If you have talented students who are interested in science,
here are some ways to encourage them to participate in a science
fair.
In the Classroom
- Introduce science fair at the beginning of each semester
and even at the end of the school year to get students interested
in working on projects over the summer.
- Determine a plan for working within a school's semester or
block scheduling of science classes so that everyone can be
encouraged to participate.
- Stress hands-on labs with data collection in your science
classes. This reinforces concepts and helps students learn
the scientific method in a concrete fashion.
- Urge research experiments, rather than models or collections.
To continue on to an Intel® ISEF-affiliated
fair, only research experiments are allowed.
- Require students to write up their lab experiments using
the scientific method. Make sure they have all the parts of
an experimental summary: question, hypothesis, materials, procedures,
results in chart or graph form, analysis, and conclusion.
Outside of the Classroom
- Encourage students to pursue their individual interests within
the scientific topic being learned and to go beyond their classroom
learning.
- Start a science club to help students that are not currently
enrolled in a science class and to provide extra-curricular
opportunities in science exploration and discovery.
- Be familiar with the Intel ISEF Rules and Regulations so
that you may advise your students. Hold a seminar to explain
them, or if appropriate, draft a science fair handbook with
reference to these rules for your students. (Many districts
have a science fair handbook; check this out before you start
writing your own.) Include:
- Deadlines for entry.
- Individual or team entries allowed.
- Method for reviewing rules and getting appropriate
approvals.
- Display & Safety
Guidelines: Size of board and what can and cannot
be on the board.
Work with the community to connect students to mentors - at
the local university, hospital, or veterinary practice.
