Rules

HACKBERRY HILL

NON-COMPETITIVE SCIENCE FAIR RULES

1. This year’s science fair will be on Saturday, February 29 from 9 am - noon. Students should be available all morning; however, we will try to work with special requests if possible (e.g., need to be done by 11 for a soccer game at noon). We will also attempt to schedule siblings’ times together: Please tell us that you have a sibling participating at the time when you sign up.

2. All exhibits must be assembled or constructed by the student. Family members may give general and limited advice and assistance in construction. Example: Students must do the written part of the display, but a parent is encouraged to proofread and check for errors. Typewritten or computer printouts are acceptable. Younger students can use pictures and/or photos instead of writing a lot of material.

3. NO live animals will be permitted at the Fair. However, stuffed animals, drawings or photographs will be suitable options. DO NOT experiment on live creatures in any way that may cause harm. Example: It is acceptable to try to determine which pet food your dog prefers, it is not acceptable to feed one hamster nothing but sugar and another a nutritional diet to compare results.

4. Project display space is limited to 3 ft. long by 2 ft. deep.

5. No use of toxic chemicals, matches, combustibles, etc. will be permitted.

6. Any expensive equipment (laptop, tablet, etc.) should not be left at the fair. You can set up your exhibit on Friday without it, bring the equipment with you for your presentation time on Saturday, and take it home again afterwards. We also encourage you to bring these on Monday so that your classmates can see the full presentation -- check with your teacher first.

7. Two person teams are allowed. All other rules apply as they would for single-person entries. Only one display is allowed for the team and it must fit within the space listed above (Rule 3). Students should think about the advantages and disadvantages of having a partner. Partners can be confidence builders and working together is sometimes more fun. On the other hand, it can be difficult to agree on project ideas and plans. Students should also think about how well they can work with the partner they select. Is it possible to meet often? Do we tend to giggle and find it hard to concentrate? Can I count on my partner to do her/his fair share of the work?

8. No commercial videos.

9. Only one entry per student or team.

10. Names and grades should be placed on the FRONT of the exhibit.

11. Set up and take down of the exhibits are the responsibility of the exhibitor. Science Fair volunteers will be on hand to assist you. Set up is on Friday, February 28 from 2:50 pm to 4:00 pm ONLY. THERE WILL BE NO SET UP ON SATURDAY MORNING! Please plan to take your project home after school on Monday, March 2. Any projects left at the school after that time will be discarded unless prior arrangements have been made.

12. EXHIBITS ARE ENTERED AT THE RISK OF THE EXHIBITOR. NEITHER SCIENCE FAIR VOLUNTEERS NOR HACKBERRY HILL ELEMENTARY ASSUMES ANY RESPONSITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE.

See additional information below about parent involvement, and about the categories and judging criteria: