Fair information
The rules of the fair are listed below. Information on the fair schedule, categories for projects, judging criteria, etc. can be found on the tabs above. Information about our affiliation with ISEF, including ISEF forms, can be found using the "Fair" dropdown menu at the top of the page.
GENERAL RULES
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Educational Level: the Science Fair is open to all Vermont middle and high school students in grades 5 through 12.
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Applicatons for the fair: if your school will send a select set of projects, the school liaison should select the student projects and then have each student apply individually. If your school does not send a select set of projects, individual students (and groups) should also apply individually. Applications are accepted only through this website. The deadline for all application forms is posted on the homepage.
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Contribution: each Individual Project must be the work of an individual student, and a Group Project must be the work of two or three students only. Group projects must reflect the work of all members. Group projects will be located in a separate area and will be judged as one category. Group projects are open to all grades, 5-12.
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Collaboration: a research project may be a part of a larger study done by professional scientists, but the project presented by the student(s) must only be their portion of the complete study.
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Timeline: projects must cover research done over a maximum of 12 continuous months between January of the year prior to the fair and the fair date.
- Topics: projects may be focused in area of science, engineering or mathematics. The areas are biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, engineering, geology, mathematics, and behavioral or experimental psychology.
- Scientific Method: use of the scientific method in answering a question or addressing a problem is expected, and your use of the scientific method is how your project will be judged. Projects that are demonstrations, ‘library’ research or informational projects, ‘explanation’ models or kit building are not appropriate for this fair.
- Display: the fair give you the chance to make a visual presentation of your project, usually including a poster. You will prepare an exhibit which illustrates your project and will be expected to answer questions concerning your project.
- Space requirements: each exhibitor will be given a display space 0.5 meter x 1 meter on a table or bench, and extending 0.5 meter directly in front of the table or bench area. The maximum height any part of the display may be is 2 1/2 meters from the floor (the tallest bench is 1m high). The display must function completely within the space provided.
- Content requirements: the display must include the project title and student(s) names clearly visible. Displaying the abstract, data and bibliography is strongly encouraged.
- Electrical devices: if the display requires electrical power, please bring your own extension cord and indicate the need for electricity in your applicaton. All electrical devices must be UL listed or they must be made of UL listed parts, and be grounded, completely insulated and not hazardous.
- Photographs: photographs and/or visual depictions must not be offensive or innapropriate. Photographs must have credit lines ("Photo taken by..." or "Image taken from..."). Photographs of human subjects other than the student require a signed release form to be present at the booth.
- Not allowed in the display area:
- Living organisms including plats, insects and microorganisms
- Feces/waste samples unless permanently encased in acrylic
- Taxidermy specimens or parts
- Preserved animals unless fossilized or encased in acrylic
- Human or animal food
- Human or animal parts or fluids (e.g. blood, urine, hair)
- Raw plant materials (living, dead or preserved)
- Any chemicals including water (unless water is in an enclosed container)
- Any hazardous substances (lasers, weapons, poisons, etc.)
- Dry ice or other sublimating solids
- Sharp items (needles, syringes, etc.)
- Flames or highly flammable materials
- Batteries with open-top cells
- Business cards, flags, logos, endorsements and/or commercial acknowledgements
- Postal addresses, telephone/fax numbers, email addresses
- Photographs or other visual presentations of vertebrate animals in surgical techniques, dissections, necropsies or other lab procedures
- Active internet connections as part of display
- Glass containers or glass objects
- Schedule: students' projects must be in place and ready for judging by 9 a.m. A 20-minute break will be provided mid morning for students to view other students' projects. Projects must remain in place until 12:30 p.m. for awarding of monetary prizes (or until judging is announced as complete). You should take down your projects around 12:30pm before going to lunch.
- ISEF: to compete for the ISEF-related prizes, you must complete ISEF forms with registration and comply with ISEF guidelines. Teachers should contact Sarah Gallant (sgallant@norwich.edu) for more information. Please note that the application requirements and deadlines may differ from VSTEMF. However, the general and specific rules of the VSTEMF are congruent with the ISEF rules, which means all you will have to do to become eligible for the ISEF-related prizes is fill out the ISEF forms.
SPECIFIC RULES FOR RESEARCH WITH ANIMALS, HUMANS OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
- Use of vertebrate animals: if animals are to be used in the project, students must follow these specific rules. All projects will be screened for compliance with these rules, and projects that do not follow these rules will not be eligible for participation. Vertebrate animals are defined as living, non-human vertebrates at hatching or birth and beyond. This includes fish and tadpoles. As a special case, it also includes reptile and bird eggs withing three days (72 hours) of hatching.
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Alternatives to the use of vertebrate animals for research must be explored and used wherever possible. Projects that use vertebrate animals where alternatives would be more appropriate will score lower than similar projects where alternatives were used. Alternatives include the following “3 R’s”:
a. Replace vertebrate animals with invertebrates, lower life forms, tissue/cell cultures or computer simulations
b. Reduce the number of animals without compromising statistical validity
c. Refine the experimental protocol to lessen pain or distress to the animals.
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A Qualified Scientist or Designated Supervisor must directly supervise all research involving vertebrate animals. A Qualified Scientist is an adult who possesses an earned advanced degree in the biological or medical sciences. A Designated Supervisor is an adult who is directly responsible for overseeing student experimentation, and must be highly trained in the student’s specific area of research. All persons supervising student research involving vertebrate animals must be thoroughly familiar with the local, state, and federal regulations that govern the student’s area of research, the humane care and handling of animals and must be thoroughly familiar with the student’s project.
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Exceptions:
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Observational studies in natural settings in which the environment and animals are NOT altered in any way. For example an observational study of flocking behavior in wild geese.
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Studies involving domestic animals and pets where the experimental procedure does NOT involve any manipulation of the animal or environment other than those ordinarily encountered in DAILY LIFE for that subject.
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Research projects which cause pain or suffering to vertebrate animals or which are designed to kill vertebrate animals are strictly prohibited.
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The following types of studies on vertebrate animals are strictly prohibited:
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All induced toxicity studies involving a poison or toxin that could impair health or destroy life, including alcohol, acid rain, insecticide, herbicide, or heavy metals.
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Behavioral experiments involving operant conditioning with aversive stimuli, mother/infant separation or induced helplessness
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Studies of pain
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Predator/vertebrate prey experiments
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Students performing vertebrate animal research must follow local, state, and U.S. federal regulations.
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Because weight loss is one significant sign of stress, the experiment must be immediately terminated if weight loss or growth retardation of any exerimental or control animal reaches 15% of that exerienced by all the controls.
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If there is one or more unexpected deaths in either the experimental or control groups, the cause of the death must be determined. The experiment must be immediately terminated if the experimental procedure is responsible for the death. The experiment must be immediately terminated if a death rate of 30% or greater in any group or subgroup is reached from any cause. Projects that are terminated under this rule are not eligible for participation in the fair.
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The student research plan for vertebrate animal studies must contain a written risk assessment and evaluation of alternatives which must be available at the fair. The risk assessment and evaluation of alternatives must:
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Justify why animals must be used, including the reasons for the choice of species and the number of animals to be used.
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Describe any alternatives to animal use that were considered, and the reasons these alternatives are unacceptable.
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Explain the potential impact or contribution this research may have on the broad fields of biology or medicine.
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Identify the species, strain, source, and number of animals proposed for use, and sex, age, and weightof each animal.
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Describe in detail, how the animals will be used. Include methods and procedures, such as experimental design and data analysis. Describe the procedures that minimize the potential for discomfort, distress, pain and injury to the animals during the course of experimentation.
- Use of human subjects: if humans are to be used in the project, students must follow these specific rules. All projects will be screened for compliance with these rules, and projects that do not follow these rules will not be eligible for participation. Based upon Code of Federal Regulations 45, the definition of ahuman subject is a living person from which a researcher obtains (1) data or samples through intervention or interaction, or (2) private information identifiable with that subject. For example, subjects participating in physical activities, psychological, educational and opinion studies, studies in which the researcher is the subject of the research, and behavioral observations that (1) involve any interaction with the observed individual(s) or where the researcher has modified the environment (e.g., post a sign, place an object) in any way, (2) occur in a non public or restricted access settings (e.g., day care setting, doctor’s office) (3) involve the recording of personally identifiable information.
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Evaluation of risks: when developing the Research Plan, student researchers must evaluate the physical and/or psychological risks to their human subjects. Only Research Plans posing minimal risk to the human subject(s) are permitted without prior approval from VSTEMF. A written Risk Assessment for every human subjects experiment must be available for inspection at the fair. No more than minimal risk exists when the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater than those ordinarily encountered in daily life for that subject. Activities that contain more than minimal risk include, but are not limited to:
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- Exercise other than ordinarily encountered in daily life by that subject.
- Ingestion of any substance, including food or supplements that isunusual for that subject, or by unusual methods, such as rapid consumption, or in unusual quantities or at unusual intervals.
- Exposure to any potentially hazardous materials or conditions.
- Any activity reasonably associated with injury, discomfort or sickness, including repetitive motion and movement which would reasonably cause motion sickness.
- Any activity (e.g. survey, questionnaire, viewing of stimuli) or experimental condition that could potentially result in emotional stress.
- Any activity that violates norms of decency, respect or civility.
- Informed consent: the documentation of written informed consent is required for most human subjects projects. The consent/assent must be written and dated for each human subject, and must be available for inspection at the fair. It is recommended that students use the Informed Consent Form or Human Subjects Consent approved for ISEF to document Informed Consent (available on request). Human subjects who have not attained the age of 18 also require consent of a parent/guardian.
The process of obtaining Informed Consent provides information to the subject (and parents or guardians) about the risks and benefits associated with participation in the research study and allows the subject (and parents or guardians) to make an educated decision about whether or not to participate. Informed consent is an on-going process, not a single event that ends with a signature on a page. It must incorporate procedures that do not involve coercion or deception.
The process of obtaining Informed Consent must inform potential subjects (and their parents or guardians)
- about the purpose of the study, and
- about what they will be asked to do, and
- about the risks and benefits associated with participation in the research study so that they can make an educated decision about whether or not to participate, and
- that their participation is voluntary and that they may withdraw from the study at any time.
Exception: Documentation of informed consent is not required if the study meets the criteria listed below.
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- only minimal risk
- and anonymous data collection
- and if it is one of the following:
- Research involving normal educational practices
- Research on individual or group behavior or characteristics of individuals in public places where the researcher is strictly passive and does not manipulate the subjects’ behavior or environment.
- Surveys and questionnaires that involve perception, cognition, or game theory and do NOT involve gathering personal information, invasion of privacy or potential for emotional distress. If there is any uncertainty regarding the appropriateness of waiving informed consent, it is strongly recommended that informed consent be obtained.
All subjects must still give their consent/assent to participate in the study, even if the documentation of informed consent is not required. Research subjects under 18 years of age or other individuals not able to give consent (e.g. mentally disabled) give their assent, whereas adults give their consent.
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- Medications and medical procedures: students are prohibited from administering medications and performing invasive medical procedures on human subjects. A student may observe and collect data for analysis of medical procedures and medication administration only under the direct supervision of a qualified professional.
- Consent for identification: student researchers may NOT publish or display information in a report that identifies the human subjects directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects, (including photographs), without specific written consent to use identifyable information and/or photographs.
- Use of hazardous materials: if hazardous materials are to be used in the project, students must follow these specific rules. All projects will be screened for compliance with these rules, and projects that do not follow these rules will not be eligible for participation. These rules were developed to protect the researcher and others, property and the environment, and to help students adhere to federal and international safety and biosafety regulations and best-practice.
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Prohibited materials: projects using the following materials, equipment, items or situations are prohibited except by ISEF applicants, and must follow all STEMF and ISEF Rules for Hazardous Materials.
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Biological Agents includign microorganisms (including parasites, bacteria, fungi, prions, viroids, viruses, and rickettsia), recombinant DNA (rDNA) technologies, and fresh/frozen tissues (including blood), or body fluids of humans or any other animals.
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- Experimentation involving culturing of any Biological Agents is prohibited in a home environment.
- Hazardous Non-biological Materials including DEA-controlled substances, prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco, explosives, radioactive materals, and chemicals with health or fire hazard ratings above 2.
- Exceptions: The following materials are not prohibited, BUT still must follow remaining VSTEMF rules
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- Any other chemicals requiring DOT label for transportation
- Small amounts of IPA or ethanol
- Hazardous Items/Equipment, including firearms (including potato cannons that use combustion of flammable materials as propellent), explosive devices (including fireworks, gun powder, and ammunition), lasers, high-voltage electrical devices, and any item or piece of equipment or machinery that has the reasonable potential to cause serious injury or death when used properly.
- Exceptions: The following items/equipment are not prohibited, BUT still must follow the remaining VSTEMF rules
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- Household equipment (saw, drill, etc) when used properly
- Potato cannons that use compressed air or water
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- Hazardous Situations: the following situations are considered Hazardous Situations and ARE COMPLETELY PROHIBITED.
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- Any activity that poses greater than minimal risk to the researcher, others, real property or the environment
- Any activity that produces prohibited hazardous materials, including burning materials
- Interactions with wild animals or agitated or unfamiliar domestic animals
- Culturing (or introduction of) any biological agent(s) in the home/garden environment (See biological agents, above)
- Exceptions: The following situations are not prohibited, BUT still must follow the remaining VSTEMF rules:
- The generation of small amounts of oxygen and hydrogen due to electrolysis
- The generation of ethanol from yeast fermentation
- Projects involving any materials, equipment, items or situations that might reasonably considered hazardous must follow these rules, even if not specifically mentioned above.
- The use of hazardous chemicals and devices require direct supervision by a Designated Supervisor or Qualified Scientist. A Qualified Scientist is an adult who possesses an earned advanced degree in the physical sciences. A Designated Supervisor is an adult who is directly responsible for overseeing student experimentation, and must be highly trained in the student’s specific area of research. All persons supervising student research involving hazardous materials or equipment must be thoroughly familiar with the local, state, and federal regulations that govern the proper handling and disposal of materials and/or use of equipment, and must be thoroughly familiar with the student’s project.
- When developing the Research Plan, student researchers must evaluate the risks to themselves, others, and the environment in collaboration with a Designated Supervisor or Qualified Scientist prior to experimentation. A written Risk Assessment is required for every experiment involving anything hazardous, and must be available for inspection at the fair.
- Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of all chemicals to identify risks and ensure that proper safety precautions are taken. MSDS sheets must be included with risk assessment.
- Identify all risk to self, others, real property and the environment
- Identify all applicable laws governing the transportation, use and disposal of hazardous materials or items.
- Describe in detail how the materials/items will be aquired, used and disposed of.
- Describe the safety procedures and equipment required to minimize risk.
- Describe special emergency procedures necessary
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- Student researchers must acquire, use and dispose of all substances and devices in accordance with all local, state, U.S. federal and country laws. For all chemicals, devices or activities requiring a Federal and/or State Permit, the student/supervisor will be expected to have the permit prior to the onset of experimentation. A copy of the permit must be available for review at the fair.
- The student researcher must design experiments to minimize the impact that an experiment has on the environment, for instance using minimal quantities of chemicals. Whenever possible the following principles should be incorporated into the research plan.
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- Before you start, consider the safety of your procedures
- Use safer materials and devices
- Design less hazardous experiments
- Have an emergency plan
- Use renewable or recyclable materials
- Scale down your experiments
- Increase energy efficiency, and reduce energy use
- Prevent waste
About Page
The Vermont Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fair is an inquiry-based poster presentation competition open to all middle and high school level students in the state of Vermont.
Our state fair is an exciting opportunity for aspiring scientists (grades 5-12) to showcase the results of their independent research. Each year 200+ student projects covering all areas of science, technology, engineering and math present their research and are judged by at least three judges. Our judges include scientists, secondary education faculty, dentists, physicians, nurses, military personnel and retirees, and other science related professionals from across Vermont. Students compete for cash and trip prizes donated by local organizations as well as scholarships to Vermont colleges. The fair is also affiliated with the International Science and Engineering Fair, and five other national and international competitions.
We are an all volunteer, non-profit [501(c)(3)] organization supported by the Vermont Principals' Association, Norwich University and over 110 other Vermont organizations, colleges and industry partners that share our vision and mission.
Public Display
We encourage the public to explore the amazing research conducted by aspiring young scientists and engineers from throughout the state. When held in person, projects are typically on display on fair day from 9am to noon with an award ceremony in the afternoon. When held virtually, there will be a link to the public showcase on our main website.
Day of the Fair: Information and Schedule
When held in person, the Vermont STEM Fair is typically held at Norwich University. A typical schedule is:
8:15-8:45am: Registration
9am-12pm: Project Display (open to public and judges)
12-3pm: Lunch and Programming (e.g. College and Career Fair)
3pm: Award Ceremony
When held virtually, the Public Showcase of projects will be available for 2-3 days to allow plenty of time for everyone (judges and guests!) to explore the projects. The public showcase may be left open for some time after judging concludes to allow guests to explore winning projects (and any others!). A link connecting to the Showcase will be available throught this website.
Biology and Health Sciences
The science or study of living things.
Chemistry
The science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter.
Computer Science
Theory, experiment, and design involving computers.
Engineering and Materials Science
The application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical machines and systems.
Environmental Sciences, Ecology and Geology
The study of the environment, solutions to environmental problems, the interactions of organisms with each other and the environment, and earth processes.
Mathematical Sciences
The study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. The deductive study of numbers, geometry, and various abstract constructs, or structures.
Physics and Astronomy
Physics is the science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two. Astronomy is the study of anything in the universe beyond the Earth.
Social Science and Psychology
The study of society, the relationships among individuals within a society and the human mind.
Judging Criteria
Our team of judges includes STEM professionals from across the state who volunteer their time to judge projects, interact with students, and encourage aspiring scientists at VSTEMF!
STEM fair projects are judged on how well they apply the scientific method or meet a need/solve a problem (engineering projects). Projects score points based on each portion of the project from how well researched the hypothesis is to how creative and well planned the methods are to the presentation and analysis of the results.
We have two rubrics that are used to assess projects: one for engineering projects, and one for all other projects. A summary of each rubric is provided here:
VSTEMF Science Rubric.docx
VSTEMF Engineering Rubric.docx