Parents,
Here's a list of things you can do to help your young scientist to get ready for the Science Fair:
1. Give encouragement, support and positive guidance.
2. Make sure your child feels it is his or her project.
3. Realize that 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.
4. Realize 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).
5. Help your child plan a schedule. A four- to eight-week plan that uses a check-off sheet is best. A checklist for developing a Science Fair project is included in this website here.
6. Help your child design a safe project that is not hazardous in any way.
7. Provide transportation to such places as libraries, nature centers, universities, etc. that can help the child find project information.
8. Encourage your child to contact a volunteer science project advisor if he/she needs help.
9. Look over the project to check for good grammar, neatness, spelling and accuracy.
10. Help find or buy the necessary materials to complete the project.
11. Help the child to keep a record (log book) of all he or she does and a list of references used..
12. Find an area in the house where the child can work on the project and not have to worry about pets or brothers or sisters.
13. Explain to the child that he or she should consult with you or the science advisors when problems arise. Set aside time for help sessions. Make them short and constructive. Be an interested and enthusiastic listener.
14. Have your child practice talking about his or her science project to you before he or she takes it to school.
15. Help transport child and the science fair project to and from the school.
16. Feel a sense of pride and satisfaction when the project and the Science Fair are finished. Share this with your child; you have both earned it.
17. Consider other science contests or competitions locally and on the web to help your child's accomplishment get recognized (DaVinci Fest, State Fair, etc.).