REMINDER: All projects entered must meet the following criteria by the registration deadline
To enter the fair, register on the "Project Registration" page and pay $15 (per student) by:
Tuesday March 24, at MIDNIGHT
Late Entries will NOT be accepted. There are NO exceptions
PLANNING YOUR SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT
PROJECT TYPES
Experiment
An investigation undertaken to test a scientific hypothesis using experiments. Experimental variables, if identified, are controlled to some extent.
Study
Sometimes you won’t be testing a new hypothesis, but you will be coming up with a novel approach to existing data. You might not be collecting data, but analyzing existing data in a new way. Many studies are carried out using surveys given to human subjects.
Innovation
A project involving the development and evaluation of innovative devices, models or techniques or approaches in fields such as technology, engineering, or computers (both hardware and software).
Demonstration
(Primary and Elementary divisions only)
Illustrates a known scientific principle. Does not investigate or prove an idea but shows an understanding of the concept. It could also involve re-testing an experiment already done.
SUBJECT CATEGORIES
RESOURCES
Check out some PROJECTS from all over Canada for ideas and inspiration
PROJECT EVALUATION
10% Project Summary
20% Display
20% Oral Presentation (you have 15 mins 2-4 minute presentation then questions)
15% Original Creativity
35% Scientific Thought
Total 100%
RULES - REGULATIONS - SAFETY - ETHICS
All projects entered must meet the outlined criteria and deadline.
To enter the fair: Register on the "Project Registration" page of the fair website and pay $15 (per student) by the deadline posted on that same page.
Late Entries will NOT be accepted. There are NO exceptions.
General Rules & Regulations
-
Participants must be under 21 years of age
-
Attending classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 at a public, separate, private school, home school
-
A project with two students is eligible but more than 2 students is not allowed
-
If 2 students enter a group project and they are in different divisions they will compete in the older division
-
Students may not enter an identical project at any subsequent regional Science Fairs. However, a project may be improved and entered again to compete
-
A project cannot be entered in more than one regional Science Fair per school year for competition leading to the Canada- Wide Science Fair
-
A student may not present more than one project each year
-
Parents, teachers, or guardians should not have any verbal or visual communication with their student during a judging session
-
The project may not display inappropriate materials, and sensitive subject matter must be presented in a respectful manner
Chemical Safety
-
No poisonous chemicals (solid, gas, liquid)
-
Any radio-isotopes present are sealed and at normal background activity
Fire Safety
-
No flammable chemicals (solid, gas, liquid)
-
No open flame is used
-
No pressurized containers displayed
Electrical Safety
-
Electrical connections have been insulated
-
Electrical power cord is CSA approved and provides necessary grounding
-
Current less than 36V to the ground
-
No voltage above 10 KV to be generated
-
Any non-current carrying metal parts must be connected to a ground lead
-
Lasers can not be operated during public display
-
X-ray or other high energy radiation sources, if used, have been registered and approved by provincial authorities
Structural and Mechanical Safety
-
The exhibit can be no more than 1.5 m high, 1.2 m wide and 0.8 m deep, self-standing and stable. Exhibits which exceed these dimensions will be disqualified
-
Hazardous moving parts are protected
Biohazards and Biosafety
-
If microbiological organisms were used, no biological toxins are present
-
If microbiological organisms were used, there has been no experimental manipulation with recombinant DNA or animal viruses
-
If blood, tissues, or other bodily fluids are used, the project is carried out in a hospital, university, medical or similar laboratory under the direction of a scientific supervisor
Ethics for Human and Animal Participation
-
Adult supervision is required for all projects involving human or animal research
-
Student investigations of biological processes must adhere to provincial and federal laws, ethics, and regulations. Ex. Health of Animals Act, Criminal Code of Canada section 446 Cruelty to Animals, and Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 13.
-
Signed consent is required from human participants. For reference, these are the forms required for the CWSF: Informed Consent - Letter of Information Template, and Permission Form – Informed Consent
-
Human participation projects involving ingestion may only include food and drinks that are manufactured for human consumption, and do not exceed recommended daily intake
-
If medicines are used, the project is carried out in a hospital, university, medical or similar laboratory under the direction of a scientific supervisor
-
Projects involving invertebrates (including worms, insects, molluscs, and protists, but excluding cephalopods, decapods, and crustaceans) must be conducted with clear educational or scientific value. The animals must be treated with care and respect
-
Projects involving vertebrate animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals), cephalopods (squid, octopus, cuttlefish), and decapods (crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp) may NOT negatively affect the animal’s health, comfort, physical wellbeing, or cause stress to the animal. Procedures which kill animals are not allowed, however parts of vertebrates slaughtered for other purposes are permitted (ex. purchasing meat from a store). The only exception being if the project is conducted under the supervision of research personnel where the animal experimentation has been approved by an Animal Care Committee in the institution of the researchers
-
No live animals are to be displayed
Should you have questions about whether your project fits these criteria, please email us at: prsf.reg@gmail.com with the form linked HERE.