The Ohio Academy of Science

Outside 614 Toll Free, if needed, 1-800-OHIOSCI --- Email oas@iwaynet.net Website: http://www.OHIOSCI.org

NEW RULE for Student Research Projects:

Required Research Plan and Prior Approval of Student Research Projects Involving

Certain Risks, Issues, or Protocols

REQUIRED for projects beginning on or after June 1, 2001.

   All students in grades 5-12 who participate in district and State science days are expected to complete research plans prior to beginning their research. Modifications in the plans are permitted during the process of the research. A research plan shall be included in the student’s research report. All students MUST complete a Checklist for Adult Sponsor, Research Plan (1A), and Approval Form (1B) in advance of their research as developed by Science Service for participation in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

SEE: http://www.sciserv.org/isef/document

Classroom teachers who expect their students to compete in a District Science Day leading to State Science Day may approve research plans, in lieu of review by a local Scientific Review Committee, if the proposed research does not involve recognized research risks or issues. Student research projects involving

(1) live vertebrate animals including observation projects,

(2) humans subjects,

(3) recombinant DNA,

(4) controlled substances,

(5) hazardous substances and devices,

(6) human and nonhuman animal tissues, or

(7) pathogenic agents

MUST be approved in advance of the research trials, data collection or actual experimentation by a locally appointed Scientific Review Committee. The research plan MUST use and adhere to all protocols for research risks and issues identified by the Rules for competition in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair as determined by the local Scientific Review Committee. The membership of the local school Scientific Review Committee (minimum of three persons with specific roles and expertise) may be expanded to serve as an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for review of vertebrate animal projects and/or an Institutional Review Board for review of projects with human subjects.

A student with a project involving research risks or issues and special protocols (see 1-7 above) will be accepted for competition at District and State Science Days only if a copy of the approved Checklist for Adult Sponsor, Research Plan (1A), Approval Form (1B) and perhaps other special forms, as needed, are attached to the student’s District and State Science Day registration forms.

Students in grades 9-12 who expect to compete in a Regional Fair or in one of the Buckeye Science and Engineering Fairs leading to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) MUST complete a Checklist for Adult Sponsor, Research Plan (1A), and Approval Form (1B) in advance of the research, and perhaps other special forms required for ALL projects. Current Rule booklets, with all the forms, are available for $1.25 each from Science Service, 1719 N Street, NW, Washington, D. C. 20036.

Download forms from the following website:

http://www.sciserv.org/isef/document