WHO:

Who will participate?

As a teacher, team, grade, department or school, decide which students will be doing science or inventors projects this year. Will projects be required? If so, for who? The entire school? An entire grade level? One or two classes? Only the chemistry students? Only the honors students?

Who will you recruit as judges?

Recruit the help of your PTO. Start by asking for volunteers within your school community. Local science organizations, clubs and universities are also helpful. Members of the Scientists Society of Southwest Florida are available to serve as judges as well.

Who will serve on your Scientific Review Committee?

A Scientific Review Committee (SRC) consists of a science teacher, a school administrator and a biomedical scientist (medical doctor, psychologist, veterinarian, microbiologist, etc.) depending on the nature of the student’s project. These individuals are important for approving research plans at the school level.

WHAT:

What are your goals for your student’s science projects and for your school fair?

It is important to outline your goals and secure the support of your school administration. Science projects easily align with Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) for Science and provide real-world applications.

WHEN:

When will your school fair(s) be held?

Pick a date and time, and outline a timeline for students to complete their projects. Most science projects will take a MINIMUM of six weeks to complete.

Alert your parents and kids early. Don’t assign the project right before Christmas break and expect them to have it completed when they return back to school.

Coordinate the dates of your school fair to allow students the opportunity to advance to Regional, State, and International Fairs.

Consider if you will have judges interview students at the fair. This will help you determine the length of your fair and the number of judges you will need. Most interviews will take at least 10 minutes.

WHERE:

Where will your fair be held?

Review Display & Safety Guidelines for Regional Science Fair and Regional Inventors Fair. Maximum size dimensions for projects advancing onto the Intel ISEF are 48 inches wide, 30 inches deep and 108 inches tall. Determine how much space you will need by the number of students and project display boards. Many schools host their fairs in their media centers, auditoriums or lunch rooms.

HOW:

How will you make this happen?

START EARLY! Organize a core group of individuals to help you! Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Refer to our website often or contact Edison Fairs staff with questions.

Guide students through Science and Engineering Practices (Source: National Science Teachers Association) by modeling and teaching each practice through examples in class. Become familiar with experimental approaches to STEM concepts and help your students understand them as well.

Make sure your students complete a research plan (Science Fair) or inventors log (Inventors Fair) and fill out the appropriate paperwork with approval signatures BEFORE they start experimenting.