the front edge of the table. It is acceptable, but not preferred, to incorporate the form on the display board or to stand it in a document frame (no glass). You may not have a section titled “Abstract” on your board unless the section contains only an Official Abstract Form (not just the abstract text).

Other Forms to Tape to Table - If your research required the following forms, they must be taped to the front of your table/displayed vertically:

• Form (1C) Regulated Research Institutional/Industrial Setting

• Form (7) Continuation Project

Binder & Required Forms - Arrange photocopies (not originals - keep those at home in a safe place!) of all other required forms in numeric order in a 3-ring binder placed on the table. Required forms include, but are not limited to:

• Form (1): Checklist for Adult Sponsor

• Form (1A): Student Checklist

• Research Plan/Project Summary

• Form (1B): Approval Form

• Forms (1C) through (7) as required for your project

• Optional items such as research paper may also be included.

Log Book & Other Items on Tabletop - Henry Regional Science and Engineering Fair requires a bound logbook.  Your logbook should be on your table. Other items may include a photo album of the work, previous logbooks for Continuation projects, and items necessary to demonstrate the science if the board and binder are not sufficient, provided these items do not violate any other Display and Safety Regulations.

Continuations - A project that is a continuation of a previous year’s work must be about the student’s new work for this year, with minimal reference to the previous research. It is preferred for the project title or subtitle to mention which year the project is; e.g., “Year 2.” Longitudinal studies may present only conclusionary data from prior years. Continuation projects must have Form (7) taped to front of table.

Human Informed Consent/Assent Forms - Completed informed consent/assent for a human participant study are NOT to be displayed and should NOT be present at the project display. A sample (incomplete) form may be included in the binder, but under NO CIRCUMSTANCE should the completed informed consent/assent forms for a human participant be in the Exhibit Hall.

Displayed Graphs, Images, & Photos - Credits must be used to cite the origin of every photo, graph, table, chart or other images, including those made by the student and those taken from the internet, journals and books. The citation must state who created the graph/chart/table, who took the photograph, or where a photo or image came from. For example: “All photographs by Jon Kim,” or “Image from www.whereever.com .” Credit lines may be placed next to each item or elsewhere on the front of the board. If all graphs/images were created by the exhibitor or are from the same source, one clearly visible credit line on a “tent” on the table is sufficient.  Content, photos or images on board, must not be deemed insensitive, offensive or inappropriate (e.g., no surgery, necrosis or dissection) by any member of the SRC, the Display & Safety Committee or HRSEF staff. The decision made by any one of these groups is final.

Photograph Release - Photos/videos of people other than the finalist are not allowed unless a signed photograph release is available at the project. If the person is under 18, parent or guardian signature is required. Sample text: “I consent to the use of this visual image involving my participation/my child’s participation in this research.” Keep these releases in your binder. There is no specific official form for this purpose.

Mentor’s Work / Acknowledgements - The mentor’s name and institution may NOT appear anywhere on the display but may be mentioned in the research paper in the binder. Very minimal reference to work done by a mentor or others may be included only as background to clarify what the student’s own research did and did not cover and must clearly indicate that it was not part of the student’s work.

Replacement of Disqualified Items - If any HRSEF representative requests that an object or item be removed from a display and that item is returned to the exhibit without specific permission from the GSEF Director, the project may be disqualified.

Audio-Visual or Multi-Media - At HRSEF, electronic displays, e.g., PowerPoints or videos, for noncomputer science projects are discouraged unless they are necessary to demonstrate the science. Judges are not required to view them. Displays must be under 30 seconds, with 15 seconds preferred. 

Electricity at Project - If you project requires electricity, you must indicate so by checking the respective box on your registration form. Electricity will be approved only for projects that require it to demonstrate the research (e.g., computer science and engineering projects). If electricity is approved, an outlet and extension cord will be provided within nine feet of the exhibit.

Click here for project poster templates.