Collier Regional Science and Engineering Fair

SCIENCE FAIR EXPO

Saturday, September 12, 2026 -- 8:30am - 11:30am

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Administrative Center (5775 Osceola Trail, Naples, FL 34109)

BRING YOUR CCPS LAPTOP!

WHO? All students in grades 6-12 interested in the Collier Regional Science and Engineering Fair who want to learn HOW to WIN places, prize money, and scholarships!

WHAT? Sessions from CRSEF experts, rulebook scenarios, data sessions, and more!

Learn the tools to print your project to the NEXT LEVEL! No registration required. Questions? Contact Ryan Westberry.

Call for Judges!

Do you work in a STEM field? CRSEF needs judges for the upcoming Collier Regional Science and Engineering Fair on Friday, February 5, 2027.

Complete Judge Volunteer Form

Attention Charter, Private, and Home Schools!

In order to participate in the Collier Regional Science and Engineering Fair and potentially State SSEF, you MUST contact CRSEF Director Ryan Westberry and attend an orientation training by Friday, August 28, 2026.

Send email

or call (239) 377-0152

Rules & Student Guides

CRSEF Rules Book 2026-27 (PDF)

SSEF Rules Supplement

ISEF Rules Book

2027 Rules and Guidelines

Use the ISEF Rules Wizard to determine which SRC forms are needed for your project.

ISEF Rules Wizard

ISEF Website

State Science Fair Information

Science Fair Resources

Important Dates (2026-2027)

Thursday, September 3

Coordinator Meeting in Person
(CCPS Administrative Center, Room 1-103)
High School - 3:30pm
Middle School - 4:30pm

Saturday, September 12 @ CCPS Administrative Center

Science Fair EXPO! Come and learn about science fair and more about the process you need to succeed!

Friday, October 9

DEADLINE for projects needing SRC/IRB Pre-Approval (email)
DEADLINE for private and charter school affiliation agreement

Wednesday, January 6

MEET IN PERSON - Regionals Paperwork
(CCPS Administrative Center @ 4:30pm)

Wednesday, January 13

MEET IN PERSON - Corrections Paperwork
(CCPS Administrative Center @ 4:30pm)

Thursday, February 4

CRSEF Project Drop-Off @ 3:30pm-4:45pm
(North Collier Regional Park - convention center opposite gymnasium)

Friday, February 5

CRSEF Judging Day @ 9:00am-12:00pm

Mar 30 - Apr 2, 2027

72nd Annual SSEF: State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida in Lakeland, Florida
Top 16 Collier Regional students will travel to compete.

May 9 - May 15, 2027

Regeneron ISEF in Los Angeles, California
Two (2) students will travel to compete.

Science Fair Categories

The intention is to mimic the categories that are used at the FL SSEF and to judge them as they are judged at the state level: by the content area experts. This should better prepare students for the next level(s) of science and engineering fair competition.

BMED: BIOMEDICAL HEALTH (focus of project is on health or biochemistry)

BEHA: Behavioral and Social Sciences: clinical & development, psychology, cognitive psychology, physical psychology, sociology & social psychology
CMBI: Biochemistry: analytical biochemistry, general biochemistry, medicinal biochemistry, structural biochemistry, etc.
BMED: Biomedical and Health Sciences: disease diagnosis, disease treatment, drug development & testing, nutrition, physiology & pathology, etc.
Biomedical Engineering: biomaterials & regenerative medicine, biomechanics, biomedical devices, biomedical imaging, cell & tissue engineering, synthetic biology, etc.
CMBI: Cellular and Molecular Biology: cell physiology, genetics, immunology, molecular biology, neurobiology, etc.
IMRS: Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: biomedical engineering, computational pharmacology, computational biomodeling, computational evolutionary biology, computational neuroscience, genomics, etc.
Translational Medical Sciences: Disease Detection and Diagnosis, Disease Prevention, Disease Treatment and Therapies, Drug Identification and Testing, Pre-Clinical Studies, etc.

BIOLOGY (focus of project is on animals, plants or fungi)

ANIM: Animal Sciences: animal behavior, cellular studies, development, ecology, genetics, nutrition & growth, physiology, systematics & evolution, etc.
PLNT: Plant Sciences: agronomy, ecology, genetics/breeding, growth & development, pathology, physiology, systematics & evolution, etc.

CHEM: CHEMISTRY (focus of project is on chemical reactions)

Chemistry: analytical chemistry, computational chemistry, environmental chemistry, inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, etc.
Energy (chemical): alternative fuels, computational energy science, fossil fuel energy, fuel cells & battery development, microbial fuel cells, solar materials, etc.

EAEV: EARTH / ENVIRONMENTAL (focus of project is on abiotic and/or biotic environmental factors)

Earth and Environmental Sciences: atmospheric science, climate science, environmental effects on ecosystems, geosciences, water science, etc.

ENMS: ENGINEERING (focus of project is on which design functions more effectively and/or efficiently)

Engineering Mechanics: aerospace & aeronautical engineering, civil engineering, computational mechanics, control theory, ground vehicle systems, industrial engineering-processing, mechanical engineering, naval systems, etc.
Environmental Engineering: bioremediation, land reclamation, pollution control, recycling & waste management, water resources management, etc.
Materials Science: biomaterials, ceramic & glasses, composite materials, computation & theory, electronic & optical & magnetic materials, nanomaterials, polymers, etc.
Energy (physical): hydro power, nuclear power, solar, sustainable design, thermal power, wind, etc.

MACO: MATH / COMPUTER PROGRAMMING / ROBOTICS (focus of project is on math or technology)

Embedded Systems: circuits, internet of things, optics, sensors, signal processing, networking & data communications, microcontrollers, etc.
Mathematics: algebra, analysis, probability & statistics, number theory, combinatorics, graph theory, game theory, geometry, topology, etc.
IMRS: Robotics and Intelligent Machines: Biomechanics, Cognitive Systems, Control Theory, Machine Learning, Robot Kinematics, etc.
Systems Software: Algorithms, Cybersecurity, Databases, Operating Systems, Programming Languages, etc.

PHYS: PHYSICS / ASTRONOMY (focus of project is on the science and interactions of matter and energy or space)

Physics and Astronomy: astronomy & cosmology, atomic & molecular & optical physics, biological physics, computational physics & astrophysics, condensed matter & materials instrumentation, magnetics & electromagnetics & plasmas, mechanics, nuclear & particle physics, optics & lasers & masers, quantum computation, theoretical physics, etc.

Click here for more help with selecting a category

Basics of Science Fair Paperwork

Below is a brief overview of the five (5) forms REQUIRED for all science fair projects.

ALL SIGNATURES MUST BE IN BLUE INK!

Checklist for Adult Sponsor/Safety Assessment Form (1)
This must be read and signed by the adult overseeing the student’s project BEFORE the experiment begins, as indicated by the “Start Date” on the Form 1A. It can be a teacher, parent or professional.
If any of the boxes in question 4 or 6 on the Checklist for Adult Sponsor Form 1 are marked, there are additional forms and SRC approval that must also be completed PRIOR to experimentation.
Student Checklist (1A)
This must be completed with all attachments requested before Form 1B is signed (except for the abstract and completion date. These are completed and/or attached after the project is completed.) Please make sure that the experiment’s beginning date on Form 1A is not filled in before the project has been approved (as shown by dated signatures on Forms 1 and 1B).
Research Plan Attachment / Number 10 from the Student Checklist (1A)
All of the items must be typed and attached to the Form 1A prior to approval.
Approval Form (1B)
The top half must be signed and dated by the student, adult sponsor and the student’s parent BEFORE the experiment begins.
Student Support Disclosure Form (2A)
This is a new required form for all projects.
Risk Assessment Form (3)

Identify the risks - explain what injuries or negative consequences may occur
Describe safety precautions - explain what safety steps must be followed in the procedure to prevent the risks identified in step 1
List all hazards - identify the specific chemical, activity or device that is dangerous
Describe disposal procedures - must be completed if the hazard is chemical or biological

if the hazard is a chemical then the proper SDS disposal method must be researched, stated and the source of the proper disposal method cited
if the hazard is biological then the proper disposal method must be researched, stated and the source of the proper disposal method cited

List sources of safety information - must cite each credible and reliable source from which the safety risks, precautions and proper disposal method were obtained

Every student must identify the significant safety risk(s) for their project. Students must complete a separate risk assessment form for each significant safety risk.
Complete all five sections of each risk assessment form

Any further forms require request to Kandi Follis

Send email

SRC Approval

A project topic that includes an activity or material listed in the tab labeled "SRC Approval Not Required" does not require Scientific Research Committee (SRC) approval if the adult sponsor has properly reviewed:

the student's written experiment procedures that explain in detail what the student will do
the student's risk assessments on a form 3
the student's citations of the sources of the safety information on a form 3
the student's level of expertise and experience
the safety of the lab environment
the purpose of the research

and determined these activities pose minimal risk of injury to the student or others BEFORE the student may begin work on that subject.

SRC Approval Not Required
SRC Approval Required

SRC Approval Not Required

BEFORE student may begin work the student must:

write a detailed experiment procedure that explains in detail what the student will do
complete risk assessments on a Form 3
cite sources of safety information on a Form 3
have adult sponsor properly review and determine these activities pose minimal risk of injury to the student or others

Student must follow all proper safety guidelines (possibly under the direct supervision of the designated supervisor).

SRC approval is not required if the project includes:

Controlled Substances	Medications that are not DEA-controlled substances (medications not behind the counter such as ibuprofen, aspirin, antacid tablets, etc.) and never ingested
Chemicals	food items purchased from a grocery store cannot be ingested do not require a safety data sheet (SDS) examples: vinegar, baking soda, salt, canola oil, herbs, spices, cabbage, etc. non-food items or food items not purchased from a grocery store cannot be ingested must have all SDS hazards identification categories ≤1 Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Chemical Disposal Procedures
Dangerous Activities	activities that pose minimal risk of injury based upon the student’s level of expertise and experience lasers class 1, 1M, 2 & 2M (visible spectrum & ≤1500 mW) radiation <10 kvolts power tools operated by an adult following the student’s blue print design projectiles with a density ≤ 0.7 g/cm³ (ping pong balls, Nerf balls, Styrofoam balls, tennis balls, paper airplanes, Nerf arrows, etc.) shot or launched through the air using a mechanical propulsion force (catapult, sling shot, springs, bungee cords, latex rubber tubing, etc.) combustion under direct supervision of the designated supervisor if using: matches, candles, alcohol burner, can of Sterno burning cloth, food or other non-explosive sample ≤10 grams ≤500 g of a substance at very cold or very hot temperatures under the direct supervision of a designated supervisor as follows: -100°C ≤ temperature ≤ -20°C (dry ice -78.5°C) +65°C ≤ temperature ≤ +120°C (boiling water +100°C)
Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (PHBAs)	bread or other food item is properly disposed of at first sign of mold using manure for composting, fuel production, or other non-culturing experiments commercially-available color change coliform water test kits (these kits must remain sealed and must be properly disposed) studies of microbial fuel cells (sub-culturing from microbial fuel cells is prohibited) studies involving protists, archaea and known non-pathogenic microorganisms studies involving baker’s yeast and brewer’s yeast (except in rDNA studies) studies involving Lactobacillus, Bacillus thuringiensis, nitrogen-fixing, oil-eating, and algae eating bacteria introduced into a simulated natural environment (not exempt if cultured in a petri dish environment) studies involving water or soil not concentrated in media conducive to their microbial growth sample that may contain bacteria or other PHBA's (pond water, etc.) is properly disposed of within 12 hours of collection
Vertebrate Animals	studies that use invertebrates (planarians, snails, hermit crabs, mealworms, crickets, cockroaches, shrimp, brine shrimp, freshwater shrimp, etc.) in a controlled and contained lab environment (fish tank or terrarium) hair, hooves, nails and feathers (cannot be removed from the animal by anyone for the purposes of the student's project)
Humans	data science projects that analyze anonymous datasets available on the internet (CDC data sets, Census data sets, List of Data sets, data mining - twitter, etc.) fresh or frozen meat, meat by-products, pasteurized milk or eggs obtained from food stores, restaurants, or packing houses teeth that have been properly sterilized to kill any blood-borne pathogen that may be present prepared fixed tissue studies involving plant tissues (except those known to be toxic or hazardous) fossilized or archaeological specimens

SRC Approval Required

BEFORE student may begin work the student must:

write a detailed experiment procedure that explains in detail what the student will do
complete risk assessments on a Form 3
cite sources of safety information on a Form 3
submit all necessary forms and paperwork to the Collier SRC and get SRC approval

Student must follow all proper safety guidelines (possibly under the direct supervision of the designated supervisor).

SRC approval is REQUIRED if the project includes:

Controlled Substances	Medications that are DEA-controlled substances (medications behind the counter, with or without a prescription) and never ingested
Chemicals	non-food items or food items not purchased from a grocery store cannot be ingested one or more SDS hazards identification categories is ≥2 examples: acetic acid 1.7 M, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, etc. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Chemical Disposal Procedures
Dangerous Activities	activities that pose moderate to severe risk of injury based upon the student’s level of expertise and experience lasers class 3R, 3B & 4 (>1500 mW) radiation ≥10 kvolts student operated power tools (drills, saws, etc.) projectiles with a density > 0.7 g/cm³ (potatoes, arrows, marbles, golf balls, ball bearings, rocks, BB's, darts, etc.) shot or launched through the air using a non-mechanical propulsion force (compressed air, CO2 cartridge, explosion, etc.) combustion if using: fuels such as propane, butane, etc. explosive samples sample of any kind >10 grams >500 g of a substance at very cold or very hot temperatures as follows: -100°C ≤ temperature ≤ -20°C (dry ice -78.5°C) +65°C ≤ temperature ≤ +120°C (boiling water +100°C) substances at extreme temperatures as follows: temperature <-100°C (liquid nitrogen) temperature >+120°C (steam) firearms, rockets, drones, etc. anything that requires a permit (collecting fossils, collecting invasive / regulated / endangered plants or invertebrates, distilling alcohol, etc.)
Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (PHBAs)	JUNIOR PROJECTS MAY NOT COMPETE SENIOR PROJECTS REQUIRE SRC APPROVAL culturing potentially pathogenic bacteria (allow to grow over time) culturing viruses (allow to grow over time) growing potentially pathogenic mold over time growing fungus over time using concentrated media conducive to microbial growth (other than manure) to accelerate composting subculturing of any kind
Vertebrate Animals	JUNIOR PROJECTS MAY NOT COMPETE SENIOR PROJECTS REQUIRE SRC APPROVAL any project testing any type of vertebrate animal (snakes, turtles, frogs, salamanders, fish, rats, mice, etc.) any project that ADDS or REMOVES ANYTHING to or from any outdoor or natural habitat (canal, ditch, stream, river, pond, lake, ocean, park, wooded area, field, lawn, landscaped area, garden, etc.)
Humans	SRC APPROVAL REQUIRED the use of the student researcher him/herself to test their own student designed invention or prototype can only collect data in direct reference to the design of the invention or prototype cannot collect any personal data testing does not pose health or safety hazards JUNIOR PROJECTS MAY NOT COMPETE SENIOR PROJECTS REQUIRE SRC APPROVAL surveys ingesting anything absorbing anything through skin putting anything into a body in any way exercising the use of human participants (other than the student researcher him/herself) to test a student designed invention or prototype exposing body to anything any animal product or by-product not obtained from food stores, restaurants, or packing houses

Forms

ALL projects must be checked by the teacher to confirm they do not need SRC and that all safety concerns are addressed.

DEADLINE for SRC PRE-Approval is Friday, October 9, 2026.

Generally, 95% of projects do NOT need SRC approval. Projects that need pre-approval include: any vertebrate animal use, any project that could be potentially hazardous to the student (fire, projectiles, field work, etc), potentially hazardous biological agents which include algae, bacteria, fungus, dangerous chemicals (PHBAS). These are not allowed at all for middle schoolers.

Any project involving human surveys must be SRC and IRB cleared in advance. Only HS students enrolled in AP Research or AP Capstone can participate in survey work.

SRC Pre-Approval means the student has communicated the project plan to the teacher and SRC Chair and received the proper EXTRA forms and submitted them electronically for approval by the deadline.

ONCE approved, the student can continue with the project. Don't wait till the deadline! Get your forms in early because there WILL be corrections.

Please direct SRC questions to Kandi Follis.

CRSEF REGIONAL ENTRY FORM
Not typically required until school fair competition is complete

72nd SSEF Abstract (fillable form)
SSEF Abstract Instructions

FORMS REQUIRED FOR ALL CRSEF ENTRIES

2027 Research Plan (fillable form)
Form 1 - Checklist for Adult Sponsor / Safety Assessment Form
Form 1A - Student Checklist / Research Plan
Form 1B - Approval Form
Form 3 - Risk Assessment Form

If student project is directly connected to previous year project AND the data will be used in analysis as a 2nd or 3rd year project:

Form 7 - Continuation Projects Form

ADDITIONAL FORMS
The forms below are provided after SRC approval or discussion of the project idea with Kandi Follis.

Form 2A - Student Support Disclosure
Form 2B - Qualified Scientist
Form 2C - Regulated Research Institution
Form 5A and Form 5B - Vertebrate Animal Use Forms
Form 6A - PHBAs (Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Form
Form 6B - Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form
Form 7 - Continuation Projects Form

Statistics and Data Resources

Excel Spreadsheet Statistics Tools

Data Graphs Statistics Template (BASIC)
Data Graphs Statistics Template (ADVANCED)
Graph Pad

PowerPoint Notes

Other Resources

CCPS students can access DataClassrom through Canvas Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

When is my child’s science fair project due?

How does my child’s science fair project get entered into the regional science fair?

Can I collect water from the lake in my community?

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Use of Generative AI to Support a Research Project

Use of Drones and Projectiles

Drones can be used if they are under the FAA weight and are used for educational purposes. All drone usage must follow state and local guidelines.

Projectiles of any kind need SRC approval.

Invasive Plants Not Permitted

Invasive Plants Website

Testing or Sampling Water in the Wild?

You MUST confirm the water quality status for each day your test
and save the screenshot to match your data.

FLDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard

MYFWC Red Tide Status