Science Fair: Successful Science Projects

School Prescription for Successful Science Research Projects

1. The school or sponsoring institution is REQUIRED to form a Scientific Review Committee (SRC) made of Biomedical Scientist (PhD, MD, DDS, or DO), a Science Teacher and an Animal Care Specialist. (These will be provided by Sandersville Tech)
   
   • to PRE-approve experimental procedures of projects involving human subjects, nonhuman vertebrates, pathogens, controlled substances, recombinant DNA, and human/animal tissue.
     
   • to POST-review procedures and safety rules for above projects.
     
   • to reviews all remaining to make projects to make sure students followed applicable rules.
     
2. The school or sponsoring institution must provide an Institutional Review Board (IRB) made up of a science fair teacher, a school administrator, and one of the following: a psychologist, psychiatrist, medical doctor, physician’s assistant, or registered nurse.(To be provided by Sandersville Tech) This committee may be combined with the SRC to form one Review Committee for all projects.
   
   • to evaluate the potential physical or psychological risk of research involving human subjects.
     
3. Science department or school staff should identify a science fair committee:
   
   • to provide information to students and teachers
   • to plan logistics for setting up the fair exhibits
   • to arrange for judges and awards
   • to plan logistics for judging research projects
   • Involve parents and the community (i.e. open house, PTA, school newspapers, parents’ newsletter, etc.

4. The school should encourage positive commitment by teachers involved.
   
   • Decision should be made if science research projects will be mandatory.
   • Teachers must provide guidance and certify the science research for further competition. Thus, when the teacher signs the form they are giving approval to the quality, safety, and appropriateness of the research. Students should be encouraged to exhibit only their very best effort.
     
5. Sponsors or Teachers should provide clear communication (in writing) to students about:
   
   • What a science research project is.
   • What is expected of them.
   • What the time lines are.
   • Where they might go for help.
   • How much help they can get
     
6. Sponsors or Teachers should provide continuous encouragement and follow-up:
   
   • Schedule 10-15 minutes at least twice a week for discussions of students’ progress, ideas.
     
7. Sponsors or Teachers should use available resources:
   
   • Teacher, librarian, a science contact person, parents, and professionals in the community.