Brownsville Independent School District
2013-2014
Elementary Science Fair
Host Booklet
Dear Elementary Science Fair Host:
Hosting the BISD Elementary Science Fair is a challenge and a learning experience. Your staff will become experts in science safety, event organization, and community relations. The materials included in this packet are a guide to help make sure your experience is pleasant and rewarding.
To be successful, your campus should involve as many people as necessary. There are plenty of tasks that need to be coordinated. Many successful hosts sponsor one or two cluster meetings before the fair to make sure that all the schools understand the rules, provide the needed support, and submit the required number of committee members. These meetings are held at the discretion of the hosting campus.
We have been hosting the Elementary Science Fairs at middle school campuses, a practice that we will continue this year. Most elementary campuses are no longer large enough to host the fairs. It is the responsibility of the hosting campus to make sure that any needed tables, floor covering or chairs, are requested. The sooner this is done the better the chances that maintenance will be able to provide the materials on time. Please check the science fair checklist to make sure that all the campus responsibilities are met.
Each science fair site is allotted 20 hours overtime payable by curriculum. Overtime request forms need to be submitted to the curriculum department before October 4, 2013or the overtime will not be approved. Usually the middle school host sites supply the maintenance staff so make sure that they submit these forms on time.
The Elementary Science Fair takes place at four campuses on the same day and involves over a 1000 students. This event is only possible with the cooperation and support of all the BISD campuses. Your leadership is greatly appreciated by all the schools and students who participate in the fair.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at 548-8121.
Dr. Chuck Ratliff, Susana Galvan, Annette Harms, Diana Williams, Roman Gomez
B.I.S.D. Science Specialists
Possible Committees:
Science Fair Coordinating Committee and Chairperson (Required of hosting campus)
The following committee members coordinate all other committees and should:
a. request security
b. request custodial services
c. request tables, chairs and floor covering for project area and participants
d. coordinate with Middle School: 1. location for project set up 2. location for awards ceremony and PA system, 3. holding rooms for students
Staff:
Chairperson:
Scientific Review Committee (Required)
Each Campus will submit two to three teachers on the Scientific Review Committee taking place Friday, November 8, 2013 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Names for the Scientific Review Committee are due to the curriculum department no later than October 29, 2013.
Staff:
Chairperson:
The Scientific Review Committee reviews projects for safety and display rules the day before the fair during set-up.
Score Verification Committee (Required)
Each campus will provide two to three teachers to help with score verification. Names need to be submitted on the form in the registration packet no later than October 29, 2013.
Staff:
Coordinator:
Host Responsibilities:
Ø Make sure tables and chairs are set up
Ø Make sure that calculators are available
Staff:
Chairperson:
Judges Room
Committee will help to distribute clip boards and make sure that all categories are judged.
Help distribute clipboards and guide judges. (November 9, 2013 8:00 am -12:00 pm)
Staff:
Chair person:
Set Up Committee
The following committee will help sign in projects on registration day (November 8, 2013 4:00-6:00 pm).
Staff:
Chairperson:
Science Fair Floor Committee
The following committee members will be responsible for monitoring students and escorting participants to the designated areas on the day of the science fair. (November 9, 2013 8:00 am -2:00 pm)
Staff:
Chairperson:
Stage Committee
The following committee members will be responsible for making sure that the microphone is working, the tables for trophies are set up and covered. (November 9, 2013 8:00 am -12:00 pm)
Staff:
Coordinator:
Checklist for Elementary Science Fair 2013-2014
Details: Assigned to Curriculum and Instruction
Name Tags:
Board Members
Assistant Superintendents
Principals
Hosting School Committee Members
Curriculum Personnel
Judges
Safety Committee
Score Verification Committee
Invitations:
Board Members
Assistant Superintendents
Principals
Other Details:
Program
Project labels
Participants’ Master lists—for registration
Awards—trophies, medallions, certificates
Sign-in sheets: Judges, safety committee, score verification committee
Judging forms
Judges’ orientation
Supplies: calculators, clipboards, pencils, markers, tape, highlighters
Continental breakfast for judges
Lunch for score verification committee members and judges
After the Fair:
Certificates of participation for each committee member
Thank you letter for each judge
Details: Assigned to hosting campus
Coordinate with Middle School Host Site if necessary
Large area for project set-up; like the cafeteria or gym
Tables with chairs for project set-up and student interviews
Ensure facilities, including restrooms, are well-prepared and equipped (paper towels, etc.)
Large room near score verification committee members with a Computer with Excel and working printer for score verification
Judges’ quarters, for orientation, breaks, lunch (must seat 50 to 90 people)
Assign classroom to “house” students during waiting periods and for serving/eating lunch. (One room per campus or cafeteria)
Area for awards assembly, preferably decorated
Podium and microphone for awards assembly
Decorations for host campus
Committee of teachers from host campus to help with registration the Friday afternoon before the fair
Order covering for gym floor
Order tables/chairs from maintenance (80 Tables, 400 Chairs)
Drinks (sodas and water) for score verification committee members and judges
Request Security
Schedule Maintenance staff
Request Overtime for Maintenance Staff (by October 4, 2013)
OPTIONAL: Food booths set up for selling Refreshments or goodies to visitors—possibly as a fundraiser
Cluster Sites
2013-2014
This year each campus will compete in their designated clusters. Please check the list below to find out where you will be competing on November 9, 2013.
Purpose:
· To increase student participation and interest in science
· To learn and apply Scientific Investigation and Reasoning
· To learn and apply problem solving skills
· To gain self confidence by participating in their research project and successfully communicating results both visually and orally
We are truly grateful to the following schools who have graciously agreed to host the Science Fair at their campuses.
After reviewing the populations of each campus, the 37 elementary campuses have been grouped into the following four clusters:
Cluster 1Host: Burns
Site: Vela MS / Cluster 2
Host: Cromack
Site: Faulk MS / Cluster 3
Host: Benavides
Site: Stillman MS / Cluster 4
Host: Villa Nueva
Site: Manzano MS
Aiken / Brite / Benavides / Del Castillo
Burns / Cromack / Breeden / Longoria
Champion / El Jardin / Canales / Pullam
Egly / Gallegos / Castañeda / Putegnat
Gonzalez / Garden Park / Garza / Resaca
Hudson / Keller / Martin / Sharp
Morningside / Paredes / Ortiz / Southmost
Russell / Peña / Palm Grove / Victoria Heights
Vermillion / Skinner / Perez / Villa Nueva
Yturria
Entries Per Category and Table Matrix
(Calculated using the maximum number of possible entries)
Categories / # of Entries / # of Tables*
3rd Life / 18 (20) / 5
3rd Earth / 18 (20) / 5
3rd Physical / 18 (20) / 5
3rd Group / 18 (20) / 10 (12)
Subtotal / 72 (80) / 25 (27)
4th Life / 18 (20) / 5
4th Earth / 18 (20) / 5
4th Physical / 18 (20) / 5
4th Group / 18 (20) / 10 (12)
Subtotal / 72 (80) / 25 (27)
5th Life / 18 (20) / 5
5th Earth / 18 (20) / 5
5th Physical / 18 (20) / 5
5th Group / 18 (20) / 10 (12)
Subtotal / 72 (80) / 25 (27)
Total Entries/Tables / 216 (240) / 75 (81)
*(4 Projects per table)
Date
Dear Science Supporter:
The Brownsville Independent School District Elementary Science Fair Needs You!
If you are a qualified professional, scientist, mathematician, or engineer who is interested in helping Brownsville’s next generation of scientists, consider becoming a judge for the 2013 Brownsville ISD Elementary Science and Engineering Fair. You are invited to the Science Fair at (Campus Name) on Saturday, November 9, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. You will be working with a panel of fellow judges in deciding the top projects in a science or engineering category. You will be provided with a continental breakfast and lunch.
Your time and effort is greatly appreciated. You are making a memorable impact on the lives of very talented young people. For some students you are the first science or engineering professional they encounter. As an ambassador for your profession you will positively impact their career choices.
A few hours of your time will make a difference in a child’s future.
Please call or e-mail:
Phone:
e-mail:
Sincerely,
Campus Science Fair Chairperson