Human and animal behavior, social and community relationships---psychology, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, ethology, ethnology, linguistics, learning, perceptions, urban problems, reading problems, public opinion surveys, educational testing, etc. Many projects in this category will require IRB approval. Some may require SRC approval, so please be aware of early deadlines for paperwork.

Chemistry of life processes---molecular biology, molecular genetics, enzymes, photosynthesis, blood chemistry, protein chemistry, food chemistry, hormones, etc.

Study of plant life---agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant genetics, hydroponics, etc.

Study of nature and composition of matter and laws governing it---physical chemistry, organic chemistry (other than biochemistry), inorganic chemistry, materials, plastics, fuels, pesticides, metallurgy, soil chemistry, etc.

Study and development of computer hardware, software engineering, Internet networking and communications, graphics (including human interface), simulations/virtual reality or computational science (including data structures, encryption, coding and information theory)

The science of the normal use of consumer products including product testing and comparison. Only applies to students in grades 4-8 for CCSRC and grades 6-8 for DVSF. Many projects in this category will require IRB approval.

Geology, mineralogy, physiology, oceanography, meteorology, climatology, speleology, seismology, geography, astronomy, planetary science, etc.

Technology; projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses---civil, mechanical, aeronautical, chemical, electrical, photographic, sound, automotive, marine, heating and refrigerating, transportation, environmental engineering, etc.

Study of pollution (air, water, and land) sources and their control; ecology

Development of formal logical systems or various numerical and algebraic computations, and the application of these principles---calculus, geometry, abstract algebra, number theory, statistics, complex analysis, probability.

Study of diseases and health of humans and animals---dentistry, pharmacology, pathology, ophthalmology, nutrition, sanitation, dermatology, allergies, speech and hearing, etc. many projects in this category will require IRB approval. Some may require SRC approval, so please be aware of early deadlines for paperwork.

Biology of microorganisms---bacteriology, virology, protozoology, fungi, bacterial genetics, yeast, etc. ALMOST ALL PROJECTS IN THIS CATEGORY WILL REQUIRE SRC APPROVAL. Please be aware of early deadlines for paperwork.

Theories, principles, and laws governing energy and the effect of energy on matter---solid state, optics, acoustics, particle, nuclear, atomic, plasma, superconductivity, fluid and gas dynamics, thermodynamics, semiconductors, magnetism, quantum mechanics, biophysics, etc.

Projects can be in any of the scientific areas listed above. Team projects are judged with all other Team projects. They do not compete with individual projects in the categories listed above. These projects may also need either IRB or SRC approval, depending on the nature of the research, so please be aware of early deadlines for paperwork. Please email your CCSRC consultant or sciencefair@cciu.org if you have questions.

Study of animals---animal genetics, ornithology, ichthyology, herpetology, entomology, animal ecology, paleontology, cellular physiology, circadian rhythms, animal husbandry, cytology, histology, animal physiology, invertebrate neurophysiology, studies of invertebrates. MANY PROJECTS IN THIS CATEGORY WILL REQUIRE SRC APPROVAL. Please be aware of early deadlines for paperwork.