This policy was last modified on November 10, 2025

Introduction

Welcome to www.genesinspace.org (the “Website”), operated by Amplyus LLC (“we,” “us,” “our”). We are committed to protecting the privacy of all Website visitors and program participants.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and store information obtained through our Website, communications, and contest submission process. By using our Website, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use.

This policy applies only to information collected online through our Website. It does not apply to offline communications or to websites maintained by other companies or organizations to which we may link.

1. Who May Participate

The Genes in Space Contest is open to students in grades 7–12 who reside in the United States or U.S. territories, as well as their parents, teachers, school administrators, mentors, and other interested parties who may wish to participate as sponsors, educators, or supporters of the program.

We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13.

Applicants age 13 and older may submit their own entries.

Applicants under 13 must have an adult sponsor (such as a parent, guardian, teacher, or mentor) submit the application on their behalf. The submission is made in the adult’s name, with the students listed as team members.

Educators, administrators, mentors, and interested individuals may also engage with program materials, educational resources, and newsletters to support student participation.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information in several ways depending on how you engage with our Website and program.

Information you provide may include:

• Name, grade, and age
• School name and address
• Sponsor (teacher/parent/guardian/mentor) name and contact information
• Student address, email, and phone
• Scientific proposal details and project description
• Application form submissions (including uploaded materials)
• Message content when you contact us directly

Contest submissions are collected via the official online entry form.

If you sign up for updates, we collect your name, email address, institution, and country, verified by CAPTCHA. Our email lists are managed through Mailchimp, which provides secure storage and an automated opt-out link in each email.

We may collect limited technical information such as IP address, browser type, device type, and referring URLs. We may also use cookies and usage analytics (see 'Cookies & Website Analytics' below).

We do not require login accounts and do not collect payment or financial data.

We may receive information from partner organizations, analytics providers, or social media platforms when you interact with our content. These platforms are governed by their own privacy policies.

3. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Administer and evaluate the contest
• Communicate with entrants, parents, and sponsors
• Verify eligibility and obtain required consent
• Distribute awards and prizes
• Respond to inquiries or feedback
• Send newsletters, updates, and educational resources (with opt-out available)
• Share non-identifiable aggregate statistics for reporting or research purposes
• Improve Website performance, usability, and outreach
• Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights

We may share contest entries, in entirety or modified, on our Website, our partner websites, and social media channels including, but not limited to, Facebook™, Twitter™, Instagram™, YouTube™. If you are concerned about protecting the Intellectual Property of your contest entry, please do not submit your proposal.

We do not sell, rent, barter, or permit unrelated third parties to use personal information for marketing or commercial purposes.

4. Sharing of Information

We may share limited information only as necessary to operate and promote the program:

• Program sponsors and partners (including Boeing, miniPCR bio, NASA, and others) for contest administration and award fulfillment
• Judges, mentors, and educational collaborators who support participant evaluation or mentoring
• Third-party service providers (e.g., Mailchimp, web hosting, analytics) under strict confidentiality agreements
• Legal and safety obligations, if required by law, to protect rights, safety, or comply with lawful requests
• Business transfers, in the event of a merger or organizational transition, where you would be notified before data transfer

We do not otherwise share personal data.

5. Cookies & Website Analytics

We and our service providers may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to understand how users interact with the Website and to enhance performance.

Cookies help us:

• Recognize returning visitors
• Understand which sections are most visited
• Improve site design and content
• Maintain session functionality during contest entry

You may disable cookies in your browser, though some features may not function properly.

For contest entries, the Website automatically logs the IP address of the submitting device for security and verification.

6. Children’s Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Because our contest serves students, we comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

We do not knowingly collect data directly from children under 13.

Under-13 participants must have an adult sponsor submit entries.

Sponsors act as the consent agents under COPPA’s educational exception where applicable.

Parents or guardians may review, correct, or request deletion of their child’s information by emailing genesinspace@minipcr.com.

Participation is voluntary and educational in nature.

7. Security

We have implemented administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information, including secure transmission and restricted access.

However, no data transmission is fully secure, and submissions are made at the user’s own risk.

We urge users not to post personal information in public forums, as such information becomes public and outside the scope of this policy.

8. Data Retention & Deletion

We retain contest data for archival and historical purposes. We may delete or anonymize information when it is no longer required for the purposes described.

We may comply with deletion requests when feasible. To request correction or deletion, contact genesinspace@minipcr.com.

9. International Visitors

The Genes in Space contest is open only to U.S. residents and U.S. territories.

If you access our Website from outside the United States, you consent to the transfer and storage of your information in the U.S., under U.S. law.

10. Links to Other Websites

Our Website may contain links to educational resources, partner sites, or embedded media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, YouTube).

We do not control, and are not responsible for, the content or privacy practices of third-party websites.

Please review their respective privacy policies before submitting any personal information.

11. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect program or legal changes. Updates will be posted here with a new 'Last Modified' date.

Continued use of the Website after changes indicates acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact Us

For questions, comments, or requests related to this Privacy Policy, please contact:

Email: genesinspace@minipcr.com