Qualified scientist form
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veltriolson
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 8:20 pm
- Occupation: teacher
- Project Question: Glo germ: which hand sanitizer kills more germs.
- Project Due Date: 11/14/14
- Project Status: I am just starting
Qualified scientist form
Does my child need a qualified scientist and a designated supervisor for a science fair project using Glo Germ? The project would include putting Glo Germ lotion on his own hands and then using different hand sanitizers to see which one killed more germs. He is only using himself and not creating any "new" germs. We got his form back and it said he needed qualified scientist form filled out to be safe, but there is no danger in this project. Any comments? Please help? Thanks.
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tdaly
- Former Expert
- Posts: 1415
- Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2003 11:27 pm
- Occupation: Planetary Scientist
- Project Question: N/A
- Project Due Date: N/A
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Qualified scientist form
HI veltrioslon,
The best thing to do in this case would be to talk with the teacher (or science fair official). You can tell them that you don't feel like the project has any safety concerns. Having been involved with science fairs from the administrative/scientific review perspective, I've found that frequently the international science fair rules (which are there to keep people safe and following federal, state, and local laws) seem too stringent to parents and students. But, they are there for good reasons--you'd be surprised by some of the things that review boards see. In addition, there are often risks with projects that students are parent's aren't aware of, but someone with more experience may catch. Sometimes a student's paperwork makes the reviewers think one thing when the student really intends something else. In these situations, it's a misunderstanding that is easily resolved by a simple conversation. The people reviewing your child's project do have his safety, and the safety of others, as a top priority. But, it is definitely worth having a conversation with the review board or teacher to see what their concerns are and to make sure what they think your child will be doing and what you think your child will be doing are the same.
The best thing to do in this case would be to talk with the teacher (or science fair official). You can tell them that you don't feel like the project has any safety concerns. Having been involved with science fairs from the administrative/scientific review perspective, I've found that frequently the international science fair rules (which are there to keep people safe and following federal, state, and local laws) seem too stringent to parents and students. But, they are there for good reasons--you'd be surprised by some of the things that review boards see. In addition, there are often risks with projects that students are parent's aren't aware of, but someone with more experience may catch. Sometimes a student's paperwork makes the reviewers think one thing when the student really intends something else. In these situations, it's a misunderstanding that is easily resolved by a simple conversation. The people reviewing your child's project do have his safety, and the safety of others, as a top priority. But, it is definitely worth having a conversation with the review board or teacher to see what their concerns are and to make sure what they think your child will be doing and what you think your child will be doing are the same.
All the best,
Terik
Terik