Group Rules

To build and sustain a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive space that showcases diverse perspectives, we expect members of groups within the BioInteractive Online Community to adhere to the rules below. 

These and other rules for behavior and content are detailed in the Community Rules. Violations of these rules can result in removal of content, and possibly also members, from the Online Community. Report any inappropriate behavior or content that you observe.

  1. Be Respectful: Treat other members with dignity and respect in all interactions, including when opinions and experiences diverge. Comment on ideas and resources, not individuals. Harassment, discrimination, intimidation, profanity, and bullying in any form will not be tolerated.
  2. Focus on Learning: Aim to uplift other members and promote learning when offering your ideas, expertise, and responses. Maintain a curious approach by asking questions and seeking to understand. Avoid using discussions as a place to “vent” complaints.
  3. Communicate Clearly: Say what you mean and mean what you say. Avoid sarcasm and dry humor, which don’t always translate well in the online space.
  4. Stay on Topic: To keep discussions relevant and useful, contribute only discussion content that directly pertains to the original topic in a post, thread, and/or message. Discussions should surround teaching science, student learning, and science content. 
  5. Keep It Professional: Only contribute content that is appropriate for a professional setting. 
  6. Credit Your Sources: When posting content that is not your own work, credit the original author(s). If possible, ask permission before posting materials created by others. Plagiarism and/or taking credit for others’ work will not be tolerated. 
  7. No Prohibited Content: Posting the following types of content is prohibited and will result in removal of the content, and possibly also removal of the member who posted it, from the Online Community:
    • Copyrighted material that you do not have the rights to distribute. 
    • Advertising and solicitation for commercial, for-profit or other fee-based products, events, courses, and/or professional development. Examples include, but are not limited to, Teachers Pay Teachers and textbooks. 
    • You may share your own personal experiences about commercial, for-profit, and other fee-based products or professional development under the following conditions:
      • You can speak authentically about your experience using the product or participating in the professional development.
      • You do not receive monetary or in-kind compensation from the source company or organization.
      • You direct message the group’s moderator before posting to explain how this content will benefit the group and avoid any conflicts of interest. The moderator should respond with a decision within 3–5 business days. 
    • Personally identifiable information about others, including anything that reveals a student’s identity.
    • Materials containing spyware, computer viruses, Trojan horses, computer “worms”, keystroke loggers, rootkits, or other malicious computer software. 
    • Spam or similar messages sent indiscriminately to other users via discussion posts and direct messaging.
    • Material that is defamatory, abusive, profane, threatening, offensive, or illegal.
    • Any other content that HHMI deems inappropriate in its discretion.
  8. Comply with Terms: In addition to following the rules above, all community members are required to comply with the HHMI BIoInteractive Online Community Terms of Use, HHMI Terms of Use, and HHMI Privacy Policy & Cookie Notice (collectively, the “Applicable Terms”). In the event of any conflict between these Group Rules and the Applicable Terms, the Applicable Terms shall govern and control.