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Rules & Details

Eligibility

The Lab Room competition is open to all current middle and high students (6th grade through 12th grade) who attend a school in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District.

Team Composition

  1. Participants may compete individually or in teams, with a maximum of four (4) members per team.

  2. Teams may consist of students from different schools, provided everyone in the team meets the grade and SPF school criteria.

  3. Limit one entry per individual or team. If a team is applying, one team leader must be designated who will submit the application.

Project Guidelines

  1. Each participant or team must select a scientific topic of their choice for their project. Topics must be related to astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, environmental/material/data science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. 

  2. Projects should be well-organized, backed by scientific research, and may be the development of scientific innovations or a presentation of existing or new scientific research. The key for participants is to demonstrate and present their scientific research or innovation in the most organized, interesting, engaging, and enthusiastic way.

  3. Projects must be student-led, with minimal guidance from teachers or mentors, and will be disqualified if the judges determine the project was copied from an undisclosed source or not substantially created by a current SPF student. All projects may be reviewed with AI detection software to prevent computer-generated applications.

  4. Project participants must adhere to ethical standards in their research and experimentation and all projects must be appropriate and in good taste, as determined in the sole discretion of The Lab Room officials.

Project Submission

  1. Participants must fully complete the online application at www.TheLabRoom.org where they must provide information including a project overview, hypothesis, research methods and sources, findings, impact on society, and conclusions. Any data or research must be properly credited to the source. 

  2. In addition to the written application, participants may optionally submit a brief video describing/showing the presentation, not to exceed three (3) minutes in length. Video presentations may show posters, diagrams, charts, graphs, slideshows, demonstrations, or any other appropriate method to communicate the scientific concepts and significance of the project as described in the written application. Be creative!

Judging Criteria

  1. Projects will be evaluated by the judges based on: (1) participants' understanding, creativity, and enthusiasm for their scientific topic, (2) the originality, scientific merit, and presentation of their research, (3) the written and/or visual organization and presentation of their proposed innovation or research conclusions, (4) potential impact to further scientific research and innovation and (5) how they would use the prize money to further their scientific knowledge and interest.

  2. Ten Finalists (individual or team applicants) will be selected by the judges to present their scientific innovation or research to a live panel of judges on the evening of Friday, April 4th in the auditorium of Scotch Plains Fanwood High School in front of a live public audience. Each Finalist will be allotted five (5) minutes or less for their presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session with the judges. Time limits will be strictly enforced to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all participants.

Judges

The judges are a mix of professionals which may include experts in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine, as well as student representatives. The panel of judges for The Lab Room Finals will be easily identifiable in their white lab coats and will provide valuable feedback to the Finalists.

Finalist Awards and Recognition

  1. Awards will be given to the Top Three performing individuals or teams based on the judges' evaluations. There will also be an award for the best middle school presentation if there is not a middle school project in the Top Three.

  2. There will be one Overall First Place winner from either high school or middle school . The Top 3 Finalists from high school and middle school categories will also get awards. Finalists who are not the Overall First Place winner or in the Top 3 will also receive a prize.  Please note that only one prize may be awarded per team and will be given to the team leader to divide among team members. Prizes are still TBD. 

  3. All Finalists participants will receive certificates of participation to recognize their tremendous efforts and contributions.

Code of Conduct

  1. Participants must conduct themselves in a respectful and sportsmanlike manner throughout the competition.

  2. Any form of plagiarism, cheating, or misconduct will result in disqualification from the competition.

  3. Failure to comply with the rules may result in penalties or disqualification from the competition.

  4. These rules are designed to ensure fairness, integrity, and a positive learning experience for all participants in the local science competition.

Dispute Resolution

Any disputes or concerns arising out of The Lab Room including, but not limited to, the competition rules, judging process, selection of winners, or participant conduct will be addressed exclusively by the Student Science Competition Committee and/or its designated officials. All decisions made by the SPF Student Science Competition are final and shall not be appealable.

Submit Your Project Here

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