 Science MONTGOMERY has four special rules:
- For any project involving Human Subjects where there is any interaction between the Researcher and the Human Subjects, a signed Human Informed Parental Consent Form is required for every Human Subject under 18 years of age.
- Science MONTGOMERY uses categories that are different those of ISEF; these categories may be combined if there are insufficient entries in any particular category.
- In a given Category, Individual and Team Projects are judged together as a group.
- Your one-page Abstract may be submitted in any format. The ISEF Abstract Form is a guide, not a requirement for Science MONTGOMERY.
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Display Setup and Safety Rules for Judging Day (Saturday, April 6, 2024):
- You may view a copy of the: 2024 Safety Inspection Form.pdf
- Do arrive on time
- Do not bring food of any type. You may bring bottled water.
- All Project Boards must be freestanding and displayed on the table area you are provided. Displays must not exceed 108" inches in height. Displays on the floor or wall are not allowed.
- Where possible, use pictures to explain your project rather than bringing items to the Fair.
- Project/Poster correct size. The size must not exceed 24" deep x 48" wide x 108" high, from floor. Must be a tri-fold or self-standing style display in assigned space.
- Do bring everything that you wish to display to the Safety Inspection on Friday evening. You will not be allowed to add anything additional to your project on Saturday.
- Be sure to bring about 10 extra copies of your abstract on Friday. Some judges like to take copies of the abstracts with them on Saturday.
- Do post a bibliography on your Board.
- Do post an abstract on your board.
- Do have a copy of Continuation Form (7), if applicable.
- Your first name may appear on your Project Board, but your full name, the name of any other person or the name of your school MAY NOT APPEAR ANYWHERE ON THE PROJECT BOARD (even on the back) OR ANYWHERE IN PROJECT PAPERS/NOTEBOOKS.
- If you worked at a Research Institution, the name and logo of the institution must be omitted or blacked out throughout the display and in project papers and notebooks. Do NOT include the names, phone numbers, email addresses of your Sponsor, Mentor or Teacher in your display or in project papers and notebooks.
- Do post a copy of Research Lab Form (1C), but with name of mentor and Lab blacked out.
- You must cite credit for all graphics in your display. This includes Tables, Charts, Diagrams and Photos. If you prepared all the graphics yourself, you may have a blanket citation “All graphics prepared by student researcher(s)”. Otherwise, all graphics must be labeled individually ("Photo taken by….", "Image from…" etc.). Remember no individual names are allowed. Use “parent, friend, mentor” etc. instead.
- If you have photos of human subjects in your display, these must be accompanied by consent forms to use the pictures. The consent forms will be viewed only by the Safety Committee.
- If you bring any apparatus, you may not be able to operate it at the Fair if the Safety Inspection determines that it might cause an injury.
- Electricity availability is limited at the Fair. Email fairdirector@sciencemontgomery.org by March 25, 2024 to request it.
- Do not bring individual batteries or inverters on Saturday. They are not allowed at the Fair.
- You may bring reading material including textbooks and homework.
- You may bring playing cards, or other small, quiet, non-electronic games to use at your project for those times when you are not being interviewed by a judge.
Electronics: On Saturday, all electronics (unless they have a Safety and Display property pass) must be turned off prior to entering the Food and Drug Administration Buildings and they must remain off while you are inside the buildings. Electronics must be stowed inside a pocket, purse, backpack or other type of case prior to entering the building and they may not be taken out, nor may they be used while you are in the building. Bring a watch for telling time.
Items NOT allowed at the fair:
- Live or dead unprocessed plants, living organisms, body parts, body fluids (e.g. teeth or bones)
- Liquids of any type (except bottled water), human or animal food
- Sharp items (e.g. syringes) or glass unless integral to project and properly shielded
- Laboratory or household chemicals, dry ice, caustics, combustibles, drugs or poisons.
- Controlled substances, firearms or weapons
- Unsafe wiring, powerful lasers
- Un-insulated high temperature apparatus
- Tanks that contained combustibles or are pressurized
Preparation for the Fair on Saturday
Plan a 3-5 minute description of your project to present to the judges (NOT a memorized spiel, but a mental list of the points you want to make). Plan to have fun asking questions of the judges, and talking to your peers about their projects.
You may be interviewed by both Category Judges and Community Awards Judges
Plan to arrive between 11:45 am and 12:45 pm. You must stay until dismissed, about 4 pm. Take down and remove your project when you are dismissed.
Awards Ceremony
Remember the Awards Program on Sunday begins at 2:00 pm at Montgomery Blair High School. Awards are announced only at the Awards Program. We will make all efforts to send unclaimed awards to schools, but we will not be responsible for following up on or providing missing awards after that point.
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ISEF Rules - As an affiliated fair, Science MONTGOMERY adheres to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Rules. Students, teachers, sponsors, and judges should be familiar with the ISEF Rules as they apply to specific types of projects.
Before starting your research, click on the Fair tab and choose ISEF Rules.
Attention! All students and their parents/guardians MUST sign and date Approval Form 1B before starting any experimentation. Depending upon the project chosen, there may be additional forms that must be completed before starting any experimentation.
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ISEF Rules Wizard The zFairs website allows you to use the ISEF Rules Wizard to determine which forms you need to enter and then complete your project. All the forms can be completed on-line with digital signature or uploaded upon completion. Access Here: ruleswizard.societyforscience.org
If you have any questions about rules and regulations, you can email them to src@sciencemontgomery.org
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ScienceMONTGOMERY Overview
ScienceMONTGOMERY is a 501(c)(3) organization of dedicated community volunteers. We are entirely funded by leading science and education organizations in Montgomery County and by individual donors. Fair organizers and judges are community volunteers, who donate the time and effort required to put on the Fair.
The objectives of the Montgomery Area Science Fair Association/ ScienceMONTGOMERY are:
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To encourage and promote interest in engineering, mathematics, science and science education in the youth of the Area.
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To encourage area-wide participation in such scientific activities as Science Fairs, Science Talent Searches, the Program of the Future Scientists of America, Junior Science and Humanities Symposia, Washington Junior Academy of Sciences and similar activities.
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To sponsor and finance the expenses of the Montgomery Area Science Fair.
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To bring together educators, supervisors, teachers, students, parents, engineers, mathematicians, scientists, and friends of science to facilitate the solution of problems related to education.
Fact Sheet
- ScienceMONTGOMERY is one of the largest Science Fairs in the U.S.
- Hundreds of Middle School and High School students from about 40 area public and private schools participate every year.
- Over 400 prizes including cash, scholarships, bonds, banquets, certificates, medals, merchandise, books, science camps, and internships are awarded each Fair. This includes prizes from about 50 area science, technology and government organizations.
- More than 200 volunteer judges representing many of the area’s premier science, technology and education organizations participate each year.
- We are affiliated with the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The ISEF rules and regulations are followed for safe and ethical scientific research. Senior High School ISEF Awards winners are sent, expenses paid, to the International Science and Engineering Fair in May 2024.
Important Information for Students/ Parents/ Sponsors
ScienceMONTGOMERY organizes the Montgomery Area County Science Fair. This is an ISEF (International Science and Engineering Fair) affiliated regional fair and as such is bound by the Rules and Regulations for Intel ISEF. ScienceMONTGOMERY has developed a few additional Special Rules as well. The purpose of these guidelines is to promote safe student research. See Rules and Guidelines for more information.
Any student in the Montgomery County area, public and private schools, as well as home-schooled students, grades 6-12, may be eligible to participate. Student participants/exhibitors must be sponsored by a scientist, science teacher or laboratory staff member. This sponsor is responsible for familiarity with the participant's research plan and safety requirements, as well as making sure the student safely follows all relevant Fair rules. Students do not need to be sponsored by a school.
Projects may be submitted in one of seven categories: Behavioral and Social Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics. Category descriptions can be found by clicking this link.
Teachers that sponsor student researchers are encouraged to attend training sessions regarding fair requirements.
Privacy Policy
ScienceMONTGOMERY reserves the right to share student names and addresses for science fair-related communication with organizations that offer awards at (or otherwise provide support for) the ScienceMONTGOMERY fair. Information provided to ScienceMONTGOMERY will not be shared with any organizations other than those mentioned above.
ScienceMONTGOMERY reserves the right to remove a project from the Fair that we consider inappropriate. A project may be moved to a different category from the one originally chosen by the student. All prizes awarded at the fair shall be at the sole discretion of the judges and the Fair Director.
The $20 fee paid by each student is non-refundable.
Arrive on time
Students: 11:45 am -12:45 pm
*Remember to arrive early to allow time to get through an airport type security screening.
Pass through security
Students will pass through and airport screening device; possessions such as backpacks, jewelry, cell phones, etc. will be screened separately. Therefore, it is not recommended to bring backpacks or large bags.
Items you may bring
- Homework such as textbooks and papers
- A book to read (not on an e-reader)
- H2O bottle (there are water fountains at which you can refill your bottle)
- Hard candy or cough drops (you will get thirsty talking to all the judges)
- A non-messy snack such as a granola bar or cheese and crackers (please, no peanuts/peanut butter/tree nuts due to allergies)
- A non-electronic watch (no Apple or Android watches)
You MAY NOT bring anything else.
Electronics*
ALL electronics such as cell phones, smart phones, MP3 players, laptops, notebooks, iPads, etc. must be turned off prior to entering the Food & Drug Administration Buildings and they must remain off while you are inside the buildings and must be stowed inside a pocket, purse, backpack or other type of case prior to entering the building. You may not take out any electronics (except temporarily as required by the security check), nor may you use any electronics, while you are in the building. Bring a watch for telling the time. We strongly recommend that you do not bring any of these devices to the fair except for cell phones which will allow you to contact your parents at the conclusion of the fair.
* The only exceptions are electronic devices integral to the presentation of the project which have a Safety & Display Property Pass that was issued on Friday evening.
Warning: The following transgressions will result in disqualification from the fair
- If you leave the Food and Drug Administration buildings for any reason (including to go to your car), you will no longer be judged at ScienceMONTGOMERY. (If you have a medical issue, seek an adult volunteer to assist you.)
- If you use, or even take out, any form of electronics on Fair Day, you will no longer be judged at ScienceMONTGOMERY.
- If you bring ANYTHING (including additional copies of your abstract) into the judging area to add to your display after you have completed your Safety & Display final approval, you will be DISQUALIFIED from judging at ScienceMONTGOMERY.
Dismissal
You must remain at your project until dismissed (around 4:00 pm); you should then remove your project board and leave the building.
Montgomery County Science Fair 2024 Important Dates
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December 6, 2023
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Online registration begins. Each project (individual or team) must be registered online at https://md-usmd03.zfairs.com/.
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January 27, 2024
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Deadline to submit research plan if your project requires ScienceMONTGOMERY SRC or IRB approval prior to experimentation.Please email: irb@sciencemontgomery.org
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February 9, 2024
(by 8:00 pm)
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ALL required documentation must be submitted by this deadline. This includes all of the following:
1) Registration Form with both legal guardian and student signatures
2) Abstract, Research Plan
3) Forms: 1 Adult Checklist, 1A Student Checklist, Form 1B Approval Form
Additional documentation for some projects may be required; check ISEF rules for further information. NO projects will be accepted after this date.
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February 23, 2024
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The Scientific Review Committee (SRC) will review your paperwork and results will be sent to your email address and posted online by this date. If you don’t receive an email, you are responsible for checking your account of the website for the results. The email and online comments will describe any problems with your paperwork and provide the date by which corrections are due.
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April 1st, 2024
by 8 pm
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Upload virtual poster due. Participants will upload either a copy of the online poster or a legible photo of the physical poster in the zfairs website. A video is NOT required since judging will take place in person.
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| April 5th, 2024 |
Student Project Set Up and Safety Check: Set-up display boards and go through Safety Inspection at the FDA. Please note: ScienceMONTGOMERY does not hold an Open House for general members of the public.
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| April 6th, 2024 |
Judging (in person)
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April 7th, 2024
2:00 pm
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Awards Ceremony at Montgomery Blair High School. |
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Includes psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, learning, perception and educational assessment using methods such as surveys, interviews, observation, modeling, and laboratory or field experimentation
Biology
Includes plant biology, animal biology, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, microbiology, health and disease, dentistry, and marine biology
Chemistry
Includes nature and composition of matter, geology, and pollution
Computer Science
Includes hardware and software development, internet networking and communications, graphics, simulations and virtual reality
Engineering
Includes technology, practical applications of scientific principles, design, aeronautics, and transportation
Mathematics
Includes development of formal logical systems or various numerical and algebraic computations, and the application of these principles—such as calculus, geometry, abstract algebra, number theory, statistics, combinatorics, and probability
Physics
Includes theories, principles, and laws governing energy and motion, astronomy, weather, electricity, magnetism and optics
Judging Guidelines for the Montgomery County Science Fair Judges
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Review the judging criteria (below) and please judge ONLY on these criteria. Give the same amount of time and attention to all projects you are judging. Remember, you are ranking projects, not grading, and only comparing those in your judging section. Try to use the whole scoring range to better separate “close” projects. If the project is a continuation, evaluate only this year’s efforts.
For many students, the judging interviews are the highlights of the fair. Be positive and encouraging. Many judges are professional scientists and students look at them as role models. A positive experience at the Fair may have a significant impact on their career choices. Do remember that as Middle and Senior High School students, many fair participants have little science background and should not be held to professional standards.
As a judge, you may be somewhat intimidating to the students. Be friendly, but businesslike. Introduce yourself and shake their hands. Make eye contact. Show interest, ask questions and listen. The students should do most of the talking. The judging criteria are the best guide to appropriate questions to ask the students. Questions help guide students’ presentations and can be used to curtail students giving a memorized spiel. They also will help you understand the more sophisticated projects. Be sure the students explain any jargon or terms you don’t know.
It is very important that the students understand their projects. A well understood simple, straightforward project should rank higher than a sophisticated project that is not well understood. Students should be able to explain their projects to non-experts. Judges should not hesitate to keep asking questions if they do not understand what the student did or how the experiment worked.
Thank the students at the end of the interview and say something positive about their presentation. Be discreet about discussing projects with other judges where students might overhear.
If you feel a student has completely “missed the boat” on some aspect of his/her project, try to ask questions which might help them to understand what they are missing. Be careful about providing information to the students. This may artificially improve their performance with subsequent judges, which is unfair to the other students. And for some students, added information under the stressful conditions of the Fair can be confusing. The student feedback forms are a great way to give the students CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. If you wish to talk to a student in person, do so after the judging is completed and be sure not to embarrass or intimidate the student.
ScienceMontgomery is VERY GRATEFUL for your time and efforts on behalf of the Fair and we thank you for your participation. We hope your judging experience is interesting and enjoyable and you will be back with us next year!
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Category Judging Criteria for Behavioral Sciences, Biology, Chemistry & Physics
Scientific Methodology (25 pts)
- The problem or hypothesis was clearly stated
- Dependent and independent variables were correctly identified and an appropriate experimental design was used to study the problem
- The student/team was careful and skillful in carrying out the project (including the accurate recording of data)
- The sample size was adequate and included appropriate controls
- The conclusions were supported by data and addressed the stated hypothesis
Presentation - Oral and Written (25 pts)
- The description of the project was clear, adequately detailed and well documented
- The student/team showed good understanding of the problem and its significance, the methodology used and possible applications of the conclusions
- The student/team understood the limitations of the project and the data/results
- The student/team had ideas on what to do next and/or what to do differently next time
- The student/team was able to answer questions about the project in a thoughtful way
Originality/Creativity; Independence; Effort/Thoroughness; Learning Experience (25 pts)
- The student/team showed creativity in choosing the problem and/or the methodology used
- The student/team worked independently; team members all contributed to a team project
- The background research was satisfactory and appropriate references were cited
- An appropriate amount of time and effort was put into the project
- This was a valuable learning experience for the student/team
Category Judging Criteria for Computer Science
Scientific Methodology (25 pts)
- The project had a clear objective
- The project was an improvement over current computer science inquiry
- The student/team was careful and skillful in carrying out the project
- The project provided the execution of the algorithm to demonstrate the utilization of the mathematical analysis
- For projects in theoretical computer science – The project involved creating/writing a new mathematical algorithm to solve a problem in programming
- For projects in applied computer science - The student/team created a simulation or a model, using computer science to explain, demonstrate, or make understandable existing scientific understanding
Presentation - Oral and Written (25 pts)
- The description of the project was clear, adequately detailed and well documented
- The student/team showed good understanding of the problem and its significance, the methodology used and possible applications of the conclusions
- The student/team understood the limitations of the project and the data/results
- The student/team had ideas on what to do next and/or what to do differently next time
- The student/team was able to answer questions about the project in a thoughtful way
Originality/Creativity; Independence; Effort/Thoroughness; Learning Experience (25 pts)
- The student/team showed creativity in choosing the problem and/or the methodology used
- The student/team worked independently; team members all contributed to a team project
- The background research was satisfactory and appropriate references were cited
- An appropriate amount of time and effort was put into the project
- This was a valuable learning experience for the student/team
Category Judging Criteria for Engineering
Scientific Methodology (25 pts)
- The project had a clear objective
- The solution was derived from sound scientific and engineering principles
- The solution was workable (i.e. safe, practical, economically feasible)
- The solution was an improvement over previous alternatives
- The solution was tested for performance under the conditions of use
Presentation - Oral and Written (25 pts)
- The description of the project was clear, adequately detailed and well documented
- The student/team showed good understanding of the problem and its significance, the methodology used and possible applications of the conclusions
- The student/team understood the limitations of the project and the data/results
- The student/team had ideas on what to do next and/or what to do differently next time
- The student/team was able to answer questions about the project in a thoughtful way
Originality/Creativity; Independence; Effort/Thoroughness; Learning Experience (25 pts)
- The student/team showed creativity in choosing the problem and/or the methodology used
- The student/team worked independently; team members all contributed to a team project
- The background research was satisfactory and appropriate references were cited
- An appropriate amount of time and effort was put into the project
- This was a valuable learning experience for the student/team
Category Judging Criteria for Mathematics
- Scientific Methodology (25 pts)
- The project had a clear objective
- The objective was original
- The mathematical approach (proofs, graphs, formulas, etc.) was clearly explained
- The project was carried out correctly
- For projects in theoretical mathematics - The student/team understood the project’s potential applications
- For projects in applied mathematics - The student/team understood the underlying mathematical theory
Presentation - Oral and Written (25 pts)
- The description of the project was clear, adequately detailed and well documented
- The student/team showed good understanding of the problem and its significance, the methodology used and possible applications of the conclusions
- The student/team understood the limitations of the project and the data/results
- The student/team had ideas on what to do next and/or what to do differently next time
- The student/team was able to answer questions about the project in a thoughtful way
Originality/Creativity; Independence; Effort/Thoroughness; Learning Experience (25 pts)
- The student/team showed creativity in choosing the problem and/or the methodology used
- The student/team worked independently; team members all contributed to a team project
- The background research was satisfactory and appropriate references were cited
- An appropriate amount of time and effort was put into the project
- This was a valuable learning experience for the student/team