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Forms FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)Forms for the 2006 Mercer Science and Engineering Fair are available in the Science Fair section of our interactive website along with details about ISEF rules. On this page are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about filling out forms for the 2005 fair and their answers. Refer to the Science Fair section of our interactive website for the 2006 fair. The information below is relevant but some changes have been made to the 2006 forms. We are also supporting online registration for the 2006 fair. Click on the questions below to see the answer. Q: What forms do I have to fill out? A: In general, participants need the following forms:
Any project that requires an IRB/SRC review will require additional forms. A review is not normally required for Elementary Division projects because they tend not to deal with things like radiation, controlled substances, explosives, human or animal subjects, or rDNA. In some cases, Junior and Senior Division entries do extend into these areas and require additional approval and forms. Q: Why are there so many forms? A: Elementary Division entries usually have one form, the Project application. The Junior and Senior Division typically have only 5 forms to complete. The required forms (1, 1A, 1B, and a research plan) are necessary for anyone to compete in the Intel ISEF competition. Although only the Senior Division grand prize winner competes, we are preparing the Junior Division for later competition in the Senior Division. The Mercer Science and Engineering Club sends the grand prize winner of the fair to ISEF each year. The grand prize winner would not be able to compete if these forms are not completed before they begin their experimentation. Additional forms and an IRB/SRC review are only needed if a project deals with safety critical issues. These procedures are required to protect the students, mentors and anyone that would participate in or assist in the experimentation. Very few projects require this level of approval and the forms and review are not needed if they are not required for the project. Teachers and science fair coordinators should make sure that any project that might require a review be presented to the club before the project starts. Any project that requires a review and has not been approved will be rejected at the fair. All projects will be reviewed by the club when the applications are submitted and any that do not meet the competition requirements will be rejected at that time. This is the same thing that occurs at the Intel ISEF competition. Keep in mind that these requirements are put in place for safety and liability reasons, not to limit areas of investigation. If you have any questions or concerns about a project we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. The number of approvals for the entire fair is typically less than half a dozen so it is unlikely that you will need special approval for a project. Still, it is best to check if there are any questions. Q: When must the forms be filled in? A: The Junior and Senior Division participants must have required forms completed, signed and dated prior to starting their experiment. The optional forms must be completed for any project that requires them at this time as well. This is critical for the Senior Division because the signed and dated forms are required to enter the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) should the participant win the Grand Prize at the Mercer Science and Engineering Fair. In complete or missing forms will cause an entry to be rejected at ISEF. Q: When must the forms be submitted? A: The forms must be submitted in February before the fair. Check the calendar for the actual date. It changes each year. The Project application must be submitted at this time for all entries. The Junior and Senior Division entries must include a copy of all required forms and any necessary optional forms. Q: Can Senior Division participants hand out the abstract during judging? A: Senior Division participants may only hand out copies of their abstract when they defend their project during the judging period. Elementary and Junior Division do not have to defend their project but they may leave copies of their abstract with their project if they so desire. No additional materials may be handed out to the judges. Q: Can I start my experiments before filling in the forms? A: Junior and Senior Division participants must complete all required forms prior to starting their experiment/project. If any optional forms are required for the experiment/project then these must also be filled in prior to starting. Elementary Division participants should complete the Project application prior to starting their project. Project research and topic selection can occur prior to filling in any forms. Participants can also learn how to perform procedures that may be used in the experiment/project. Likewise, they may learn about methods, programs and other tools that will help them with their experiment or building their presentation prior to filling in any forms. Q: Who should send the forms in? A: In general, the science fair coordinator for a school should submit all entries at the same time. Additional entries can be submitted by the coordinator or the participant as long as the entries are received prior to the deadline (see Calendar for date). Home school entries can be sent in directly. Q: What is the abstract form and where should it go? A: The abstract should be displayed at the science fair in a vertical orientation. It may be mounted on the display board or in a self standing holder. The abstract is only required for the Senior Division but is recommended for all divisions. Q: What should I do if I still have questions? A: Check with your science fair coordinator first. If you still have questions, please contact us directly. We are glad to answer any questions regarding any aspect of the fair including questions about forms. For additional
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