{"id":1304,"date":"2020-11-22T10:28:08","date_gmt":"2020-11-22T18:28:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/?page_id=1304"},"modified":"2026-08-08T21:35:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T04:35:06","slug":"project-considerations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/student-teacher-info\/project-considerations\/","title":{"rendered":"Project Considerations"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0.8px;text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #666699\"><strong>THINGS TO ASK BEFORE STARTING A PROJECT<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Below are some important considerations to be aware of before launching into your project. Take time to read through any guidelines or policies relevant to your project and ask your teacher sponsor if you are unsure how to follow them. It is a good idea to consult them, since they will be asked to verify that your project meets these guidelines later on.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000080\"><b>0. What category does your project fall under?\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote><p><strong>SEE: <\/strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><a style=\"font-size: 16px;letter-spacing: 0.05em;color: #ff6600\" href=\"http:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2014\/01\/Participant-Project-Guidelines.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Project Guidelines &amp; Suggestions<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Projects at VDSF and GVRSF must fall under 1 of 3 categories:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900\"><b><b><b><b><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1976 alignright\" style=\"color: #333333;font-weight: 400\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/isabel.ocean_.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"257\" height=\"168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/isabel.ocean_.png 934w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/isabel.ocean_-300x197.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/isabel.ocean_-768x503.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 257px) 100vw, 257px\" \/><\/b><\/b><\/b>EXPERIMENT:<\/b><\/span> An investigation that tests a scientific hypothesis using the experimental method. At least one independent variable is manipulated; other variables are controlled.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900\"><b>INNOVATION:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Development and evaluation of new devices, models, theorems, physical theories, techniques, or methods in technology, engineering, computing, natural science, or social science.<\/li>\n<li>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900\"><b>STUDY:<\/b><\/span>\u00a0An analysis of data using accepted methodologies from the natural, social, biological, or health sciences. Includes studies involving human subjects, biology field studies, data mining, observation and pattern recognition in physical and\/or sociobehavioural data.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><b><span style=\"color: #000080\">1. Does your project follow safety guidelines? <\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote><p><strong>PLEASE READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DAEF4FCB7D3EA5EA990F677525F38F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600\">Youth Science Canada Safety in STEM Projects<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Students are expected to follow safety guidelines whether they are working on their project at home, school, or outside facility. Do any of the following concerns apply to your project?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1067\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.dryice2-300x255.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"126\" height=\"107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.dryice2-300x255.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.dryice2-768x654.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.dryice2-1024x872.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.dryice2-560x477.jpg 560w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.dryice2-260x221.jpg 260w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.dryice2-160x136.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 126px) 100vw, 126px\" \/>Chemical safety\u00a0<\/strong>&#8212; Are you handling chemicals that require the use of personal protective equipment (e.g. lab coat, goggles, gloves, etc.)?\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SEE:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DA15EC288BCBE6840D794974DC3189\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Youth Science Canada safety policy on pesticides<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fire safety\u00a0<\/strong>&#8212; Are you working with an open flame, flammable materials, or a chemical reaction that produces heat?\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SEE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DA15EC288BB247643139083CAD19A9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Youth Science Canada safety policy on dangerous and explosive materials<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1915 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/electrical.violation.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/electrical.violation.png 542w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/electrical.violation-300x248.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" \/>Electrical safety\u00a0<\/strong>&#8212; Are you working with an electrical current, even something from a small battery?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Structural and mechanical safety\u00a0<\/strong>&#8212; Are you building something with dangerous moving parts or something that is heavy or large enough to hurt someone?\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SEE: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DA15EC288B9805D4C58D93608DFB5B\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Youth Science Canada safety policy on boilers and pressure vessels<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Biohazards\u00a0<\/strong>&#8212; Are you working with biohazards such as bacteria, tissue samples, blood, or blood products?\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SEE:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DA15EC288B978E4304AB8D86839450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Youth Science Canada safety policy on biosafety practices<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DA15EC288BCD709E94C0144EA008A1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Youth Science Canada safety policy on recombinant DNA and biotechnological safety<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Other<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><b>SEE: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/mystemspace.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2022\/05\/Firearms-and-Projectiles.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Youth Science Canada safety policy on firearms and projectiles<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DA15EC288BC84D9CFD64DF3813CC4D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Youth Science Canada safety policy on lasers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #0000ff\">Safety guidelines also apply to <span style=\"color: #ff9900\"><strong>project displays<\/strong> <\/span>at VDSF<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Your project display must pass an inspection with a safety officer before judging can proceed.\n<ul>\n<li><b>SEE: <\/b><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2022\/08\/VDSF-safety-checklist.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VDSF safety checklist<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The dimensions of your exhibit (i.e. display board and accessories) must not exceed the maximum limits when measured from the outermost points including any framework and appendages:\n<ul>\n<li>maximum <strong>width <\/strong>(side to side) of 1.2 m<\/li>\n<li>maximum <strong>depth <\/strong>(front to back) of 0.8 m<\/li>\n<li>maximum <strong>height <\/strong>(floor to top of display, including table) of 3.5 m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000080\"><strong>2. Does your project require ethics approval?\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"letter-spacing: 0.8px\"><span style=\"color: #000080\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1059\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.boa_-300x216.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"161\" height=\"116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.boa_-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.boa_-768x552.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.boa_-1024x737.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.boa_-560x403.jpg 560w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.boa_-260x187.jpg 260w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2019\/05\/VDSF2018.boa_-160x115.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 161px) 100vw, 161px\" \/><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote>\n<h4><strong>PLEASE READ:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DAEF4FCB7D3B432AB676C340C04CF5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600\">Youth Science Canada Ethics in STEM Projects\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>If your project involves the use of animals or humans, whether as sources of samples or live participants, it likely requires ethics approval or pre-approval.<\/p>\n<p>See the <span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/student-teacher-info\/ethics\/\">Ethics Approval<\/a><\/span> page to get started.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff\"><strong>Remember to do the last step! <\/strong><\/span>The GVRSF ethics reviewer&#8217;s e-mail granting your project ethics approval represents his signature on your ethics forms, but you still have to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DUi2ENGGUYx\/?img_index=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>complete<\/strong><\/a> them by writing in his name and date of e-mail.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000080\"><strong>3. Does your project involve the use of generative AI?\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><strong><span style=\"color: #333333\">PLEASE READ:<\/span> <\/strong><a style=\"color: #ff6600\" href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DC4433923EEDCBA22FC756A40189A6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Youth Science Canada guidelines for using generative AI in STEM Projects<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Adapted with thanks from a document developed by the Calgary Youth Science Fair Committee<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The difference between generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and traditional artificial intelligence (AI) is described here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geeksforgeeks.org\/blogs\/difference-between-generative-ai-and-traditional-ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Generative AI vs. Traditional AI (Geeks for Geeks)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1916 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/rebecca.ai_.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"237\" height=\"163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/rebecca.ai_.png 1059w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/rebecca.ai_-300x207.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/rebecca.ai_-1024x706.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/rebecca.ai_-768x529.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 237px) 100vw, 237px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you are using GenAI in your project, <strong>clearly state<\/strong> its role in your project and be prepared to demonstrate your <strong>understanding<\/strong> of the technology, explain its <strong>limitations<\/strong>, and address any questions and <strong>ethical concerns<\/strong>. Keep the use of GenAI within the scope and objectives of your project.<\/p>\n<p>To <strong>cite<\/strong> the use of ChatGPT or other generative AI, refer to this resource from the APA style blog: <span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600\" href=\"https:\/\/apastyle.apa.org\/blog\/how-to-cite-chatgpt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to cite ChatGPT<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000080\"><strong>4. How will your project be evaluated?\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px\">Projects at VDSF and GVRSF are evaluated on 3 components: scientific thought, originality, and communication. The criteria varies slightly with the type of project.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2024\/02\/rubric.experiment.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EXPERIMENT rubric<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2024\/02\/rubric.innovation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">INNOVATION judging rubric<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2024\/02\/rubric.study_.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">STUDY judging rubric<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>What do judges look for when listening to your presentation? Check out this clip:<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Inside the Vancouver District Science Fair at Langara College\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nEqa-OpKc08?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right\">[<strong>Last updated:<\/strong> August 2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>THINGS TO ASK BEFORE STARTING A PROJECT Below are some important considerations to be aware of before launching into your project. Take time to read <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/student-teacher-info\/project-considerations\/\" title=\"Project Considerations\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":190,"featured_media":0,"parent":515,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1304","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/190"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1304"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2094,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1304\/revisions\/2094"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/515"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}