The IRB and SCR review projects to evaluate risk and to ensure proper safety procedures and precautions have been followed and documented. The IRB is formed at the school level. The SRC is formed at the regional level. HS Grand Prize Winners chosen to go to ISEF will undergo an additional review by the ISEF SRC.
An Independent Review Board (IRB) is a committee established at the school level to evaluate the potential physical and/or psychological risk of any research involving humans. All proposed human research (including tissue, surveys, blood behavioral observations, etc.) must be reviewed and approved by an IRB before experimentation begins.
The IRB is responsible for assessing risk and documenting the determination of risk level on ISEF Form 4 - Human Participants
The IRB must evaluate all projects involving human participation before any experimentation begins. They must also evaluate any surveys or observation techniques before experimentation begins. Students who begin any human participation project before an IRB review will be disqualified.
Help ensure project compliance with ISEF Rules by forming an IRB at your school. An IRB must consist of the following:
What if my school does not have an IRB?
If your school does not have an established IRB, the YES Fair SRC may be used to evaluate projects with human participation before experimentation begins. Contact us at yesfair@ssvec.com
A Scientific Review Committee (SRC) is a committee established at the regional level, in our case, the YES Fair. The SRC evaluates student research, certifications, research plans and exhibits for compliance with the rules, applicable laws and regulations at each level of science fair competition.
The SRC must consist of three persons with the following qualifications:
The Scientific Review Committee (SRC) examines projects for the following:
Evidence of proper supervision, forms, signatures, research dates, and preapproval dates (when required).
Evidence of proper team composition.
Compliance with rules and laws governing human and/or animal research and research involving potentially hazardous biological agents and/or hazardous chemicals, activities, etc.
Compliance with ISEF ethics statement
Accepted and appropriate research techniques.
Evidence that risks have been assessed.
Search for alternatives to animal use.
Humane treatment of animals.
Literature search & attribution.
All students are required to submit their projects to YES Fair with ISEF Forms 1, 1A, 1B, and 3 by February 5th. Send in the forms to us at yesfair@ssvec.com.
Note: Consult the ISEF Forms and Regulations page for additional required forms for human participation, dangerous chemicals, biological agents, etc.
Visit the Forms Wizard to assess required forms for your project
Incomplete Form 1A: Must include proposed and actual start and end dates, detailed research plan, and work site information completed.
Abstract: Must be complete and in proper format, marked and signed, current year's work done by the student in the student's own words.
Missing Risk Assessment Form 3: Completed for projects with chemicals, equipment, or other potential hazards.
Must list safety precautions taken.
The YES Fair is affiliated with ISEF. Although this makes our fair a bit more complex than a school science fair, it also provides our students with tremendous award and learning opportunities. Students who continue their studies in science will appreciate this exposure to international rules of science competition. Students who do not continue in the sciences learn attention to detail and the importance of methodically planning and executing any type of project.
Projects involving Potential Hazards (Form 3), Human Participants (Form 4), Vertebrate Animals (Form 5A or 5B), Hazardous Biological or pathogenic Agents, including mold (Form 6A), Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue (Form 6B).
Consult the Rules Wizard and ISEF Rules for complete and detailed information.
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