2. Our Vision NIRSF exists to provide Home Educated Students in Northern Illinois and surrounding areas with an opportunity to participate in a fair and encouraging environment. We offer a program which promotes each student’s unique gifts and talents, all the while encouraging them to research, study, experiment and communicate their discoveries.

3. Our Mission Our mission has multiple goals: 1. To glorify God through an organized and respected event where His science is brought back to the heart of the Creator. 2. Open the doors towards growth and success for homeschooled students in the areas of science, research and presentation skills. 3. Present opportunities which will engage and support the homeschooling families in our area.

4. Our Purpose We strive to provide learning opportunities through the following venues: Workshops The Science Fair Great Speakers In the past we have had the following speaker join us: Dr. Jay Wile ( Author of multiple Apologia Science Texts) Jay Ryan ( Author of Classical Astronomy, HS Dad) Sherri Seligsen ( Speaker, Author of Apologia Marine Biology, and HS Mom)

5. Our Sponsors Our Supporting Partners Sponsors who have donated amazing gifts to our winners in the past Apologia Educational Ministries Classical Conversations Midwest Creation Fellowship Rock Valley College Chosen Homeschool Group Hallstrom Homeschool Workshops SuperCharged Science Science with Me Creation Museum Sam’s Ristorante The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Vision Forum

6. Support We offer support to the Home Educating family through Workshops Science Fair Syllabus Soon: Scientist by Email! We are hoping to have a few of our past and present judges available to ask questions via email for support and/or questions for those issues that come up during the research and experiment process.

7. The Workshops The workshop is designed for multi-level students to participate at the same time. Science discovery starts at the same place in each level. The workshops help introduce the concept of picking a topic, designing an experiment, recording and cataloging the data, and then being able to demonstrate what the student has learned through an oral interview and through the process of writing. Our syllabus will help you to walk through each step of the process.

8. Science Fair Syllabus This publication is available when you register for our science fair workshops. It is a detailed guide which will walk the student through the process of the Science Fair Project from the first day to the last. A timeline is included along with websites, books and resource suggestions. If you can make it to a workshop, you can purchase a pdf version of the guide.

9. The Science Fair Date: Friday, April 26, 2013 Details Our new location : The Rock Valley College Science and Math building located on North Mulford Road in Rockford,Il. Hours: 9:30-3:00 Set up: 9:00-9:30 Judging: 9:30-12:30 Awards: 1:30-2:00 Open Viewing: 1:00-3:00 Who can participate? Any actively home edcuated student in grades K-12. Registration for the science fair opens November 2012 an closes April 6 th, 2013 To obtain registration documents and get more information go to: www.ilregionalsciencefair.org www.ilregionalsciencefair.org

10. Coming Soon…. NIRSF Blog Scientist by Email This is a new level of support we are in the process of bringing forward. It will open up a door of communication for both our sponsors, judges and participating families. We will be providing an email link for you to submit questions or problems which we can share with our staff scientists.  Look for this to be available in the future.