Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 5/14/2026

Open Discovery values the privacy of students, families, mentors, educators, and website visitors. Our programs are intended for high school students and are not directed toward children under 13.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we protect it, and what choices you have.

By using our website, submitting an application, or participating in Open Discovery programs, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Who We Are

Open Discovery is a free educational initiative designed to help high school students explore scientific research, research literacy, mentorship, and scientific thinking.

For questions about this Privacy Policy, you may contact us at:

Email: info@open-discovery.com
Website: open-discovery.com

2. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information when you visit our website, submit an application, contact us, subscribe to updates, or participate in our programs.

This may include your name, email address, school, grade level, city/state, and other basic contact information.

We may also collect application information, such as short-answer responses, academic interests, prior experiences, goals, availability, and program preferences.

When appropriate, we may collect parent or guardian contact information for students under 18.

For mentors or volunteers, we may collect information such as name, email address, educational background, institutional affiliation, interests, and availability.

We may also collect communications you send to us, including emails, forms, or messages, as well as basic website usage information, such as general analytics about how visitors use our website.

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information unless it is voluntarily provided and necessary for program participation.

3. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to review student applications, communicate with students, parents or guardians, mentors, educators, and volunteers, organize and operate Open Discovery programs, match students with mentors or program opportunities, and share program updates, reminders, and relevant announcements.

We may also use information to improve our website, curriculum, programming, and outreach, maintain safety and responsible participation in our programs, and comply with applicable legal obligations.

We do not sell personal information.

4. Student and Minor Privacy

Open Discovery is designed for high school students. We do not knowingly collect information from children under the age of 13, and our programs are not intended for children under 13.

Because many high school students are minors, we take student privacy seriously. We ask students to provide only information that is reasonably necessary for application review, communication, and program participation.

For students under 18, we may request parent or guardian contact information, consent, or acknowledgment when appropriate for participation in Open Discovery programs.

Parents or guardians may contact us to request access to, correction of, or deletion of their child’s personal information, where applicable.

5. How We Share Information

We may share information only when reasonably necessary for Open Discovery’s educational mission or operations.

This may include sharing limited information with Open Discovery team members, mentors, reviewers, or volunteers involved in application review or program administration.

We may also share limited information with service providers that help us operate our website, forms, email, scheduling, video meetings, or program infrastructure.

When appropriate, we may share information with schools, educators, or partner organizations, but only in a limited and responsible way.

We may also disclose information if required by law or necessary to protect safety, rights, or program integrity.

We do not sell personal information, and we do not share student information for targeted advertising.

6. Third-Party Services

Our website or program may use third-party services for applications, forms, email, scheduling, video meetings, analytics, or website hosting. These services may collect or process information according to their own privacy policies.

Examples may include website platforms, form tools, email providers, video conferencing platforms, or analytics tools.

We aim to use third-party services responsibly and limit the information shared with them to what is necessary.

7. Photos, Recordings, and Student Work

Open Discovery will not publicly post identifiable student photos, videos, recordings, names, or student work without appropriate permission.

If we host presentations, symposiums, or program showcases, we may ask students and, when applicable, parents or guardians for consent before sharing identifiable student materials publicly.

8. Data Retention

We keep personal information only as long as reasonably necessary for application review, program administration, communication, recordkeeping, safety, and legal compliance.

Application materials may be retained for a reasonable period to help us administer current and future programs, unless a deletion request is made and we are able to honor it.

9. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure.

However, no website, online form, email system, or digital platform can guarantee complete security. Please avoid submitting unnecessary sensitive information.

10. Your Choices

Depending on your relationship with Open Discovery, you may request to access the personal information we have about you, correct inaccurate information, delete your information where possible, opt out of non-essential communications, withdraw from a program, or request that certain information no longer be used.

To make a request, contact us at: info@open-discovery.com

11. International Visitors

Open Discovery is based in the United States. If you access our website or submit information from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the United States.

If you are located outside the United States and have questions about your data, please contact us.

12. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites, articles, resources, or partner pages. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third-party websites.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make significant changes, we will update the effective date at the top of this page.

Continued use of our website or participation in our programs after changes are posted means you accept the updated policy.

14. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or privacy-related requests, please contact:

Open Discovery
Email: info@open-discovery.com
Website: open-discovery.com