Info on Conducting a Local Science Fair

Thank you for expressing an interest in conducting a local science fair. First, here are a few general comments. The title "advisor" is being used to include educators, mentors and adults, who are advising the student on his/her science fair project. If students are to participate in the SC/SW MN Science & Engineering Regional Fair, first, schools must sign up, then student projects/papers, etc. need to be registered. Homeschool Associations should register on their own, but list the school district for their school name, ie: ISD #77 - Mankato. All other schools should submit their complete formal name; ie Franklin Elementary School. Forms are available in hard/paper copy, downloadable PDF-format, or student registrations may be conveniently completed online. All schools – public, private, parochial or home – are eligible to participate! Online registrations are highly encouraged!

Purpose:

The purpose of science fairs is to develop or reinforce the student's interest in science. The student's effort while working on the project, the conferences with parents and teachers, and the discussions with other students doing projects and with the judges – all of these reinforce the student's interest and are valuable learning experiences.

Organization:

The organization throughout our region varies. Some schools have local fairs; the winners then go directly to our regional fair. In some school districts, local fairs are held in individual schools, the winners then exhibit in a district fair, and the district winners are then sent to our regional fair. In smaller schools that have no local or district fair, the advisor may send one to a few students who are working on a science project directly to the regional fair. In all cases, note that registration takes place through an advisor. Homeschools may also send students directly to the regional fair.

The regional science & engineering fair is the top level for the elementary students, grades 3–6, competing at the Elementary School Division other than the selected top 10% of students in 6th-8th who are nominated at the regional fair to compete at the Broadcom MASTERS competition. Students in grades 6–12 are eligible to continue to the Minnesota Academy of Science State Science Fair. (Schools or individual families are to determine which regional fair to send their Sixth Graders to.) The Society for Science & the Public's middle school program called, Broadcom MASTERS. Broadcom MASTER competition invites the top 10% of the 6th-8th graders from the regional fairs to advance on. Only individuals are eligible. The DCYSC still exists, but has changed slightly. 3M now sponsors The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge where individual students may apply with this organization to compete. Finally, students in grades 9–12 are eligible to compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF). Students in sixth through eighth grade and whose project falls under categories of Engineering, Environmental or Energy are encouraged to compete for a spot under the 3E competition of I-SWEEEP. Deadline for the middle school 3E project olympiad is February 2013 (for exact deadline, refer to ISWEEEP website). The senior division of I-SWEEEP is open to 9th-12th grade students. Three senior high projects will be awarded the Outstanding Student I-SWEEEP Award from our regional fair. Travel costs are the responsibility of the student or student family. Students must be accompanied by an adult. Three additional senior high projects will also win recognition at our regional fair to win a chance to compete in Houston, Texas. It is the responsibility for accepted student projects to apply for scholarship for travel with Cosmos, the entity putting on the I-SWEEEP Competition. Team members may not exceed two. In the past, the top three Outstanding Award winners were awarded a scholarship of $250 towards travel. These funds may or may not be available in 2013. It is best for all students to apply for a travel scholarship through I-SWEEEP. Ultimately, costs are the responsibility of the individual, unless the student's school is willing to cover costs. TALK to your school!

Judging:

Many elementary fairs successfully utilize senior high school science students as judges. Good sources for judges at all levels, elementary, middle school, and senior high school, are medical doctors, dentists, scientists employed by local industries, educators from neighboring schools, or any adults with science background or interest. Try not to have the student's parents or teachers doing the judging, as this places both in an uncomfortable position when the winners are announced. Obviously, educators, advisors and parents can be involved in other ways in the fair.

Awards:

Awards stimulate interest. Both ribbons and certificates can be purchased locally through JRM Promotions, or through non-local businesses such as Showboard, E.G. Staats, Inc. or Dinn Brothers. Special awards may be financed through the PTA, service organizations, and/or local businesses and industries. Incidentally, some advisors and/or schools hesitate to involve community businesses and industries with respect to judges or finances. From our experience, they are eager to help as long as they are not "hit too hard" and receive some recognition.

Should science projects be required? Responses to this question vary from school to school and educator to educator. If science fairs are a learning experience, which we believe they are, then all students should profit from the experience. Remember, the goal is to have the students "experience science," not to turn out a doctoral dissertation. The quip "try it, you'll like it" may be appropriate here. A requirement may be the necessary stimulus for the students to try a science project. Incidentally, we have heard the comment from students, even a few international winners, that they probably would not have gotten involved in a science project and the fun associated with competition if they had not originally been required to do a project.

At the elementary and middle school levels, a science project not only reinforces classroom learning, but introduces them to the scientific process, therefore, depending on the school, a requirement might make sense. At the senior high school level, requiring a project may or may not be practical or necessary. For example, those students with a science interest may already be involved in science projects through a science club. By the time the students reach this level, they are working more independently and the teachers tend to work with fewer students on a more selective basis. Still, in some senior high schools, science fair projects are required; in these schools the fair generates much enthusiasm and community involvement.

Incidentally, experience indicates that if you are starting a science fair in your school for the first time, a class requirement works best. Later, after students see the interest generated by the fair and notice that other students, like themselves, do well in the fair, the requirement can be lifted.

Time involved:

The time necessary to develop a good project varies from project to project and from one grade level to the next. At the Elementary School Division, a time period of two or three months is usually adequate, although some students may work on their projects longer. At the Middle School and Senior High School Division, the projects tend to be more involved and require longer periods of time. Some students work for a year; some work longer than a year if the project is a continuation. Others, who select a topic that can be completed in a shorter period of time, may complete an excellent investigation in a couple of months.

Once again, thank you for expressing an interest in the science fair program. If we can be of further assistance, do not hesitate to call the South Central/Southwest Minnesota Regional Science & Engineering Fair Office at (507) 389–2849 (voice–mail is available to leave messages) or the Fair Director. We hope to see you and some of your students at our regional science fair!