Science Fair How-to’s

Science Fair How-to’sScience Fair How-to’s

A Brief Overview A Brief Overview fromfrom

Christine Davis & Christine Davis & Laura HollinsLaura Hollins

How to get StartedHow to get Started

• Obtain approval from your principal!!• Contact the Austin Energy Science Festival

by email or phone to have an information packet sent to you. They will also register you as your school’s contact.

• Most importantly, start to assemble your “support staff”.

You’ve got Science Fair packet, You’ve got Science Fair packet, now what?now what?

• Thoroughly review the requirements and “limitations” for the Austin Science Festival

• Present an overview of the Austin Science Festival for your school Science Fair at a staff meeting

• Ask for suggestions, recommendations, anecdotal experiences etc from your staff

Rollout of School Science FairRollout of School Science Fair

• How to get the word out? Classroom teachers can be responsible for spreading the word, you can introduce it during announcements, or you can have your Science teachers do the intro.

What does your support team look What does your support team look like?like?

PTA/Parents Administration

Fellow teachers Students

How to get started in the How to get started in the ClassroomClassroom

• Introduce research techniques to your class to prep students

• Talk about what makes good board layout

• Review the Science Fair requirements

• Stress that plagiarism and/or running off information from the internet to use as your project if forbidden!

Classroom continuedClassroom continued

• Students need to get project approval from their Science teacher prior to starting. They should be able to explain to their teacher what they are testing , plans for implementation, and how they will present the project on their tri-fold.

• TRI-FOLDS- decide if you will provide the boards for some/all students, or if you will charge for them.

Parent InvolvementParent Involvement

• Hold 2-3 Science Fair information nights before the Holidays so parents understand what’s required. Students can work on projects at home during vacation if possible.

• Stress to parents that this is a student project and their involvement should be limited!