COORDINATOR'S SUGGESTED SCHEDULE

A Suggested Time Line For Getting Your School Science Fair Rolling

September

• Set a date and location that is suitable to your school schedule.
• Determine what type of event you plan for parents; set the date and begin planning. Contact Instructional Support Team for assistance.

October: Staff Kick-Off

• Attend County Science Fair Coordinators Meeting for updated information. Provide support resources, handouts, and any local school science fair forms used in your building to the faculty.
• Decide how science fair tasks (such as data processing, refreshments, supplies for judges, coordinating parent event, etc.) will be delegated to your colleagues.
• Discuss science fair rules and protocols with the faculty.
• Review science fair categories and provide examples of each.
• Encourage group projects.
• Begin to advertise your parent event in the school newsletter or newspaper.

November-December

• Encourage teachers to begin discussing the science fair with their individual classes.
• Hold your parent event (any time from November through January).
• Review your list of judges; make changes as necessary. Think of trading your judging services with those of other science fair coordinators.
• Initiate contact possible judges by telephone or letter. Suggested minimum number of judges per category is three.

January

• Require students to turn in an outline or draft of their project plans.
• Collaborate with your school librarian for support with teaching the writing process for the research report.
• Decide the specific procedures for your school fair: will students be required to be present during judging, or is it optional? How will the projects be labeled? Will you require a standardized entry form?
• Order awards (ribbons, medals, etc.).
• Contact the judges for confirmation.
• Determine when your school fair will be open to the public. Make arrangements for advertising.

February

• Involve students in pair-share or class presentations to practice explaining their research.
• Contact the Science Office (791-7240) to request the number of county certificates you will need.
• Ensure that all teachers understand the process for entering school winners to the regional level (fifth grade teachers and above).
• Survey the number of students to get an estimate of the number of entries you will have in your fair. Determine the categories in which each project will be placed. Refer to the category descriptions in this handbook. If you are uncertain of project placement, please contact the Science Office.

March

• Send the judges written communication (with a reminder of date and time; map of the school highlighting the specific location of the fair; category they will be judging, and any special instructions).
• Arrange for hospitality. Consider using students as hosts/hostesses to provide assistance to the judges. Remind colleagues of their tasks.
• Make a list of necessary supplies (sharp pencils, clipboards, score sheets, name tags).

After the Fair

• Distribute PW – Manassas Regional Science Fair Handbooks to all school fair winners who are eligible to participate in the Regional Fair. Review rules and procedures with these students; be sure they are aware of their responsibilities in returning forms and applications.
• Send thank-you notes to the judges and volunteers.
• Publicize the results of your school fair.
• Publicize the names of winners at the regional fair who represent your school.
• Reflect on the success of your fair--make note of changes you want to make this year now!

Encourage everyone on your school faculty to participate in your school’s fair...not only will it run smoother, be more successful and enjoyable, but it will also create an atmosphere of excitement for science in your school community!