Local Scientific Review Committee Approval Form printable pdf download

LOCAL SCIENTIFIC REVIEW COMMITTEE (LSRC)

A Local Scientific Review Committee (LSRC) is a committee that, the Western Nevada Regional

Science & Engineering Fair mandates, must evaluate the potential physical or psychological risk of

research involving human and animal (vertebrates) subjects. All proposed human and animal research

must be reviewed and approved by an LSRC before experimentation begins. This includes any surveys

or questionnaires to be used in a project.

*NOTE- Vertebrate animals, as covered by these rules, are defined as live, nonhuman vertebrate

mammalian embryos or fetuses, tadpoles, bird and reptile eggs within three days (72 hours) of

hatching, and all other nonhuman vertebrates (including fish) at hatching or birth.

Animal studies must conform to the International Science & Engineering Fair’s Animal

Experimentation rules. For information on the rules and the forms contact our Regional Fair’s

Scientific Review Committee Chairman, Dr. Simmonds at

rsimmonds@unr.edu

A LSRC at the elementary or middle school level must consist of a minimum of three members.

Additional members are recommended to avoid conflict of interest. The LSRC should include:

a) The school’s science fair director or science teacher

(May NOT be the student’s classroom or sponsoring teacher!)

b) The school principal or administrator AND

c) One of the following: a psychologist, psychiatrist, medical doctor, or appropriate medical

professional.

Each elementary or middle school site must establish an LSRC to handle human and animal related

science fair or science festival projects. All projects involving animals or humans require approval by

the school site LSRC prior to the start of any experimentation and the Site Fair Director must retain

the original. This eliminates the need for approval of these studies from anyone other than your

school.

Three basic questions need to be asked:

1) Are students involved in the study? If, Yes, then you need to have parent permission

slips before conducting the research (Each site is responsible for making their own).

2) Are animals involved? If, Yes, and the animal(s) could be harmed, in any way, then

you need to have a veterinarian check the condition of the animal(s) prior to

conducting the research. (Keep all original paper work)

3) What is the “Risk Assessment?”

Local Scientific Review Committee Approval Form