Introduction
North Dakota Southeast Regional Science & Engineering Fair (“ND SERSEF,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of students, parents, teachers, and visitors to our website. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website ndsoutheastsciencefair.com and participate in our programs.
Information We Collect
Personal Information
We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:
- Register for the science fair competition
- Submit project applications and forms
- Contact us via email or contact forms
- Sign up for newsletters or updates
This information may include:
- Student name, grade level, and school
- Parent/guardian name and contact information
- Teacher/coach name and contact information
- Email addresses and phone numbers
- Project titles and abstracts
- Research documentation and forms
Student Information
For students participating in ND SERSEF, we collect:
- Educational information (grade, school, division)
- Project research plans and abstracts
- Parental consent forms
- Human subjects or animal research documentation (when applicable)
- Photos and videos taken during the fair (with consent)
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- IP address and browser type
- Device information
- Pages visited and time spent on pages
- Referring website addresses
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Process science fair registrations and applications
- Review and approve research projects
- Communicate important deadlines and updates
- Coordinate judging and award distribution
- Advance qualified students to state and international competitions
- Improve our website and programs
- Comply with legal obligations and safety requirements
- Promote the science fair through photos and publicity (with consent)
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We may share information with:
Affiliated Organizations
- North Dakota State Science & Engineering Fair (NDSSEF)
- Society for Science & the Public (Regeneron ISEF)
- Scientific Review Committees for project approval
Schools and Educators
- Student information shared with their registered schools and teacher/coach contacts
Service Providers
- Third-party vendors who assist with website hosting, email communications, and registration systems
Legal Requirements
We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of ND SERSEF, our participants, or others.
Public Information
With appropriate consent, we may publicly share:
- Student names and schools of award winners
- Project titles and abstracts
- Photos and videos from the fair event
- Success stories and testimonials
Protection of Minors
ND SERSEF is committed to protecting the privacy of children under 18. We:
- Require parental consent for student participation
- Limit collection of student information to what is necessary for fair operations
- Do not sell or rent student information
- Comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines
- Obtain consent before publicly sharing student names, photos, or project information
Data Security
We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no internet transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to:
- Fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy
- Comply with legal obligations
- Maintain historical records of fair participation and awards
- Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
Your Rights and Choices
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your information (subject to legal requirements)
- Opt out of promotional communications
- Withdraw consent for photo/video usage
To exercise these rights, contact us at the information provided below.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience. You can control cookies through your browser settings, though some website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites (such as Society for Science, registration platforms, or educational resources). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on our website with an updated effective date. Your continued use of our website and participation in our programs constitutes acceptance of any changes.
Contact Information
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
North Dakota Southeast Regional Science & Engineering Fair
Email: marissa.oestreicher@k12.nd.us
Website: ndsoutheastsciencefair.com
Last Updated: November 2025