1. Middle School Science Fair
Marisa Gonzales Silverstein
Melissa Shandroff

2. Hillside Science Fair
Initiated in 2011 by an 8th grade Girl Scout, Julia Morriss; she created marketing and how-to-create-a-science-fair-project materials; 40 kids participated
Two parents coordinated the fair the second year, building on Julia’s work
Hillside’s principal began to coordinate the fair in year 3; Jamie Nedwick currently is the coordinator; 75+ kids typically participate each year
Mostly demonstrations; some collect data and use the scientific method
Students prepare projects on their own outside of school time
Fair typically takes place in May; no judging involved; students receive a certificate of participation
Engages students: Classes rotate through the fair the next day

3. Middle School Science Fair History
Started when the Hillside parents moved to middle school
A team of three parents was recruited
Wanted to continue engaging students through a science fair
First year:
Marketed to parents, not students
Only four students participated, but several families visited the fair
No judging; students received certificates of participation

4. Middle School Science Fair History
Second year:
Parent organizers marketed directly to students: went into 5th grade classes and 6th grade science classes
Numbers increased to 15 projects
Team of parents grows to 4
Science fair takes place at night
Projects are judged during the fair; awards ceremony directly afterwards

5. Middle School Science Fair
Last two years: 40 students participated each year
Parents created a website with resources for students
Students registered online
Web blast sent to families for additional marketing
High school science research students assisted with marketing: went to middle school classes to encourage students to participate
Majority of students were 5th graders followed by 6th graders, lower numbers of 7th and 8th graders

6. Day of the Fair Students are judged by a panel of 3 - 4 judges
Students sign up for a time slot on Saturday morning for their judging session
Judges see every project
Projects judged on creative ability, scientific thought, thoroughness, and clarity

7. Day of the Fair
Students return in the afternoon for a public session and awards ceremony
All participants receive certificates

8. Day of Fair and Beyond
Top two projects move on to the Tri-County Science Fair
Sophia placed 1st in chemistry in 2014
Chelsea and Sara placed 1st in Middle School Psychology Category at Tri-County Fair in 2016

9. Mentoring Sessions High school science research students
Mentoring sessions (4-5 each year) to assist students in formulating their projects
Question
Data to collect
Display results
Parent Scientists
Scientific method

10. Parental Engagement Organize and run the fair
Parent scientists within the district help to mentor students
Community scientists volunteer as judges: year to year consistency
Reach out to parents to encourage student participation
Parents attend the public fair and awards ceremony

11. Student Engagement Participation in hands-on research/activity
Many non-participant students attend public fair and then sign up next year

12. Student Engagement Engagement between middle and high school students
Middle school students are proactive in terms of registering and attending mentoring sessions
Team projects: collaboration

13. Middle School Science Fair Future
Parents continue to organize at this time
Move towards having a teacher organize and run fair, similar to Hillside
Continue to engage parents as judges, mentors, and viewers at public fair