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Student entries are grouped by the field science within which the project was
performed. There are a total of 13 fields, or categories. These 13 are further
grouped in to "Biological" and "Physical" science divisions.
A 14th category is also available for projects that have been performed by a
team of students. Each of these 14 categories are described below. These
descriptions are the official description as presented in the
International
Rules Precollege Science Research: Guidelines for Science and Engineering Fairs
published by the Science Service.
Biological Sciences Division
Category Name
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Description
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Behavioral and Social Sciences
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The science or study of the
thought processes and behavior of humans and other animals in their
interactions with the environment studied through observational and
experimental methods.
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Biochemistry
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The study of the chemical
substances and vital processes occurring in living organisms, the
processes by which these substances enter into, or are formed in, the
organisms and react with each other and the environment.
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Botany
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Study of plant life. Ecology,
agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, physiology, pathology,
plant genetics, hydroponics, algae, etc.
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Medicine and Health Sciences
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The science of diagnosing,
treating, or preventing disease and other damage to the body or mind.
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Microbiology
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The study of micro-organisms,
including bacteria, viruses, prokaryotes, and simple eukaryotes and of
antibiotic substances.
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Zoology
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Study of animals and animal
life, including the study of the structure, physiology, development, and
classification of animals. Animal ecology, physiology, animal husbandry,
cytology, histology, entomology, ichthyology, ornithology,
herpetology, etc.
|
Physical Sciences Division
Category Name
|
Description
|
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Chemistry
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The science of the composition,
structure, properties, and reactions of matter, especially of atomic and
molecular systems.
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Computer Sciences
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The study of information
processes, the structures and procedures that represent processes, and
their implementation in information processing systems. It includes
systems analysis and design, application and system software design,
programming, and datacenter operations.
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Earth and Space Sciences
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The study of sciences related
to the planet Earth (Geology, mineralogy, physiography, oceanography,
meteorology, climatology, speleology, seismology, geography,
atmospheric sciences, etc.)
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Engineering
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The application of scientific
and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design,
manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical machines and
systems.
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Environmental Sciences
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The analysis of existing
conditions of the environment.
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Mathematics
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The study of the measurement,
properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and
symbols. The deductive study of numbers, geometry, and various abstract
constructs, or structures. Mathematics is very broadly divided into
foundations, algebra, analysis, geometry, and applied mathematics, which
includes theoretical computer science.
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Physics
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Physics is the science of
matter and energy and of interactions between the two. Astronomy is the
study of anything in the universe beyond the Earth.
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Team Projects
Study conducted by two or three students in any discipline. |
