Northern Illinois Regional Science Fair Rules for 2012 (PDF version)

We truly want student’s projects prepared from their desire to learn and to convey what they have discovered about God’s creation through their investigations and research. We are not looking for the student who can dazzle the judges with pizzazz, or the best computer-generated or “boardroom ready” exhibit. We ARE looking for learning and knowledge gained through truly applying oneself, and for students that have done their best handiwork, and projects with the appearance that a student prepared them. Our goal is for each student to truly gain new insight into the world God has created.

Here's a simplified page for Age Level Requirements.

1.	Each project must be related to an area of science. Unacceptable example: Surveying neighbors’ choices of laundry detergent. No science is involved. Acceptable experiment project: “Which laundry detergent removes grease best?”
2.	Each project will be classified by grade level and then into one of the following categories:
		Collection - Collections examples: rocks, shells, or butterflies. The collection must be scientifically oriented, contain a sufficient number, and show what you have learned through the process of collecting and categorizing.
		Model – A representation of what something is realistically like. Such as a model of an ear, rocket, or life cycle.
		Demonstration – A working model of things such as volcanoes, robots, or electrical devices.
		Physical Science Experiment - Experiments in areas such as astronomy, chemistry, geology, or earth science.
		Biological Science Experiment - Experiments in areas such as botany, bacteriology, anatomy, or genetics.
3.	A contestant may enter one exhibit only.
4.	Teachers and parents may advise, but must not build any part of the exhibit or write any of the report. K – 3rd may equire a parent to write or type captions on their display boards, but the student should help in the wording. Please use discretion. K – 3rd must perform all other work on the display board themselves, as well as the exhibit.
5.	Teams are now allowed!
		No more than 3 students per team.
		Each individual will be required to keep his/her own notebook, write his/her own report and conduct his/her own interview with the judge(s).
		The team score will be the average of the individual’s scores.
		A corporate display board is allowed.
		The team will be placed in a category of the highest grade level participating.
		Registration fees will be $20 per student (not per exhibit), as in the individual exhibits.
6.	Project displays must be freestanding and not more than 30 inches deep (76 cm), 48 inches wide (122 cm), and 78 inches high (198 cm) from the tabletop. Three-sided prefab boards are available at most office supply stores.
7.	Electrical power strips and cords needed for exhibits must be approved by NIRSF. Once approved, the exhibitor will be responsible for bringing all necessary equipment and for safety, will be required to use duct tape to secure it.
8.	The following are prohibited: dangerous chemicals, open flames, explosives, or animal experiments that involve starvation or any form of cruelty. NIRSF reserves the right to refuse display of an exhibit that is deemed inappropriate.
9.	Call us for details on approval for animal experimentation. Live animals must be kept in clean cages, fed, and watered. NO DANGEROUS ANIMALS! Animals must return home with the exhibitor.
10.	NIRSF its representatives and sponsors, and the fair location, its representatives and affiliates, assume no responsibility for loss or damage to any person, exhibit, or any part thereof.
11.	All exhibitors must submit a display (board and exhibit of work done).
12.	Grades 7 and up are required to submit a written report and a journal (a daily diary of project), but these are optional for grades 4-6.
13.	Journals must be handwritten. (The journal is a log or a diary of a student’s progress on their project. Use a journal or spiral notebook.)
14.	Handwritten or typed?
		The report title and headings can be handwritten, stenciled or typed.
		Labeling, captions, and explanations may be typed or handwritten.
		Reports written by 8th grade and up must be typed, but 7th and lower grades can chose to type or hand write it.
		Typed material should use fonts that are easily read.
		No Clip Art within body of text.
15.	Report (required for grades 7 and up) must contain:
		Title
		Table of contents
		Introduction (including why picked, research, and hypothesis or what hope to learn)
		Details on project (includes how being done, what happened, and final outcome of experiment,model, demonstration, or collection)
		Discussion (vocabulary page if needed, followed by discussion of the results – tie research with what happened)
		References.
		Students in grades 9-12 are required to include a 1-page abstract following their table of contents.
		Conclusion (what learned)
16.	ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE JUDGES ARE FINAL.
Failure to follow these rules will result in point deductions and possible disqualification. NIRSF reserves the right to amend these rules or make additional binding rulings as events warrant.