Home — View my profile — Archives — Email Me — My Blog's RSS

Click here to check out the latest contests on the HSB Company Porch!!




The Experimental Zone ~ Organizing a Science Fair Part 1

2:25 AM, Oct. 4, 2006



Organizing a Science Fair:  Part I

 

It may be months away from science fair time, but time to organize a science fair  is quickly approaching.  If your area does not host a competitive homeschool science fair, it๏ฟฝs not too late to start investigating how to organize one.  Most state fairs are in early Spring, so you will need to host yours in early January. (There may be regional fairs winners move onto that will take place in late January early February.)

 

The next few weeks, we'll look at how to organize a competitive homeschool science fair; from getting affiliated with your state fair to recruiting judges.

 

 

How Do I Begin to Organize a Competitive Homeschool Science Fair?

 

Congratulations!  If you are even contemplating organizing a competitive homeschool science fair, you deserve a hearty pat on the back!

 

Planning a science fair is hard work, but the day of the fair, you will find it to be exciting and extremely rewarding.  As the participants and families arrive with their projects, you'll be amazed at the level of creativity. 

First, you'll need to determine if a competitive science fair exists in your area or state. 

 

This site is a comprehensive list of state and regional science fairs that are associated with the International Science and Engineering Fair:


 

If you don't see your state located on the ISEF listing, check this website.

 

 

If your state or area is not listed on this page, perform a keyword search on your favorite search engine. For example, "North Carolina Science Fair".  

 

You may need to contact a local school to obtain a contact for their science fair.  This person should be able to direct you to a contact person at the state level.

 

In addition (and before contacting anyone), become familiar with the International Science and Engineering Fair.  Many state fairs use ISEF guidelines for their own fairs.  These guidelines include rules covering project requirements, safety and other participation issues.    If you do move ahead with a competitive science fair, it is good practice to use some of their rules and forms as guidelines, especially if the fairs in which your winners will be moving onto are ISEF compliant. 

 

 Once you have the name of a contact person at the state or regional level (depending on how your state science fair program is organized), prepare your list of questions:

๏ฟฝ         Are there any competitive homeschool science fairs near you?  You may want to contact them to see if you can work together to have one fair.

 

๏ฟฝ         Can homeschoolers in your area sponsor a science fair and have the winners advance to the regional and state competitions?  Sometimes winners of homeschool competitions will advance to a regional private school fair, then onto a regional fair that includes public, private and homeschool students.  You will need to know what the process is to reach the state level.

 

๏ฟฝ         You might be directed to participate in your local public school science fairs rather than host a homeschool science fair.  Or, you may be given the go-ahead to form a competitive homeschool science fair in your area.

 

๏ฟฝ         If you are going to move forward with a homeschool science fair, ask the organizers of your state-wide fair if they follow ISEF procedures and what forms you will need to submit to organize your fair. 


-   Find out which counties in your area you will need to include

    as you extend invitations to participate in the fair.


๏ฟฝ        Ask what you need to do to register winners for the next level of competition.  Who are the contact people for any applicable regional or district fairs in your area?

 


Determine the Level of Interest

Next, you'll need to poll homeschoolers in your area to determine if there is any interest in a science fair.  If there is an e-group, post the question to the group.  Or, if there are co-op classes, work with the organizers to poll parents and teachers. We have had teachers from Classical Conversation groups in our area register their entire class for the homeschool science fair.

Contact church-sponsored homeschool groups and post a simple survey question in their print or e-newsletters.  If your library sponsors a homeschool activity, ask the staff person in charge if you can take a minute to conduct a brief poll or hand out a 1 to 2 question survey to the parents. 

 Be creative!  There are a number of ways to get your question in front of a group of homeschool families.

 

When we did our first competitive science fair, we estimated 15-20 participants based on initial response to a homeschool fair in our area.  So, don't be discouraged if your fair starts out small.  Perhaps you need to expand the counties you are including. 

If you really want to have one, move onto the next step!  We found that with each year, participation increased dramatically.

 

Next week, and in subsequent weeks, we'll talk about determining interest among homeschoolers in your area, finding a location, recruiting judges,  judging criteria and much more!

 

 

 

See you next week on The Front Porch!

 

Michelle

 

Michelle and her husband are in their ninth year of homeschooling their two children, ages 14 and 5.  Michelle has been involved in the organization of three competitive homeschool science fairs and four non-competitive fairs.  In addition, she is the Judging Coordinator for the North Carolina FIRST Lego Robotics Tournament.  She spent 15 years in the biotechnology industry before turning her heart toward home.  She is the author of "RIC: Robots in the Classroom" and other science kits available from Treasure Box Press.

 Related Tags: , , , , , , , ,



Comments
Curious about The Old Schoolhouseฎ Magazine but not quite ready to commit to a subscription without seeing it first? Check it out for FREE! We're so certain you'll love our publication that we'll gladly send a FREE sample to anyone new to The Old Schoolhouseฎ Magazine - we even cover the shipping!

... Click here for more information ...


{ Last Page } { Page 1639 of 2610 } { Next Page }


About This Blog

Welcome to the HSB announcement blogboard from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC. We hope you will enjoy the articles posted here by the Porch Team. Please feel free to leave comments!
~ Tia Linschied, Senior Editor of HSB

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Promotion



The Fall 2008 issue will be
available soon!
Click here to Subscribe !



To see the current cover up close, click here



Homeschool Gold

Product of the Month

• Purposeful Planning - E-Book ($9.95)

This time-tested method of planning will give your family new direction for the future. Start today! Choose the dates for your planning weekend, read her book which has the entire “how to” included, and go for it!

Sell Your Items Now!


Come Shop With Us

Living Heritage UK



Homeschool Resources

Cosidering Homeschooling

Our HSB Blogger Babies!

HSB Baby Calendar

Recent Entries

  • Featured Blogger ~ HomeschoolCrew
  • Special Words for Special Needs ~ Getting Started
  • Homeschooling Only One ~ Big Doings!
  • The Littlest Learners ~ An Introduction to Your Littlest Learners
  • Communication Corner~Free Communication & Friendship Audio: Limited Time Only!
  • Looking for a Few Good One-Room Schoolhouses
  • Homeschooling Through High School ~ The Arts!
  • Home Where They Belong ~ Biblical Basis for Homeschooling Christian Children ~ Pt. 1 ~ The Homeschool Verse
  • Looking for Contributors for a Special Needs E-Book!
  • Fall Special Gift of the Week - Progeny Press
  • Taming the Chaos ~ The Smallest Hands For the Job
  • Kitchen Moments ~ Food at the Fair: Cheesecake
  • Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Oct. 6, 2008
  • Note From Gena Suarez
  • How Would You Like to Review TOS's Latest E-Book?


    ** NOW OPEN! **

    FREE e-News!

    Our e-Newsletters give you wonderful, informative information about homeschooling, news bits, contests and PRIZES for homeschoolers, articles to encourage you, calls for writers, free unit studies and lesson plans, and just a lot of FUN. Bring the community to your inbox – and no worries, we never sell, trade or give your email or any other information out to anyone. Come join the homeschool party! The Homeschool Minute is our most popular newsletter, full of encouragement and support just for YOU! Subscribe to *FREE* newsletters offered by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.


    Visit the Porch Team Writers and Features


    Tia Linschied, Senior Editor

    Monday - Friday! Homeschool Tip of the Day by Christina

    Monday
  • Learning from the Master Teacher
  • Craft Corner
    by Dianna Maxwell
  • Going the Distance
    by Amanda Suryan
  • Homeschool Nations Highlight
    by Tia Linschied

    Tuesday
  • Unit Study Adventures
    by In The Hands of a Child
  • Taming the Chaos
    by Dell
  • Kitchen Moments
    by Jennifer Dewing

    Wednesday
  • Home Where They Belong
    by the HWTB Team
  • Languishing in Languages?
    by Suzanne Gose
  • Homeschooling Through High School
    by Lori Lane

    Thursday
  • Homeschooling is Life
    by Nancy Baetz
  • Communicatino Corner
    by JoJo Tabares
  • The Littlest Learners
    by Karin Katherine
  • Homeschool Hilarity!
    by Tia Linschied

    Friday
  • Homeschooling Only One
    by Donna Conner
  • Special Words for
    Special Needs

    by Heather
  • Notebooking on the Porch
    by Lisa Golda
  • Blogger of the Week
    by Tia Linschied

    News Alerts

  • HSB Tech Help
  • What's Bloggin'
  • HSB News
  • TOS News
  • Contests
  • General Interest
  • Updates from Germany


    Archived Features

  • Adoption Options
  • The Busy Woman
  • Classical Education
  • Education Through Imagination
  • The Experimental Zone
  • Geography Activities
  • Jamin's Internet Academy
  • Knitting



    Our New E-book ~
    On Sale NOW!


    Quick Links

  • The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
  • HSB Military Blog

    Growth of Blogs

    Sifry's Alerts - the blog of the owner of Technorati


    Homeschooling in the news
    provided by HomeSchoolBuzz.com



    Do you have the whole set of back issues from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine?

    Click here to view all back issues and read the themes - you will want to collect the ones you've missed!!


    In Memory

    Missey Gray
    Lorrie Gnos
    Peggy Barendregt
    Chrissy Murphy

    TOS Staff & Associates

    Mari Almon
    Nancy Baetz
    Lisa Barthuly
    Nancy Carter
    Donna Conner
    Michelle Eichhorn
    Julie Forsythe
    Christi Gifford
    Jamin
    Kate Kessler
    Tia Linschied
    Amy Osborn
    Kris Price
    Susan Spann
    Deb Turner
    Sarah White
    Kim Wolf
    Dena Wood
    Deborah Wuehler


    Homeschool Nation Roll Call

    ** denotes a state needing a Coordinator - all states are needing several contributors each!

    • Homeschool Nation blog
    • Military Blog
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho**
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi**
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska**
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont **
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
    • Washington DC **
    • Guam
    • Puerto Rico**

    • Alberta, Canada
    • British Columbia, Canada
    • Manitoba, Canada
    • New Brunswick, Canada
    • Newfoundland/Labrador, Canada
    • NW Territories, Canada**
    • Nova Scotia, Canada
    • Nunavut, Canada**
    • Ontario, Canada
    • Prince Edward Island, Canada**
    • Quebec, Canada
    • Saskatchewan, Canada
    • Yukon Territory, Canada**

    • UK
    • Australia
    • Spain
    ** need contributors for each of the following areas: North England, Scotland, South England, London


    Front Porch BlogRoll

    - ... and his ministers a flame of fire
    - 21st Century Reformation
    - As for me and my house,
    - Aspiring PolyMathis
    - Back of the Envelope
    - Be Bold, Be Gentle
    - Bear Witness
    - Beyond The Rim...
    - Bird of Paradise
    - Blog for Books
    - Blogcorner preacher
    - Blogotional
    - Brandywine Books
    - Broken Masterpieces
    - Burkean Canuck
    - Captain's Log - IntellectualPrivateer.or
    - Carol's Storybook
    - Cerulean Sanctum
    - ChoosingHome Blog
    - Christian Home School Teachers
    - Christian quoter
    - Classical Education 4 Me
    - Classical Education in Paradise
    - Comment Me No Comments
    - Confessions of a Homeschool Dad
    - Crazies from the Crazy lady
    - Daddypundit
    - DaisyChain Farmstead
    - Damascus Road
    - DANDELION SEEDS - Scattering inspiration
    - Danny Carlton
    - Dan's Journey
    - Day By Day
    - Defiant Lamb
    - Dignan's 75 Year Plan
    - DOUBLE TOOTHPICKS
    - Dr. John Mark Reynolds
    - ESPRESSO ROAST
    - Exiled Preacher
    - Faith at the Front - Blog
    - Fellow Random One
    - Freedom of...
    - Gerald Yuen: Home
    - Gratuitous Advice
    - Grizzly Mama
    - Hard Starboard
    - Hatless in Hattiesburg
    - Holy Fool
    - Home Maker ~ Proverbs 14.1
    - Home Where They Belong
    - Homeschool Mom Blog
    - Hux
    - Isn't It Rich
    - Jack Of Clubs
    - Janne's Jabberwocky
    - jeffmcfadden.com
    - JivinJehoshaphat
    - Journal of a Domestic Athlete
    - Journeying...By Grace Alone
    - Julie's Life in Living Color
    - Junto Boyz
    - Kramjam Reiterates
    - Ladies in Training
    - Lessons Learned On the Farm
    - Light Along the Journey
    - Linda's Thoughts
    - Logicus bLogicus
    - Magic Statistics
    - manasclerk's The Power Struggle
    - me autem minui
    - MediaCulpa Blog
    - Midnight Hour | Do you not know there co
    - Mike Perrigoue
    - Monopedilos - having but one shoe
    - Neumatikos
    - Northern 'burbs blog
    - Off the top
    - Ogre's Politics & Views
    - Old Path, New Song
    - Our Little Homeschool Farm
    - Patricia Ann's Pollywog Creek
    - Paultastic Musings
    - Pete The Elder
    - Power of Change...
    - Principled Discovery
    - PRMAMA: Marketing to Go!
    - prosthesis - technology and science
    - Pruitt Communications
    - PR Ideas
    - Pseudo-Polymath
    - Quiet Life
    - Random Yak
    - RazorsKiss.net
    - Redirect
    - Reed's Blogged Arteries
    - Reformed Politics
    - Revenge of Mr Dumpling
    - RightFaith
    - Rooftop Blog
    - RootleWeb
    - Scotland Diaries
    - secundum Christum
    - Shades of Pink
    - South of the Gnat Line
    - Sprittibee
    - sprucegoose
    - Spunky Homeschool
    - Spurgeon Collection: Sermons and Writing
    - Stones Cry Out
    - such small hands
    - Sudan Watch
    - Sunny Side Up Academy
    - Susan Wise Bauer's blog
    - Tami's Blog
    - Texas Raisins
    - The (In)Scrutable Observer
    - THE CALVINIST POLICE GAZETTE
    - The Common Room
    - the evangelical outpost
    - The Greatest Pursuits
    - The Grey Shadow
    - The Official HSB Community Blog
    - The Prattling Pastor's Wife
    - The Rogue Angel
    - The Young Evangelical
    - Then Jesus told his disciples
    - This Little Light Of Mine
    - Through a Glass Darkly
    - Through It All
    - Through the eyes of HappyApple
    - Tim Thompson . . . Reflections
    - To Tell You The Truth
    - Trying is Bravery
    - Under The Sun
    - US Navy Retired
    - Vibrant Woman Writer
    - View From The Pew
    - Walking Circumspectly
    - Wesley Blog
    - Wired Wisdom
    - Wittingshire
    - wooQ: Theological Christian thoughts and
    - Writing's of an exceptional being
    - Raising Three Knights and a Princess


    free geoip
    hidden hit counter web page hit counter

    Education and Training Blogs - Blog Catalog Blog Directory Link to Podcast (RSS feed) for this blog

     Subscribe in a reader



    The title of this blog, "Company Porch," is credited to Jay Ryan ... thanks, Jay!