How to Get Ready for a School Science Fair - A Parent's Guide

A science fair is a nerve wrenching event that takes place once a year at most elementary and high schools. The purpose of this event is to encourage students to become more active in the sciences and to become more independent in their exploration of this subject. As a parent your role is to encourage your student and to make sure they have what they need to complete their projects. However, there are limits in place for how much help you can offer.

What You Cannot Do

If this is the first year your child is participating in a science fair then it is a good idea to learn what you cannot do to help your child. Generally you are not allowed to complete your child's project for them. In fact, you are not allowed to help them materially work on their project. This means you cannot write their report, help them execute an experiment or provide them with a topic.

What You Can Do

While you cannot help your student to complete the project you can assist them with a few things. For example, you can show them how to use a piece of equipment, you can supervise experiments for safety and you can buy them supplies for their project. You can also help them to develop a timeline for their project and you can help them to stay on track. These managerial tasks are perfect for involved parents. Just keep in mind that the actual steps taken to complete the project need to be done exclusively by your child.

Tips for Science Fair Participation

1. Read the instructions for participating in the science fair. This will tell you everything that you need to know from what dimensional limits the display board can have to limits on how much money can be spent on the project. These instructions will also provide you with a schedule for when entries need to be submitted, when projects need to be delivered to the school and when they need to be removed from the school.

2. Have your child create a list of things that they need to bring with them to make their demonstration work and what they need for the science fair. For example, they may need an extension cord, specific compounds, their display board and several copies of their written report.

3. Encourage your child to practice their presentation in front of the family. You can then ask them questions about their project to prepare them for judging.

4. Practice moving the display board and other demonstration materials before the science fair. If your child has a complicated set-up you all need to practice breaking down the project, transporting it and setting it back up.

5. Create a schedule for the day of the science fair so you know when you need to do what.

6. Enjoy the school science fair. Walk around and see what the other students have done. Then watch your child shine as they talk about the project that they worked so hard on.

Reference

Role of Parents in Science Fair s or Competitions