STEM Fair Project Rules

Alpine School District and Cascade Elementary following the CUSF rules for all STEM projects.

The Central Utah STEM Fair (CUSF) is an affiliate of the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair and as such we are required to abide by the experimental rules they have established. These rules were developed to help pre-college student researchers adhere to federal regulations governing professional scientists and to, therefore, protect the welfare of the test subjects and the student researchers.

MOST COMMON DISQUALIFICATIONS:

Bacteria, mold, fungi, viruses/parasites, human or animal fresh tissue, blood or bodily fluids MUST be performed in a BSL1 lab or above as required. Culturing bacteria, mold, fungi or other hazardous agent CANNOT be cultured at home, doing so is an automatic disqualification. Contact us via email for help coordinating a lab space, cusf@byu.edu

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 affiliated fairs or the Intel ISEF.

Rules

Rules for all projects
International Rules and Guidelines FAQ

Experimental Rules for Human Subjects
Based upon the Code of Federal Regulations (45 CFR 46), the definition of a human subject is a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research obtains (1) data or samples through intervention or interaction with individual(s), or (2) identifiable private information. These projects require IRB review and pre-approval and may also require documentation of written informed consent/assent/parental permission.

Experimental Rules for Vertebrate Animals
Vertebrate animals, as covered by these rules, are defined as live, non-human mammalian embryos or fetuses, tadpoles, bird and reptile eggs within three days (72 hours) of hatching, and all other non-human vertebrates (including fish) at hatching or birth.

Experimental Rules for Hazardous Chemicals, Activities or Devices
These rules apply to research that involves the use of hazardous chemicals, devices and activities. The rules include substances and devices that are regulated by local, state, country, or international law, most often with restrictions of their use by minors such as DEA-controlled substances, prescription drugs, alcohol and tobacco and firearms and
explosives. Hazardous activities are those that involve a level of risk above and beyond that encountered in the student’s everyday life.

These rules are intended to protect the student researcher by ensuring that the proper supervision is provided and that all potential risks are considered so that the appropriate safety precautions are taken. Before beginning research involving hazardous chemicals, activities or devices, be sure to check with your school, local, or regional fair as more strict rules and
guidelines may be in effect.

Experimental Rules for Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents
The use of potentially hazardous microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, viroids, prions, rickettsia, fungi, and parasites), recombinant DNA (rDNA) technologies or human or animal fresh/frozen tissues, blood, or body fluids is allowable under the conditions set forth by the rules. All of these areas of research may involve potentially hazardous biological agents and require special precautions.

Experimentation involving culturing of potentially hazardous biological agents, even BSL-1 organisms, is prohibited in a home environment. However, specimens are allowed to be collected at home as long as they are immediately transported to a laboratory with the appropriate level of biosafety containment. You can't grow mold or bacteria in a home setting.