Resources for Science Fair Coordinators
2024-25 Non-PWCS Affiliation Agreement (Word)
To support the division's commitment to provide equitable opportunities to all learners and the goal to increase student participation in STEM competitive events, PWCS established a supplemental pay for science teachers to serve as their school's coordinator for science competitive events. Each secondary school in PWCS has a Science Competitive Events Coordinator position. Upon fulfillment of the job expectations for the position, the Science Fair coordinator will receive a stipend of $1,000 at the end of May.
The primary responsibilities of the science fair coordinator shall include supporting student research and the school’s participation in the regional science and engineering fair. Expectations of this job may be modified per principal’s discretion; however, the minimal required expectations include:
- Attain strong knowledge of “The Handbook for Science and Engineering Fair School Coordinators.”
- Attend annual training sessions with the regional science fair director.
- Attend annual training sessions on virtual platforms used by the regional fair.
- Collaborate with the ITC to maintain the school’s science and engineering fair webpage.
- Organize student, parents, and staff interest and orientation meetings.
- Produce and distribute the school fair handbook.
- Recruit the Internal Review Board (IRB) and the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) members.
- Provide student mentorship or delegate through a network of STEM experts.
- Recruit judges from STEM-related fields and volunteers for the event.
- Maintain a database of required research protocol forms.
- Prepare certificates of participation and awards for the students.
- Organize an in-person, virtual, or “hybrid” school fair.
- Submit lists of winners to the school’s administration and the regional fair director.
- Support students who qualified for the regional fair with their registration and submission of the required project components and supporting documents.
- Judge at the regional fair (virtually, in-person, or both).
- Collaborate with the school’s administration to prepare letters of appreciation and recertification/CEU points, if applicable, to volunteers and judges.
- Ensure the school’s affiliation with other competitive events (e.g., VJAS), if required.
- Support students’ participation in other science competitive events (e.g., Olympiads, Envirothon, Science Bowl, HOSA Bowl, Battle of the Brains, etc.).
Secondary teachers interested in the Science Competitive Events Coordinator position should contact their principal.