FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 5 - 8
Human and Vertebrate Subjects
- Teachers must give prior approval to all projects involving vertebrates, including human research.
Vertebrate animals cannot be included in the project display. The Student Protocol for Research
Involving Human Subjects or Student Protocol for Research Involving Vertebrate Animals forms must
be completed prior to experimentation on humans and other vertebrates. Alternatives to the use
of vertebrate animals for research should be explored. Alternatives include the “3 R’s”:
- Replace vertebrate animals with invertebrates, lower life forms, tissue/cell cultures or
computer simulations
- Reduce the number of animals without compromising statistical validity
- Refine the experimental design to lessen pain or distress of the animal
- Projects involving vertebrate organisms (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) must be only
observational in nature and must not interfere with the normal life processes of the organism. There
must not be handling of the vertebrate animal in any way that interferes with the life processes of
the organism. It is highly recommended that a veterinarian be consulted in experiments that involve
supplemental nutrition and/or activities that would not be ordinarily encountered in the animal’s
daily life. The following types of studies on vertebrate animals are prohibited:
- No vertebrate organism must be subjected in any way to stress such as nutritional deficiency
or oxygen deprivation. Behavioral studies involving mazes or other artificial structures are
permitted, as long as the manipulating effects of the structure is not stressful to the animal.
- Studies of pain
- Predator/prey experiments (simulations are allowed)
- Informed Consent (Permission Slips): The process of obtaining informed consent provides information to
the subject (and where applicable, parents or guardians) about the risks and benefits associated with
participation in research and allows the subject to make an educated decision about whether or not to
participate. Obtaining documentation (i.e. permission slips completed by parents/students regarding
research) is NOT necessary in the following cases:
- Research involving normal educational practices
- Research on individual or group behavior or characteristics of individuals where the research does not manipulate
the subjects’ behavior in a harmful way
- Surveys and questionnaires that are determined by the teacher and/or administration to involve perception, cognition,
or game theory and do not involve gathering personal data
- Studies involving physical activity where the teacher and/or administration determines that
no more than minimal risk exists and where the probability and magnitude of discomfort anticipated in the
research are not greater than those ordinarily encountered in daily life
- Chemicals / Drugs / Hazardous Biological Agents
- Not Allowed:
- Chemicals listed as “not permitted” on the list of
Prince William County Chemical Hazards.
Refer to the listing provided in this handbook.
- Controlled substances (prescription drugs, consumable ethyl alcohol, and tobacco)
- Fire arms, or rocketry motors, reload kits, or propellant modules requiring more than 62.5
grams or propellant in conducting any experimentation.
- Bacteria cultures obtained from nose or throat swabs.
- Biological agents that pose risk of infection or the environment including:
- Mycobacterium (tuberculosis-causing)
- Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumonia-causing)
- Salmonella choleraesius (causing food poisoning)
- Recombinant DNA
- Students shall not use for any projects or experimental purposes blood, teeth, skin cells,
urine, saliva, tears, sweat, or other human body fluid or tissue unless it is derived from
the student himself/herself or an immediate family member or has been determined by a certified
medical pathologist as HIV negative. The only exception includes microscope slides properly
acquired from biological supply companies and labeled as to their origin. Use of hair is permitted.
- Allowed:
- The following biological agents pose relatively low risk and therefore, may be used:
- Aspergillus niger (commonly found on fruits and vegetables)
- Bacillus thuringiensis (naturally occurs in soil; has pesticide properties)
- Lactobacillus acidophilus (found in yogurt, milk, fermented milk products)
- Micrococcus luteus (naturally found in soil, water, air, and on human skin)
- Neurospora crassa (bread mold)
- Pseudomonas fluorescens (found in soil and water)
- Serratia marcescens (found in water, soil, milk, and some foods)
- Class I and Class II lasers are permitted. Class I consists of low power lasers or higher power
embedded lasers, such as those found in laser printers and other office machines. Class II lasers
emit radiation in the visible portion of the spectrum and include laser pointers. Class II lasers
may be hazardous when viewed directly for extended periods of time; therefore, eye protection must
be worn when experimenting with them.
- Power equipment for the construction of experimental apparatus or project displays but only under
the direct supervision of an adult.
- Heat and open flames during experimentation but only under direct adult supervision.
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