Application forms

In order to participate in NEOSEF you must submit an application form. The following checklist will help
guide you through the process. Due to the copying costs, your teacher may not have given you an entire
copy of the NEOSEF handbook, but if you like, it can be accessed here and printed or saved to your computer.  Click on the link below:

Click here for NEOSEF Handbook for 2012

If you need more information or assistance, you can seek help from one of the following resources:
    1. your teacher and/or advisor,
    2. the NEOSEF handbook
    3. this website
    4. email NEOSEF at neosef@ccf.org or call Wendy Sweet at 216-445-9950 or Nancy DiIulio at 216-368-2542.
 

Section 1: Fill in all the requested information about yourself, your teacher, and your school.

Section 2: Fill in all the requested information about your science fair project. For descriptions of the nine science and engineering categories, click on categories.

Section 3:  7th and 8th graders should indicate whether they would like to be considered for the Society for Science Public Middle School Program (SSP) essay writing contest. For more information click on SSP
 

Section 4: Submit a research plan on your science fair project. You may write or type it into the box provided or you can attach a separate sheet, but it can be no more than 1 page in length. A research plan provides a quick overview (approximately 1-3 paragraphs) of your project and should include some background for the basis of the project, the hypothesis or goal, and the methods.

Section 5: To participate in NEOSEF you must acquire all signatures requested. Your adult sponsor is the person who recommended that you do a science fair project, and provided advice and supervision.  Typically this person is your science teacher, but could be a parent or someone else if you did not do a science project through your school.
 

In sections 6-12, answer the question(s) in the gray boxes even if you can tell from the title of the section that it does not relate to your project. Based on your answers to these Yes/No questions, the arrows following the questions will direct you to do one of the following actions:

Sections 6 and 7: Answer questions as directed.

Sections 8 and 9: Answer questions as directed.

Section 10: Answer the questions as directed. If you cultured any microorganism, you must indicate the type of microorganism(s) and who supervised your work. The signature of the supervisor must be provided.

Section 11: Check the boxes of all the hazards that you worked with in your science fair project. For hazards that are not listed, check the other box and provide a description or classification of the hazard.  If any of the hazards you checked are indicated with an asterisk (*), you must also complete both sections of Form 2: Qualified Scientist and/or Medical/Research/Industrial Setting. These hazards are too dangerous and/or regulated and must be used in an institution under the supervision of a scientist.  For all hazards, provide a brief description of the hazard, and the name and signature of the person who supervised your work with the hazard.

Section 12: Answer the question as appropriate.

Section 1: If you did your science fair project under the supervision of a scientist or an engineer that specializes in the field in which you performed your experiments you must include Form 2 with your application. Note that the scientist/engineer must complete this section. If you do not need to complete  section 2 on this form, please put an “X” through that section.  Section 2: If you answered “Yes” to the question in Section 12 on Form 1E you must complete this section. That is if you conducted your experiments in a university, a medical or research facility or an industrial setting, you must submit Form 2 and complete section 2. If you did not have a qualified scientist for your project, you may put an “X” through that section.
 

Answer questions 1-10 on the form. Carefully read the directions next to the arrows near the bottom of the page to determine if you need to obtain written permission to perform research on your test subjects and/or if you need to obtain additional documentation from the institution where you did your experimentation.  You must provide the name and signature of the person who supervised your human subject research.


Form 4: Human Subject Consent for Research    Click here for Form 4

Fill out the top part of the form including a description of what your test subjects will need to do for your experiments. Make multiple copies of the form, and give a one to each test subject to obtain their permission to participate in your study. If the test subject is under 18, the parent must sign the form, not the test subject. Keep all consent forms at your display at the science fair. Submit only one copy of a consent form with your application to NEOSEF to demonstrate to the NEOSEF Scientific Review Committee (SRC) that you acquired consent from your test subjects.
 

Answer questions 1-9 on the form. Carefully read the directions next to the arrow near the bottom of the page to determine if you need to obtain additional documentation from the institution where you did your experimentation. You must provide the name and signature of the person who supervised your animal subject research.

Indicate whether your research used human tissue or animal tissue or both. Answer questions 1-5 in the appropriate section(s). Carefully read the directions next to the arrow on the top half of the page to determine if you need to obtain additional documentation from the institution where you did your experimentation. 
You must provide the name and signature of the person who supervised your research with human and/or animal tissue.

Don’t forget to fill out each form completely and to obtain all required signatures. Be sure to include the research plan with your application. 7th and 8th grade students should decide whether they want to be considered for the SSP essay contest. Incomplete forms can delay your acceptance to NEOSEF.