Top 10: Things to do on Your Way to the Fair

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Section Home Backing Up Going to CWSF: Sample Packing List Looking Professional Science Fair Toolbox: What to Bring Top 10: Things to do on Your Way to the Fair

Well, you have a week left before you leave for your fair. Panicked? Don't be - this top 10 list goes through the most important things you need to remember to be set for your fair!

10. Bring Backups

This is so important, it has its own article! Just more than anything, remember to do it because you never know if you're going to be in a bind!

9. Practice, Practice, Practice

Also of critical importance! You need to do this before the fair and not during. Want to know what you should be practicing? Look here!

8. Feedback: Can anyone hear me?

You're going to be rushing every which way before the fair, so you're probably not going to be the most neutral judge on your project. Get feedback from your mentor, teachers, friends and any one else you can regarding your project. You've been doing your project for months now - talking to someone who hasn't been in that mindset can help you get the big picture back in your mind. This is useful for your board, your presentation, your report, and anything else that your judge will see!

7. Check Judging Criteria

Know what you're aiming for. Each fair has its own criteria for what the judges should be looking for in an award winning project. If you spend hours before the fair fixing your references whereas they're only worth a puny percent of your final evaluation, that may not be the best use of this critical time before the fair. Know what you're going to be judged on, and then prepare for it!

6. Remember the Schedule

Showing up late for judging or not being around your project when judges show up are two common things that happen when you don't know your schedule - and neither are good. You want to make sure you're on time, ready, and aren't rushed for any part of the fair. Also, remember where and when the award ceremony is - the last thing you want to happen is for your name to be called for an award, and to not be there. (It's happened before!)

5. Sleep and Eat (and be merry!)

In times of stress, many people can forget to Eat and Sleep. DON'T!!! At the end of the day, if you show up at the fair 20 pounds underweight and having not slept for a week, that'll probably reflect worse on your project than anything you were fixing in the mean time. Remember to eat and sleep !

4. Look Professional

Once again, it's so important, we have an entire article on this! Sure, judges aren't supposed to judge you based on your appearance. However, a large part of your presentation is discussing your project with your judge, and if you smell like a locker room or look like your portraying Tiny Tim in your school's production of A Christmas Carol, chances are your judge won't want to discuss much with you. Also, remember your peers and the media that will be around - they are also affected by how you look. Remember: dress the way you want to be treated!

3. Make a Checklist

In fact, we have one started for you! You don't want to forget things on the morning that you leave and a checklist is one great way of doing this! Just, um, don't forget to take the checklist with you.

2. Doublecheck all the Safety Rules

Every fair has a list of what is and isn't allowed. The worst thing that could happen is that you're not allowed to bring your project in because you didn't check the rules for what you were allowed to bring. This may include your board, your experiment samples, any props you have, et cetera. If you don't do this, it could put a damper on your entire presentation! Check twice!

1. Relax!!

The most important thing of all: relax! You will be fine and you will be happy when you get to the fair. If you're frantic or too nervous, that'll only work against you during judging as you won't be able to think straight or explain your project well. Relax, it's your project - you know your stuff.