Teacher's Checklist

There are many steps to a successful science fair. Here are a number of tasks to remember as you plan and execute your own science fair.

• Coordinate the date for the science fair with your principal and/or school activity director. (You might want to avoid the week before exams.)
• Reserve a location for the fair, such as a gym, library, cafeteria, or public facility. Discuss the fair with the location's director to avoid any last-minute complications.
• Establish committees to help different elements of the fair. (See Committee Roles and Responsibilities.)
• If needed, make sure that you have a current rulebook from the International Science and Engineering Fair. You can order this publication through Science Service Inc. at 1719 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036; or request a copy by phone (202-785-2255) or fax (202-785-1243).
• Provide the judging criteria to other teachers involved. (See Evaluation Criteria and Sample Judge's Worksheet.)
• Design a student registration card, which should include student's name, teacher's name, category (botany, zoology, etc.), division (elementary, junior/middle, senior), and project title. Set up a database to record all the registered students.
• Design a rotation schedule for student tours of the science fair. Schedule student, parent, and teacher monitors to be on duty while the student body is viewing projects.
• Students should be involved with the setup and removal of projects, but request custodial assistance as needed.
• Enlist the art teacher, club, or art classes to make posters and banners to advertise the science fair.

• Practice the interview process as you prepare students for competition. Help them anticipate certain questions from the judges and encourage them to wear appropriate attire.
• Review class projects before entering them into the school's fair. Make sure that registration and other paperwork is completed for each entry.
• Have each student complete a Science Fair Project Application.
• Initial and number code each project.

• Secure more than an adequate number of judges. (You might wish to set up a database of their names and contact information.)
• Meet with the judges to cover the schedule, evaluation criteria, and the judge's worksheet.
• Call each judge before the science fair to confirm date and time. Send abstracts for the projects he or she will be judging.
• Have clipboards, name tags, and pencils available for the judges the day of the fair.
• If possible, provide a room and refreshments for the judges.

• Collect registration cards from the students as they bring their projects in for setup. A member of the registration committee should collect these cards for your database. (Projects should not be accepted unless they have been reviewed by a teacher and are properly labeled and numbered.)
• Have an assistant help you tabulate the scores.

• Send thank-you notes to those involved, from judges and committee members to the parent and teacher monitors.
• Evaluate your school's fair with the committees and/or science department. Target areas that could be improved in next year's science fair.
• Plan a special school announcement of the winners. Plan some type of special recognition for the winners that will encourage them to advance to the next level of competition.
• Have a meeting with the winning students and their teachers. Complete the official registration for the next level and return it before the deadline.

Content used by permission from Showboard, Inc.

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