Science Fair Rules

All entries must be original, with entrants having actually executed the experiment or created the project.
- - Reproductions of common science fair activities are allowed; however, novel innovations on these common projects or research projects are expected.
  - The expectation of originality extends to any graphs, figures, pictures, etc. found on the entrants’ physical poster board. Any graphs, figures, pictures, etc. not made or produced by the entrant must be cited.
All entrants must cite no fewer than three (3) sources supporting the research and methodology or design philosophy of the project.
- - All citations must be credible.
  - All citations must be in APA format, and found on the entrants Submission Form (March 31), found in a “References” section on the entrants physical poster board, and mentioned orally by the entrant during judge interviews.
Entrants will be judged by five (5) judges in three stages: overview, individual interviews, and deliberation.
- - Before the science fair the judges will review the entrants’ Topic, Purpose, Hypothesis, Materials, and Methods found in the Sign-Up Form (February 28); as well as the Materials, Methods, and Conclusion found in the Submission Form (March 31).
  - During the Science Fair judges will interview each entrant individually to ask questions to judge the understanding of the entrant. This portion of the judging process is where the entrant will defend their work and explain any questions the judges may have.
  - During the Science Fair judges will deliberate on their chosen winners for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
Awards and prizes will be given after the exhibition portion of the Science Fair, where the Judges will release their results. During Judge deliberation, the entrants and all participants are free to vote on “Peer Review Awards”, these are non-prize awards meant to showcase all those who showed particular skill and vigor in specific fields.
- - Finalist Prizes:
    - 1st - $500
    - 2nd - $250
    - 3rd - $100
- Peer Review Awards:
  - Most Interesting Topic - Topic which showed the most community interest.
  - Best Graphs - Entrant with the most eye-pleasing graphs.
  - Science of Glitter - Most colorful poster board.
  - Mad Scientist - Best entry in Science.
  - Fly Swatter - Best entry in Technology.
  - MacGyver - Best entry in Engineering.
  - Maxima in Math - Best entry in Math.
- All entrants are optionally allowed to have a faculty mentor to oversee your experiment, if they choose to do so their name must be present on the Sign-Up Form (February 28), Submission Form (March 31), and on the physical posterboard.
  - In order to uphold the impartiality of the Science Fair, the faculty mentor may not be a judge for the Science Fair or the advisor to the science club.
- The entrant's physical posterboard must have the following:
  - Title
    - The title should be an accurate and concise description of your project. Place the title prominently at the top of your poster.
  - Abstract
    - Provide a brief summary (100-250 words) of your project, including your research question, hypothesis, methods, key results, and conclusion. This section should give judges a quick overview of your work.
  - Purpose/Question
    - Clearly state the objective of your project. Explain why you chose this topic and its relevance to scientific research. Summarize key background information that led to your hypothesis.
  - Hypothesis
    - Explicitly state your hypothesis or research question. A hypothesis should be a testable statement predicting the outcome of your experiment. This is commonly written as an “if/then” statement.
  - Background and Research
    - Look for and summarize previous research or experiments related to your topic. Describe any different techniques or methods you’ll be incorporating in your experiment and differentiating your hypothesis. Use credible sources such as peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and reputable websites to understand existing knowledge on your topic.
  - Materials and Procedure
    - List all materials used in your experiment. Describe the step-by-step process you followed in your experiment. Include diagrams or images to illustrate your setup. Reference your detailed notes from your notebook.
  - Results
    - Present the raw data you collected in tables, charts, or graphs. Use visuals to help interpret and communicate your findings. In your own words explain trends or patterns in your data.
  - Visuals (graphs, figures, images created by you or cited if sourced elsewhere)
    - Include photographs, diagrams, and charts to enhance understanding. All visuals must be original or properly cited.
  - Conclusions and Future work
    - Summarize whether your hypothesis was supported or refuted. Discuss key findings, potential errors, and suggestions for future research.
  - References (using APA format)
    - Cite at least three credible sources in APA format. References should appear in three locations: on your poster, in your notebook, and during your oral presentation.

Library Resources

Pellissippi Librarians can help you find sources, evaluate credibility, and cite in APA. Reach out on Ask a Librarian chat or book a research appointment (appointments available in person and online).