How to complete the

CERTIFICATION OF HUMANE TREATMENT OF VERTEBRATE ANIMALS

 

Students planning research involving live vertebrate animals MUST, before acquiring them and starting any experiments, COMPLY with the rules and guidelines of the California Education Code and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). In case of conflict, the provisions of the California Education Code take precedence.

 

Observational studies do not require the Certification of Human Treatment of Live Vertebrate Animals Form (GSDSEF Vertebrate Animal Form).

 

For all other research involving vertebrate animals:

 

1. Become familiar with the California Education Code and International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Rules and Guidelines, Vertebrate Animals.

 

2. Read and complete the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair Certification of Humane Treatment of Live Vertebrate Animals Form (GSDSEF Vertebrate Animals Form). Include all required signatures.

 

3. A teacher shall serve as advisor for the project in which case he/she assumes primary responsibility for the project. If there is no teacher, a Designated Supervisor or Adult Sponsor must provide certification that animal care and safety guidelines are followed. 

 

4. In addition to the student signature, certain adult signatures may be required on the GSDSEF Vertebrate Animals Form depending on the location of the student's research. Additional forms may be required by ISEF depending on location of student research.

     

    Forms and Signatures Required in Addition to the GSDSEF Signature Page:      

•  If research is conducted at a middle or high school:
  • GSDSEF Vertebrate Animal Form
    • Parent/Guardian Signature 
    • Teacher/Advisor Signature

 

•  If research is conducted at a Regulated Research Institution:
  • GSDSEF Vertebrate Animal Form
    • Parent/Guardian Signature 
    • Teacher/Advisor Signature
  • Supervising scientist signature on ISEF Form 2 (Qualified Scientist) and on the GSDSEF Vertebrate Animal Form
  • IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) Approval from the RRI

 

• If research is conducted at a middle or high school with scientist training/supervision:
  • GSDSEF Vertebrate Animal Form
    • Parent/Guardian Signature 
    • Teacher/Advisor Signature
  • If another adult is trained: Designated Supervisor for Animal Care Certification. Signature on GSDSEF Vertebrate Animal Form
  • Qualified Scientist signature on GSDSEF Vertebrate Animal Form and ISEF Form 2, Qualified Scientist

 

• If research is conducted at home: The parent/guardian must already be trained in animal care or be trained by a Qualified Scientist.
  • GSDSEF Vertebrate Animal Form
    • Parent/Guardian signs as Designated Supervisor AND Parent/Guardian
    • Teacher Signature 
  • If the parent/guardian is trained by a Qualified Scientist: Qualified Scientist signature on GSDSEF Vertebrate Animal Form and ISEF Form 2

 

LINKS TO FORMS RELATED TO VERTEBRATE ANIMALS:

 

ISEF Form 2 - Qualified Scientist

 

ISEF Form 5B- Vertebrate Animal

 

Submit the GSDSEF Vertebrate Animal Form and any necessary ISEF forms with the SRC Pre-Approval Form to the GSDSEF Scientific Review Committee (SRC) for approval.

 

California Educational Code -  Vertebrate Animals

From the:

         •  CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE PROVISIONS

 

Any student research involving animals MUST COMPLY with the requirements of the CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE stated here:

 

California Education Code Title 2, Division 2, Part 28, Chapter 4, Article 5,51540:

In the public elementary and high schools or in public elementary and high school sponsored activities and classes held elsewhere than on school premises, live vertebrate animals shall not, as part of a scientific experiment or any purpose whatever:

       (a) Be experimentally medicated or drugged in a manner to cause painful or lethal pathological conditions.

       (b) Be injured through any other treatments, including, but not limited to, anesthetization or electric shock.

            •  Live animals on the premises of a public elementary or high school shall be housed and cared for in a humane and safe manner.

            •  The provisions of this section are not intended to prohibit or constrain vocational instruction in the normal practices of animal husbandry.

 

Compliance with the ISEF Rules and Guidelines is also required.  HOWEVER, the provisions of the California Education Code MUST be followed whenever conflicting regulations occur.

 

INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR (ISEF) GUIDELINES:

The Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF) adheres to and complies with the Safety Rules and Guidelines of the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Refer to ISEF Rules and Guidelines, Vertebrate Animals, for questions regarding general safety and specifically rules pertaining to Vertebrate Animal research.