Rules and Regulations
General
  1. Original work- Projects must represent original work done by the student(s). Students will be judged only on research completed since the last CSEF and conducted over a maximum period of 12 months. Display boards should show the current year’s work only. Continuing research must include previous year'(s) abstract(s) and research report(s), in a separate binder.
  2. Ethics Statement- All student participants must comply with the Fair’s Ethics Statement
  3. A Research Plan and other forms as specified by the International Science and Engineering Fair, ISEF, is required for all projects. The Connecticut Science Fair Research Plan must be submitted to the fair’s scientific review committee with your registration form. Projects involving life science research and hazardous procedures, require approval from the scientific review committee prior to the start of research.
  4. High school students may compete in only one  ISEF affiliated fair, except when proceeding to a state fair from an affiliated regional fair as a finalist.
  5. Projects involving firearms, including BB and pellet guns, are not allowed at the Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair.
  6. See the current fair year Student Guide and other documents for all rules and regulations.
At The Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair
  1. Students must be present:
    1. If selected for Finalist Judging
    2. If selected to receive Special and/or Finalist Awards.

    The only exceptions are for religious observances approved by the Fair Director. Mandatory Attendance guidelines are posted under Fall Mailings.

  2. Cell phones and other electronic use during Finalist Judging is prohibited unless it is integral to the project display. Active Internet connections are not allowed in either case.
  3. No equipment (computers, oscilloscopes, video display terminals, playback devices, spectrographs, etc.) other than what is an integral part of a home-built apparatus will be allowed in the display during preliminary judging (during years when it is in person). No electric power will be available during in-person preliminary judging.
  4. An abstract is required to be uploaded by March 1. A research report describing the student’s work, procedures, data, results, and conclusions is recommended.  The report must be a clean copy. Graded reports are not permitted.
Project Display

The Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair requires that every project be displayed according to the same standards and in a fashion that assures the safety of the participants. The Display and Safety Regulations are extensive. Please read and follow them carefully.