Minors in Research Laboratories

Principal investigators and any adult mentoring a minor in a lab must adhere to Policy 811 - University Programs or Activities Involving Minors. This policy identifies programmatic safeguards and requirements, including program registration, background check requirements and identifying other topics that organizers are advised to follow.

Prior to allowing any minor to conduct research in a laboratory, a Minors in University Sponsored Activities form must be submitted at least 30 days before the expected minor start date and the project reviewed by Environmental Health, Safety and Lab Operations and the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Enterprise Risk. A participation agreement and release of liability as well as a parent/guardian emergency contact information is required to be submitted prior to the minor coming to campus.

The following documents provide Rice researchers, staff and visitors who mentor minors in a laboratory setting guidelines and procedures to follow in order to promote a safe working environment and comply with university and federal guidelines. These guidelines and documents are applicable to all laboratories at Rice University in which laboratory personnel work with hazardous materials and equipment as defined in Policy 313, Laboratory Safety Policy, and the Guidelines for Minors in Laboratories document below.

For questions regarding hosting a minor(s) in a lab, please contact Joanne Baptista, Assistant Director, Youth Protection and Compliance, at youthprotection@rice.edu or 713-348-5068.