ISEF App

Free digital workbooks for science fair and ISEF forms

How to Fill Out ISEF Forms: Step-by-Step Guide

Quick answer: Most science fair projects need Forms 1, 1A, and 1B before experimentation starts. Extra forms (risk, human participants, animals, and more) depend on what you study. Fill forms in order, get the right signatures, and keep dates consistent — or use a free guided workbook so you are not guessing from a stack of PDFs.

Create a free ISEF App account and start a digital workbook, or keep reading for the full step-by-step.

Who this guide is for

  • Students filling science fair / ISEF-style paperwork for the first time
  • Parents helping with signatures and deadlines
  • Teachers / adult sponsors reviewing research plans and Form 1

Official forms and rules live at Society for Science (ISEF Forms). This page explains the practical workflow — what to do first, who signs, and how to avoid the most common rejections.

Before you fill anything out

  1. Write a clear research plan — question, hypothesis, methods, risk considerations, location of work, and timeline.
  2. Identify project risk factors — humans, vertebrate animals, hazardous materials, microbes, regulated research settings, etc.
  3. Know your fair’s deadline — many fairs need SRC/IRB pre-approval before you start collecting data.
  4. Decide how you will complete forms — printable PDFs, or a guided digital workbook such as ISEF App.

Step-by-step: how to fill out ISEF forms

Step 1 — Start with Form 1A (Student Checklist / Research Plan)

Form 1A is usually the best first document. Capture student/team info, project title, school, adult sponsor, where the work will be done, and projected start/end dates. Attach a detailed research plan (not a one-sentence idea).

Tip: Do not finalize the actual start date until required approvals are in place. Starting early is one of the most common SRC problems.

Step 2 — Adult sponsor completes Form 1 (Checklist for Adult Sponsor / Safety Assessment)

Your teacher or adult sponsor reviews the plan and marks which additional forms and reviews are required. This is the “safety map” for the project.

Step 3 — Complete Form 1B (Approval Form)

Student and parent/guardian sign. SRC and other reviewers may sign for pre-approval or final approval depending on the project and fair rules. Team projects: each student usually needs their own Form 1B.

Step 4 — Add only the extra forms your project needs

Examples (not exhaustive):

  • Form 3 — Risk Assessment (chemicals, equipment, potential hazards)
  • Form 4 — Human Participants (+ informed consent as required)
  • Form 5A / 5B — Vertebrate animals
  • Form 6A / 6B — Potentially hazardous biological agents / tissues
  • Form 1C — Regulated research institution / industrial setting (often after research)
  • Form 2 — Qualified Scientist when required
  • Form 7 — Continuation / research progression projects

Not sure which apply? Use the official ISEF Rules Wizard and our guide: Which ISEF forms do I need?

Step 5 — Collect signatures in the right order

Typical order for many school/fair projects:

  1. Student completes plan + Form 1A
  2. Adult sponsor reviews and completes Form 1
  3. Parent/guardian signs Form 1B
  4. Qualified scientist / designated supervisor signatures if required
  5. SRC and/or IRB pre-approval when required before experimentation
  6. Complete post-research forms (for example 1C, some abstracts) when applicable

Step 6 — Download, review, and submit to your fair

Check that names match, dates make sense, required boxes are marked, and every required signature is present. Submit according to your school or fair’s process (upload portal, email, or paper packet).

Common mistakes that delay approval

  • Research plan too vague for SRC/IRB to assess risk
  • Start date before required signatures
  • Missing parent signature on Form 1B
  • Team project missing Form 1B for each member
  • Human-participant project without IRB path / consent documents
  • Using last year’s form set when the fair requires the current year

Faster path: guided digital workbook

ISEF App turns this process into a free digital workbook:

  • Guided questions instead of hunting through every PDF
  • Online approval requests for parents, teachers, mentors, SRC/IRB
  • Team sharing so one project does not become five duplicate packets
  • Downloadable forms when you are ready to submit

Start your free workbook · How workbooks work · All guides

FAQ

Do all projects need every ISEF form?

No. Almost every project needs 1, 1A, and 1B. Additional forms depend on methods and materials.

Can I start experiments before forms are signed?

For many regulated areas (humans, vertebrates, PHBAs, etc.), required pre-approvals must come first. When in doubt, ask your adult sponsor or fair SRC before collecting data.

Will my fair accept forms from ISEF App?

Most fairs that require standard ISEF forms accept the generated packet. Confirm with your teacher or fair director if you are unsure.

Where can parents start?

Read Science fair paperwork for parents, create a free account, and wait for your student’s approval request — then sign online.

Create free account · Next: ISEF Form 1, 1A, and 1B explained