Make sure your child or mentee feels it is his or her project. Make sure the work is primarily the work of the child.
Realize the main goal of a science fair project is to help your child or mentee use and strengthen the skills he or she has learned and develop higher-level skills. The main goal should not be the ribbon or prize.
Provide transportation to libraries, nature centers, or universities that can help your child or mentee find project information.
Locate Internet access, either at home or at a school or library.
Help your child or mentee design a project that is safe and properly supervised.
Help at your local school Science Fair. Contact your child or mentee's teacher to volunteer.
Help your child or mentee plan a mutually agreed upon timeline to prevent a last minute project. Some projects may take 6 to 10 months. It is suggested to allow at least 12 weeks to conduct an experiment and prepare the presentation.
Do not worry or get upset if your child or mentee doesn’t win a prize at the science fair. The skills the child has gained are worth all of the effort.
Help your child or mentee begin to plan for next year.
Feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when the science fair is over. You and your child or mentee have earned it!
