RulesReg

All applicable school rules, governmental rules and regulations and NHSEE
rules must be adhered to.

Ethics Statement *
The NHSEE has adopted an ethics statement that you are required to adhere to.
Following is that statement:
The primary reason that science project work enables such a wide range of learning to
take place for each individual student is that the students themselves "own the
question". They pose a scientific problem and seek the necessary avenues to find a
solution themselves.

When students work with a mentor either at school, in a lab or wherever project work
takes place, adults working with students should bear in mind that it is the student's
project and not theirs. The mentor's job is to help students acquire background
information; teach the techniques required to test the purpose or hypothesis and above
all to look out for the safety of our young scientists.

The mentor should not assign a specific topic to the student to be considered as the
student's own problem, take data for the student (unless the student is willing to give
credit to the data taker and does not claim the data as their own) or analyze the data
for the student. These actions take away the opportunity for students to do these
activities on their own, and devalue student science project work in general. Our
motive for introducing science projects to our young people is to help encourage them
to become responsible future scientists. The behavior of adult mentors should model
the honesty and integrity expected of scientists in our world.

Before experimentation begins each student scientist is required to complete a Project
Registration Form, which includes signing a statement that he or she will, adhere to all
rules when conducting their research.

Any act of plagiarism associated with science project work exhibited at the NHSEE will
lead to disqualification. Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines plagiarize as "to
steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own: use (a created
production) without crediting the source: present as new and original an idea or
product derived from an existing source." The following acts are considered cheating
and will lead to disqualification.

Students MUST NOT:
•     In any way falsify a permission form or scientific paper.
•     Use another person's results or thoughts as their own even with the permission
of this person. This includes work done by a family member or a mentor.
•     Use information or data obtained from the Internet without proper citation.

Students MUST:
•     Complete all the necessary paperwork and permission forms, before, during
and after experimentation, honestly.
•     Document their work in a dated notebook recording development of the project
including all references, procedures, original data and other relevant material.
•     Include a bibliography as part of their background research
•     Cite the author of any original statement that is not their own.
•     Give credit to anyone giving assistance to the student. If another person(s)
performed any part(s) of the experiment, data, collection, etc., credit must be
given in student journal/log.

In the lab
It is generally assumed that work discussed at science fairs is the work of the student.
When this is not the case the student needs to make this very clear in their oral and
written presentations of the project.

Photographs and Visuals
Any photographs included in the student's paper or on their presentation board are
assumed to have been taken by the student. Any photographs NOT taken by the
student MUST be clearly labeled giving credit to the photographer. This includes any
visuals taken from magazines, newspapers, journals or texts where appropriate
permission must be solicited and included.

Research and Safety Regulations
Conducting Scientific Experiments at the Secondary School Level
Students engaging in scientific research and participating in the NHSEE must be aware
that all research must be carried out safely and in compliance with health, safety, and
environmental laws, regulations and standards at the local, state, national, and
occasionally international level. Students are responsible for presenting supporting
evidence for the safety design and production of scientific, non-subjective results. The
project must include repeatable, quantitative results. NHSEE requires that all scientific
research exhibited has been conducted in compliance with the laws, regulations, and
standards.

Students and teacher/supervisors are responsible for obtaining copies of all forms and
accompanying rules governing the type of research undertaken. In addition, students
and teacher/supervisors are responsible for checking with the respective city/town
boards to find any established local rules that must be considered in the proposed
research plan (particularly important in the area of recombinant DNA). Disposal of
chemicals and biohazardous materials must be done according to local/state/federal
regulations. Students, teacher/supervisors, mentors and qualified scientists must
carefully scrutinize and adhere to all rules and regulations for safe research and
display.

All students must fill out a Project Registration Form with the appropriate signatures
prior to the start of the project. All students must meet with their teacher/supervisor to
complete all forms before experimentation begins.

Human Subjects
All human research projects (including surveys, professional tests, questionnaires, and
studies in which the researcher is the subject of his/her own research) must meet all
HIPAA laws. The Scientific Review Committee will review all human subject
experiments. Include all surveys or tests along with submitted abstract.
Ingestion of any substances (drugs, food additives, vitamins, minerals, etc.) is not
permitted.

Non-human Vertebrate Animals
According to State Law, no vertebrate animal can be subject to duress. Replace
vertebrate animals with invertebrates or other types of organisms whenever possible.
The Scientific Review Committee will review all non-human vertebrate experiments.

Pathogenic Agents
Pathogenic agents are disease causing, or potential disease-causing organisms such
as bacteria, viruses, viroids, prions, rickettsia, fungi, and others. When working with
pathogenic agents, student researchers and adult sponsors are required to follow
standard microbiological practices as defined in Biosafety in Microbiological and
Biomedical Laboratories, CDC-NIH publication number 017-040-00523-7, Supt. Of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 20402. Organisms
collected, isolated and/or cultured from any environment (e.g., air, soil) should be
considered potentially pathogenic. Baker and brewer's yeast are not considered
pathogens. Raw or partially processed human/animal waste is considered to contain
potentially pathogenic agents. Agricultural use of animal waste as fertilizer is exempt.

Students must note the following: Student research with pathogenic agents may be
performed ONLY under the direct supervision of an experienced qualified scientist or
designated supervisor in an institutional laboratory including a school if facilities are
adequate and appropriate. Studies involving pathogenic agents are prohibited in a
home environment, but specimens may be collected at home. The Scientific Review
Committee will review experiments involving pathogenic agents.

Controlled Substances
Controlled substances, including DEA-classed substances, prescription drugs, alcohol
and tobacco, must be acquired and used according to existing local, state and federal
laws. Student researchers must adhere to all regulations governing controlled
substances. Production of alcohol is federally regulated and students must contact the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for regulations and permission. Students
under 21 years of age are prohibited by federal laws from purchasing and or handling
smokeless powder or black powder for science projects.

Human or Non-Human Animal Tissue
For the purpose of student research, all body fluids, including saliva and urine, are to
be used ONLY if approved by the students’ teacher and parent.
Research involving human or nonhuman animal tissue must be approved by the
students’ teacher and parent before experimentation begins. Students may NOT
conduct research under any circumstances on human blood, blood products or other
body fluids that have not been documented free of HIV and hepatitis B & C before the
student receives them. Students must handle the tissue in accordance with standards
and guidelines set forth in the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29CFR, subpart 2,
1910, 1030-Blood Borne Pathogens. A qualified scientist is required to supervise.
The following types of tissues are exempt and do not require prior approval: plant
tissue; established cell and tissue cultures (e.g., those obtained from the American
Tissue Collection); meat or meat byproducts obtained from food stores, restaurants, or
packinghouses; and hair.

Recombinant DNA (rDNA)
All student research proposals involving rDNA must be reviewed and approved by the
students’ teacher and parent before experimentation begins. Student researchers must
follow local, state and federal guidelines for any project involving DNA.

Important Restrictions
Recombinants containing DNA coding for oncogens or other human, plant or animal
toxins (including viruses) cannot be made and/or propagated.
Students must not use ethidium bromide or handle gels stained with ethidium bromide.
If ethidium bromide must be used in the experiment, qualified laboratory personnel, not
the student, must do this part of the research and references made in the student
notebook giving credit to the person or persons doing that part of the research.
Hazardous Substances or Devices
Students must adhere to federal and state regulations governing hazardous
substances or devices. A Designated Supervisor must supervise any experiments
involving hazardous substances or devices.

Use of Vertebrate Animals
The NHSEE promotes humane attitudes toward all animals used in scientific
investigation. The NHSEE strongly opposes projects that involve cruelty or abusive
treatment, either during the preparation process or in the actual demonstration at the
expo. The basic aim of such projects is to achieve an understanding of life processes.
Therefore, experimentation must be conducted in a manner that fosters a humane
regard for animals and a respect for life.

Students should note the following:
1. No vertebrate animals can be sacrificed (killed) for student research.
2. All human blood and tissues if approved for use by the students’ teacher and parent
must be documented free of HIV and hepatitis.
3. No vertebrate animals can be experimentally medicated or drugged in a manner to
cause painful reactions or induce painful or lethal pathological conditions.
4. No vertebrate may be injured through any other treatments, including but not limited
to, anesthetization or electric shock.
5. No experiment can have death be a predictable and/or probable outcome.
6. Live animals shall be housed and cared for in a humane and safe manner.

Common laboratory animals must be obtained from licensed laboratory animal
breeders. Pet store animals, except fish, are inappropriate because their genetic and
nutritional background, as well as disease potential, is unknown. Fish may be obtained
locally.

* Adapted from the Massachusetts State Science Fair
All decisions relative to project acceptance made by the Registration Committee, the
Safety Review Committee and the Safety Committee are absolutely final.

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