Listed below are the categories in the Open Competition. As a means for assisting with the placement of projects examples and possible titles are listed. Last year's projects and the categories they competed may also be helpful.
Research often can span two or more discipline areas. Making for a difficult decision when asked to place such efforts in a single category. As a general rule NHSEE would ask students and teachers to place projects based upon the category which best fits with the project original question or the final conclusion statement and not based on the tools utilized to answer the question or arrive a the final conclusion statement. One example might be a project which seeks to study the migratory pattern of moose by performing DNA sequence analysis. While this project utilizes a considerable amount of Molecular Biology the project's question is firmly rooted in Mammalian Biology/Zoology. If you want ideas you can see what projects have been done in the past or you can check out www.sciencebuddies.org.

Some categories below may require specific forms in addition to the registration forms. Be sure to complete all forms that apply to your project. Pages regarding rules for certain categories can be found in the Complete Rules and Regulations Booklet.

• All pf the following forms in one PDF file
• All of the following forms in one zip file
  
  
• Form 1: Checklist for Adult Sponsor / Safety Assessment Form
• Form 1A: Student Checklist / Research Plan
• Form 1B: Approval Form
• Form 1C: Regulated Research Institutional / Industrial Setting Form
• Form 2: Qualified Scientist Form
• Form 3: Risk Assessment Form
• Form 4: Human Subjects and Informed Consent Form
  Sample Informed Consent Statement
• Form 5: Vertebrate Animal Form (5A and 5B)
• Form 6A: Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Form
• Form 6B: Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form
• Form 7: Continuation Projects Form
• Abstract Form

Studies of learning, memory, perception, development, or linguistics using human or animal participants, including the effects of chemical or physical stress on these processes. Studies may focus on either normal or abnormal behavior. In the Senior Division, this category includes anthropology, archaeology, and sociology.

In the Rules and Regulations booklet: see pages 13 – 14 regarding human subjects and/or pages 17 – 20 regarding vertebrate animals.

Studies at the molecular level of biochemical or enzymatic pathways in animals (including humans), microorganisms, and plants. Studies of macromolecules (DNA, RNA, and proteins) in living things.

In the Rules and Regulations booklet: see pages 13 – 14 regarding human subjects, pages 17 – 20 regarding vertebrate animals, pages 21 - 24 regarding microorganisms, and/or pages 25 – 27 regarding hazardous chemicals.

Studies of the genetics, growth, morphology, pathology, or physiology of plants.

Studies in which chemical and physico-chemical properties of organic and inorganic materials (excluding biochemistry) are observed. In the Junior Division, studies are more specifically of reactions in which materials change composition or phase. This implies knowledge of the chemical structure of materials being tested. In the Senior Division, studies may include characterization of chemical products found in everyday life without implying knowledge of the chemical structure.

In the Rules and Regulations booklet: see pages 25 – 27 regarding use of hazardous chemicals.

Studies in geology, seismology, engineering geology, atmospheric physics, weather, physical oceanography, marine geology, coastal processes, and comparative planetology. Studies of environmental factors not related to living things, and of the effects of human activity on naturally occurring physical phenomena.

Projects which apply technologies such as recycling, reclamation, restoration, composting, and bioremediation which could benefit the environment and/or the effects of pollution on the environment.

In the Rules and Regulations booklet: see pages 21 - 24 regarding microorganisms and/or pages 25 – 27 regarding hazardous chemicals.

Studies of growth and developmental biology, anatomy, and physiology in animals. Studies of the behavior of all animals in their natural habitats (or reproductions of them).

In the Rules and Regulations booklet: see pages 13 – 14 regarding human subjects, pages 17 – 20 regarding vertebrate animals, pages 21 - 24 regarding microorganisms, and/or pages 25 – 27 regarding hazardous chemicals.

Studies of epidemiology, genetics, growth, and physiology of bacteria, fungi, protists, algae, or viruses.

In the Rules and Regulations booklet: see pages 21 - 24 regarding microorganisms, and/or pages 25 – 27 regarding hazardous chemicals.

Studies of the effects of drugs, chemicals, and other factors (e.g. biological, physical, electromagnetic) at the cellular or higher levels on living organisms (e.g. animals, humans, bacteria, fungi, or plants).

In the Rules and Regulations booklet: see pages 13 – 14 regarding human subjects, pages 17 – 20 regarding vertebrate animals, pages 21 - 24 regarding microorganisms, and/or pages 25 – 27 regarding hazardous chemicals.

Studies of the physical properties of matter, light, acoustics, thermal properties and insulation, solar physics, astrophysics, orbital mechanics, observational astronomy, and astronomical surveys. Computer simulations of physical systems are appropriate in this category.