Science Fair Safety Rules
Please read these rules to ensure the safety of your child and other science fair participants.
A. The following are Prohibited at Project or Booth
1. Living organisms (does not include plants)
2. Waste samples, even if permanently encased in a slab of plastic
3. Taxidermy specimens or parts
4. Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals
5. Human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine)
6. All hazardous substances or devices (for example, poisons, drugs, firearms, weapons, ammunition, reloading devices, and lasers [unless conforming to Part B (4) below].
7. Dry ice or other sublimating solids
8. Sharp items (for example, syringes, needles, knives)
9. Flames or highly flammable materials, including the launching of model rockets
10. Batteries with open-top cells
11. Awards, medals, business cards, flags, logos, CD's, endorsements, and/or acknowledgments (graphic or written) unless the item(s) are an integral part of the project
12. Photographs or other visual presentations depicting vertebrate animals in surgical techniques, dissections, necropsies, or other lab procedures
13. Active Internet or e-mail connections as part of displaying or operating the project
B. Allowed at Project or Booth BUT with the Restrictions Indicated
1. Photographs and/or visual depictions if:
a. They are not deemed offensive or inappropriate by the Apollo Science Fair Committee. This includes, but is not limited to, visually offensive photographs or visual depictions of invertebrate or vertebrate animals, including humans. The decision by the Science Fair Committee is final.
b. They have credit lines of origin (“Photograph taken by...” or “Image taken from...”). (If all photographs being displayed were taken by the Scientist or are from the same source, one credit line prominently and vertically displayed is sufficient.)
c. They are from the Internet, magazines, newspapers, journals, etc., and credit lines are attached. (If all photographs/images are from the same source, one credit prominently and vertically displayed is sufficient.)
d. They are photographs or visual depictions of the Scientist(s) and/or his or her family member(s).
2. Any apparatus with unshielded belts, pulleys, chains, or moving parts with tension or pinch points if for display only and not operated.
3. Any demonstration must be performed within the maximum size of the project permitted, an area about 14”(Depth) by 30”(Width) by 36” (Height), unless special permission otherwise has been obtained in advance from the Science Fair Committee.
4. Class II lasers if:
a. The output energy is <1 mW and is operated only by the Scientist
b. Labeled with a sign reading “Laser Radiation: Do Not Look into Beam”
c. Enclosed in protective housing that prevents physical and visual access to beam
d. Disconnected when not operating
Note: Class II lasers are found in laser pointers and in aiming and range-finding devices. They pose a risk if the beam is directly viewed over a long period of time.
5. Class III and IV lasers if for display only and not operated
6. Any apparatus producing temperatures that will cause physical burns
C. Electrical Regulations
1. Projects requiring 120 or 220 Volt A.C. electrical circuits must obtain advance permission from the Science Fair Committee at time of registration. These projects also must provide a UL-listed 3-wire extension cord which is appropriate for the load and equipment.
2. 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 Science Fair 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 science fair is being held.
3. 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 other than the Scientist. Exposed electrical equipment or metal that possibly may be energized must be shielded with a non-conducting material or with a grounded metal box to prevent accidental contact.
4. Wiring not part of a commercially available UL-listed appliance or piece of equipment is not permitted.
5. There must be an accessible, clearly visible on/off switch or other means of disconnecting from the 120 or 220 Voltpower source.
6. Any lighting that generates considerable and excessive amounts of heat (high-intensity lamps, halogen lights, etc.) must be turned off when the Scientist is not present.
D. Other Requirements
1. The Science Fair Committee reserves the right to remove any project for safety reasons or to protect the integrity of the Apollo Science Fair and its rules and regulations.
2. If a project fails the above safety and integrity standards and is not removed by the Scientist, the Science Fair Committee will remove the project in the safest manner possible but is not responsible for damage to the project.
3. Project sounds, lights, odors, or any other display items must not be distracting.
4. No food or drinks, except small containers of bottled water for personal consumption, are allowed in the exhibit hall (gym).
A. The following are Prohibited at Project or Booth
1. Living organisms (does not include plants)
2. Waste samples, even if permanently encased in a slab of plastic
3. Taxidermy specimens or parts
4. Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals
5. Human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine)
6. All hazardous substances or devices (for example, poisons, drugs, firearms, weapons, ammunition, reloading devices, and lasers [unless conforming to Part B (4) below].
7. Dry ice or other sublimating solids
8. Sharp items (for example, syringes, needles, knives)
9. Flames or highly flammable materials, including the launching of model rockets
10. Batteries with open-top cells
11. Awards, medals, business cards, flags, logos, CD's, endorsements, and/or acknowledgments (graphic or written) unless the item(s) are an integral part of the project
12. Photographs or other visual presentations depicting vertebrate animals in surgical techniques, dissections, necropsies, or other lab procedures
13. Active Internet or e-mail connections as part of displaying or operating the project
B. Allowed at Project or Booth BUT with the Restrictions Indicated
1. Photographs and/or visual depictions if:
a. They are not deemed offensive or inappropriate by the Apollo Science Fair Committee. This includes, but is not limited to, visually offensive photographs or visual depictions of invertebrate or vertebrate animals, including humans. The decision by the Science Fair Committee is final.
b. They have credit lines of origin (“Photograph taken by...” or “Image taken from...”). (If all photographs being displayed were taken by the Scientist or are from the same source, one credit line prominently and vertically displayed is sufficient.)
c. They are from the Internet, magazines, newspapers, journals, etc., and credit lines are attached. (If all photographs/images are from the same source, one credit prominently and vertically displayed is sufficient.)
d. They are photographs or visual depictions of the Scientist(s) and/or his or her family member(s).
2. Any apparatus with unshielded belts, pulleys, chains, or moving parts with tension or pinch points if for display only and not operated.
3. Any demonstration must be performed within the maximum size of the project permitted, an area about 14”(Depth) by 30”(Width) by 36” (Height), unless special permission otherwise has been obtained in advance from the Science Fair Committee.
4. Class II lasers if:
a. The output energy is <1 mW and is operated only by the Scientist
b. Labeled with a sign reading “Laser Radiation: Do Not Look into Beam”
c. Enclosed in protective housing that prevents physical and visual access to beam
d. Disconnected when not operating
Note: Class II lasers are found in laser pointers and in aiming and range-finding devices. They pose a risk if the beam is directly viewed over a long period of time.
5. Class III and IV lasers if for display only and not operated
6. Any apparatus producing temperatures that will cause physical burns
C. Electrical Regulations
1. Projects requiring 120 or 220 Volt A.C. electrical circuits must obtain advance permission from the Science Fair Committee at time of registration. These projects also must provide a UL-listed 3-wire extension cord which is appropriate for the load and equipment.
2. 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 Science Fair 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 science fair is being held.
3. 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 other than the Scientist. Exposed electrical equipment or metal that possibly may be energized must be shielded with a non-conducting material or with a grounded metal box to prevent accidental contact.
4. Wiring not part of a commercially available UL-listed appliance or piece of equipment is not permitted.
5. There must be an accessible, clearly visible on/off switch or other means of disconnecting from the 120 or 220 Voltpower source.
6. Any lighting that generates considerable and excessive amounts of heat (high-intensity lamps, halogen lights, etc.) must be turned off when the Scientist is not present.
D. Other Requirements
1. The Science Fair Committee reserves the right to remove any project for safety reasons or to protect the integrity of the Apollo Science Fair and its rules and regulations.
2. If a project fails the above safety and integrity standards and is not removed by the Scientist, the Science Fair Committee will remove the project in the safest manner possible but is not responsible for damage to the project.
3. Project sounds, lights, odors, or any other display items must not be distracting.
4. No food or drinks, except small containers of bottled water for personal consumption, are allowed in the exhibit hall (gym).
