If you see this message, you are using an old version of your browser that is not standards-compliant. Many web sites will not display properly. We suggest you consider updating your browser.

Schools

At the school level, it is important that at least one person, usually the teacher, be aware of the rules for the Ethical rules for the participation of humans and the use of animals. This person is then an Ethics Committee of one for that school, and is responsible for teaching the students how to go about science fair projects that involve these issues.

For projects involving humans, often other students in the class, this means that Informed Consent must be obtained from each participant and their parents or guardians. In many cases, the projects will be simple surveys that are Low Risk and there is no need to consult an outside Ethics Committee. All other cases are defined as High Risk projects, and the requirements are more stringent. The student is required to write up:

  1. the Research Proposal.
  2. the survey, if there is one,
  3. the Informed Consent - Letter of Information
  4. the Informed Consent - permission form

These are then to be vetted by the Ethics Committee, which again is usually the teacher in the school.

This is a good opportunity, for the student to learn and appreciate the steps that must be taken when doing projects that involve humans. The quality and level of the items (1) to (4) above can be simple and straightforward for the younger grades, increasing in level and quality with the grade level.

If the project is complex, and/or is a strong candidate for display at the Regional Fair, then the teacher should ask the student to fill in the appropriate Form(s) available here. This can then be forwarded by email to the Ethics Chair of the RSF, so they know it may be presented there.