MTSEF Teachers’ Participation Guide
Everything teachers need to guide students from idea to fair day
MTSEF 2027 Important Registration Dates
August 15, 2026: Online student registration opens
December 4, 2026: Student registration closes
December 4, 2026: Scientific Review Pre-approval paperwork due
January 31, 2027: All paperwork and signed forms due (except abstract)
March 26, 2027: Digital poster and abstract due
Teacher Training Opportunities in Project Based Learning
August 5, 2026: Metro Nashville Public Schools Science Content Day
August 6, 2026: Maury County Professional Developmenet
TBA: Vanderbilt CSEO Training
TBA: Virtual Teacher Training
June 7-10, 2027: Advancing STEM Research Training at Meharry
Interested in setting up a training opportunity in your district?
Contact us at info@mtsef.org
Project Planning Timeline
Spring, Summer, and Early Fall: Project ideas and research questions
Mid Fall: Research plans, form completion, registration and approvals (if needed)
Late Fall through Early Winter: Experimentation and data collection
Early Winter: Conclude Experimentation and data collection
Late Winter: Analysis and display preparation
Teacher Roadmap
Important Reminder for Teachers
Adult Sponsor Responsibilities
For most MTSEF projects, the teacher serves as the project's Adult Sponsor. As the Adult Sponsor, you are responsible for reviewing the student's Research Plan, helping identify projects that require additional forms or approvals, and ensuring research is conducted safely and ethically. If you are unsure if your student requires preapproval, navigate to Students | Forms and Approvals on our website for clarification. Briefly, if your student has a project involving human participants, vertebrate animals, potentially hazardous biological agents or hazardous materials, their project may require additional forms or preapprovals. For questions consult the ISEF Rules and Guidelines link below or contact the MTSEF scientific review committee at src@mtsef.org
Forms and Research Plans
Students should complete and submit their Research Plan and required forms as early as possible in the research process.
Projects requiring SRC review or other approvals should be submitted well before experimentation begins to allow sufficient time for review.
December 4, 2026 is the final deadline for submission of Student Registration and SRC Preapproval Research Plans and required forms through MySciFair. Teachers should not wait until the deadline if students need approvals before beginning experimentation.
January 31, 2027 is the final deadline for all project paperwork and forms except the Abstract and Digital Poster.
Use the steps below to guide your students through the science fair process.
1. Project Selection
Help students develop a clear, testable research question. Have students navigate to Students | Project Ideas on our website for guidance.
Encourage projects that:
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Investigate a scientific question or solve an engineering problem
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Collect and analyze data
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Are feasible within available time and resources
2. Research Plan
Once a student has identified a testable research question, they should develop a Research Plan before experimentation begins.
The Research Plan should:
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Be written in future tense
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Describe the purpose and rationale of the project
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Include procedures and data analysis methods
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Address safety considerations
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Include a literature review
Reference Requirements:
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High School: Minimum 6 references (APA format preferred)
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Middle School: 2–3 references
*Ensure students verify all references. Inaccurate references will result in disqualification. Citation generators often result in inaccurate references. Accurate references are critical for scientific integrity.
3. Required Forms for All Projects
Ensure students complete the forms required for all projects, including:
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Research Plan
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Form 1 – Adult Sponsor Checklist
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Form 1A – Student Checklist
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Form 1B – Approval Form
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Form 2A – Student Support Disclosure Form Photo Consent Form
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Abstract (completed after experimentation)
Many forms must be signed before the experimentation start date listed on #8 of Form 1A. Forms will specify if the signature must be before the experimentation start date either at the top of the form or near the signature date.
4. Determine Whether Additional Forms Are Required
Review projects involving:
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Human Participants
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Vertebrate Animals
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Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (PHBA)
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Hazardous Chemicals, Activities, or Devices
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Regulated Research Institutions
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Continuation or Longitudinal Research
These projects may require:
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Additional forms
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School-level IRB review
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Qualified Scientist oversight
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MTSEF Scientific Review Committee (SRC) approval
Required approvals must be obtained before experimentation begins.
5. Registration & Submission
Before registration, help students ensure that:
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Their Research Plan has been completed
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Required forms have been identified and reviewed
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Signature dates are correct
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The project category is appropriate
Students will register and submit materials through MySciFair.
6. Experimentation
For projects requiring SRC approval, experimentation should not begin until approval has been received.
For projects that do not require additional approvals, experimentation may begin after:
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The Research Plan is complete
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Required forms have been completed
Teachers should monitor student progress and encourage accurate and ethical data collection.
If students have not received a pre-approval response within 2 weeks after form submission, please contact the MTSEF Scientific Review Committee at src@mtsef.org.
7. Analysis & Final Project Preparation
Students should:
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Analyze their data
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Develop conclusions supported by evidence
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Prepare a display board
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Write an abstract (250 words or fewer)
Encourage students to clearly explain:
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Their research question
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Their methods
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Their results
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Their conclusions
8. Prepare for Fair Day
Help students:
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Practice discussing their project
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Prepare for judge interviews
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Finalize their display board
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Review the Fair Day schedule and expectations
9. Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Beginning experimentation before completing research plan and obtaining approvals, if needed
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Creating demonstrations rather than conducting investigations
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Developing research questions that are too broad or unclear
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Collecting insufficient data or conducting too few trials
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Missing required forms, signatures, or approval dates
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Failing to include a literature review and references
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Not fully understanding project methods, data, or conclusions
MTSEF Rules and Guidelines
MTSEF follows the current International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Rules.
Teachers serving as Adult Sponsors should familiarize themselves with the requirements for research plans, approvals, human participants, vertebrate animals, potentially hazardous biological agents (PHBA), and hazardous chemicals or activities.
Have questions about Rules or Forms?
If you have questions regarding a students forms or any of the fair rules, please contact MTSEF for guidance at src@mtsef.org.
Project Judging
Projects are evaluated using criteria aligned with Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair standards.
Judges evaluate:
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Research question and originality
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Experimental design and methodology
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Data collection and analysis
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Depth of understanding
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Clarity of presentation
Judges are also encouraged to consider the following as they judge a students project:
Quality of Experimental Design
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Does the project include appropriate controls (if applicable)?
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Is the experimental design logical and well-structured?
Student Understanding
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Can the student clearly explain their project, methods, and results?
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Do they demonstrate a strong understanding of the underlying concepts?
Data Collection & Investigation
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Is there clear evidence of data collection, experimentation, or field work (beyond background research)?
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Are the methods appropriate for answering the research question?
Data Analysis (High School)
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Is there sufficient data to support meaningful conclusions?
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Has the student applied appropriate basic statistical analysis (if applicable)?
Engineering & Design Projects
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Are there clearly defined design criteria or goals?
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Did the student go through an iterative design process (testing, refining, improving)?
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Does the final design effectively meet the stated criteria?
Background Knowledge
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Is the student familiar with existing research or background information related to their project?
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Can they place their work in a broader scientific or engineering context?
Teachers are encouraged to review the full judging rubrics below:
Fair Day Responsibilities
Fair Date: Saturday April 3, 2027
Review Fair Day Expectations with Students Before Arrival
Students are responsible for:
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Bringing an approved project display
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Following all size and safety regulations
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Presenting their research to judges
Teachers should ensure students:
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Understand display requirements
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Have completed abstracts
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Are prepared to explain their work clearly
