Homeschool Science Fair

When and Where will the Science Fair Happen?

The Homeschool Science Fair will be held from 9am-3pm on March 16th, 2024 
at Grace Lutheran Church 2503 Belair Dr. Bowie, MD 20715.
It is open to ALL Maryland homeschool students in grades K-12. Divisions are K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 grades.

What makes the AHSG Science Fair Different from other Science Fairs?

Unlike many other science fairs, participants aren't limited to experiments. There are six total categories available. Apparatus, Collections, Demonstration,  Engineering Design, Experiments, and Research projects.

• Experiment: The goal is to confirm or deny a possible answer to a science question (hypothesis) by performing repeatable tests.
• Research: The goal is to answer a question about science using primary sources.
• Collection: The goal is to illustrate (show) the diversity of a set of items .
• Demonstration/Model: The goal is to illustrate (show) a scientific principle or fact .
• Apparatus: The goal is to illustrate (show) the use/function of a scientific tool or implement .
• Engineering Design Project: The goal is to solve a problem by designing a process or a physical item.

Students will be judged on their own merits, based on how well they completed their project. The award that they receive (Bronze, Silver, or Gold) will be determined by how well they understand the science and how well they followed the project guidelines. Full details of what is required are available before you even register.

How Can I Register for the Science Fair?

To participate in the AHSG Science Fair, participants should follow these steps:

1. Complete the Registration Form by January 26th, 2024.
   New this year: registration only indicates a desire to participate. Information on the category and topic of the student’s project will be gathered later.
   • [CLOSED] Registration for AHSG Members is $10 per student, with a family maximum of $30. (Tip: Login FIRST, then come back to this page and click the link!)
   • [CLOSED] Registration for non-AHSG Members is $15 per student, with a family maximum of $45.
   • [CLOSED] Late registration for all is $20 per student with a family maximum of $60. This closes February 16th or when the maximum is reached, whichever comes first.
2. Pay registration fees. You should be prompted to do this at the end of the registration form (links above).
   • Payments must be received during registration.
   • In most cases, these fees will be non-refundable, as the money is immediately used for purchasing awards and paying for science fair expenses. Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis only. If the student is unable to attend the science fair for judging (due to illness, weather, or any other reason), the student will have an option for virtual judging at a later date.
3. Complete the Project Selection Form. A link to this form is at the bottom of your registration confirmation email. You must register FIRST in order to participate.
   This will be due approximately one month prior to the science fair. At this point, the student should have already been working on their project and be able to provide information on the project category as well as a name for the project. (Preferred to have this completed by February 16th, 2023.)
   • Complete and submit the Human/Animal Project Certification Form (if applicable). Only students with human or animal subjects in their experiment are required to fill out this simple form. Details are in the Guidebook. 
4. Complete your science project, following project guidelines in the Guidebook.
5. Be available and ready to present projects in person on the date of the Science Fair.

What Else Do I Need To Know?

All details about the science fair including category requirements and judging forms can be found in the AHSG Homeschool Science Fair Guidebook. We have worked really hard in order to make this document a great resource for your science fair project, so please take the time to read it. It contains information on how to start your project, what to bring,

The Guidebook includes the judging forms, but if you want to see them full-size, the judging forms are also available separately.

Are visitors allowed?

Yes, visitors are welcome! Be aware that during judging itself, (10am-12pm) non-participants are asked to leave the display area, so visitors are suggested to attend during the award ceremony and immediately afterwards (from about 1pm-3pm) in order to view the final projects.

How do you get judges?

All of our judges are volunteers from the community or homeschool parents. We depend on volunteers, and appreciate your assistance in finding community members willing to volunteer their time for us.

You can help us find more judges. Please pass along the following information to any science-minded community members who might be willing to judge our science fair.

Wanted: Volunteer Judges for Homeschool Science Fair

We are looking for science-minded community members to donate their time to judge students’ science projects. If you would be available to assist, we would greatly appreciate it.

The main focus of the science fair is to help the students LEARN and ENJOY science, and to communicate what they have learned to others. A good judging experience may be the catalyst that a student needs to really grow their love of science.

Judging will take about 3 hours of your time on March 16^th, (plus an additional hour if you choose to stay for the award ceremony). A light luncheon will be provided.

Judging will consist of listening to a short oral presentation given by the student, examining their science display and report, and asking thoughtful questions about the project on display. Judging criteria and instructions will be given.

For more information, or to volunteer, please contact AHSGsciencefair@gmail.com or visit https://www.homeschool-life.com/1302/custom/111668

Schedule of Events

9:00 am Participants Check-in

10:00 am Judging for all grade levels.
Non-participants should go to the three rooms downstairs marked for families to hang out during judging. Please no families in the exhibit area during judging. Exception: Participants may be accompanied by one adult during judging if needed.

12:00 noon Judges tally results. Participants and families may eat the lunches they brought in the three downstairs rooms OR go out to eat and return before 1 pm.

1:00 pm Awards ceremony.

1:30 pm Project displays open for public viewing.

3:00 pm Cleanup by everyone participating.

How to get there, and what to do when you arrive:

Location: Grace Lutheran Church (Ericksen Hall), 2503 Belair Drive, Bowie, MD 20715

· Participants should park at the back of the building, and will use the yellow entrance in the back. There are multiple yellow entrances. You want the one that is set down a long walkway and is near the playground (see the image for details). This lets you enter the exhibit area directly.

· Judges and visitors will use the red entrance in the front.

· When you arrive, go to the check in area and you will be directed to your table to set up.

· Note: Grace Lutheran Church is kind enough to let us use their facility. Please be courteous and take care of the property. Also please note that only the areas designated for the science fair are to be used. All other areas are off limits, so please do not allow your children to wander through the entire building.

· A separate room will be provided for families to eat away from the science projects and judging.

General Notes:

· It may be helpful to bring a kit of general supplies to have on hand in case you need them for repairing your display. For example, glue or tape, markers, etc.

· We ask everyone to help clean up all used areas before leaving.

· Don’t forget to pack your lunch!

· Don’t forget your project display board and report! Please refer to the guidebook and judging forms to be sure that you have brought everything needed for your project type.

Thank you so much!

If you have any questions, you can reach us at ahsgsciencefair@gmail.com.
 

File Downloads

Download the Guidebook.
Download ONLY the Judging Forms.
Download additional copies of the Human/Animal Project Certification Form. (For projects with human or animal subjects. Only one per project is needed.)
Download additional copies of the Human Participant Consent Form. (For projects with human subjects, one per human subject is needed.)
Volunteer information for potential judges: Volunteer Judge Info
Judges' Reference Sheet (for the day of judging) here: 2024 Judge Reference Guide

You can also pass along flyers with the science fair information to any other homeschoolers who might be interested.
Download Flyer as PDF
Download Flyer as JPG
 

(image courtesy of Freepik.com)