Science fairs give students the opportunity to study a topic that interests them. Projects can be as varied as students' interests, such as nature, sports, music, art, rocketry, psychology, and computers. Science projects allow students to:

• Use the scientific method to develop an understanding of controls and variables;
• Take an open and creative approach to problem solving;
• Sharpen their writing skills;
• Gain skills in researching;
• Learn that a successful outcome is based not on personal opinion, but on scientific fact;
• Develop time-management skills;
• Develop public-speaking skills as they present projects to classmates and judges;
• Compete in a science fair where students are recognized for academic achievement. The judging process also provides students with the invaluable experience of developing poise and thinking on their feet.

PTA Science Fair Parent Representatives

Denise Hughs, BF

Heidi Jenkins and Lisa O'Brien, WHS

Toni Karris, GWMS

Rhonda Dible, MD

Cindy Katsikas, MH

Deborah Meyer and Bob Tuhey, PV

Cindy Covelli, and Jen Elias, PL

1. Classroom Time: Students will not be given regular classroom time to work on their projects or write their reports. All project work must be done at home under parental supervision. Each school liaison teacher is available for assistance.

2. Partner Projects: No more than two students may work together as a team to complete a single project. However, if partners are in different grades, they will be judged at the higher grade level. Each student in a team must fill out a registration form.

3. Family Projects: Any number of siblings in a household may work together on a project. Each child is expected to have some knowledge of all aspects of the project and should be able to explain and describe what has happened. Family projects will be judged at the highest grade level.

4. Animal Experiments: If projects being conducted on animals have any potential for adverse physical effects, only lower orders of life may be used. Lower orders include bacteria, fungi, protozoa and insects.

Vertebrate animals are not to be used in experiments for projects for Science Fairs with the following exceptions:
a.) Observations of normal living patterns of wild animals, in the free-living state, or in zoological parks, gardens or aquaria.
b.) Observations of normal living patterns of pets, fish and domestic animials.

No living vertebrate animal shall be displayed in exhibits at the Science Fair.

If chicken or other eggs are to be used, only projects which involve the obsrevations of embryos may be entered into the science fair. If normal egg embryos are to be hatched, satisfactory humane considerations must be made for disposal of chicks. If such arrangements cannot be made then the chicken embryos must be destroyed on the 19th day of incubation. No eggs capable of hatching may be exhibited.

Normal physiologic and behavioral studies may be carried out on humans. Projects must be carefully selected so that neither physiologic nor psychological harm can result from the study.

Source: Animal Welfare Institute, PO Box 3650, Washington, D.C. 20007

5. Bodily Fluids: Projects involving bodily fluids are prohibited.

6. Electricity will not be available.

7. No flames or dangerous materials are allowed.

8. No latex balloons will be allowed on any display.

Participation in the Science Fair consists of four main parts:

Part 1: The project (experiment or non-experiment) - p.5

Part 2: The written summary for Kindergarten - 5th Grade - p.6

Part 2: The written summary for 6th - 8th Grade - p.13

Part 3: The visual display (also know as "The Project Board") - p.14

Part 4: The presentation on Science Fair Day (judging) - p.15

Each part can be viewed in the Science Fair Booklet.  To access the Booklet, open the attachment below. Beware - this document is over 30 pages in length.  Be sure to set your printer screen to the page numbers desired prior to printing. 

Below are downloadable documents for:
Experimental Registration Form
Non-Experimental Registration Form
Science Fair Lab Report
Science Fair Web Sites

It's Science Fair Time - Now What?

Project check-in and set up:  Friday, March 12, 2010

Where:  Glenn Westlake Middle School

When:  5:00 - 7:00 p.m.  (No check-in will be allowed after 7:00 p.m.)

What: 

§ Enter the large gym and check in at your grade level table.

§ At that time you will be asked to select a judging time from the available time slots.

§ You will receive a sticker that will tell you your table and project number. 

§ You will also receive a ticket for a t-shirt which you should pick up on you way out of the gym.   

§ Proceed to the project area, locate your table number and set up your display.

Science Fair Day:  Saturday, March 13, 2010

Judging:  9:00 a.m. - noon  

What to do:  

§ Plan to arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your judging time. 

§ Check-in is located in the Science Fair Activity Room which can be found in the small gym.

§ When your time slot is called to line up, follow the instructions of the volunteer.  You will be taken out to the project area.  Your judges will meet you at your project. Parents should wait in the small gym for their child to return.  Families are asked to go home after judging and return for project viewing.

Project Viewing:  2:30 - 3:30 p.m 

Participants and families are encouraged to stay and circulate!  

§ Ribbons for all students will be attached to projects prior to viewing. 

§ This is the time to view the other science fair projects.   

§ The decision of the judges is final.

Please note:   All exhibits must be removed by the conclusion of the project viewing session.   Exhibits not removed will be discarded.