Secondary Science Fair Experiment Guidelines
- All secondary projects must follow guidelines of the Science Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH) and International Science and Engineering Fair to be eligible for District Science Fair judging.
- All grade 7 – 12 projects must be registered through Scienteer, which is the online registration program.
- The identical repetition of a previous year's project is not permitted.
Experimenting with Vertebrates
There is an increasing concern over the use of vertebrates in student experimentation. Behavioral experiments are preferable over physiological experiments. The guidelines for working with vertebrates are included on the SEFH web page. They include:
- Animals may not be exposed to any conditions that may be considered harmful, including dissection or surgical procedures.
- Animals may not be sacrificed for the purpose of experimentation.
- Animals must be provided quality care after the experiment is concluded.
Experimenting with Human Subjects
All rules concerning the use of vertebrates must be followed in working with human subjects. Teachers, IRB, and SRC must review all surveys students may use prior to approval. Extremely personal data and controversial topics (sex, diseases, etc.) should be avoided. No individual can be identified.
Working with Bacteria/Fungi and Other Microorganisms
Any experiment involving the culture or growth of microorganisms or fungi (mold) must be carried out under adult supervision and cannot be done at home. All contaminated substances should be disposed of in a sanitary method at the conclusion of the experiment. SRC approval is required.
Working with Hazardous Substances
All chemical substances should be used under adult supervision. Hazardous substances should not be used. Controlled substances including prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco may not be used without SRC approval and in accordance with state and federal penal codes. Safety measures must be thoroughly addressed in the procedures.