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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.
Want to know more about us?
What you can do to help:
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Support your local school's science
fair efforts and attend its exhibition.
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Become a Sacramento Regional Science and Engineering Fair fair judge, volunteer,
or student advisor and mentor.
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Contribute goods and services to run
the fair or refreshments or lunches for entrants and judges.
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Send a donation to the non-profit Fair
Foundation.
Remember, the "science fair" does not
just happen. It needs everyone's (especially your) help.
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