Who can enter the Science Fair? Any student of LRES in grades 1-4 can enter.
Does my child have to enter? If your child is in grades 1-3 then no, it is optional. ALL students in the REACH class 3rd/4th grade combined are required to do a project. I believe all 4th grade teachers also require a project from their students. If you are a parent of a 4th grader and are unsure please contact your child’s teacher.
When is the Science Fair? The Judging of projects will be during school on Friday February 27th, 2009
Can I come and watch my child be judged? No there are no parents allowed in the gym during judging, this allows all children the opportunity to be “themselves” and be judged on their abilities to explain their project.
Where can I find Science Fair ideas? www.google.com is a great place to find ideas. Fisher’s library has lots of books on projects. One of the best places is to just ask your child what they are interested in and build the project from that.
Can students work in groups? Yes students can work in a group on a project. If the group moves on to Regional all of the group must be able to attend the Central Indiana Regional Science Fair for the group to move on.
Do students have to be in the same grade to be in a group project? It is discouraged by the CIRSEF for groups to consist of children from different age groups but they are allowed. Any group with students of different age groups will be judged completely based on the HIGHEST grade level in the group (ie a 1st grader and a 3rd grader will be judged on 3rd grade standards and the 1st grader must be able to show work completed and ability to explain the project on a 3rd grade level).
There are lots of items listed on the “prohibited” list. Do you really mean we can’t use any of them? The answer to this question is YES and NO…Yes you can use them BUT you must not bring any of them to school or to the CIRSEF. Any use of the prohibited items must be displayed using pictures. If you do an experiment to determine if ice melts faster in cold/warm/running water you must take pictures of you doing the experiment but you may not bring the water to school in any form. One exception to this rule is the “POISONS, DRUGS or CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES (INCLUDES ALCOHOL)”, though these items may be allowed at the CIRSEF, but LRES has made a decision for the safety of the students that these items are forbidden from the LRES science fair.
What is the Central Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair? The CIRSEF covers the central area of Indiana. It is the top level for elementary school students and the second step for upper grades. Each school is allowed to send 3 students from each grade level to compete in the fair. At the fair each student will receive at least 2 looks by a judge. Some students may only be judged by the CIRSEF judges where others may receive additional looks/evaluations by judges from other companies or organization that are taking part in the fair. At the end of the evening there is a CIRSEF award ceremony for those that have received a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place by the CIRSEF judges. Other awards are giving out but without a ceremony.
When and where is the CIRSEF held? The Fair will be held this year at the Indiana State Fair Grounds on Tuesday March 19th, 2009.
Who long do we have to decide on attending the CIRSEF if we are chosen? Due to the date of the LRES science fair you must decide no later than Sunday night if you are wanting to continue on. We would prefer an immediate decision on Saturday to allow us the ability to locate another student to go in the event you are unable. We must have all our paperwork signed by the family attending, school and science fair leadership and in the mail on Monday March 3rd or we will not be able to attend the regional fair.
Who gets awards…how does this work? The PTO and Science fair leadership recongnizes the top 3 in each grade level in grades 1,2 and 3. Since the fourth graders are required to do a project the PTO and Science fair leadership will recognize the top 3 fourth graders in each division (Biology, Earth/Space Science, Chemistry, and Physics/Engineering/Math). The top 3 overall in fourth grade will advance to the CIRSEF. ALL students will receive a certificate for participating in the LRES science fair.
Are there any size limits on the project? Yes the project must fit into a space 24” front to back, 48” side to side and 72” tall (from table up). The project MUST not extend out into the isle or infringe on space allotted to another student.
