2026 Code of Conduct

Thank you for participating in the Project Fibonacci® STEAM Leadership Conference.

To help ensure a safe, respectful, and engaging experience for all participants, scholars and parents/guardians must review and acknowledge the following conference policies and expectations prior to attendance.

• Attend and actively participate in all scheduled workshops, activities, and team experiences
• Arrive on time and remain for the full duration of sessions unless approved otherwise by staff
• Treat peers, staff, volunteers, presenters, partner organization staff, hotel personnel, drivers, and visitors with respect
• Follow all conference rules, safety expectations, transportation procedures, and staff instructions
• Follow the conference dress code and arrive prepared with appropriate attire for all conference activities, site visits, and off-site experiences
• Use appropriate language and behavior at all times
• Respect conference venues, partner sites, transportation vehicles, hotels, classrooms, labs, and shared community spaces
• Avoid disruptive, unsafe, intimidating, or harmful behavior
• Report safety concerns, incidents, or violations to Project Fibonacci® staff immediately

Failure to follow expectations may result in disciplinary action, including removal from activities or dismissal from the conference.

Scholars are expected to fully participate in the conference experience.

Participation expectations include:

• Attending all scheduled workshops, activities, presentations, and team events
• Remaining engaged and minimizing distractions, including excessive cell phone use
• Communicating absences, late arrivals, or schedule conflicts to Project Fibonacci staff in advance whenever possible
• Following all safety instructions during activities, site visits, and transportation
• Full participation helps scholars maximize learning opportunities, strengthen leadership skills, and contribute positively to the conference community.

Repeated unexcused absences, refusal to participate, or ongoing disruptions may result in disciplinary action.

Project Fibonacci® maintains a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, harassment, intimidation, threats, or aggressive behavior.

Bullying includes intentional behavior that harms, humiliates, excludes, threatens, or intimidates another individual or group, whether in person, electronically, or through digital communication platforms.

Examples may include:

• Verbal harassment or insults
• Threatening behavior
• Social exclusion or intentional isolation
• Spreading rumors
• Cyberbullying through text messages, social media, photos, videos, or digital platforms
• Actions intended to embarrass, shame, or demean others
• Aggressive behavior includes actions that may cause physical harm, emotional harm, or damage to property.

Any behavior that compromises the safety, dignity, or well-being of others will be addressed immediately and may result in removal from activities or dismissal from the conference.

Scholars are expected to dress appropriately for a professional educational environment and conference activities.

Appropriate clothing does not require expensive or new attire. Scholars should bring neat, comfortable, and modest clothing suitable for workshops, team activities, and site visits.

Acceptable Attire

Examples include:

• Jeans, slacks, khakis, skirts, dresses, or cargo/walking shorts
• Shirts or tops that fully cover the chest and midsection
• Clothing appropriate for educational and professional settings; attire must be modest, safe, and free from offensive language, imagery, or content that could distrupt the program environment
• Closed-toe shoes for designated hands-on activities or site visits

Clothing Not Permitted

• Clothing exposing the stomach or midriff
• Shorts, skirts, or dresses shorter than fingertip length/mid-thigh
• Undergarments worn as outerwear, including sports bras
• Clothing containing offensive language, imagery, or inappropriate content
• Excessively revealing or disruptive attire

Additional Guidelines

• Closed-toe shoes may be required for certain activities for safety purposes
• Long hair should be tied back during hands-on activities when requested
• Reasonable accommodations will be made for religious, cultural, or accessibility needs

If attire is determined to be inappropriate, scholars may be required to change clothing before participating in activities.

To help maintain a safe, secure, and supervised environment, Project Fibonacci Foundation (PFF) reserves the right to conduct reasonable inspections of participant belongings, bags, rooms, personal items, or conference spaces when there is concern regarding:

• Safety or security risks
• Prohibited or dangerous items
• Violations of conference policies
• Threats to the well-being of participants, staff, volunteers, or guests

Participants are expected to cooperate with staff, venue personnel, and emergency procedures at all times.

Failure to comply with safety directives or conference policies may result in disciplinary action, parent/guardian notification, removal from activities, dismissal from the program, or involvement of venue security or law enforcement when appropriate.

The possession, use, sale, distribution, or being under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, or misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications is strictly prohibited. Violations may result in removal from the conference, parent/guardian notification, and law enforcement when appropriate. 

Participants may not:

• Share medications
• Use another person’s medication
• Distribute prescription or over-the-counter medications

All medications, including over-the-counter medications, must be checked in with the on-site EMT or medical staff upon arrival unless prior approval has been granted for documented medical or emergency needs.

Emergency medications such as epinephrine auto-injectors or rescue inhalers may be carried by scholars when medically necessary, but must be disclosed to conference medical staff.

Possession, use, display, or distribution of any weapon, replica weapon, simulated weapon, or dangerous item is strictly prohibited at all Project Fibonacci Foundation (PFF) programs, events, transportation, lodging sites, and affiliated venues.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
• Firearms or ammunition
• Knives, blades, or sharp objects intended for use as weapons
• Airsoft guns, BB guns, pellet guns, paintball markers, or toy/replica firearms
• Martial arts weapons
• Explosives, fireworks, or incendiary devices
• Tasers, stun guns, pepper spray, and other self-defense weapons
• Any object used, displayed, or reasonably perceived as a weapon or threat to the safety of others

PFF reserves the right to inspect, confiscate, and remove prohibited items when necessary to protect the safety and well-being of participants, volunteers, staff, and guests. Violations may result in immediate removal from the program, parent/guardian notification, disciplinary action, and/or referral to law enforcement when appropriate.

Mobile devices must be used responsibly and respectfully.

Cell phones may not be used during workshops, keynote presentations, tours, or activities unless permitted by staff.

The following are prohibited:

• Harassment or bullying through digital platforms
• Sharing harmful or inappropriate content
• Unauthorized use of another person’s device or account
• Recording or photographing individuals without permission when inappropriate
• May not use artificial intelligence tools, social media platforms, or digital technologies to impersonate, harass, manipulate, exploit, or misrepresent other participants, staff, or the organization.

Repeated misuse of devices or refusal to follow staff instructions may result in disciplinary action, loss of device privileges, removal from activities, parent/guardian notification, and/or removal from the program when appropriate.

Scholars who are authorized by their parent/guardian to drive themselves to and from the conference may do so only with prior approval from Project Fibonacci Foundation (PFF) leadership.

Approved student drivers:

• Must provide valid driver’s license, vehicle insurance, vehicle/license plate information, and emergency contact information if requested
• Must keep vehicles parked and unused during conference programming unless specifically authorized by PFF staff
• May not transport other scholars or participants without prior written permission from both families and approval from PFF leadership
• May not leave conference activities, lodging sites, or designated areas without staff authorization

PFF is not responsible for damage to, theft of, or incidents involving personal vehicles. Unauthorized vehicle use, reckless behavior, or violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, loss of driving privileges, parent/guardian notification, dismissal from the program, and/or involvement of law enforcement when appropriate.

For the safety, security, and privacy of all participants, visitors are not permitted at conference venues, lodging areas, transportation sites, or other program spaces unless pre-approved by Project Fibonacci Foundation (PFF) staff or leadership.

Unauthorized visitors include, but are not limited to:

• Friends, acquaintances, or peers not participating in the program
• Family members or relatives who have not received prior approval
• Informal drop-ins, social visits, or meetups
• Unscheduled deliveries, item drop-offs, or pick-ups
• Individuals not officially registered, credentialed, screened, or authorized by PFF

Scholars may not invite, arrange for, or permit unauthorized visitors to access conference activities, lodging areas, transporation, or program spaces.

PFF reserves the right to deny access to, remove, or restrict unauthorized individuals from program property or affiliated venues. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, parent/guardian notification, removal from the program, and/or referral to venue security or law enforcement when appropriate.

Room assignments are determined by conference organizers with consideration for safety, supervision, and participant well-being.

Scholars may not:

• Change room assignments without staff approval
• Enter rooms not assigned to them without staff permission
• Engage in disruptive, unsafe, or inappropriate behavior in hotel spaces
• Gather in hallways, stairwells, or common areas unless supervised or authorized by Project Fibonacci®  staff
• All participants are expected to respect hotel staff, guests, conference personnel, and shared spaces.

Common areas may be used respectfully during approved times and under staff supervision. Maintain appropriate noise levels

• Maintain appropriate noise levels
• Avoid horseplay or unsafe behavior
• Respect hotel property and shared facilities

Restricted Areas & Supervision
For safety and liability reasons, scholars may not enter or use pools, fitness rooms/gyms, tents, recreational spaces, parking areas, or other designated restricted areas without direct supervision from an authorized Project Fibonacci® staff member or chaperone.

Failure to follow supervision requirements or entering restricted areas without authorization may result in disciplinary action including parent/guardian notification, removal from activities, and/or dismissal from the program. 

Curfew

All scholars must be in their assigned rooms by 10:00 PM and remain there until 7:00 AM unless approved otherwise by staff for emergencies or medical needs or approved program activities. 

Quiet hours are in effect from 10:00 PM–7:00 AM.

Security personnel and/or conference staff will monitor hallways and common areas during overnight hours.

Scholars are responsible for the security and care of their personal belongings at all times. Participants are encouraged to leave valuable, expensive, irreplaceable, or prohibited items at home.

Project Fibonacci Foundation (PFF) is not responsible for lost, stolen, misplaced, or damaged personal property, including items brought to conference venues, lodging locations, transportation, or off-site activities.

Participants and their families may be held financially responsible for damages resulting from misconduct, negligence, vandalism, unauthorized activity, or violation of conference policies.

This includes damage to:
• Hotel or lodging property
• Conference or partner facilities
• Transportation vehicles
• Equipment or technology
• Another participant’s or staff member’s belongings

PFF reserves the right to assess damages, seek reimbursement, restrict participation, or pursue additional disciplinary action when appropriate.

Participants removed or dismissed from the conference due to policy violations may not be eligible for refunds, credits, or reimbursement of conference-related expenses.

Project Fibonacci® staff document and review behavioral concerns, safety issues, policy violations, and incidents to ensure fairness, consistency, appropriate decision making, and participant safety.

Conference leadership and the Judicial Board may review incidents and determine appropriate responses based on the severity or recurrence of behavior.

Possible disciplinary actions may include:

• Verbal warning
• Parent/guardian notification
• Behavioral intervention
• Removal from specific activities
• Restriction from certain privileges
• Dismissal from the conference
• Involvement of law enforcement when appropriate

Project Fibonacci® reserves the right to remove any participant whose behavior compromises the safety, well-being, or success of the conference community.

Project Fibonacci® may photograph, record, or capture video/audio during conference activities, workshops, presentations, transportation, lodging common areas, and off-site experiences for educational, promotional, archival, and marketing purposes.

By participating in the conference, scholars and parents/guardians grant Project Fibonacci® and its authorized partners permission to use photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, quotes, project work, or likenesses for:

• Social media
• Websites
• Marketing materials
• News/media coverage
• Grant and sponsor reporting
• Educational or promotional publications

This permission is granted without compensation and may be used in any media format now known or later developed. No personal identifying information beyond first name, school, or general participant information will be shared publicly unless additional permission is granted.

Project Fibonacci® will make reasonable efforts to respect privacy requests; however, participation in public conference activities may result in incidental inclusion in group photos, video recordings, or other media.

Parents/guardians who do not wish for their scholar to appear in media materials must notify Project Fibonacci® in writing prior to the conference.