RSF Ethics Committee

We encourage each Regional Science Fair to form an Ethics Committee of between one and three people, who will become familiar with the ethical and legal issues. Ideally, at least one member of the committee should have a background in health care such as a nurse, occupational therapist or medical doctor, and one in the care of animals such as a veterinarian. All Regional Science Fairs should adopt a rule similar to the following: All projects that require the participation of humans or the use of animals, must be reviewed before experiment starts to educate the young scientist in the issues involved, and to ensure that the project meets the Youth Science Canada rules for science fairs. This will ensure that in most cases, appropriate guidance is provided before experimentation begins, and that the Chief Judge is not often faced with a project that is in serious violation of the rules.

Challenging projects may be referred to the Youth Science Canada National Ethics Committee who, after seeking appropriate professional advice, will make a ruling as to whether the project is eligible for the Canada Wide Science Fair. Referals must be made by the Regional Science Fair, not individual students.

Youth Science Canada Ethics Committee

Terms of Reference

  1. Members of this committee are: three members appointed by the National Judging Committee (NJC), plus the following two members ex officio: the Managing Director and the current CWSF Chief Judge or designate.
  2. The committee reports annually to the NJC and through them to the National Science Fair Committee and the Youth Science Canada Board of Directors.
  3. The committee is responsible for reviewing the rules governing research involving human participants and animals, and making recommendations for change as required.
  4. The committee is responsible for the contents of the web site used to educate the Science Fair Community on the ethical involvement of human participants and animals.
  5. Working through the CWSF Chief Judge or designate, the committee ensures that all projects submitted to the CWSF are examined for compliance with the rules for the ethical involvement and safety of human participants and animals.
  6. The committee examines any project submitted to it from a Regional Science Fair Ethics Committee to help young scientists and their advisors understand and then follow the rules for the involvement of human participants and animals.