Information for Parents
A science fair project can be more than just an assignment for your student. It’s an opportunity to collaborate and participate in fun learning with your child. The main purpose of a science fair project is to help your child use and strengthen the basic skills he or she has learned and to develop higher-level skills. Your participation can also give encouragement, support, and guidance. (Be positive!)
Support
- Make sure your child feels it is his or her project and make sure the project is primarily the work of the child.- Your child will need help in understanding, acquiring, and using the major science process skills (researching, organizing, measuring, calculating, reporting, demonstrating, experimenting, collecting, constructing, presenting).
- Help the child develop the necessary technical skills and/or help the child do the technical work such as building the exhibit and doing the photography.
- Be sure that the child states in the paper and/or exhibit the help he or she has received from you or others. This will help judges to make a fairer evaluation of the project.
- Buy or help find the necessary materials to complete the project.
- Have your child present their science project to you before they take it to school.
- Help transport child and the science fair project to and from the school/district/regional science fairs.
SCHEDULE, PLANNING & RECORD
- Help your child plan a mutually agreed upon schedule, to prevent a last minute project and a disrupted household. A 4 to 8 week plan that uses a check-off sheet is best.
- Help the child keep a record (notebook) of all they do and a list of references used.
- Find an area in the house where the child can work on the project and not have to worry about pets or other family members such as siblings.
sAFETY
- Help your child design a safe project that is not hazardous in any way.
- Provide transportation to such places as libraries, nature centers, universities, etc. that can help find project information.
THE LESSONS WITHIN
- Help your child understand that science or STEM is not just a subject, but a “way of looking at the world around us.”
- Look over the project to check for good grammar, neatness, spelling and accuracy. Make suggestions on how it can be corrected.
- A good project doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Many times a simple project that is well displayed and explained is the best.
- Help the child understand that a weekend chore, or one or two posters, is not a project.
- Explain to the child that they should consult with you or the teacher when problems arise. Set aside time for help sessions. Make them short and constructive.
- Help your child communicate with people who can help on the science project.