National Science Fair Rules

(The following rules were drafted for the 13th National Science Fair held May 2-5, 1962, at Seattle, Wash. Regulations for each annual event are published by SCIENCE CLUBS OF AMERICA, 1719 N Street, N.W., Washington 6, D. C.)

1. Only those boys and girls attending classes in the last three years of a secondary school, whose exhibits have won highest honors in area selections, are eligible to enter the National Science Fair-International.

(This means the 10th, 11th, and 12th year classes in public, private, parochial, non-sectarian, military, or senior high schools.)

2. To represent (territory here), (name of newspaper or other cooperating organization here) will send no more than two finalists, boy(s) and girl(s) to the 13th National Science Fair-International, in Seattle, Wash., together with their winning exhibits, with round trip expenses paid during their stay from May 2 to May 5, 1962, inclusive. Responsibility and liability for the finalists rests with the affiliated regional fair organization. Finalists are required to have an official adult escort, but escort can be arranged with some other affiliated fair.

3. Each finalist must set up his or her exhibit in the Display Hall of the Opera House, Seattle World's Fair, Seattle, Wash., before 11:00 a.m., May 2, 1962, and remove it from the exhibit area at the conclusion of the program on May 5, 1962.

4. All exhibits must be confined to a table or floor space not to exceed 30 inches front to back, four feet side to side. Individual exhibits only will be judged. Group exhibits (those made by more than one student) cannot be entered in the National Science Fair-International. Oversized exhibits and/or group exhibits will be disqualified. An exhibit must not be an identical repetition of one shown by the same exhibitor at a science fair of a previous year. Except for transportation and unpacking, each finalist must assemble his or her exhibit without major outside help. Display of commendatory letters on exhibits is prohibited.

5. Construction of exhibits must be durable; movable parts firmly attached. All switches and cords for 110-volt operation must be of approved variety. Dangerous chemicals, open flames, explosives and live poisonous reptiles must not be exhibited. Every precaution to assure safety must be made. Live animals must be fed, watered and cages cleaned daily. Experiments on live animals must conform with the following Regulations for Experiments with Animals. Plants must be watered. Plants and soil may not be admitted to Washington unless they pass Federal, and State Quarantine Regulations.

6. There are two competitions in the National Science Fair-International: One for boys and the other for girls. Each has two main categories: 1. Biological Sciences; 2. Physical Sciences. Beginning with the 13th NSF-I, the category of Biological Sciences will be divided into the sections of (B) Botany, (M) Medicine and Health, and (Z) Zoology. The Physical Sciences category will be divided into the Sections of (C) Chemistry, (E) Earth and Space Sciences, (P) Physics, and (X) Mathematics. Projects made by girls will be judged separately from those made by boys. In the event of ties, finalists will receive identical awards.

In general, there will be at least one First ($100), Second ($75) and Third ($50) "Wish Awards" in each section in which there is competition. Up to 25% of the finalists will receive Fourth ($25) "Wish Awards." The "Wish Awards" will consist of scientific equipment and books selected by the winning finalists. In sections where there are not sufficient entries to sustain judging, sections may be combined. Awards will be made at the discretion of the judges and their judgment will be final in all cases.

Additional Awards will be made by the American Chemical Society, American Dental Association, American Institute of Biological Sciences, American Medical Association, American Pharmaceutical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Veterinary Medical Association, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Pest Control Association, Optical Society of America, Pathology-Medical Technology, U.S. Air Force and Space Education Foundation, U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy. Awards by other organizations may be made and will be announced.

7. Finalists will not be present during the first session of judging, but judges may request any finalist to operate his or her exhibit. Judges will interview finalists prior to arriving at their decisions. Judging will be based on creative ability, scientific thought, thoroughness, skill, clarity, and dramatic value of each exhibit. Judges designated by Science Service will judge the contest, and the decision of these judges shall be final in all cases.

8. While every effort will be made to prevent damage to every exhibit, neither the National Science Fair-International, Science Service, the Seattle World's Fair, its National Science Fair Committee nor assumes any responsibility for loss or damage to any exhibit.

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