Checklist for Adult Sponsor (1)

This completed form is required for ALL projects.

To be completed by the Adult Sponsor in collaboration with the student researcher(s):

Student’s Name(s):
Project Title:
1. I have reviewed the Intel ISEF Rules and Guidelines.

2. I have reviewed the student’s completed Student Checklist (1A) and Research Plan/Project Summary.
3. I have worked with the student and we have discussed the possible risks involved in the project.
4. The project involves one or more of the following and requires prior approval by an SRC, IRB, IACUC or IBC:
Humans Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents
Vertebrate Animals Microorganisms rDNA Tissues
   
5. Items to be completed for ALL PROJECTS
Adult Sponsor Checklist (1) Research Plan/Project Summary
Student Checklist (1A) Approval Form (1B)
 Regulated Research Institutional/Industrial Setting Form (1C) (when applicable; after completed experiment)
Continuation/Research Progression Form (7) (when applicable)

Additional forms required if the project includes the use of one or more of the following (check all that apply):
Humans, including student designed inventions/prototypes. (Requires prior approval by an Institutional Review Board (IRB);
see full text of the rules.)
Human Participants Form (4) or appropriate Institutional IRB documentation
Sample of Informed Consent Form (when applicable and/or required by the IRB)

Qualified Scientist Form (2) (when applicable and/or required by the IRB)

Vertebrate Animals (Requires prior approval, see full text of the rules.)
Vertebrate Animal Form (5A)- for projects conducted in a school/home/field research site (SRC prior approval required.)
Vertebrate Animal Form (5B) - for projects conducted at a Regulated Research Institution. (Institutional Animal Care and
Use Committee (IACUC) approval required prior experimentation.)
Qualified Scientist Form (2) (Required for all vertebrate animal projects at a regulated research site or when applicable)

Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (Requires prior approval by SRC, IACUC or Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC),
see full text of the rules.)
Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Risk Assessment Form (6A)
Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (6B) - to be completed in addition to Form 6A when project involves the use of
fresh or frozen tissue, primary cell cultures, blood, blood products and body fluids.
Qualified Scientist Form (2) (when applicable)
The following are exempt from prior review but require a Risk Assessment Form 3: projects involving protists, archae and
similar microorganisms, for projects using manure for composting, fuel production or other non-culturing experiments,
projects using color change coliform water test kits, microbial fuel cells, and projects involving decomposing vertebrate
organisms.
 Hazardous Chemicals, Activities and Devices (No SRC prior approval required, see full text of the rules.)
Risk Assessment Form (3) (have up with potentially hazardous biological agents.)

Qualified Scientist Form (2) (required for projects involving DEA-controlled substances or when applicable)

Adult Sponsor’s Printed Name Signature Date of Review

Phone Email

International Rules: Guidelines for Science and Engineering Fairs 2017 – 2018 student.societyforscience.org/intel-isef Page 29
 Student Checklist (1A)
This form is required for ALL projects.

1. a. Student/Team Leader: Grade:

Email: Phone:
b. Team Member: c. Team Member:
2. Title of Project:

3. School: School Phone:

School Address:

4. Adult Sponsor: Phone/Email:

5. Does this project need SRC/IRB/IACUC or other pre-approval?  Yes  No Tentative start date:
6. Is this a continuation/progression from a previous year?  Yes  No
If Yes:
a. Attach the previous year’s  Abstract and Research Plan/Project Summary
b. Explain how this project is new and different from previous years on Continuation/Research Progression
Form (7)
7. This year’s laboratory experiment/data collection:

Actual Start Date: (mm/dd/yy) End Date: (mm/dd/yy)

8. Where will you conduct your experimentation? (check all that apply)

Research Institution 
School 
Field Home 
Other:

9. List name and address of all non-home and non-school work site(s):
Name:
Address:

Phone/
email
10. Complete a Research Plan/Project Summary following the Research Plan/Project Summary instructions
and attach to this form.
11. An abstract is required for all projects after experimentation.

Page 30 International Rules: Guidelines for Science and Engineering Fairs 2017 – 2018, student.societyforscience.org/intel-isef
 Research Plan/Project Summary Instructions
A complete Research Plan/Project Summary is required for ALL projects and
must accompany Student Checklist (1A).
1. All projects must have a Research Plan/Project Summary
a. Written prior to experimentation following the instructions below to detail the rationale, research question(s), methodology,
and risk assessment of the proposed research.
b. If changes are made during the research, such changes can be added to the original research plan as an addendum, recognizing
that some changes may require returning to the IRB or SRC for appropriate review and approvals. If no additional approvals are
required, this addendum serves as a project summary to explain research that was conducted.
c. If no changes are made from the original research plan, no project summary is required.
2. Some studies, such as an engineering design or mathematics projects, will be less detailed in the initial project plan and will change
through the course of research. If such changes occur, a project summary that explains what was done is required and can be
appended to the original research plan.

3. The Research Plan/Project Summary should include the following:

a. RATIONALE: Include a brief synopsis of the background that supports your research problem and explain why this research is
important and if applicable, explain any societal impact of your research.
b. RESEARCH QUESTION(S), HYPOTHESIS(ES), ENGINEERING GOAL(S), EXPECTED OUTCOMES: How is this based on the rationale
described above?
c. Describe the following in detail:
• Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design including methods for data collection. Describe only your project.
Do not include work done by mentor or others.
• Risk and Safety: Identify any potential risks and safety precautions needed.
• Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results.
d. BIBLIOGRAPHY: List major references (e.g. science journal articles, books, internet sites) from your literature review. If you plan to
use vertebrate animals, one of these references must be an animal care reference.
Items 1–4 below are subject-specific guidelines for additional items to be included in your research plan/project summary as
applicable.
1. Human participants research:
a. Participants: Describe age range, gender, racial/ethnic composition of participants. Identify vulnerable populations (minors,
pregnant women, prisoners, mentally disabled or economically disadvantaged).
b. Recruitment: Where will you find your participants? How will they be invited to participate?
c. Methods: What will participants be asked to do? Will you use any surveys, questionnaires or tests? What is the frequency and
length of time involved for each subject?
d. Risk Assessment: What are the risks or potential discomforts (physical, psychological, time involved, social, legal, etc.) to
participants? How will you minimize risks? List any benefits to society or participants.
e. Protection of Privacy: Will identifiable information (e.g., names, telephone numbers, birth dates, email addresses) be collected?
Will data be confidential/anonymous? If anonymous, describe how the data will be collected. If not anonymous, what procedures
are in place for safeguarding confidentiality? Where will data be stored? Who will have access to the data? What will you do with
the data after the study?
f. Informed Consent Process: Describe how you will inform participants about the purpose of the study, what they will be asked to
do, that their participation is voluntary and they have the right to stop at any time.
2. Vertebrate animal research:
a. Discuss potential ALTERNATIVES to vertebrate animal use and present justification for use of vertebrates.
b. Explain potential impact or contribution of this research.
c. Detail all procedures to be used, including methods used to minimize potential discomfort, distress, pain and injury to the animals
and detailed chemical concentrations and drug dosages.
d. Detail animal numbers, species, strain, sex, age, source, etc., include justification of the numbers planned.
e. Describe housing and oversight of daily care
f. Discuss disposition of the animals at the termination of the study.

3. Potentially hazardous biological agents research:

a. Give source of the organism and describe BSL assessment process and BSL determination.
b. Detail safety precautions and discuss methods of disposal.

4. Hazardous chemicals, activities & devices:

• Describe Risk Assessment process, supervision, safety precautions and methods of disposal.

International Rules: Guidelines for Science and Engineering Fairs 2017 – 2018 student.societyforscience.org/intel-isef Page 31
 Approval Form (1B)
A completed form is required for each student, including all team members.

1. To Be Completed by Student and Parent

a. Student Acknowledgment:
 I understand the risks and possible dangers to me of the proposed research plan.
 I have read the Intel ISEF Rules and Guidelines and will adhere to all International Rules when conducting
this research.
 I have read and will abide by the following Ethics statement
Scientific fraud and misconduct are not condoned at any level of research or competition. Such practices include
but are not limited to plagiarism, forgery, use or presentation of other researcher’s work as one’s own, and
fabrication of data. Fraudulent projects will fail to qualify for competition in affiliated fairs and the Intel ISEF.

Student’s Printed Name Signature Date Acknowledged (mm/dd/yy)

(Must be prior to experimentation.)
b. Parent/Guardian Approval: I have read and understand the risks and possible dangers involved in the Research
Plan/Project Summary. I consent to my child participating in this research.

Parent/Guardian’s Printed Name Signature Date Acknowledged (mm/dd/yy)

(Must be prior to experimentation.)

2. To be completed by the local or affiliated Fair SRC

(Required for projects requiring prior SRC/IRB APPROVAL. Sign 2a or 2b as appropriate.)

a. Required for projects that need prior SRC/IRB approval b. Required for research conducted at all Regulated Research
BEFORE experimentation (humans, vertebrates or potentially Institutions with no prior fair SRC/IRB approval.
hazardous biological agents).
OR This project was conducted at a regulated research institution
The SRC/IRB has carefully studied this project’s Research Plan/ (not home or high school, etc.), was reviewed and approved
Project Summary and all the required forms are included. My by the proper institutional board before experimentation and
signature indicates approval of the Research Plan/Project
Summary before the student begins experimentation. complies with the Intel ISEF Rules. Attach (1C) and any required
institutional approvals (e.g. IACUC, IRB).

SRC/IRB Chair’s Printed Name

SRC Chair’s Printed Name

Signature Date of Approval (mm/dd/yy)

(Must be prior to experimentation.) Signature Date of Approval (mm/dd/yy)

3. Final Intel ISEF Affiliated Fair SRC Approval (Required for ALL Projects)

SRC Approval After Experimentation and Before Competition at Regional/State/National Fair

I certify that this project adheres to the approved Research Plan/Project Summary and complies with all Intel ISEF Rules.

Regional SRC Chair’s Printed Name Signature Date of Approval

State/National SRC Chair’s Printed Name Signature Date of Approval

(where applicable)

Page 32 International Rules: Guidelines for Science and Engineering Fairs 2017 – 2018, student.societyforscience.org/intel-isef
 Regulated Research Institutional/Industrial Setting Form (1C)
This form must be completed AFTER experimentation by the adult supervising the student research conducted
in a regulated research institution, industrial setting or any work site other than home, school or field.
Student’s Name(s)
Title of Project
To be completed by the Supervising Adult in the Setting (NOT the Student(s)) after experimentation:
(Responses must remain on the form as it is required to be displayed at student’s project booth.)

The student(s) conducted research at my work site:

1. Did you or your proxy (e.g. graduate student, postdoc, employee) mentor or provide
substantial guidance to the student researcher? Yes No
a. If no, describe your and/or your institution’s role with the student researcher and
his/her project (e.g. supervised use of equipment on site without ongoing mentorship
and sign below.

b. If yes, complete questions 2 –5.

2. Is the student’s research project a subset of your ongoing research or work? Yes No
Use questions 3, 4 and 5 to detail how the student’s project was similar and/or
different from ongoing research or work at your site.  

3. Describe the independence and creativity with which the student:

a. developed the hypotheses or engineering goals for her/her research project

b. designed the methodology for his/her research project

c. analyzed and interpreted data

4. Detail the student’s role in conducting the research (e.g. data collection, specific procedures
performed). Differentiate what the student observed and what the student actually did.

5. Did the student(s) work on the project as part of a group? Yes No

If yes, how many individuals were in the group and who were they (e.g. high school
students, graduate students, faculty, professional researchers)?
 

I attest that the student has conducted the work as indicated above and that any required review and approval by
institutional regulatory board (IRB/IACUC/IBC) has been obtained. Copies are attached if applicable.
I further acknowledge that the student will be presenting this work publicly in competition and I have communicated with
the student research regarding any requirements for my review and/or restrictions of what is publicized.

Supervising Adult’s Printed Name Signature Title

Date Signed (must be after experi-

Institution mentation)

Address Email/Phone

International Rules: Guidelines for Science and Engineering Fairs 2017 – 2018 student.societyforscience.org/intel-isef Page 33