Do the Paperwork (or die trying)

Your survival guide to all ISEF forms and paperwork! 

NOTE: All of the information in this post assumes that the science fair being competed in is run in affiliation with the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). It's pretty easy to tell if your fair is ISEF-affiliated, usually going to your fair's website and looking for any mention of ISEF is enough. If you're still not sure, reach out to your Fair Director for more information. 

Any ISEF-affiliated science fair has a pretty specific and unchanging regime of paperwork to fill out for your project. Once familiar with the system the process is fairly straightforward, but it can be pretty intimidating starting out. Step one is to have a fairly developed project idea with a title. If you need help getting there, see this post.

Once you have a solid idea and a snappy project title, go to this form wizard BEFORE you start any experimentation. In the case of ISEF, there are a number of forms that must be filled out before any experimentation starts, including writing a Research Plan. Answer a few questions about your project, such as whether it includes any human participants or hazardous materials, and it will give you a list of all the forms you need to fill out, links to pdfs of the forms, and information about when in the process they need to be completed. Pay close attention to deadlines set by your fair, and start as early as you can! Some of these forms are time-consuming and fairs can be pretty unforgiving of late forms.

If you have any questions, you can ask them here, and good luck, you'll be a science paperwork pro in no time!