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�s 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:

�         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.

�         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.

�         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.

�         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.

�        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.

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