Once you know you’re going to host a competitive science fair, you’ll need to secure a host location.

Things to Think About

Before searching for a science fair location, consider the following points:

• What is a central location with easy access from major roads for anyone traveling a long distance.  If you are extending the invitation to participate to a number of surrounding counties, it is helpful to have a location that is close to major roads.

•  You’ll need 3-5 (possibly more) rooms for project display, with plenty of table or counter space.  When determining space needed, consider the width of a science  fair project board, with 6 inches in between displays. Project boards also can be put back-to-back to double the number of displays on a table.

• A large room with ample seating is needed for the awards ceremony.

• What activities or rooms are available for demonstrations, tours or lounging while judges interview and discuss projects with students and final scores are calculated?

• Easy access to the display rooms from the parking lot.  Students will have project boards and some will have other display items.

• Proximity of the location to restaurants.  It is possible your fair is going to run into early afternoon.  To help keep the schedule running smoothly, quick access to restaurants is important.

Location! Location! Location!

•  Local university, college or community college.  If you are fortunate to be located near a university, college or community college, network with friends and family to determine if anyone you know is on the faculty (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.)

• Or, contact the department chairperson in one of the science departments.  The advantage to having access to a college facility is the wealth of resources.  (Undergraduate and graduate students can provide science demos during the judging time.  Or, a tour of the campus is a plus for both the college and the families.)

• A church facility with ample classrooms and a large meeting room. (You’ll need a large room with plenty of seating for the awards ceremony.)

• A local science museum.  If they have one large room available, you can have judges conduct their interviews with students right at the display board location in the room.  While judging is in process, families can browse the museum.  Also, you may be able to arrange for museum staff to conduct some mini-classes or demonstrations.

Next week we’ll discuss advertising, registration, determining the number of judges needed, project categories and age groups.

Until next week, check out  the Front Porch Scavenger Hunt.  The prize is muy bueno!

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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