Salt Lake Valley Science and Engineering Fair

Frequently Asked Questions

REGISTRATION return to top

What is the last day I can submit the online registration?
March 2, 2012.

What is the last day I can submit Intel ISEF Forms?
March 2, 2012.

How do I register for the fair?
All students must register online with the user name and password obtained from their teacher or science fair representative. Senior division students must also fax or email the Intel ISEF forms.

I'm a Senior division student. Where do I fax or email the ISEF forms?
The email address to use is: registration@slvsef.org
You can fax the forms to us at: 1+(866) 255-6028
(dial that 1 before the fax number or your fax will not send through)

What is the registration fee?
On time registration fee is $20 per student. Late registration is $25 and Super late registration is $50 per student. Please refer to the fee schedule for details.

What division should I register in?
Your division is based on your school grade:

Elementary Division - Grades 5-6
Junior Division - Grades 7-8
Senior Division - Grades 9-12

FORMS return to top

Why do I have to register online?
All students must register online to compete at SLVSEF. The Online registration allows you to be entered quickly into the SLVSEF database. The SLVSEF database is used to create judging cards, organize the winner lists, and create certificates and all other printed materials. Emails and contact information is NEVER shared with anyone outside of SLVSEF.

What forms do I need with my senior division project?
All senior division students are required to submit the forms used at Intel ISEF. Different types of projects require different types of forms. Additional forms are required for projects involving human subjects, vertebrate animals, controlled substances and/or potentially hazardous biological agents. You can use the Intel ISEF Rules Wizard or email us if you are unsure which forms you need.

Do I turn in the originals of the forms that are required to accompany my application?
No! Students should submit copies of their forms with their science fair application. All original forms should remain with the student's project.

ELIGIBILITY return to top

Who is eligible to participate?
Students attending public schools in grades 5-12 in the Salt Lake, Granite, Park City, Murray, Canyon and Tooele school districts. Charter and private schools are also welcome. If you attend a school outside of these districts, please see the Utah Regional Fair map to find the fair you should attend.

PARENT HELP return to top

Can parents help with a project?
One of the great things about a science fair is that there is room for parental involvement. By sharing science experiences parents demonstrate that learning is an important and enjoyable process. The key point is that parents not do too much. Parents can offer advice, help gather materials, assist in constructing the backboard, and proofread grammar. The research and overall project, in general, should reflect the student's efforts.

SRC/IRB return to top

Does my project need to be reviewed by an SRC/IRB at my local school prior to experimentation?
It depends on your choice of project. Use the Intel Rules Wizard to see what forms need to be submitted. This should be done prior to the onset of any experimentation. If you have any questions about this requirement, please contact us.

Is it ok to get SRC/IRB approval after I have collected my data?
Absolutely not. The whole purpose of SRC/IRB approval is to have the committee approve your project before you begin data collection. This will insure that ethical guidelines are met and followed.

PROJECT DISPLAY return to top

Can my parents or teacher set up my project for me at Rice Eccles Stadium?
Yes. Just be certain that all materials you plan to display are present in order to be approved by a safety and display judge.

What can I include on my project board for the fair?
The Visual Display requirements are listed here as well as some additional tips and advice. Also, note that no photos of others are allowed, unless a signed release form has been submitted.

How should my project be displayed on the project board?
Your display will be a visual aid that will briefly state all the important aspects of your project: problem, hypothesis, experiment description, results/analysis, conclusions and applications.

What needs to be available besides my project board during the Science Fair?
Your notebook(s) and the official abstract should be included. Also, have all of the originals of all forms required for your project.

EVENT INFORMATION return to top

When do I set up my project?
You will need to set up your project on different days depending on your division. Please refer to the fair schedule for details.

How early should I be at the fair?
Elementary division students should arrive at 9:45 am for judging which begins at 10:00 on March 24th.

Junior and Senior division students should arrive at Rice Eccles Stadium at 8:45 a.m. on March 25th for judging, which begins at 9:00 a.m.

Will lunch be provided?
Yes. Meals will be provided for students and judges. Please let us know if you'd prefer a vegetarian meal during registration. Parents and siblings of students will need to make other arrangements for food.

Will parking be available?
Yes. Free parking will be available in the main parking lot at Rice Eccles Stadium.

What should I wear to the fair?
We recommend that you dress professionally but comfortably.

What should I bring to the fair?
The judging process is lengthy with a lot of "down" time. We recommend that you bring a book to read or homework to work on. Hand held games and/or I-Pods are allowed as long as they are put away during judging interviews. Be sure that whatever you bring is not a distraction to yourself or others.

Will my valuables be secure at the fair?
We recommend that if you need to bring a computer or other valuable items with you to display at the fair that you only have them out on display while you are with your project.

Is there a time for the public to view the projects?
The exhibits will be open to the public. Please refer to the fair schedule for details.

JUDGING return to top

Do I have to stay for the entire judging period?
Yes! During the judging time there are category judges and special award judges that are interviewing students. You need to give them an opportunity to talk to you.

What if I can't come to SLVSEF during the judging time?
The judging interview is the most important component of the judging process. If you cannot come at all, we recommend that you do not set up your project.

What if I have a conflict and I have to leave the fair early or come late?
Please notify a science fair representative immediately of your circumstance so we can inform your judges. We cannot guarantee that you will be judged as many times as you need to be.

Do all members of my team have to come during judging?
Yes. It would otherwise be difficult for the judges to understand the contributions of each team member. Team projects without all members present will receive a hefty team deduction on their final score.

How long does the judging last and when can I leave?
The length of judging varies. It is important to stay with your project until a science fair representative notifies you that you're free to leave.

DISQUALIFICATION return to top

If my project is disqualified for improper procedure or missing forms, will I receive a refund of my entry fee?
We cannot give refunds to projects that are disqualified or withdrawn. It takes time and resources for the SLVSEF to review all of the projects, entered or not.

If my project is disqualified for improper procedure and/or missing forms, can I still participate in the fair?
No. Only projects that are fully cleared by the regional SRC/IRB can participate in the fair.

More questions?
If you have additional questions about the SLVSEF, forms, procedures, individual projects or anything else we've missed, we would like to hear from you-drop us an email. We'll do our best to get you an answer.