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Purpose
The science fair grants children opportunities to study the evidences of God's wisdom, power, and majesty in the field of science.
The science fair empowers children with the freedom and flexibility to develop a science project directed toward their individual interests.
The science fair provides a vehicle for children to develop and use their God-given abilities of critical thinking and investigative skills.
Responsibility
The Science and Fines Arts Fair, Judges, Host School(s), and Individual Schools and Teachers are not responsible for loss or damage of science exhibits. Exhibits are entered at the exhibitor's own risk.
Eligibility
Fifth through eighth grade students enrolled in a WELS school which is currently participating in the Science and Fine Arts Fair are eligible to exhibit science projects.
Projects may be completed by individuals or groups of up to three students. If students from one group are in different grades, the project is entered at the highest grade level.
Materials
Exhibitors provide any equipment needed for their project, including, but not limited to: batteries, lamps, easel, tape recorder, containers, display materials.
All electrical apparatus must be of UL approved variety. Exhibitors needing house current must provide their own heavy duty extension cord with parallel plug.
Exhibits must be durable. Movable parts must be firmly attached. Push buttons and levers must be securely mounted and may not be attached to tables or walls.
Host school should provide additional identification and judging forms.
Scheduling
Projects are due at Luther High between 4 and 5:30 PM the Friday of the fair.
Judging begins promptly at 6 p.m. the Friday of the fair. Projects brought at any other time will not be accepted. Public viewing is not permitted at the time of set-up. When setting up, students and parents are not to touch any other exhibit, and leave the building as soon as your exhibit is set up.
All projects are to remain on display until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday (the day of the fair). They may be picked up between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Evaluation
Judging uses a non-competitive, criteria-based method.
Ribbons are awarded to first, second, and third place projects, with participation ribbons given to all others.
Physical Requirements
The commons area or other large area(s) at Luther High for displays.
An adequate number of tables for displays.
Access to electricity and water (if indicated).
Personnel
Several people from the host school(s) to organize projects as they are brought.
An even number of judges (to allow judging in pairs).
Procedures
The host school's science chairperson is responsible for contacting people willing to judge projects. The chairperson should also see to it that prospective judges receive copies of Student Guidelines and Criteria so they have the same information that students have.
Several people from the host school(s) to locate and move an adequate number of tables to the display area prior to 4 p.m. on Friday, the day before the fair. Tables are grouped and labeled according to grade level.
Several people from the host school(s) direct arriving students and assist them in finding locations for their projects.
Judging of the exhibits is closed to exhibitors and the public.
Host school(s) personnel attach ribbons to the projects after judging is complete.
Judging & Award Procedures
Judges work in pairs as they openly discuss each individual project's qualities and its relationship to the criteria.
Points are totaled on the evaluation sheet by the judges to determine the award.
The judges may record constructive comments in the space provided to further explain the evaluation of each project.
Ribbons are awarded to first, second, and third place projects, with participation ribbons given to all others.
Judging Personnel
Judges must be familiar with scientific concepts.
Judges must be familiar with the capabilities of middle school science students.
Judges must understand the judging forms.
Possible Judges
Contact the science coordinator on the SFA steering committee for this list.
Student Forms
Submit one from each participating school
Science Project Identification Slip
Distribute one slip for each project
ID slip is to be attached to finished display
Distribute to students
Provides information for students to plan a project
Distribute to students before planning projects
Distribute to judges at least one week prior to judging
Monitoring Form (Optional)
For classroom use only, not to be turned in with project. They work well when due dates are assigned about one week apart. This helps keep students working on a project for a sustained duration of time rather than procrastinating.