Old Union

Science Fair
2015
Applicant
Information

Sign Up to Participate

All entries must be submitted by November 11, 2015.

Please visit ouessciencelab.weebly.com to sign up!

Once your idea is submitted via the online form, please watch for a follow-up e-mail
containing your entry number this will come quickly after you have signed up. This
number is the ONLY identifier allowed on your project board.

Important Information
The focus of the Old Union Science Fair is to encourage students to enjoy science and conduct
their own investigations. All entrants will be recognized for participation.
This can be a family project, but students are encouraged to do all that is appropriate for
their age independently.
Projects and boards are due at school on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 by 3:00 pm. Please
bring them to Ms. Snyder, who can be found in the science lab, cafeteria, or library on that
day. Please bring all accompanying materials with your project board, including anything
extra needed to show off the project successfully (e.g. batteries, extension cord, gloves, tarp
to contain messy investigations and protect the library carpet, etc.).
Judging will take place during the day on Thursday, November 19. 2015 while students are in
their regular class(es). Participants can show off their project during Family Science Night
(Thursday, November 19th from 4:30 6:30 pm).

Entrants are encouraged (but not required) to stand next to their project during
Family Science Night to explain their investigation to passerby.

Students could also make a video or audio recording that explains the project and link
it to a QR code to display during Family Science Night (in lieu of standing next to the
project all evening). This link will give you some ideas for how to execute the video or
audio recording: http://bit.ly/SciFairBonus.

Guidelines
A typical science fair project is displayed in front of and/or on a standard trifold board. In
the interest of space, no trifold board should be longer than 4 feet long by 3 feet wide when
laid flat. When the project is displayed upright, it should not occupy more than 3 feet in
length or depth. A project backboard is meant to draw attention to your project and explain
your topic further, so be creative and make it colorful!

You must display your entry number on the upper right-hand corner of the backboard. Please
ONLY put your entry number on the board NOT your name or teachers name. (If you do not
receive an entry number from please contact Ms. Snyder at dana.snyder@southlakecarroll.edu)

No other personal identifiers are allowed. Any photos displayed cannot identify the
participant or family members.
A standard science fair project and/or its backboard could or might include the following
elements, according to official science fair guidelines:
For projects in the experiment category:
Title
Problem/Question
Research (including sources and/or references)
Hypothesis
Materials/Procedures used to complete the experiment
Results (include a data chart, if applicable)
Conclusion (did results match the hypothesis why/why not?)
Application (how could this be used in the real world?)
For projects in the demonstration category:
Title
Purpose
Research (including sources and/or references)
Materials/Procedures used to complete the demonstration
Results and/or Conclusion
Application (how is this used in the real world?)

For projects in the model category:

Title
Description of the model
Research (including sources and/or references, and be sure to include comparison to
real world object that is being modeled)
Materials/Procedures used to build the model

Application (how and/or why would this model be used in the real world?)

Safety
No live animals may be brought to OUES.
No human body parts may be displayed (exceptions are teeth, hair, and nails).
No controlled substances are allowed. No dangerous or combustible chemicals may be
displayed at the fair. Rockets and engines must not contain fuel. All chemicals must have the
contents clearly marked on the container. No weapons, ammunition or sharp objects are
allowed. No open flames will be permitted (exceptions may be granted during the judging
process please check with Ms. Snyder beforehand).

Student experimenters must wear safety goggles and follow standard safety practices when
working with fire, hot liquids, or caustic chemicals. Parent approval and supervision is
required for these projects. (Students can visit Ms. Snyder to borrow a pair of safety
goggles, if necessary.)

All projects using household electricity must conform to standard wiring practices and
safety.

Expensive and fragile items should not be displayed. Valuable items essential to the project
should be simulated or photographed.
Items to be displayed in front of backboard should be secured (i.e. batteries, wire, switch
and motor secure to a piece of plywood and place in front of backboard).

Projects with unshielded moving parts can be displayed, but only operated with appropriate
safety measures in place.

Lasers may NOT be used.

Devices requiring voltage over 125 volts can be displayed, but not operated.
Topless batteries are not allowed.