Safety and Ethics in STEM Projects
Your safety is important
When working on your idea, always put safety first. It’s up to you and your adult supervisor to make sure you keep yourself and others safe.
Ethics is about understanding what’s right and wrong
In the STEM community, there are rules on the right way, or the ethical way, to do STEM projects. In general, your project should never harm people or animals. If your project involves people or animals, it’s important to have an adult (ideally with a scientific background) review your idea and plan. This could be your teacher, a parent or guardian, a family friend or an expert you contact. It’s your responsibility to make sure you are doing ethical STEM before starting your project.
Before you start your project…
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| Safety
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Ethics
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| Ask yourself:
· Have I been trained to do this? · Do I have permission? · Do I have adult supervision? · Does the work need to be done in an approved facility? · Do I have the required safety materials and clothing? · Am I putting myself or others in danger? (Including animals and the environment.) · What is my safety plan if something goes wrong? · Is there a safer way to do this?
Check out Staying Safe While Doing STEM Projects for more information. |
Ask yourself:
· Does my idea involve testing people or animals? (Including animal tissue, blood, etc.) · Could my idea cause harm to people or animals? · Do I have an adult mentor to support me and make sure my work is ethical? · Do I have written consent from the people participating (or their parents, if they are under 18)? · Is there a more ethical way to do this?
Check out Ethics in STEM Projects – Humans or Ethics in STEM Projects – Animals for more information. |
Remember:
If something about your project feels unsafe or unethical, it probably is! Stop working until you can do it safely and in an ethical way.