MSEF Ethics Statement

Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair, Inc. has adopted an ethics statement that each student is required to adhere to and will be asked to sign as a part of the research plan and application process. Before experimentation begins, each student is required to complete a Research Plan and permissions, which includes signing the Ethics Statement that the student will “adhere to all MSEF/ISEF rules when conducting research.”

The Statement

Student researchers, and any adults who have a role in their projects, are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards. This includes, but is not limited to, academic and scientific integrity, legality and compliance, and respect for confidentiality and intellectual property. The hallmark of science & engineering projects is that students “own the question” as well as manage the process from start to finish. It is through this work that students learn and grow.

Integrity

Students are expected to display honesty, transparency, and avoid conflicts of interest in their work.

Students may compete in only one MSEF Regional Fair and/or the Massachusetts State Fair in a given school year. They cannot participate in more than one state or region.
They cannot submit more than one project for participation.
They can only present the most recent year’s research for judging at the Fair.
They must only present the work that was approved by the Statewide SRC.
Students must present their project in their own words with proper citations.

Presenting fraudulent data, evidence of plagiarism, inappropriate use of AI, or acts of misrepresentation associated with project work exhibited at the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair may lead to disqualification.

When participating in Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair, the student MUST:

Honestly complete all the necessary paperwork and permission forms, before, during and after experimentation.
Document their work in a dated notebook – recording the development of the project including all references, procedures, original data, and other relevant material.
Include a bibliography as part of their background research.
Cite the author of any original statement that is not their own, including use of AI
Follow guidance for use of Artificial Intelligence and document approved use in Project Notebooks and bibliographies
Give credit to anyone assisting the student. If another person(s) performed any part(s) of the experiment, data collection, etc., credit must be given in the student’s journal/log, display, and report.
Comply with all rules and policies laid out by MSEF, ISEF, school, municipal, and state laws.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Participation in independent research builds students’ independence and critical-thinking skills, and the considerations in this statement are intended to reinforce these growth areas. When used appropriately, AI can support student learning, boost creativity, and improve accessibility to STEM concepts. However, AI also has the capacity to do the cognitive work of thinking for people, which may stifle development. It is also subject to hallucinations, bias, and misinformation.

THEREFORE: AI may be used as a research tool but must be cited and given proper acknowledgment. A student is expected to do independent work, and all materials presented must be in the researcher’s own words. A student may not use generative AI to write the research plan, report or abstract, poster or to create citations (it is known to hallucinate and falsify references).

Adults and Mentors:

When students work with a mentor either at school, in a lab, or wherever project work takes place, adults working with students should bear in mind that it is the student’s project. The mentor’s job is to help students acquire background information, teach the techniques required to test the purpose or hypothesis, and to supervise the safety of young scientists.

The mentor should not suggest or assign a specific topic to the student (the idea must come from the student), take data for the student (unless the student is willing to give credit to the data taker and does not claim the data as their own), or analyze the data for the student.

It is assumed that work discussed at science and engineering fairs is the work of the student. When this is not the case, the student must make this clear in their oral and written project presentations.

Photographs and Visuals – Any photographs included in the student’s paper or on their presentation board are assumed to have been taken by the student. Any photographs NOT taken by the student MUST be clearly labeled giving credit to the photographer. This includes any visuals taken from magazines, newspapers, journals, the internet, or texts where appropriate permission must be solicited and included. The use of photographs of persons requires a photo release signed by the subject, and if under 18 years of age, also by the guardian of the subject. Sample consent text: “I consent to the use of visual images, (photos, videos, etc.) involving my participation/my child’s participation in the research.”

Scientific/engineering fraud and misconduct are not condoned at any level of research or competition. This includes plagiarism, forgery, the use or presentation of other researchers’ work as one’s own, and fabrication of data. Fraudulent projects will fail to qualify, and MSEF reserves the right to revoke recognition of a project subsequently found to have been fraudulent.

Students MUST NOT:

In any way falsify a permission form or scientific paper.
Use another person’s results or thoughts as their own even with the permission of this person. This includes work done by a family member or a mentor.
Use information or data obtained from the internet without proper citation.

Statement on Scientific Integrity

The Ethics statement will be reviewed by students, teachers, parents, mentors, and supervisors so that they are individually and collectively aware of and monitoring for scientific integrity. If an issue of concern arises related to scientific integrity at an MSEF State or Regional Fair or other grievance, the following process should be followed.

Email info@scifair.com

Subject: Grievance/ Accusation of wrong-doing

Body of email:

Include your First and Last Name
Your affiliation: school or company
Your contact information (phone and email)
The Fair at which the concern is placed/originated
Indicate whether you are a: Student Participant, Parent, Teacher, Advisor/Mentor, or Concerned Citizen.
Please provide a brief description of the issue. Be sure to include your concern, any actions taken, responses received (or not), etc.
Please indicate any other people you have spoken with about your concern.

Please note:

Grievances should be shared within 21 days of the relevant Fair.
MSEF will keep the identity of the reporting individual anonymous in any resulting communication.
MSEF is not obligated to share any subsequent details about the resolution with the individual/institution that issues the grievance.
If action is warranted, MSEF will coordinate with the relevant fair, teacher, and student for corrective action.
If anonymous information is received, MSEF is not under any obligation to take action.