Secrets of a Successful Science and Technology Fair
All the points mentioned are acknowledged as important
. The points discussed within this article are acknowledged by officials, sponsors, supporters, participants and parents as important and essential features for running a successful science and technology fair.
Important Features of a Successful Science and Technology Fair
The points expressed are from the
Canterbury Westland Science and Technology Fair held annually in Christchurch, New Zealand. The points mentioned are as follows:
The Concept of a Science Fair: All judges agree that scientific method is the crucial factor in determining prize winners. This may be pattern seeking or a fair test.
Organization: Delegated tasks and a collaborative leadership style facilitates an effective team. The committee needs time to relax on the day as well as being involved and valued. Food and refreshments are always a good idea.
The Venue: The location and venue should convey a perception of splendour and importance. Participants need to feel they are acknowledged and valued. A central location which has an excellent reputation for professionalism is worth the investment.
The VIPs: These people should include government and local body politicians, tertiary representatives and industry representatives. This is by no means a comprehensive or exhaustive list. Consideration of other VIP's needs to be a local area discussion.
The Prizes and Sponsorship: Prizes need to have influence and value and be well worth the effort for a student to prepare an exhibit. Any support from external organizations needs to be gratefully acknowledged. Any tertiary scholarships should be considered premier prizes.
Contributing Schools: Efficient and effective communication, student acknowledgment and prompt support helps to maintain ongoing entries from the contributing schools. With good support schools will want to support the fair with entries in subsequent years.
Participation: All entries need to be be acknowledged with a participation certificate.
Website and Resources: The site needs to be comprehensive and complete with language directed at the targeted audience. Good functionality and suitable hyperlinks to other websites and a supporting resource is suggested. A suitable resource could be a booklet written for teachers and students. For example a booklet written for science and technology fairs is titled
Science Fairs Made Simple. The Awards Ceremony: A jacket and tie evening conducted with presentations and supported by a Powerpoint of the prize winners. Sponsors should be given the opportunity to speak. Include an "after match" function with a supper and refreshments for VIPs, the science fair committee and major prize winners.
Voluntary Aspect: The donation of voluntary time by all involved must be acknowledged. Keep all planning meetings succinct and don't waste time with pontification. If possible go out to dinner on the committee to acknowledge all the personal efforts of everyone for a fabulous event.
The Committee: A functional committee with a variety of skills and expertise determines where the roles should be allocated. Assign jobs to committee members within their areas of expertise and also their willingness to complete the task.
Perception and Status: It needs to be perceived as worthwhile and prestigious because of the great prizes and excellent educational value. The parental and caregiver perception should never be understated as support from these individuals is critical.
Educational Value: If possible, link the senior high school exhibits to school qualifications. This creates real interest for the students and their parents or caregivers. This may promote more seniors entering the competition.
Interest: Students, parents and all involved need to enjoy the experience. They need to have fun! Help these people out with their requests and questions promptly and courteously.
Historical Records: Keep a complete record of photos and prize winners. A future request for a photo, for example, is always a possibility.
The True Success of a Science and Technology Fair
The true acknowledgment of success comes from the students' experience. We acknowledge success when a science an technology fair inspires students to such an extent that they say, "That's the career for me!" We then know the event was a huge success. This is not a direct quote but an actual statement expressed by a VIP who was the parent of a science and technology participant. The student took up a career in science and technology.
Further reading
Osborne, R., & Freyberg, P. Learning in Science. The implications of children's science. Auckland, New Zealand: Heinemann, 1985.
Published with
www.suite101.comSept 2010
Secrets of a Successful Science and Technology Fair
By: Muzza
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