Guidelines to Sharing Research
Presentation and Display Guidelines
All project posters, research papers, and videos must abide by the ISEF Rules and Guidelines before being submitted. Failure to follow these guidelines, including Display and Safety Rules, could result in your project being disqualified.
Project Display Overview
Students have the choice of creating a display using a single panel or trifold board. We encourage students to use a single panel board this year, matching the requirements of the Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair. The Rochester Regional STEM Fair will provide a single panel board to students at no additional cost upon request. A wooden stand will be provided to all students to hold their boards upright.
- Project Display Guidelines
- Research Papers Guidelines
- Optional Video Presentation
- What to Include/Judging Criteria
Project Display Guidelines
The following guidelines must be followed for your project display to be approved during the display and safety check prior to the start of the STEM Fair. If these guidelines are not met, your project cannot be judged.
- Size:
- Single Panel Board (36" tall x 24" wide x 3/16" thick)
- Trifold Board (Maximum of 48" tall x 48" wide when unfolded. Typically 36" tall)
- Name:
- individual or team name(s) and school only
- no co-authors, mentors, teachers, affiliations (i.e. Mayo/IBM)
- no contact information, website URLs, QR codes
- Visual Images (photographs/charts/tables/graphs):
- cited sources or credit line for all photos, images, clip art, tables, graphs, etc.
- no person except individual/team without written consent (student/parent)
- not inappropriate or offensive
- no depiction of animals in surgical, necrotizing, or dissecting procedures
- Logos/Awards: no logos (corporate, product, packaging, etc.), awards, medals, flags, business cards
- Life:
- no living, dead or preserved organism or materials (plant or animal) Life
- no plants, seeds, soil, micro-organisms
- no human or animal parts (teeth, hair, nails, animal bones, bodily fluids)
- Food:
- no human or animal food (including candy, popcorn, and drinks)
- Chemicals:
- no chemicals or items that have been in contact with hazardous chemicals
- no water, liquids, filters (unless not used), growth media
- Hazardous Substances or Devices:
- no poisons, drugs, firearms, weapons, ammunition, reloading devices, grease/oil, sublimating solids (i.e. dry ice), flames or highly flammable items
- no glass or sharp items (i.e. syringes, needles, pipetts, knives)
- no batteries with open top or wet cells
- Internet:
- no active internet connections
- Equipment Restrictions:
- no 3D printers or drones (unless power source removed)
- no moving parts with tension/pinch points (unless shielded)
- no apparatus that can produce dangerous temperatures (unless insulated)
- no highly distracting items (sounds, lights, odors)
Research Papers Guidelines
STEM Fair Research Papers follow the rules set by the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Full guidelines can be found on their website.
Papers should be a minimum of 5-6 pages and a maximum of 20 pages, including appendices. Length assumes a 12-point, Times New Roman font. There is no set outline for papers, but National JSHS recommends using the following:
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A title page or cover page stating the student’s name, school address, and title of the research
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Acknowledgement of major assistance received
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Table of contents
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Any applicable disclaimers and statements (e.g. “research involving non-human vertebrates or human subjects was conducted under the supervision of an experience teacher or researcher and followed all state and federal regulatory guidance applicable to the human and ethical conduct of such research”).
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Introduction
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Materials and methods
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Results
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Discussion and conclusions
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References
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Appendices (if needed)
Examples
Abstracts from past national students
Abstracts and Papers from past Minnesotan students
Judging Presentation Guidelines
- PLEASE have your slideshow presentation on a USB drive.
- Photography may be used in oral presentations. Graphs, tables, diagrams, charts, or other graphic representations of data should be kept as simple as possible.
- Students will have no more than 12 minutes to present their scientific research in an oral presentation followed by a few minutes for questions asked by judges only. Room moderators will keep time and let students know how much time they have remaining using visual cues.
Optional Video Presentation
The Rochester Regional STEM Fair will not require submission of a video presentation, however we encourage students to do so. Students who advance to the Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair must record a video. This is an excellent way for students to practice their presentations.
Students who advance from the Rochester Regional STEM Fair to the state fair will have approximately one week to submit required materials. There are additional documents that must be prepared beyond the requirements of the Rochester Regional STEM Fair. Learn more at the Minnesota Science and Engineering Fair website.
One additional requirement is to submit a video presentation. We encourage students to create a video before the Rochester Regional STEM Fair, allowing ample time to practice the presentation and edit the video.
- Watch a sample high school video/narrated slideshow:
- by James Kung, 2020 Minnesota State Science Fair
- by Jennifer Oettinger, 2021 International Science and Engineering Fair
- Watch a sample middle school video/narrated slideshow:
- by Annika Bartucz, 2021 Minnesota State Science Fair
- by Tej Bhagra, 2021 Minnesota State Science Fair
- by Isadora Kohler, 2021 Minnesota State Science Fair
- by Tahe Liu, 2021 Minnesota State Science Fair
Questions to Cover in Your Narrated Slideshow or Video Presentation
Science Project
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Engineering Project
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What to Include/Judging Criteria
Judges will evaluate projects based on the display made by the student and a short interview. Judges will make decisions based on a rubric similar to the ISEF judging criteria. Students, as you prepare your display and presentation, use this checklist to ensure you have included all information that judges will ask you about.
Judging Criteria for Science Projects
I. Research Question
Clear and focused purpose
Identifies contribution to field of study
Testable using scientific methods
II. Design and Methodology
Well designed plan and data collection methods
Variables and controls defined, appropriate and complete
III. Execution: Data collection, analysis and interpretation
Systematic data collection and analysis
Reproducibility of results
Appropriate application of mathematical and statistical methods
Sufficient data collected to support interpretation and conclusions
IV. Creativity
Project demonstrates significant creativity in one or more of the above criteria
V. Presentation
a. Poster
Logical organization of material
Clarity of graphics and legends
Supporting documentation displayed
b. Interview
Clear, concise, thoughtful responses to questions
Understanding of basic science relevant to project
Understanding interpretation and limitations of results and conclusions
Degree of independence in conduction project
Recognition of potential impact in science, society and/or economics
Quality of ideas for further research
For team projects, contributions to and understanding of project by all members
Judging Criteria for Engineering Projects
I. Research Problem
Description of a practical need or problem to be solved
Definition of criteria for proposed solution
Explanation of constraints
II. Design and Methodology
Exploration of alternatives to answer need or problem
Identification of a solution
Development of a prototype/model
III. Execution: Construction and Testing
Prototype demonstrates intended design
Prototype has been tested in multiple conditions/trials
Prototype demonstrates engineering skill and completeness
IV. Creativity
Project demonstrates significant creativity in one or more of the above criteria
V. Presentation
a. Poster
Logical organization of material
Clarity of graphics and legends
Supporting documentation displayed
b. Interview
Clear, concise, thoughtful responses to questions
Understanding of basic science relevant to project
Understanding interpretation and limitations of results and conclusions
Degree of independence in conduction project
Recognition of potential impact in science, society and/or economics
Quality of ideas for further research
For team projects, contributions to and understanding of project by all members