Project Safety

Projects, such as transgenic projects, require preapproval by the Safety and Ethics Committee of the BRSTF in conjunction with the YSC Ethics Committee.  If you are unsure about the status of a student's project, please feel free to contact Patti-Jo or Brad Lacey at patti_jo_lacey@bgcdsb.org or brad_lacey@bgcdsb.org

Below are a list of guidelines and regulations pertaining to projects.

Projects using Humans

  • Does your project involve Human Participation including surveys, skill tests, food or drink, etc? (This would include classmates, family members, even testing of the student doing the project.) If so, you must read seek approval from Bluewater science Fair committee and YSF. Check out YSF policy here. Please read section 6 of BRSTF Policies and Regulations.

Animal Projects:

  • Any testing on vertebrates (animals with backbones) must not cause harm to the animal in anyway is prohibited.

  • Live animals are not to be brought to the fair.

  • Cells, animal parts or organs, blood, tissue and plasma must be purchased from a biological supply company to insure materials are safe for human handling.

  • Please read YSF policy here

  • Section 5 Animal Tissues and Biohazards of the BRSTF policy

Chemical use

  • Be aware of warning labels on chemicals (explosive, caustic, poisonous, flammable).  Do not use any of these products without careful supervision.  Please do not bring  products with warning labels  to the fair.

  • Use of Pesticides section 4.5 BRSTF policy 

Plants, Molds and soils

  • Take pictures of results and procedure to demonstrate your work.

  •  Do not bring molds, as part of your display, to the fair.

Fire Safety

  • No open flame permitted in display hall area.

  • No flammable projects (lighters, matches, gasoline etc) are permitted at the fair.

Electrical and Laser Projects

  • Only sealed type batteries are to be used.

  • Apparatus such as Van de Graff generator, spark gap etc. are non-operational.

  • All projects that are exploring or using electricity must be safe insuring wires are insulated.

  • A project using lasers must be pre-approved by the safety committee of the regional science fair.  Please contact Brad Lacey at brad_lacey@bgcdsb.org

  • Laser projects must be carried out under the supervision of a person who is legally qualified to ensure the safety of the student and the public.  Lasers, even laser pointers, are not allowed at the regional science fair

Firearms Projects and Explosives

  • Firearms projects, including potato guns, require the approval of the chair of the regional science fair committee before they may begin. Please contact Brad Lacey: brad_lacey@bgcdsb.org

  • Any project involving explosives must have prior approval of the safety committee of the regional science fair.

  • Section 4.2 Firearms safety