How To Organize a Science Fair

1.   Form a Committee ...In a 1-9 school we have a teacher from 1-3, 4-6 and 7-9 who each    coordinate their level.  Also needed is a  person who is responsible to oversee the group.

2.   Plan a date, location, time

3.   Divide up tasks among helpers. These jobs may be:

Communicate and Promote - A Science Fair is great for public relations in your school!  Be sure to invite the parents and general public by sending home newsletters and by putting ads in the newspapers. Also be sure to put posters up around your school! 

Registrations - Project titles with student names should be typed and numbered. Students wear their participation ribbon with their project number pinned to the bottom of the ribbon.

Judges - Invite enough judges so that they are not rushed the day of the Fair. Usually one judge per ten projects for a half day fair, would be a guide. (Remember to thank judges with a thank you note and a small token of appreciation.).  Before judging, the judges will receive a Judge's ribbon, a clipboard with a list of all projects in the Fair, score sheets, and pencils. Judges are then assigned the projects they are to judge.

Awards - All students who display projects are honored with participation ribbons. The judges pick our top projects, and these to go on to the next level, The Western School Board Fair. (We do not rank them ....1st, 2nd 3rd....this takes the pressure off the judges)  All winners receive medals which are engraved with their name, Athena Science Fair and the year. They also have their entry fees paid to the next level of competition.

Set Up of the Gym - Tables, Chairs, Extension Cords, Duct Tape, Numbers for the tables that match the numbers we have assigned the projects, and signs for grade levels are posted on the walls. Be sure to get on the good side of your custodian!

Awards Assembly - You should have a speaker to praise the students on their accomplishments. We always ask the grade 1-3 students who took part to stand and the whole school gives them a round of applause!  Winning projects from grades 4-9 are called up to receive their medallions and have pictures taken. 

 Summary Checklist of items your may need :
Ribbons and Medallions ( judges ribbons, participation ribbons, awards medals) 

Thank you notes, token gifts ( for example: gift certificates for judges)

Clipboards, Pencils, Project Lists, Score Sheets for Judges

Tables, Chairs, Extension Cords, Duct Tape, and Paper Towels for spills.

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