Compliance required by all exhibitors.

Lighting - Lighting will not be approved for decorative purposes but may be approved if necessary to demonstrate the science. Bulb and fixture must not pose risk of injury if touched. Cool LED light is preferred. Incandescent, halogen and other warm light sources must be caged, encased, or otherwise protected so that 1) it is not possible to burn any person or item with any part of the apparatus, bulb, fixture, or casing, and 2) no glass can escape if the bulb is accidentally broken. All other ISEF Rules & Guidelines regarding electricity must be followed. If you are using electricity, please be sure to read the complete rules thoroughly and follow them precisely.

Stability - All parts of the exhibit must be stable. Particular care must be taken with tall or heavy displays to ensure that they cannot tip over onto participants, judges, or guests.

Lasers - Lasers may be used only when they follow the ISEF Rules & Guidelines.  HRSEF staff may revoke the privilege and require lasers to be removed if any careless or indiscriminate use is observed. Offenses may result in revoking the right to participate.

Other Safety Policies - HRSEF staff and/or the Display & Safety Committee reserve the right to remove any item or entire project at their discretion for safety reasons or to protect the integrity of the HRSEF and its rules and regulations.

Laptops/Tablets - If you are bringing a laptop or other valuable electronic device, consider investing in a security device such as a locking cable system to secure your item at the exhibit. GSEF will take measures to discourage to theft/damage to exhibits or parts of exhibits, including electronics, but is ultimately not responsible should theft or damage occur.

The Following Items Are NOT Allowed At Exhibits

Not Allowed Per Safety Regulations:

• Living or dead organisms, including fungi, animals, plants and microorganisms

• Taxidermy specimens, parts, pelts

• Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals or animal parts, including cells

• Human or animal food of any kind

• Human or animal parts or body fluids (e.g., bones, urine, blood)

• Plant materials including potpourri, grain, birdseed, spices, leaves, flowers, logs, branches, etc. Plastic or other inorganic replicas or photographs should be used instead. (Exception: manufactured construction materials used in building the project or display)

• Soil, sand, rock, cement, or waste samples, even if permanently encased in acrylic

• All chemicals, including water.

• All liquids, gels, powders, and creams (e.g., shampoo, sunscreen, salt, soap, agar, etc.)

• Dry ice or other sublimating solids

• Hazardous substances or devices (e.g. poisons, drugs, firearms, weapons, ammunition, reloading devices, grease/oil and sublimating solids such as dry ice, etc.)

• Sharp items (e.g. syringes, needles, pipettes, knives)

• Flames or highly flammable materials

• Glass or glass objects unless deemed by the Display & Safety

• Committee to be an integral and necessary part of the project (e.g., glass that is an integral part of a computer screen)

• Any apparatus with belts, pulleys, chains, or moving parts with tension or pinch points that are not fully immobilized or shielded

• Batteries with open-top cells or wet cells

• Drones or any flight-capable apparatus unless propulsion power source is removed

• 3D printers unless power source is removed

• Any apparatus or item deemed unsafe by any member of the SRC, the Display & Safety Committee, judges, or the HRSEF staff (e.g., vacuum tubes or dangerous ray-generating devices, pressurized or empty tanks that previously contained combustibles, etc.)

Not Allowed Per Display Regulations:

• Any items that are acknowledgments, self-promotions, or external endorsements (such as naming the research institution or mentor, or patent pending statements)

• Awards, medals, flags, logos (including school and university logos)

• Give-away items such as flyers, pens, postcards, CDs, business cards, etc. 

• Postal addresses, URLs (other than those used solely to cite the sources of photos), email addresses, social media handles, QR codes, phone/fax numbers of any exhibitor or his/her school or research institution

• Active Internet or email connections

• Reference to past work on the display board must be limited to summative past conclusory data and its comparison to the current year data set. No raw data from previous years may be displayed; however, it may be included in a logbooks and/or binder if clearly labeled, e.g. “Year 1.”