Display & Safety Rules

Use the links below to skip to a section of this page

The State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa Scientific Review Committee and Display and Safety Committee will examine ALL displays to ensure they are in compliance with these safety regulations!

Not Allowed at Project

• Living organisms, including plants
• Taxidermy specimens or part
• Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals
• Human or animal food
• Human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine)
• Plant materials (living, dead or preserved) which are in their raw, unprocessed, or non-manufactured state (Exception: manufactured construction materials used in building the project or display)
• ALL chemicals including water (Exceptions: water integral to an enclosed apparatus or water supplied by the Display and Safety Committee)
• ALL hazardous substances or devices (for example: poisons, drugs, firearms, weapons, ammunition, reloading devices)
• Dry ice or other sublimating solids
• Sharp items (for example, syringes, needles, pipettes, knives)
• Flames or highly flammable materials
• Batteries with open-top cells
• Awards, medals, business cards, flags, endorsements and/or acknowledgements (graphic or written) unless the item(s) are an integral part of the project.
• Photographs or other visual presentations depicting vertebrate animals in surgical techniques, dissections, necropsies, or other lab procedures
• Active Internet or e-mail connections as part of displaying or operating the project.
• Prior years’ written material or visual depictions on the vertical display board. Exception: the project title displayed in the booth may mention years or which year the project is (for example, “Year Two of an Ongoing Study”). Continuation projects must have the Continuation Project Form (7) displayed.
• Glass or glass objects unless deemed by the Display and Safety Committee to be an integral and necessary part of the project (Exception: glass that is an integral part of a commercial product such as a computer screen)
• Any apparatus deemed unsafe by the Scientific Review Committee, the Display and Safety Committee, or the SSTFI Board of Directors (for example, large vacuum tubes or dangerous ray-generating devices, empty tanks that previously contained combustible liquids or gases, pressurized tanks, etc.)

Allowed at Project, BUT with the Restrictions Indicated

• Soil or waste samples if permanently sealed in a slab of acrylic
• Postal, Web and e-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers of finalist only.
  Do Not place acknowledgements on the display board!

• Photographs and/or visual depictions if:
  • They are not deemed offensive or inappropriate by the Scientific Review Committee, the Display and Safety Committee, or the SSTFI Board of Directors.
  • Credit lines of their origins (“Photograph taken by...” or “Image taken from...”) are attached. If all photographs being displayed were taken by the student or are from the same source, one credit line prominently displayed is sufficient.
  • They are from the Internet, magazines, newspapers, journals, etc., and credit lines are attached. If all photographs/images being displayed are from the same source, one credit line prominently displayed is sufficient.
  • They are photographs or visual depictions of the student.
  • They are photographs of human subjects for which signed consent forms are at the project or in the booth. Human Subjects Form (4) or equivalent photograph release signed by the human subject must be included in paperwork.
• Any apparatus with unshielded belts, pulleys, chains, or moving parts with tension or pinch points if for display only and not operated
• Class II lasers if:
  • Operated only by the Finalist.
  • Operated only during Display and Safety inspection and during judging
  • Labeled with a sign reading "Laser Radiation: Do Not Stare Into Beam."
  • Enclosed in protective housing that prevents physical and visual access to beam.
  • Disconnected when not operating.
• Class III and IV lasers if for display and not operated
• Any apparatus producing temperatures that will cause physical burns if adequately insulated

Electrical Regulations at the SSTFI

• Any project needing electricity MUST mark the appropriate section of the on-line entry form.
• All projects requesting electricity will be charged a $15 fee per outlet required.
• Finalists requiring electrical circuits must provide a UL-listed 3-wire extension cord which is appropriate for the load and equipment.
• Electrical power supplied to projects and, therefore, the maximums allowed for projects is 120 or 220 Volt, A.C., single phase, 60 cycle. Maximum circuit amperage/wattage available is determined by the electrical circuit capacities of the exhibit hall and may be adjusted on-site by the Display and Safety Committee. For all electrical regulations, "120 Volt A.C." or "220 Volt A.C." is intended to encompass the corresponding range of voltage as supplied by the facility in which the SSTFI is being held.
• All electrical work must conform to the National Electrical Code or exhibit hall regulations. The guidelines presented here are general ones, and other rules may apply to specific configurations. The on-site electrician may be requested to review electrical work on any project.
• All electrical connectors, wiring, switches, extension cords, fuses, etc. must be UL-listed and must be appropriate for the load and equipment. Connections must be soldered or made with UL-listed connectors. Wiring, switches, and metal parts must have adequate insulation and over-current safety devices (such as fuses) and must be inaccessible to anyone but the Finalist. Exposed electrical equipment or metal that is liable to be energized must be grounded or shielded with a non-conducting material or with a grounded metal box or cage to prevent accidental contact.
• Wiring which is not part of a commercially available UL-listed appliance or piece of equipment must have a fuse or circuit breaker on the supply side of the power source and prior to any project equipment.
• There must be an accessible, clearly visible on/off switch or other means of disconnect from the 120 or 220 volt power source.
• Any lighting that generates considerable and excessive amounts of heat (high-intensity lamps, certain halogen lights, etc.) must be turned off when the student is not present.

Additional Items Required to be at the Project But NOT Displayed

• Human Subject Form (4) (or equivalent form provided by a regulated research institution) for human subjects of the research, surveys, photographs, etc. (if applicable) are confidential information, must not be displayed, but must be available in the booth in case asked for by a judge or other SSTFI official.
• Human Subjects Form (4) or an equivalent photograph release signed by the human subject is required for visual images of humans (other than the Finalist) displayed as part of the project.
• Other forms including, but not limited to:
• Checklist for Adult Sponsor/Safety Assessment Form,
• Research Plan (1A), and
• Approval Form (1B)

Which are required for the project or for Scientific Review Committee approval do not have to be displayed as part of the project but should be available in the booth in case asked for by a judge or fair official

General Display and Safety Information and Requirements

1. No changes, modifications, or additions to projects may be made after approval by the Display and Safety Committee and the Scientific Review Committee.
2. A project data book and research paper are not required but are highly recommended.
3. The only acceptable informed consent form for use at the SSTFI is the official Human Subjects Form (4) in the International Rules for Precollege Science Research or an equivalent form provided by a registered research institution (see Form 1C) or, in the case of display of photographs only, an equivalent photograph release signed by the human subject.
4. Finalists using audio-visual or multi-media presentations (for example, 35mm slides; videotapes; images, graphics, animations, etc., displayed on computer monitors; or other non-print presentation methods) must be prepared to show the entire presentation to the Display and Safety inspectors before the project is approved.
5. If a project fails to qualify and is not removed by the Finalist, SSTFI Officials will remove the project in the safest manner possible, but is not responsible for damage to the project.
6. Any copies of CD’s, disks, printed materials designed to be distributed to judges or members of the public which are confiscated by the Display and Safety Committee will be discarded and will not be returned to the Finalist.
7. Project sounds, lights, odors or any other display items must not be distracting.
8. Any project with a component that will be demonstrated by the Finalist may be demonstrated only within the confines of the Finalist’s booth. When not being demonstrated, the component plus the project may not exceed allowed dimensions.
9. No food or drinks, except small containers of bottled water or those items purchased at the exhibit hall, are allowed in the exhibit hall.
10. NO FOOD or drink purchased off site is allowed in Scheman or Hilton! Any student or school found with such food or drink in Scheman or Hilton will be removed from the building. If this becomes more of problem the SSTFI may be asked to leave and unable to utilize these facilities in the future!
11. Please be respectful of other students projects -- any student or person caught tampering with or being destructive to another project will lead to immediate removal from the grounds and in the case that it is another exhibitor they will be disqualified from competition.

• Students
• Teachers
• Judges
• Alumni
• Sponsors
• Press

Event hosted by: Iowa State University    © Copyright 2008: SSTFI Advisory Board    Site Design & Hosting by: Silver Silos