Rules and Regulations

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A.  Division III (Grades 9-12) Students Only

1.  Division III students may choose to submit electronic project entries. Division III electronic projects must be created to function using the software available on the State Social Studies Fair laptops provided for student presentations. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Only the software on the list below will be available at the state fair. Refer to the following list to ensure compliance:

• Windows XP (30)

• Windows Vista (20)

• Microsoft Office 2007

• 2 USB ports

• Track Point and Track Pad pointing devices

• DVD/CD Drives (NO FLOPPY DRIVES)

• Internal speakers

• Google Earth

• Google SketchUp

• Real Player

• QuickTime

• Shockwave

• Flash 9.0

• Adobe Reader 8.0 or higher

• Sun Java Plug-in 1.6.0 or higher

• Sun Java 3D 1.3.1

2.  There will be no Internet access for student project presentations at the time of presentation at the school, county or state social studies fairs.

3.  No external speakers will be permitted.

4.  A Division III student who chooses to create an electronic project will not be permitted to set up a traditional project board, but will instead be required to bring the project into the fair on a CD, DVD, or flash drive.  The student must also bring a printed copy of the electronic presentation in a portfolio-style folder or binder along with the required abstract to be referenced at the convenience of the judges.

B.  Divisions I ( Grades 4-5), II (Grades 6-8), and III (Grades 9-12):

5.  All students, Divisions I, II, and III,  who choose to create the traditional social studies project which includes a display board and artifacts in a space of 36”W X30” DX48”H, may use a battery-operated device from the following list to enhance his or her presentation:

• DVD Player

• MP3 Player (iPod, etc.)

• Cell Phone

• Digital Camera and/or Digital Photo Frame

• Handheld Gaming Equipment

• Audio Recorder

Contact the Fair Director if there is doubt about the acceptability of a technology device.

6.  Sound must be kept at a minimum so as not to interfere with other presenters.

7.  No electrical power will be provided in the display area.

8.  All projects will include a 3-5 minute oral presentation by the student (s) to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the material which has been researched.

9.  All projects must include a written abstract.

10.  A project display can be no larger than 30 inches front to back and 36 inches wide and 48 inches high. In addition, you can use the space beneath your project under the table. For example, you may have a chart attached to the front of the table. All project items must be in the 30X36X48 space or under the table.  No items may be placed in the aisle. Measure carefully.

11.  No live animals are permitted at the fair.

12.  No cooking is permitted at the fair.

13.  Emphasis must be on methods of research, inquiry, creative problem solving and predictions regarding the issues rather than on “displays” or “collections of things.”

14.  Every project must visually state the Big Idea or Theme, the essential questions you have asked, the summary of your information, conclusion you have drawn, creative problem solving and/or predictions about the future of your issue or topic. You must show this through your oral presentation, pictures, graphs, charts, collections, models, etc.

15.  Every project must have a Big Idea or Theme. For example, a U.S. history project might have the theme “Technology that Changed the Course of U.S. History.”

16.  The project display and abstract must be self-explanatory.

17.  Each project must have a written abstract using the approved abstract format. The Abstract may be downloaded and completed on a computer.

18.  Each project must have a spokesperson. For individual projects, that person will make a 3-5 minute oral presentation and answer the judges’ questions. In pair and class projects two students share in the 3-5 minute presentation and/or may respond to questions from judges. If one member of the pair/class has an acceptable excuse for being unable to attend, one of the pair/class may represent the project. Oral presentations may not be pre-recorded.

19.  Student, school or county names must not appear on any projects or abstracts with the exception of projects about community or family histories.

20.  You may ask others for help and direction, but you must do all of the work yourself.

21.  Projects must clearly demonstrate a social studies component that shows a connection to humanity.

22.  Displays may be modified or improved between fairs; however, the Big Idea or Theme must be maintained.

23.  Individuals and Pairs may enter more than one project.

24.  Ties for first, second or third place awards are not permitted at the school, county or state level. Honorable mention awards for exemplary projects are granted upon the judges’ recommendation. Honorable mentions are not dependent upon the score.

25.  If you have an item of value as part of your display, keep it with you and bring it to the floor when you are judged. Take it with you when you return to your seat.

26.  All projects must be classified by the exhibitor at the time of entry using the classification system. If a classification is questioned, a final determination will be made by the School, County or State Director.

27.  The Fair Director (school, county or state) has the final decision on matters pertaining to the fair if these matters are not covered in fair regulations. Disqualification of projects not meeting the project rules is the responsibility of the fair director(s). Any challenge at the County and/or State Level must be done within 24 hours following the fair.

28.  Counties may send only their first place winners in each Division and Category to the State Fair. In the event a first place project is unable to attend, a second place project in that Category may represent the county. Also, the first place class projects for each Division may be entered. It is thus possible for a county to send nineteen (19) projects from each Division to the State Fair. (9 individual, 9 pair, 1 class).

29.  School and county social studies fairs may choose to set the rules of their award ceremonies that best accommodate their participants.

30.  At the State Social Studies Fair, winners will be posted when all categories are closed and prior to the award ceremony. Projects are to be removed from the State Fair facility prior to the awards ceremony. Everyone is invited to attend the awards ceremony. If they choose to do so, we ask that if you do not leave until the ceremony has concluded for the sake of courtesy toward all students.

31.  Projects that won first place at the State Level will not be eligible to compete in School, County or State Fairs in subsequent years.