PARENTS
We know that you are proud of the accomplishments of your son or daughter and that you are anxious to see them succeed in this introductory phase of a possible career or a lifelong interest in science. The parent’s role is to support their son or daughter’s independent efforts, not to take over the project. Your challenge is to provide just enough assistance to allow your son or daughter’s own efforts to take center stage, while offering ideas and resources that might help your child raise their efforts to a higher level.
Keep in mind the following suggestions:
- Review the Policy and Procedure Manual and any other materials your son or daughter’s science teacher (sponsor) sends home about the requirements of the project.
- Encourage your child as he or she brainstorms ideas for the project. Make sure you understand what is required before approving a science project topic.
- Support your child in researching their topic and conducting the experiment
- Make sure you are familiar with the safety guidelines and see that they are followed.
- Assist your child in getting needed experimental materials.
- Your child might need assistance in preparing their display board and presentation.
- Celebrate the successes and spend a moment looking at what went wrong.
- Special award judges may use other criteria for selecting their special awards.
- If in doubt, contact your son or daughter’s science teacher or sponsor for assistance or encourage your child to do so.
In all stages of competition, the judge’s decision is final.
SPONSORS AND TEACHERS
The participating schools are required to provide one judge for every two projects. For example, if your school brings 10 projects, your school must provide 5 judges.
The ways in which sponsors can assist the students are:
- Register with the CONSEF.
- Provide materials and policy manual that will help the student select the project. Discuss how to develop a project, and show results of past projects.
- Review the rules governing the use of humans and non-human vertebrate animals. If students intend to carry out human or other vertebrate animal experimentation make certain that they are aware of the procedures to follow and that they complete the proper endorsement forms.
- Offer encouragement and guidance. Establish a deadline calendar. Use a checklist.
- Help students with the technicalities involved in preparing the project and paper. Make sure they are aware of the safety regulations and formats to be followed.
