Science fairs are fun ways to get students involved with each other and truly express their creativity and expand their academic horizons. Science fairs give students hands on learning experience with results they can see, and the idea of competition drives them to do the best that they can. They can be very rewarding experiences for students, teachers, and even volunteers who help to moderate and help out with different facets of the science fair.
Step 1 – Committees
Organizing a science fair can be hectic and stressful, which is why it is good to set up committees to oversee different aspects. It is good to delegate specific jobs to each committee to ensure that you have the best possible outcome.
This committee should be responsible for finding qualified or even celebrity judges for the science fair.
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Refreshments
Just like any event, you should have some light refreshments at the science fair, and this committee will be responsible for organizing food or snacks and drinks. They will also be responsible for organizing meals for the judges and committee members on the day of the event.
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Setup and Cleanup
This committee will be responsible for renting any needed equipment or furniture and decorating the gymnasium or area where the science fair will be held, in addition to organizing a cleanup crew for after the event and returning any borrowed or rented furniture used for the science fair.
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Awards
One of the most important committees to organize will be the awards committee, which will be responsible for selecting awards which can range from ribbons to certificates to trophies or acrylic awards.
Step 2 – 3 day timeline
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Day 1 – Preparation
After setting up the different committees to handle the different aspects of the fair, you will need to come to day one of the fair. On day one, you should have your setup crew come in and get the area ready with display tables and chairs as well as signs and decorations. The students can come in on this first day in the afternoon and set up their different projects in their assigned spaces.
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Day 2 – The Fair
After everything has been set up on day one, the room should be sealed to prevent anyone from tampering with the projects. The following morning, the students should come in to showcase their presentations while the judges make their rounds and begin the evaluation process. In the afternoon, the judges will have a verdict and announce the results after which the awards committee should hand out the awards to their respective recipients. Later that afternoon is when the fair can be opened to the public and the students should make their presentations.
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Day 3 – Break down
This is the last day of the cycle, when the cleanup takes place. The students should come in and retrieve their projects and clean up their areas as best as they can and then the cleanup committee will assume its role to do the remainder of the cleaning and returning anything that was rented or borrowed.
Written by David Cormier, a business professional and expert at EDCO.com