General Rules and Regulations

Student researchers, as well as adults who have a role in their projects, are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards. These include, but are not limited to:

• Integrity. Honesty, objectivity, and avoidance of conflicts of interest are expected during every phase of the research. The project should reflect independent research done by the student(s), and represent only one year’s work.

• Legality. Compliance with all laws and regulations is essential.

• Respect for Confidentiality and Intellectual Property. Confidential communications, as well as patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property must be honoured. Unpublished data, methods, or results may not be used without permission, and credit must be given to all contributions to research.

• Stewardship of the Environment. It is the responsibility of the researcher and any adults involved to protect the environment from harm. Introduction or disposal of non-native, genetically-altered, and/or invasive species, (e.g. insects, plants, invertebrates, vertebrates), pathogens, toxic chemicals or foreign substances into the environment is prohibited. It is recommended that students reference their national laws and regulations and quarantine lists, including if considering using “catch and release” fishing procedures.

• Animal Care. Proper care and respect must be given to vertebrate animals. The guiding principles for the use of animals in research includes the following “Four R’s”: Replace, Reduce, Refine, Respect.

• Human Participant Protection. The highest priority is the health and well-being of the student researcher(s) and human participants.

• Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (PHBAs). It is the responsibility of the student and adults involved in the project to conduct and document a risk assessment, and to safely handle and dispose of organisms and materials.

Scientific fraud and misconduct are not condoned at any level of research or competition. This includes plagiarism, forgery, use or presentation of other researcher’s work as one’s own and fabrication of data. Fraudulent projects will not be allowed to appear in the Science Fair.

1. Projects involving human participants, vertebrate or invertebrate animals, and potentially hazardous biological agents (any microorganisms) must be reviewed and approved by the science fair leadership committee prior to the start of experimentation.

2. After experimentation, each student or team must submit a (maximum) 250-word, one-page abstract which summarises the current year’s work.

3. A project data book and research paper are not required, but are strongly recommended for judging purposes and scientific integrity.

4. Each student may only enter one project.

5. The use of non-animal research methods and alternatives to animal research are strongly encouraged and must be explored before conducting a vertebrate animal project.

6. Introduction or disposal of non-native, genetically-altered, and/or invasive species (e.g. insects, plants, invertebrates, vertebrates), pathogens, toxic chemicals or foreign substances into the environment is prohibited. It is recommended that students reference their state or national regulations and quarantine lists.

THE STUDENT RESEARCHER(S)

The student researcher is responsible for all aspects of the research project:

• Enlisting the aid of any required supervisory adults (Adult Sponsor, Qualified Scientist, etc.) • Following the Rules & Guidelines, obtaining all necessary approvals (SFLC) and completing all appropriate documentation

• Performing the project (which may include, but is not limited to) experimentation, data collection, engineering, data analysis, and any other process or procedures related to the project

• Understanding and abiding by the Ethics Statement and attesting to this understanding.

To avoid conflict of interest, no Adult Sponsor, parent or other relative of the student, the Qualified Scientist, or Designated Supervisor who oversees the project, may serve on the SFLC or judging panel.

THE ADULT SPONSOR

Qualifications:

• An Adult Sponsor may be a teacher, parent, professor, and/or other professional scientist

• Should be knowledgeable in the area of student research, be familiar with the regulations around procedures and materials that apply to the student project, particularly when involving human participants, vertebrate animals, potentially hazardous biological agents or hazardous chemicals, devices or activities.

• Should have close contact with the student throughout the timeline of the project.

Responsibilities:

The Adult Sponsor is responsible for:

• Working with the student to evaluate any possible risks involved in order to ensure the health and safety of the student conducting the research and the humans and/or animals involved in the study.

• Reviewing the student’s Student Checklist (1A) and Research Plan/Project Summary to ensure that:

• experimentation follows local, state, and national laws and SFLC rules

• forms are completed by other required adults

• any required Qualified Scientist meets the criteria as set forth in the Rules and Guidelines

• the student’s research is eligible for entry in the Science Fair

THE QUALIFIED SCIENTIST (QS)

Qualifications:

• Earned a doctoral/professional degree in a scientific discipline related to student’s area of research

AND/OR

• Individual with extensive experience and expertise in the student’s area of research

• Must be thoroughly familiar with the regulations that govern the student’s area of research including all state and national regulations and laws.

• Can also serve as the Adult Sponsor, if that person meets both sets of qualifications

• May live elsewhere and not be local to the student, in which case, a Designated Supervisor must be appointed and trained to serve as the onsite supervision as necessary for the specific student project.

Responsibilities:

The Qualified Scientist is responsible for:

• Reviewing the rules relevant to the project and approving the student’s research plan or engineering design prior to the start of experimentation

• Providing direct supervision throughout the timeline of the project or coordinating with a Designated Supervisor to serve in this capacity

• Ensuring the proper training of the Student Researcher and/or Designated Supervisor in the necessary procedures.

THE DESIGNATED SUPERVISOR (DS)

Qualifications:

• Does not need an advanced degree

• Must be familiar with the student’s project and agree to any training necessary

• May also serve as the Adult Sponsor for the project

• If the project involves the use of Vertebrate Animals (where behaviour/habitat is influenced by humans), must be knowledgeable about the humane care and handling of the animals

Responsibilities:

• Providing direct supervision of the student experimentation

• Ensuring all relevant information is correctly reported to the SFLC and their guidelines or instructions are followed.