Science Fair FAQs by Students

1. What is the Project Approval Form?
2. Project Approval Form(PAF) is the packet of forms that needs to fill up and submit by you, the student researcher and your adult sponsor. There should be one PAF per project NOT per student. A completely and correctly filled up PAF is essential to participating in the science fair.
3. Where can I get the Project Approval Form?
4. A pdf version of the Project Approval Form(PAF) may be downloaded from the Intel ISEF website or any of its affiliate fairs. The link to the these forms may be found here.
5. Do I need all the forms in the PAF?
6. No. All projects will require Form 1, 1A, 1B (Per student), and the Research Plan. The rest of the forms may or may not be needed depending on the nature of the project. Rather than explain this to you, the student researcher, one-by-one, it is recommended that you use the Intel ISEF Rules Wizard at the following website, https://apps2.societyforscience.org/wizard/index.asp.
7. What is SRC?
8. SRC stands for Scientific Review Committee. Their role is to screen papers and makes sure that students have taken every consideration for safety in their planning of their projects even before they perform it. Mark Kinsey is our SRC person for Fortbend ISD.
9. What is IRB?
10. IRB stands for Institutional Review Board. This is an “In-House” committee composed of a science teacher, a nurse or psychiatrist/psychologist, and a school administrator. Their role is to make sure students take the necessary steps to safeguard the safety of the human subjects that will take part in the student’s research.
11. How do I know if my project requires SRC or IRB?
12. Projects that require SRC are those that involve microorganisms, bodily tissues or potentially hazardous biological agents. Projects that require IRB are those that involve human subjects (even if its just doing a survey).
13. Can I work with another student?
14. Yes and No. Yes, you may work and compete as a team. No, because there are guidelines for working as a team and you need to comply with all the guidelines.
15. What are the guidelines for working in teams?
16. a. There is a limit of 3 students per team.
17. b. 9^th Graders can only form teams with other 9^th Graders. Upperclassmen (10^th, 11^th, and 12^th) can form their own teams.
18. c. Only one Project Approval Form MUST be submitted per team. However, each team member must have their own Form 1B. All the Form 1B’s must be included in the Project Approval Form packet.
19. My project was approved as an individual project. Now I want to work with a teammate. Can I do that? Can I convert my project to a team project?
20. No. Once the project is approved as individual. It remains individual. If it was approved as a team, it remains a team. Otherwise, a new PAF must be submitted.
21. My project got approved but later, I realized that I will not be able to finish it on time. Can I change my project?
22. Yes, with the submission of a new PAF. You have to be aware of the due dates for SRC/IRB approval, though.
23. Can I work with another student from a different class or teacher?
24. Quick answer is yes. Having said this, I need to emphasize that this is a teacher discretion guideline. Ask your science teacher for permission before you decide on working with another student from another class or teacher.
25. Am I required to do science fair project?
26. If you are in a Pre-AP/honors/GT science class, then the answer is yes. If you are in an on-level class, then the answer is no. On-level students my opt to participate in it, however.

If you have any other questions that I haven’t addressed, please feel free to ask them via email.