Safety should be a top priority for every science experiment. Most projects on the Science Buddies website are low-risk. However, any tool or technique can be unsafe if misused, while even potentially dangerous tools can be safe when used correctly. To ensure your project is within safety guidelines, Science Buddies recommends asking three simple questions.

• Is your project safe for people or animals that are involved?
  • Humans - All projects involving human subjects must involve minimal risk. Unacceptable risks include ingestion of substances, contact with hazardous materials, and unnecessary physical, psychological, or emotional stress, including invasion of privacy. When surveying other students, review your questions in advance to ensure they meet safety standards and determine if parental consent is needed. If unsure, consult a teacher, parent, or mentor for guidance.
  • Animals - Live animals, especially vertebrates (those with a backbone), must be housed, cared for, and observed in a safe and humane manner. This includes providing appropriate habitats, balanced nutrition, regular health monitoring, and gentle handling. Always adhere to ethical guidelines and regulations and seek supervision from a knowledgeable adult to ensure the well-being of the animals throughout the project.
• Does your project meet the safety rules of all the fairs you might attend, including those at the school level, as well as regional, national, and international levels?
  • Local Fairs - If you will be participating in a city or county-wide fair, make sure that the projects meet the rules of that fair.
  • ISEF-Affiliated Fairs - Science fairs affiliated with the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) must follow very strict and detailed safety rules, often including pre-approval before experimentation begins. The Science Buddies website has an overview of these rules on the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) Scientific Review Committee (SRC) page.
• Have you addressed safety concerns to your parents' and teacher's satisfaction?

  Make sure you address all safety issues in your project proposal so your adult supervisors are aware of any issues ahead of time. Your teacher will then evaluate your project based on the following questions:

  • Where will the experiment be performed?
  • What safety gear will be used?
  • Who will be supervising the experiment?
  • Are you knowledgeable about or do you have training in the procedures being used?

If you are in doubt about the experiment's safety, ask your teacher, parent, or mentor for advice. Be prepared to choose another project if your teacher decides that yours does not meet the appropriate school safety guidelines. Good common sense and the questions above will help you put together a fun, informative, and safe science fair project.

More Information

The Science Buddies website has additional information about safety in our Reference Materials, including guidelines for some special areas, such as chemistry, lasers, microbiology, and rocketry. We also have an overview of the safety rules for science fairs affiliated with the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair on the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) Scientific Review Committee (SRC) page.

Science Buddies Safety Disclaimer

Although every effort is made to ensure and encourage safe practices and safe use of the materials in our Project Ideas, Science Buddies cannot assume responsibility for uses made of its published materials. We strongly urge all those planning to use materials from our web pages to make choices and to develop procedures for safety in accordance with local needs and situations.