Expo Explained

The Basics

The Expo is a chance for you to explore an area of science of your choice or be an inventor and demonstrate what you learn at a festive exposition at Sycamore Creek Elementary. The Expo will be held on January 21, 2012.

You register to participate in the Expo by filling out a registration form on the registration (Sign Me Up!) page. Once you register, you will be issued a registration number. You may return to the registration site and use your registration number to update your entry. For example, if you know you will be performing a project but are unsure of your topic, you may register now and return later to update your topic.

After you register, you embark on your scientific exploration using the scientific method, producing a demonstration of a neato topic that interests you tremendously or creating a new invention. Remember that a key factor in the whole process is HAVING FUN while you are learning.

You (or your team if you are in a group) will need to use a purchased Science Fair display board. Most local office supply or craft stores sell them. Each scientist will exhibit his or her work using the display board. Projects will be set up starting at 8:00 on Saturday morning and evaluations held from 9:00 until 12:00. Projects must be taken home when the Expo concludes at noon.

At the Expo you should plan on being at your display for about an hour so people can ask you questions and marvel at your work. You should wait until your evaluator visits with you and is blown away by your ingenuity. You may then tour the other exhibits and try to stump your friends with insightful questions.

Each student scientist will receive a certificate for participating and other assorted loot (we hope) provided by our corporate sponsors.

What You Can Do

There are four ways you can exhibit at the Expo:

• Use the Scientific Method to investigate your topic (for example: Do plants grow better with water or Coke?)
• Demonstrate the scientific principles behind your topic (for example: How does a glider fly?)
• Invent something that solves a problem or meets a need (for example: An automatic table setter)
• Collect, categorize, and organize a collection of objects (for example: What colors are in different inks?). This option is only available for grades K - 2.

What You Cannot Do

• You may not use any live animals in your exhibit
• You may not use any dead animals in your exhibit
• You may not use open flames in your exhibit
• You may not invent, demonstrate or experiment with a weapon of any kind
• You may not exhibit anything that may cause harm to you, anyone else, or school property
• Your exhibit must not deface school property
• Your exhibit must not leak anything on the school floor
• You may not do a volcano demostration at the Expo
• You may not frown at the Expo. Volunteers will be standing by to enforce this rule. Nobody wants to see a frowning scientist.

Guidelines

Your exhibit should

• fit in the confines of the display board
• quickly convey what you investigated and discovered, are demonstrating or invented
• be neat, attractive and pleasing to the audience

If your exhibit requires electricity, you should provide it by using batteries. If an outlet is required for your exhibit, contact us immediately--there are a very limited number of outlets available at the Expo and we would be crestfallen if your exhibit does not function for lack of electricity.

Evaluators

There will be a number of adult scientists from around the Triangle at the Expo who would love to speak with you about your exhibit. All scientists will be signed up to meet with an evaluator.

Key Point One

Have Fun!

Key Point Two

Have Fun!