The ultimate guide to running a successful science fair

Running a science fair is a big undertaking. There’s always lots to consider, from sorting out a venue to finding the right people to attend. That’s why this article goes through all the important steps you’ll need to take in order to make your science fair a success! 

Know your audience 

The first thing to do when planning a science fair is to determine who your audience will be. Are you expecting school children? Parents? A specific age group or interest group? The type of people attending your event makes a huge difference in the planning stages because you’ll need to take this into account when finding an appropriate venue and deciding on activities.

You’ll also need to consider the kind of topics you want to cover. For example, are you interested in polymer chemistry, or perhaps something to do with nanotechnology? Knowing who your science fair is for is absolutely essential for creating a memorable and successful day for everyone involved. Make sure you think about this aspect above all else. 

Set out your goals

When planning a science fair, it’s important to take some time to think about what you want to achieve. What are your goals? Are they specific things you’d like people to walk away with? Do you want them to learn more about how physics works, or perhaps gain an interest in environmental studies? Again, this aspect is entirely up to you and your own interpretation.

Find your participants 

Before you start to find venues for your science fair, it can be helpful to think about what participants are available. Who will be running the event? Are they qualified enough? Think about who you’d like to attend to – maybe young professionals or celebrity guest speakers are up to your alleys! This part is completely down to personal preference and should be determined by your goals.

Find a venue

Once you’re happy with the topic and have an idea of who you want there, all that’s left to do is think about a location. It can be challenging to find a good venue for a science fair – especially one which works within your budget. To make things easier, it may be helpful to consider potential places beforehand.

You’ll also want to think about how much room you have available for exhibits. If you don’t have a lot of space, finding an events coordinator before planning the science fair might be helpful to save them from any unnecessary stress! You’ll also need to consider factors such as parking spaces. 

Set up the room

Now that you’ve found a venue, it’s time to set up the room. Start with the exhibits – if there are multiple displays, plan an order for them. You can even place them in groups of similar subjects! Next, think about how much space you have available and where each activity will go. Remember not to crowd the room with too many activities, and make sure you leave enough distance between them.