{"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":"2025-08-22T14:11:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T21:11:10","slug":"project-considerations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/student-teacher-info\/project-considerations\/","title":{"rendered":"Project Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><span style=\"color: #000080\"><b>0. General Info<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote><p><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\"><strong>Project Guidelines &amp; Suggestions<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Projects at VDSF and GVRSF should 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><a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DAEF4FCB7D3EA5EA990F677525F38F\"><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 some other 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=\"176\" height=\"150\" 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: 176px) 100vw, 176px\" \/>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>related Youth Science Canada policies: <a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DA15EC288BCBE6840D794974DC3189\">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>related Youth Science Canada policies: <a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DA15EC288BB247643139083CAD19A9\">dangerous and explosive materials<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>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>related Youth Science Canada policies: <a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DA15EC288B9805D4C58D93608DFB5B\">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>related Youth Science Canada policies: <a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DA15EC288B978E4304AB8D86839450\">biosafety practices<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DA15EC288BCD709E94C0144EA008A1\">recombinant DNA and biotechnological safety<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Other<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>see Youth Science Canada policies on <a href=\"https:\/\/mystemspace.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2022\/05\/Firearms-and-Projectiles.pdf\">firearms and projectiles<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DA15EC288BC84D9CFD64DF3813CC4D\">lasers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1915 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2025\/08\/electrical.violation.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"123\" height=\"101\" 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: 123px) 100vw, 123px\" \/><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2022\/08\/VDSF-safety-checklist.pdf\">VDSF safety checklist<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Safety guidelines also apply to <strong>project displays<\/strong> at VDSF. Your project display must pass an inspection with a safety officer before judging can proceed.<\/p>\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=\"223\" height=\"165\" \/><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DAEF4FCB7D3B432AB676C340C04CF5\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600\">Youth Science Canada Ethics in STEM Projects\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\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 for more info.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Be prepared to present your completed ethics forms during the safety check at the start of VDSF. If your project involves a survey, include your <strong>Letter of Information<\/strong> and blank copies of the <strong>survey\u00a0 <\/strong>and <strong>participant permission form<\/strong>.<\/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\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600\" href=\"https:\/\/youthscience.public.doctract.com\/doctract\/documentportal\/08DC4433923EEDCBA22FC756A40189A6\">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:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.upgrad.com\/blog\/generative-ai-vs-traditional-ai\/\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600\">Generative AI vs Traditional AI: Understanding the Differences and Advantages<\/span><\/a> (UpGrad)<\/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\">How to cite ChatGPT<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000080\"><strong>4. How is your project 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\/2021\/02\/rubric.experiment2021.pdf\">Judging rubric (EXPERIMENT)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2021\/02\/rubric.innovation2021.pdf\">Judging rubric (INNOVATION)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/files\/2021\/02\/rubric.study2021.pdf\">Judging rubric (STUDY)<\/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>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right\">[<strong>Last updated:<\/strong> August 2025]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>0. General Info Project Guidelines &amp; Suggestions Projects at VDSF and GVRSF should fall under 1 of 3 categories: EXPERIMENT: An investigation that tests a <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/student-teacher-info\/project-considerations\/\" title=\"Project Resources\">[&#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":45,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1980,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/vdsf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1304\/revisions\/1980"}],"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}]}}