Safety Issues Mr. Safety gjmorrissey@cps.k12.il.us Gary Morrissey, Safety Co-Chair phone: 553-6319 fax: 553-6320 Illinois Junior Academy of Science www.ijas.org

Safety is the watchword when developing a science fair project. Safety concerns are divided into two major areas and can be found in the IJAS Policy & Procedure Manual: Review Safety Guidelines for Experimentation (pp. 8-12) with your students during the planning stage of their projects. Revisit safety issues when your students start developing their presentation display by reviewing Safety Rules for Project Display (pp. 18-20).

Major revisions for 2004-2006 p.8,d. The Safety Sheet now asks for precautions taken. p.9,f. Don’t reduce the Safety Sheet to less than half a page. p.9&10,c. No primary or secondary cultures taken directly (mouth, throat, skin, etc.) or indirectly (eating utensils, doorknobs, toilets, etc.) (cage, debris, droppings) will be allowed. p.11. Exceptions granted for 1) students working in a research lab (send the letter to Safety Chair prior to State exhibition) or 2) students applying to the IJAS President/Safety Chair. p.13,c. Include with Safety Sheet: letters from labs, packing slips, etc. p.18,b. Safety Chair can remove any hazardous apparatus. p.18,a. Size: 122cm (w) x 152cm (h) x 76 cm (d).

ALL projects must have a signed Safety Sheet posted on the front of the display board. There are no exceptions to this rule (p. 43). No matter how safe a project might be, we still want to teach students that safety issues must be addressed. Discuss with students the “safe” choices they made while working on their projects. P.S. Don’t say “None” when a safety inspector asks what safety precautions you took.

Human Vertebrate Endorsement All projects involving humans (even if you do a survey asking someone’s favorite color) must have a signed Human Vertebrate Endorsement (p. 44). NEEDS SIGNATURES Note: This form must also be posted on the front of the display board.

Non-Human Vertebrate Endorsement All projects involving non-human vertebrate animals must have a signed Non-Human Vertebrate Endorsement (p. 45). NEEDS SIGNATURES Note: This form must also be posted on the front of the display board.

Microorganisms All projects involving microorganisms should be carefully monitored by a qualified supervising adult. Don’t even think about culturing (primary or secondary) microorganisms from humans or other warm blooded animals. These are strictly forbidden. NEED SPECIAL ATTENTION Need guidance? Visit: www.science-projects.com/safemicrobes.htm

ACHOOO !!! Leave your mold at home. Speaking of humans, animals, and microorganisms; leave them all at home. You are not allowed to display any living things--except plants of course. Judges just love to see plants.

DO NOT DISPLAY

Use batteries whenever possible. Electrical Projects Use batteries whenever possible.

Use them but don’t bring them. Hazardous Materials Matches, chemicals, open flames, electric heaters, or compressed gas cylinders may be used if handled correctly, with proper guidance and supervision. Use them but don’t bring them.

NO means NO NO chemicals NO salt, NO sugar, NO water, NO food coloring, NO chemicals will be allowed on display. Sealed, plastic containers are the only type allowed, but since you aren’t displaying anything; you don’t need to bring them.

Laboratory Apparatus Judges know what beakers, graduated cylinders, balances, thermometers, etc. look like --leave them at school.

JUDGES LOVE PHOTOGRAPHS

Note to students: You have completed your project at home. You are not coming to the Exhibition to do your project. You are coming to share your Results and Conclusions with the judges. Leave all your “stuff” at home; bring us your charts, graphs, pictures, drawings, explanations, and other information. This is not Show and Tell.

Local Safety Inspector, what is allowed for display? If a student has constructed some apparatus that you feel needs to be displayed in order for the judges to understand its operation, allow it. If a student is running some electronic apparatus to prove a concept, allow it. If a student has invented some new apparatus that judges need to see, allow it. If daddy built something for a student, send it home.

IJAS 2005 IJAS 2005 IJAS 2005 GOLD SILVER BRONZE

Safety Issues? Contact Mr. Safety gjmorrissey@cps.k12.il.us Gary Morrissey, Safety Co-Chair Illinois Junior Academy of Science www.ijas.org