Rules & Regulations

• Eligibility
• Submittal of Work
• Rules for All Students
• Senior Division Rules

1. Students. Each applicant must be a student that is either being educated at home, or working independently within a charter school environment. Each applicant must be in grades 4-12, or between the ages of 9 and 18.
   
   
2. Divisions. Students in grades 4-5 will be entered into the Elementary Division; students in grades 6-8 will be entered into the Junior Division; students in grades 9-12 will be entered into the Senior Division.
   
   
3. Single Entry. Each student may enter only one project in any given HLN Virtual Science Fair, but may submit different projects in subsequent science fairs. Each project may have only one author. All work must be done by the student(s) named as author(s).
   
   
4. Categorization. Students are required to submit their project within a specific category as outlined on the registration form. The Judges, however, will determine, upon review of submitted project descriptions, the correctness of the proposed category for each project, and have the right to recategorizes per their judgement.
   
   
5. Disqualification. The HLN Virtual Science Fair reserves the right to disqualify any project due to poor quality, incompleteness, or inappropriateness of project content.
   
   
6. New Projects. Any project reentered from a past Virtual Science Fair must show substantial new research and development to be eligible for an award. Final determination shall be made by judges.
   
   
7. Submittal of Work. Only students who meet all submittal deadlines, requirements and formats set forth in the registration information will be eligible to have their projects posted and win an award.
   
   
8. Display. HLN Virtual Science Fair retains the right to display all eligible entries for the minimum of one year from the registration closing date.
   
   
9. International Submittal. Students from the United States or any other country may submit projects, and are eligible to win first, second or third place awards and certificates. Due to international law, only students in the U.S. are eligible to win cash or prizes.

1. Photographs and Project Reports will not be accepted prior to submitting all registration forms and fees.
   
   
2. Registration forms, other applicable forms, and registration fees may be submitted online, via fax, via email, or via the United States Postal Service.

   Homeschool Learning Network, Inc.
   PO Box 957
   Kihei, HI 96753
   Fax: 808-875-6773
   Email: vsf@homeschoollearning.com
   http://www.homeschoollearning.com/vsf/

3. Project Reports are required to be submitted in Microsoft Word [.doc], Microsoft PowerPoint [.ppt], or Rich Text Format [.rtf].
   
   
4. All registration forms, photographs, and reports are due by the closing date of the HLN Virtual Science Fair. Any portion of the project that is received AFTER the closing date will not be included in the current Science Fair. They may be considered, however, for the subsequent Science Fair.

1. It is highly recommended that the applications be submitted as early as possible for all projects.
   
   
2. If you do not hear by email from the HLN Virtual Science Fair within one week of submitting your forms, you should contact us at vsf@homeschoollearning.com.
   
   
3. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact us at vsf@homeschoollearning.com.
   
   
4. The HLN Virtual Science Fair has concluded that research involving non-human vertebrate animals is not recommended for this Fair. Accordingly, projects that involve non-human vertebrate animals will only be considered if projects are limited to the observation of vertebrate animals in their natural habitat, or in other environments not controlled or manipulated by the student (e.g., a zoo or at home).
   
   
5. The following Rules and Regulations are in accordance with the rules of the International Science and Engineering Fair, and must be followed for Research of Human Subjects:
   
   
   1. Student researchers must assess the risks to their human subjects when developing research plans.
      
      
   2. Subjects 18 years and under require consent from a parent or guardian except in observational research where subjects cannot be identified and in situations in which no interaction takes place between the subject(s) and the researcher. An Informed Consent Form is required.
      
      
   3. A student may observe and collect data for analysis of new procedures and medications only under direct supervision of a licensed professional. Students are prohibited from administering medications to human subjects.
      
      
   4. It is illegal to publish information in a report that identifies the human subjects directly or through identifiers linked to subjects, including photographs. Names of photographs of human subjects may not be displayed with a project without informed consent of the subjects.
   5. Projects using human subjects is permitted only when the Human Subject Consent Form has been filled out, signed, and returned to the HLN Virtual Science Fair by the project deadline.

1. The HLN Virtual Science Fair adheres to NIH Guidelines and accepts the following definitions as rDNA molecules:
   
   
   • Molecules that are constructed outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in a living cell.
     
     
   • Molecules that result from the replication of those described above.
   
   
   
2. Student researchers working with any microorganism, whether or not they involve DNA, must always follow standard microbiological practices.
   
   
3. Students may conduct studies on both exempt and non-exempt rDNA and host organisms.
   
   
   • Non-exempt rDNA studies must be conducted in a federally registered research facility under direct supervision of a qualified scientist*.
     
     
   • Exempt rDNA studies may be conducted in non-federally registered laboratories, but must follow federal regulations. Exempt host organisms include the following: bacterium Escherichia, bacterium Bacillus subtilus, yeast Saccharomyces cerevesiae.
     
     
   • Exempt DNA insert molecules include the following: DNA molecules that are not in the DNA of organisms including its indigenous plasmids or viruses when propagated only in the host.

1. Documentation of tissue source must be included in Project Report when such tissue is obtained by the student from any research institution, biological supply house, or biomedical scientist.
   
   
2. Human blood and blood products must be documented free of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis B and C virus before the student receives them.
   
   
3. Students using their own blood do not need the HIV or hepatitis certifications described above.
   
   
4. Types of tissue that are exempted, and hence do not require documentation, include: plant tissue, established cells and tissue cultures, meat or meat-by-products obtained from food stores or restaurants.

1. Pathogenic agents are disease causing or potentially disease-causing agents such as bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, fungi, and parasites.
   
   
2. Student research with pathogenic agents may be performed only under the direct supervision of a qualified scientist in an institutional laboratory.

1. Student researchers must adhere to all federal regulations governing controlled substances. For further information:
   
   
   • On prescription drugs, contact the U.S. GPO: (202) 783-3238.
     
     
   • On alcohol and tobacco, contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF): (202) 927-8210.
     
     
   • On narcotics and addictive drugs, contact the Drug Enforcement Administration: (202) 307-7255.
     
     
   • Also contact appropriate state agencies concerning additional laws.
   
   
   
2. Production of alcohol is federally regulated; contact the BATF.