• Anything that is ALIVE (animals, plants, molds, etc.)
• Plant materials in their raw state (living or dried)
• Taxidermy specimens or parts; preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals (dead bugs, rabbit’s foot)
• Human/animal parts or body fluids (e.g.urine, blood)
• Food items (people or pet food, etc.)
• Soil, sand, rock or waste samples except if permanently encased in slab of acrylic
• All chemicals (laboratory/household), cleaners, poisons, toxic substances (e.g. nail polish)
• Drugs or controlled substances; hazardous substances or devices (e.g. firearms)
• Containers filled with water or any other liquid
• Sharp items (e.g. needles, knives, syringes) including glass or glass objects
• Dry ice or other sublimating solids (e.g. moth balls, gel candles, bath crystals)
• Flames, fire, highly flammable materials
• Any apparatus deemed unsafe including empty tanks that previously contained combustible liquids or gases
• Batteries with open top cells
• Projects with moving parts that have unprotected belts and pulleys
• Class 3 and 4 lasers; Class 2 lasers must follow rules in ISEF handbook
• Small parts that a child could take off the display or that could fall to the floor and pose a trip hazard to members of the public
• Ribbons or awards won at school/other fair (Exception: ISEF Medals)
• Names of people who completed surveys, etc.
• Photos of people WITHOUT their (and if a minor, their parent's) written consent to be displayed
• Photos that are offensive depictions of animals or humans
• Photos or other visual presentations depicting vertebrate animals in surgical techniques, dissections, necropsies, or other lab procedures
• Photos that do not contain the credit line of their origin
• Active Internet or email connections as part of the display or operation of the project

Science and Engineering Fair Display Guidelines