Rieke Science Fair Timeline

JUNE

  1. Set date for following school year science fair; typically date set last Thursday in February.

  2. Confirm date with office and submit CUB form. CUB FORM

  3. Make sure the CUB allow for set up and clean up of the science fair. Set up time starts at 4 pm and clean up ends at 8:30 pm. Need to work out alternate option for aftercare with principal and secretary. Usually, aftercare will be in the cafeteria/gym till 4:30 pm after they have snack they will move outside or to another room so science fair can set up.

  4. Consider what main attraction will be for the science fair. Main presentation will take place in the library with three 20-minute presentations for families to watch. Past time line has been 6:15 pm, 6:50 pm, and 7:25 pm. Past presenters have been Dr. Matt Repasky, The Oregon Reptile Man Richard Ritchey, and Rick Kang from the Pine Mountain Observatory. Payment for this event is typically $300

NOVEMBER

  1. Meet with co-chairs and update science fair entry form. Plan on distributing science fair entry form to school before winter break. Families may want to get a jumpstart on projects over winter break. Most kids wait till the last minute.

  2. Count science fair participation ribbons. Preorder if necessary. Ribbons are purchased from Award Presentations Ribbon Specialists order@awardnet.net 503-639-3529

  3. Last ordered 400 ribbons 5/2016 .37 cents each ribbon total invoice with shipping $158.50, typically the ribbons will last for several years.

  4. Make sure event is listed on PTA Website with correct date.

DECEMBER

  1. Set up basket in the office for filled out science fair forms.

  2. Make sure office has PDF of science fair form to print out more if needed.

  3. Print copies for the rounder in the entryway of Rieke.

JANUARY

  1. Send regular announcements to rapper looking for volunteers and reminding families about science fair.

  2. Communications can be about the scientific method, science fair project tips, or the top 10 reasons to do a science fair project.

  3. Lab coats need to be borrowed from OHSU Logistics, they have lent out lab coats for many years to the Rieke science fair. We are responsible for picking them up and then returning them after use. They typically lend us 15-20 lab coats, I sort through them to offer judges the largest sizes. Contact Bryon Leeper & Dyllan Erikson at leeperb@ohsu.edu, eriksond@ohsu.edu.

FEBRUARY

  1. Coordinate volunteers for judging and hands on projects, typically we have had 10 judges and 10 hands on volunteers. Middle school and high school kids are great volunteers for the hands on projects with a few adults to supervise.

  2. Borrow clipboards from teachers for judges;

  3. Print out nametags for all volunteers.

  4. Have clipboards ready for judges with science fair certificates, ribbons, and judging instructions.

  5. Set up tables in gym for projects, label by grade level. Projects that need electricity will go against the wall where outlets are. Bring extra power strips.

  6. Hands on projects need to be finalized too. There are 3-4 demonstrations set up in the 1 st grade rooms on going for families to come and go as they please and try out the experiments. Mrs. Baker and Ms. Smith have been very accommodating sharing their rooms for the hands on projects with a request, reminder, and thank you.

  7. Past projects have been: flubber, fossil prints, screaming balloons, carbon dioxide bubbles, chicken sounds from a cup, balloon rockets, invisible ink, making chalk, fingerprint forensics, binary clocks, levitating orbs, cleaning pennies, Newton’s Cradle, and the landforms sand table. Materials for projects need to be purchased and documentation of explanation of scientific process needs to be printed and laminated.

  8. The past few years the Wilson Robotics club had done demonstrations for students, they need to be contacted in January to confirm the date and availability. The Rieke students love to the Wilson students and learn about the robotics program at Wilson Day of fair set up after school staring at 4:30 pm.

  9. Cafeteria tables need to be opened and labeled by grades. Set up in first grade rooms for hands on projects. Set up in library for main attraction, move all tables and set up seating for the evening.

  10. After fair, clean up all rooms.

  11. Thank all volunteers and participants in the rapper. Write hand written thank you cards for teachers and custodians.

  12. Plan again for the following year!