Parents

This page is designed to assist Parents and Mentors in understanding the BASEF rules and eligibility requirements, and to provide resources to help students be successful with their Science Fair projects.

Eligibility

The Bay Area Science & Engineering Fair (BASEF) is open to all students in grades 7 to 12 (under the age of 21) who attend any public, separate, or private school, or who are home-schooled, in the City of Hamilton, the Region of Halton, Brant County, Haldimand County or Norfolk County.

Consent/Permission

Each student's Parent/Guardian must consent to the student's participation in the Fair. In addition, the school Principal or a school representative must also approve the student's participation and representation of his/her school.

Expectations for Parents/Guardians and Student Participants

Parents/Guardians will be aware from the Consent Form that they are responsible for the Student's transportation to and from BASEF, and that the Parent/Guardian and the Student must take joint responsibility for pickup arrangements. Firm pickup/transportation arrangements must be made with the Student. Deviation from these arrangements should only be of an emergency nature that has been communicated with Teachers and/or BASEF organizers. BASEF organizers will dismiss students from activities at the times stated in the Schedule of Events with the expectation that students will then follow their Parent/Guardian's instructions for safe pickup and transportation. Regarding conduct during BASEF, Parents/Guardians will also be aware from the Consent Form that the Student is expected to attend all scheduled BASEF events. It should be stressed to students that they are to stay with their designated group at all times until dismissed, and follow the instructions of the BASEF activity organizers.

BASEF Trip Awards - Consent and Travel Documents Requirements

The BASEF Grand Awards include trip awards to travel to and compete in the Canada Wide Science & Engineering Fair and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Each winner's Parent/Guardian must consent to allow him/her to journey to these fairs with delegates/chaperones of the BASEF organizing committee's choosing. Intermediate/Senior Students (Grades 9 to 12) must have valid travel documents to be eligible for the BASEF International Trip awards. Canadian citizens must have a valid passport; other residents require various forms of valid travel documents for travel to the United States. More information is provided on our Trip Awards page.

Ethics

Ethics Statement: Scientific fraud and misconduct are not condoned at any level of research or competition. Such practices include plagiarism, forgery, use or presentation of other researcher’s work as one’s own and fabrication of data. Fraudulent projects will fail to qualify for competition in BASEF, CWSF or the ISEF.

Where to Start?

Parents and Mentors and encouraged to read the Getting Started - Students page to understand the rules and forms that may be required, and also to see some of the resources available to students to help them to get started. Make sure that your Students Register for BASEF on time - Online Project Registration begins February 1st, 2012, and closes Friday March 7th at 4:30pm. All required forms must be mailed or faxed or emailed by March 9st, 2012. Late Registrations cannot be accepted.  If you are not completely sure what forms will be required, ask us when your student starts their project.

Resources & Links

Parents and Mentors may find the following resources and links useful:

• Project Resources Links
• NEW - Teacher/Parent Guide to Registering (PDF)
• Junior Level (Grades 7 & 8) Rules Wizard
• High School Level ISEF Rules Wizard
• Forms Listing