Rules, Procedures, Templates & Forms

The FRSEF utilizes the rules set by the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

Projects - Individual or Team

Projects can be entered by individual students or by a team of 2 to 3 students. This is applicable to all divisions.

A research plan is an overview of your project and what you are planning to do. It will help you to determine your goals, materials needed and the tools and equipment you will need.
- Strongly recommended to complete before starting your project - it will save you a lot of time!
Only available as microsoft word file.
- To open in google docs: download a copy to your local machine, open google docs, open file picker, upload and select the downloaded file on your machine.
Complete and save as a pdf when uploading.

Project Size

Elementary: May not exceed 30” deep x 36” wide x 108” height
Junior: May not exceed 30” deep x 36” wide x 108” height
Senior: May not exceed 30” deep x 48” wide x 108” height
No standing projects are allowed - all projects will be on a table with a height of 36"
Items are not be stored underneath the project

Display Stand

Your display is representing your project - make it look nice!
All displays need to stand on their own and not fall over or lean against another display.
No trash or setup materials may be left at the display or on the floor around the project. The FRSEF reserves the right to remove a project from judging.

Electrical Regulations

No AC power will be provided.
Electrical devices must be protectively enclosed.
Energized wiring, switches and metal parts must have adequate insulation and over-current safety devices (e.g., fuse).
An accessible, clearly visible on/off switch or quick means of disconnecting power

Forms / Images / Credits

List photo and image credits
Photo release for images of finalist and others
No acknowledgements, self-promotions or endorsements
No commercial logos
Form 1c must be displayed if applicable to a project (only for projects at a Regulated Research Institution)
Form 7 must be displayed if applicable to a project (only for projects that are a Continuation)

Items / Materials Not Allowed

Living organisms, including plants
Glass or glass containers
Soil, sand, rock, cement or waste samples
Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals
Food or liquids (including water)
Plant materials
Human / animal parts or body fluids
Hazardous substances or devices (poisons, drugs, weapons, dry ice)
Items that may be contaminated with hazardous chemicals
Sharp items (syringes, needles, pipettes, knives)
Flames or highly flammable materials
Batteries with open-top or wet cells
3D Printers
Any apparatus with belts, pulleys, chains or moving parts without appropriate shielding around pinch points
Any item deemed distracting (sounds, lights, odors, etc.)

What to Include

Slides are used for online preliminary judging. This is what is used to determine finalists.

12 Slide Maximum
PDF files are the only file type that will be accepted.
- Edit the files in Powerpoint or Google Slides and export into a pdf when complete.
- For Google Slides to download a pdf of your display: File > Download > PDF
- For Google Slides copy the template to your drive: File > Make a copy > Entire Presentation
Font and Font Size
- Minimum: 14 pt.
- Recommended: 18 pt.
- 10 pt. may be used for figure captions or photo credits.
- Use a readable font like Arial, Times New Roman or similar.
Do not include your name or school on the slides; only Project ID, Category and Division.
Videos are not allowed to be embedded into the document.
Templates do not have to be followed, are provided as a starting point.
Complete requirements for Display Slides

Forms / Images / Credits