INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

 

Download the Parent Guide:   "My Child is Doing a Science Fair Project"

 

First:
A science fair project is the ultimate answer to the often asked student question: "Why do I need to learn this stuff, anyway?"

It integrates, into one functional activity, virtually all of the skills and arts that are usually taught separately (sometimes not at all or without obvious "purpose") in many schools. When brought to completion, the project is an amalgamation of reading, writing, spelling, grammar, math, statistics, ethics, logic, critical thinking, computer science, graphic arts, scientific methodology, self-learning of one or more technical or specialty fields, and (if the project qualifies for formal competition) public speaking and defense in front of expert judges. Perhaps it is the only educational activity that allows the students to teach themselves, to take from the established information what they need to discover something exciting and new, and to identify and choose the tools that they need to conduct and conclude their project. When science fair projects are repeated, year after year through junior and senior high school, the science fair process yields mature, self-confident, skilled, and competitive young leaders who have career goals and the preparation, discipline, and drive to attain them.

Second:
A science fair project can be self-validating and exciting because it is not just practice, it involves real discovery of little known or even unknown information. It develops personal power of importance in students, where perhaps none or little existed before.

The project usually is based on questions or interests that the students already have, and allows them to develop the questions independently into formal, testable, solvable problems. When such studies are undertaken in earnest, the students often become driven by their projects. Learning the outcome and finding the answer can be an electrifyingly powerful moment of discovery. It proves to the student, and to others, that they were successful and that they did it on their own!

The result? An ordinary student is motivated to become an excellent student, and an excellent student to become a scholar. With all of the "self esteem" programs being sold to schools today, perhaps many educators have overlooked the sure-fire way to self-build student confidence, challenge potential, and instill the incredible feeling of independent achievement that the successful science fair project provides to the student.

Finally:
Science fair projects can pay off in prizes, awards and can open doors of academic opportunity. Well-done projects usually lead to competition and awards at our Sacramento regional fair. Senior division sweepstakes winners (the best of the best) go on to compete with other grand prize winners from throughout the world for substantial cash and scholarship prizes at the annual International Science & Engineering Fair.

Perhaps most importantly, however, graduating high school students with records of awards for original research or engineering at the regional fair have a distinct advantage over other college applicants in being considered and accepted by schools of their choice. This is because science fair honors rank high among the screening factors used by admissions officers at most top universities.

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What you can do to help:

  • Support your local school's science fair efforts and attend its exhibition.

  • Become a Sacramento Regional Science and Engineering Fair fair judge, volunteer, or student advisor and mentor.

  • Contribute goods and services to run the fair or refreshments or lunches for entrants and judges.

  • Send a donation to the non-profit Fair Foundation.
     

Remember, the "science fair" does not just happen. It needs everyone's (especially your) help.