The Intel ISEF forms constitute written documentation of what
will occur in a research project. They are designed to provide
the information that is needed to review the project to ensure
compliance with the Intel ISEF rules and with laws and regulations
that apply to the project. The forms should be filled out and
signed before any research takes place. (Only Forms 1C, 7, and
the abstract are done after the research.) The dates of the signatures
reflect when the approval or consent is given.
Checklist
for Adult Sponsor (1)
The checklist is provided so that the adult sponsor can review
what information (and therefore which forms) must be provided.
The date signed is the date that the sponsor first reviews the
project plan.
Student
Checklist (1A)
On this page, the student outlines what the project is about.
Items that especially need to be clear are the following:
#5 Any project conducted in a similar area of research as previous
projects should be considered a continuation. If the project
is a continuation, explain on Form 7 as completely as possible
how the project will differ from previous experimentation because
ONLY a new and different research project is allowed. (If based
on previous research, the current year project must demonstrate
significant progress.)
#6 Explain when the actual experimental procedure (not the
background literature review) will begin and end because ONLY
a 12-month project that occurred within the last 18 months before
this Intel ISEF is allowed.
#7 Explain where the experimental research will be done: home,
university, field. Pathogens may NOT be cultured at home. Research
animals must be housed in school or institutional settings only.
Universities, research facilities, and industrial settings will
require the additional documentation of Form 1C to explain what
was done at each facility.
#9 Attach a research plan (next form).
Student Checklist (1A)
Explain clearly and in detail what will be done in the research
project.
Approval Form (1B)
These statements attest that each of these people (or committees)
approves or consents to this project. The dates should be signed
as described below:
| |
a) Student |
Date they attest that they understand
the possible risks and that they will read and follow the
rules. |
| |
b) Parent/Guardian |
Date they consent to their child
doing this project. |
| |
c) Adult Sponsor |
Date indicates when they approved
this project. |
| |
| |
d) SRC Approval BEFORE |
Date that the committee reviews this
project BEFORE the experimentation. Projects that must be
preapproved are research in these areas: human subjects,
nonhuman vertebrate animals, pathogenic agents, controlled
substances, recombinant DNA, and human or animal tissue. |
| |
e) SRC Approval AFTER |
This applies only to projects that
needed preapproval by the SRC but were done at a research
institution and were preapproved by that institution instead
of the SRC. Date signed indicates when the affiliated SRC
approved this project after it was completed. Attach all
documentation from the research institution showing approval
of the project. |
| |
f) Final SRC Approval |
All projects must be reviewed by
the SRC after the experimentation is complete and shortly
BEFORE they compete in the affiliated fair. The date signed
shows the date that SRC gives final approval to this project. |
Regulated Research
Institution (1C)
This form explains what the student researcher actually did and
is signed after the project is completed. This form is only needed
if the research was done at a research institution (university
lab, for example) or in an industrial setting.
Qualified
Scientist (2)
On this page, the scientist explains what will be done to oversee
this project. The date signed indicates the date that they approve
this project (before experimentation takes place).
Risk
Assessment Form (3)
Required for projects using hazardous chemicals, activities or
devices or regulated substances. Must be completed prior to student
experimentation.
Human
Subject and Informed Consent (4)
This page is filled out by the student researcher to explain
to the IRB how the safety and well being of the test subjects
will be ensured. The IRB reviews the project, checks the risk
level and each member signs with the date they approve this project.
This review and the date signed must be BEFORE any experimentation
takes place.
Copies of this form are used (for informed consent) to explain
very completely to the research subject and their parent(guardian)
exactly what will happen to the subject in the project. Questionnaires,
sample tests, and so on MUST be given to the IRB and to the parent/guardian.
If they approve, they sign with the date that they approve. (Before the
experiment begins). If a photo is to be displayed, the participant
signs and dates it when they give permission.
Vertebrate
Animal Form (5)
This form is filled out by the student researcher and describes
the housing and care for the animals. The bottom of the form
is filled out by the supervisor or scientist and is signed and
dated when they approve this project with these housing conditions.
(Before experimentation begins.)
Potentially
Hazardous Biological Agents (6A)
This form is filled out by the student researcher and is required
for all research involving microorganisms, rDNA and fresh tissue,
blood and body fluids. SRC/IACUC/IBC/RAC approval required before experimentation.
There is a section to be completed by the designated supervisor
and others to be completed by the fair's SRC.
Human & Vertebrate
Animal Tissue (6B)
This form is filled out by the student researcher and explains
the source of the tissue. The designated supervisor must sign
to show approval the use of this tissue and the date (before experimentation)
that they approve.
Continuation
Projects Form (7)
Any project conducted by the student or team in a similar area
of research as previous projects should be considered a continuation.
Explain as completely as possible how the project is different
from previous experimentation because ONLY a new and different
research project is allowed. (It can be based on previous research,
but must be new and different research.) Date signed is the date
the student researcher is certifying that this information is
correct.
Abstract
ISEF finalists must use the on-line system. Regional and local
fairs use the Adobe®
Acrobat® file listed above. The abstract is a summary written
after experimentation that explains the project. The date signed
is the date the student researcher certifies that the statements
are correct.