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Safety is the watchword when exhibiting at all STEM Exhibitions. Without exception, the highest standards of safety are required. The following are safety measures of particular concern.

Ultraviolet Light Sources
Use ultraviolet light sources only during judging and do not direct them toward anyone’s eyes. The device must be properly shielded.

Biological Hazards
Cigarettes and tobacco may not be displayed. Clean, empty packages and filters are allowed.

No live or preserved invertebrate or vertebrate animals may be exhibited. All vertebrate projects, including those dealing with humans, must have an approved Vertebrate Animal Endorsement. See the section of this site for rules regarding animal experimentation.

It is imperative that students not be exposed to any bacteria that are considered pathogenic and for this reason two rules are very strictly enforced: (1) No display of wild cultures*/fungi although they may be used if incubated at or below room temperature and (2) No cultures taken from humans or other warm-blooded animals may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, skin, throat, mouth, or other areas.

Students who wish to do projects involving some microorganisms (protozoans, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and molds) must obtain prior approval from the Scientific Review Committee. The request form, printed in the current Handbook, must be completed and sent to the address listed. If permission is granted, an approval form will be signed and sent to the student. The form with the approval must accompany the student’s research summary at all STEM Exhibitions. Students in grades 9-12 are highly encouraged to request and complete forms required by the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) prior to experimentation as well. Only students completing the required forms will be considered for ISEF. These forms are NOT included in this booklet. They are to be requested. If a pathogenic organism is used, ISEF requires the following forms: Checklist for Adult Supervisor; Research Plan (1A); Approval Form (1B), if work was conducted in an institutional or industrial setting at anytime during the current ISEF project year, Registered Research Institutional/Industrial Setting Form (1C) must be com-pleted; Qualified Scientist Form (2); and Designated Supervisor Form (3). The deadline for seeking approval is November 15 of the academic year of the Fair. If the organism being used is listed on the “Approved List of Organisms", approval IS NOT NEEDED for IJAS but is needed for ISEF.

*Wild culture - organisms grown in their natural habitat and often mixed with various species.