The Adult Sponsor & Sponsoring Teacher

The sponsoring teacher is, for Metro Richmond Science Fair purposes, the ISEF Adult Sponsor unless the student is working in an Institutional Research Facility under a Mentor.

The Adult Sponsor is responsible for:

  • reviewing the Student Checklist and Research Plan (Form 1A) for safety and Fair rule compliance,
  • completing the Checklist for Adult Sponsor (Form 1),
  • checking the Approval Form (Form 1B) to make sure it is signed and dated before experimentation begins.
  • verifying that the student has all the additional forms necessary for the project, that they are signed by the appropriate people and that any Qualified Scientist or Designated Supervisor has the qualifications or training for that position.

The Adult Sponsor is ultimately responsible not only for the health and safety of the student conducting the research, but also for the humans or animals used as subjects. The Adult Sponsor's signature on the Checklist for Adult Sponsor (Form 1) indicates that a review has been made of chemical usage, equipment usage, experimental techniques, procedures for the use of laboratory or field test animals, cell cultures, microorganisms or tissue research. Teachers who do not have expertise in any of the above areas, or who are not familiar with pertinent regulations should help the student find a Qualified Scientist or a trained Designated Supervisor to oversee that part of the research. If a qualified person is not available, the experimental design and procedure must be revised to exclude such procedures.

Sponsoring Teacher Duties

Even if a Mentor is the Adult Sponsor, the Sponsoring Teacher should:

  • Become familiar with Metro Richmond Science Fair (and Intel ISEF) regulations, forms, and procedures and relate them to students.
  • Encourage students and their mentors to use the Metro Richmond Science Fair and ISEF web sites.
  • Be aware of all Metro Richmond Science Fair deadlines and relate them to students.
  • Review Research Plans to make sure all appropriate forms are attached, signed and dated.
  • Screen Project Synopses before sending them to the Coordinator. Be selective. Choose only the ones you consider the best for submission.