THE SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT
PROJECT CLASSIFICATION CATEGORIES

Behavioral & Social Sciences

Human and animal behavior, social and community relationships--psychology, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, ethology, ethnology, linguistics, learning, perception, urban problems, reading problems, public opinion surveys, educational testing, etc.

Biochemistry

Chemistry of life processes--molecular biology, molecular genetics, enzymes, photosynthesis, blood chemistry, protein chemistry, food chemistry, hormones, etc.

Botany

Study of plant life--agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant genetics, hydroponics, algae, etc.

Chemistry

Study of nature and composition of matter and laws governing it-- physical chemistry, organic chemistry (other than biochemistry), inorganic chemistry, materials, plastics, fuels pesticides, metallurgy, soil chemistry, etc.

Computer Science

Study and development of computer hardware, software engineering, internet networking and communications, graphics (including human interface), simulations/virtual reality or computational science (including data structures, encryption, coding and information theory).

Earth and Space Sciences

Geology, mineralogy, physiography, oceanography, meteorology, climatology, astronomy, speleology, seismology, geography, etc.

Engineering

Technology; projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses--civil, mechanical, aeronautical, chemical, electrical, photographic, sound, automotive, marine, heating and refrigerating, transportation, environmental engineering, etc.

Environmental Sciences

Study of pollution (air, water, and land) sources and their control; ecology.

Gerontology

Study of aging process in living organisms.

Mathematics

Development of formal logical systems or various numerical and algebraic computations, and the applications of these principles--calculus, geometry, abstract algebra, number theory, statistics, complex analysis, probability.

Medicine and Health

Study of diseases and health of humans and animals--dentistry, pharmacology, pathology, ophthalmology, nutrition, sanitation, pediatrics, dermatology, allergies, speech and hearing, etc.

Microbiology

Biology of microorganisms--bacteriology, virology, protozoology, fungi, bacterial genetics, yeast, etc.

Physics

Theories, principles, and laws governing energy and the effect of energy on matter-solid state, optics, acoustics, particle, nuclear, atomic, plasma, superconductivity, fluid and gas dynamics, thermodynamics, semiconductors, magnetism, quantum mechanics, biophysics, etc.

Zoology

Study of animals--animal genetics, ornithology, ichthyology, herpetology, entomology, animal ecology, paleontology, cellular physiology, circadian rhythms, animal husbandry, cytology, histology, animal physiology, invertebrate neurophysiology, studies of invertebrates, etc.

Team Projects

Study conducted by two or three students in any discipline.

Behavioral & Social Sciences

Human and animal behavior, social and community relationships--psychology, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, ethnology, ethnology, linguistics, learning, perception, urban problems, reading problems, public opinion surveys, educational testing, etc.

Physical Science

Study of nature and composition of matter and laws governing it--theories, principles, and laws governing energy and the effect of energy on matter--development of formal logical systems or numerical and algebraic computations and the application of these principles

Animal Biological Science

Study of animals--chemistry of animal life processes--biology of microorganisms--study of diseases and health of humans and animals

Plant Biological Science

Study of plant life--chemistry of plant life processes

Applied Science

Study of pollution (air, waste, and land) sources and their control; ecology--geology, mineralogy, astronomy, Physiography, oceanography, meteorology, Climatology--study and development of computer software and hardware and associated logical devices--technology; projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and the application of these principles

Team Projects

Study conducted by two or three students in any discipline.

When students register for the Regional Fair, they have the option to select the categories in which their project is being judged. The Regional Fair Registrar will attempt to place it in the selected category. However, the categories may be changed to facilitate competitive groupings.

TEAM PROJECTS

Team Projects compete in a separate "team" category against all other Team Projects. The CSRA Science & Engineering Fair has the option of sending a team project, in addition to the two individual projects, to the Intel ISEF. Team Projects are not required but are encouraged. Teams may have up to three members: NOTE: Teams may not have more than three members at a local fair and then eliminate members to qualify for the Intel ISEF. A Team Project cannot be converted to an individual project or vice versa. A new member may not be added to a continuing Team Project, but two original team members may continue their research if the third member no longer participates. Teams planning to participate in the CSRA Science & Engineering Fair must adhere to the three member requirement.

Each team should appoint a team leader to coordinate the work and act as spokesperson. However, each member of the team should be able to serve as spokesperson, be fully involved with the project, and be familiar with all aspects of the project. The final work should reflect the coordinated efforts of all team members and will be evaluated using the same rules and judging criteria as individual projects (see Student Handbook, Judging). Each team member must submit Approval Form (1B) forms. However, team members must jointly submit the Checklist of Adult Sponsor, one abstract, a Team Research Plan(1A), and other required forms. Full names of all team members must appear on the abstract and other forms. (See the Rules Section)