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PLANNING YOUR SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT

Check out these ideas for project board design from Youth Science Canada

Before you plan your project read Youth Science Canada STEM safety and ethics

PROJECT TYPES

Experiment

An investigation undertaken to test a scientific hypothesis using experiments. Experimental variables, if identified, are controlled to some extent.

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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.

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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).

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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 AND REGULATIONS

All projects entered must meet the following criteria and deadline

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  •  To enter the fair:     1. register        2. email signature page        3. Pay $15 by:

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 Tuesday March18, at MIDNIGHT 

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Late Entries will NOT be accepted. There are NO exceptions

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  • 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

  • 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

  • The exhibit can 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.

  • Projects must not involve living vertebrates except for observations of normal living patterns. No living vertebrates shall be displayed in exhibits. Parts of vertebrates slaughtered for other purposes are permitted. 

  • If 2 students enter a group project and they are in different divisions they will compete in the higher division

  • Entry fee:  $15.00 per student (a partner project is $15 per student) 

SAFETY RULES 

All projects and exhibits entered must follow the following rules:

 

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

  • Exhibit is free standing and no larger than: 1.5m high, 1.2 m wide and 0.8 m front to back

  • Hazardous moving parts are protected

Biohazards and Biosafety

  • Signed consent is required from human participants

  • Procedures which could harm or distress the live animals were not used

  • No live animals are to be displayed

  • If microbiological organisms were used, no biological toxins are present

  • If microbiological organisms were used, there have been no experimental manipulation with recombinant DNA or animal viruses

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