2026 SC Region 1 Science Fair Program - Flipbook - Page 5
Exhibition Display & Project Safety Guidelines
Judging Day and Participant Conduct:
Certain rules are specifically enforced on the day of judging to ensure fairness and decorum:
ꞏ Mandatory Attendance: Presence is required to be eligible
for awards.
ꞏ Image Credits: Must be properly attributed to their sources.
ꞏ No Food or Drinks: Except for water provided at stations.
ꞏ Restricted Movement: To minimize disruptions during open judging.
ꞏ Personal Belongings: The organization is not responsible for unattended
items.
ꞏ Electronic Device Usage: Restricted to presentation purposes only (e.g.,
laptops). Must be battery-powered, as extension cords or outlets aren’t
provided.
ꞏ Access Control: Only officially registered students may enter the judging
hall. Parents, guardians, or teachers are not permitted within the judging
areas during evaluations.
It is important to note that while participants may submit an appeal regarding procedural concerns related to judging,
the subjective evaluations and scores assigned by judges remain final. Appeals must be filed following the Appeals and
Grievance Policy.
Compliance and Enforcement: Failure to adhere to any of the above guidelines will result in the project being ineligible
for awards. Participants have the right to appeal procedural decisions according to the Appeals and Grievance Policy.
Appeals must be submitted within 48 hours of the event or issue in question, and the Appeals Committee’s decision
will be final.
These rules are implemented not only for the safety and fairness of the event but also to foster a conducive environment
for innovation and learning. Thank you for your cooperation and participation.
Appeals & Grievance Policy
Purpose
The Appeals and Grievance Policy is established to provide a fair and transparent process for participants to address
concerns regarding eligibility, rules review, display requirements, judging, or other issues related to the SC Region 1 Science
Fair. This process ensures that all participants have the opportunity to present their concerns to a designated committee of
fair leaders.
Scope
Participants may file an appeal or grievance concerning the following:
ꞏ Eligibility to participate in the fair
ꞏ Interpretation of rules and regulations
ꞏ Compliance with display requirements and safety guidelines
ꞏ Judging decisions or scoring concerns
Procedure
1. Submission of Appeal/Grievance
ꞏ Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Science Fair Director at sciencefair@swu.edu within 48 hours of the
event or issue in question.
ꞏ The written appeal should include the participant’s name, project title, description of the issue, and the reason for the appeal.
2. Review Process
ꞏ Upon receipt of the appeal, the Director will convene an Appeals Committee comprising relevant fair leaders, including:
ꞏ The Chair of the Scientific Review Committee for issues related to research elibility
ꞏ The Judging Chair for appeals concerning judging decisions.
1. Note: Appeals regarding judging results should be based on procedural concerns rather than subjective evaluation
differences. Decisions of judges remain final in cases where no procedural errors are identified.
ꞏ Other committee members may be included as needed based on the nature of the issue.
ꞏ The Appeals Committee will review the appeal, consult with relevant individuals or committees, and ensure that
all aspects of the concern are considered.
3. Decision
ꞏ The Appeals Committee will issue a written decision within 7 business days of receiving the appeal. The decision will
include a summary of the findings and the outcome.
ꞏ The decision of the Appeals Committee is final and binding, and no further appeals will be considered.
4. Communication
ꞏ All parties involved will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision. If necessary, corrective actions or adjustments
will be made based on the decision.
