Dear Science Fair Exhibitor,

Welcome to the 2008 Greater Syracuse Scholastic Science Fair!

The GSSSF will be held March, 30 at Solvay High School in Syracuse. If you cannot attend, please contact me at gsssf@most.org as soon as possible so that we can adjust our participant roster.

Check-In & Set-Up:

The exhibitor check-in area at the high school will be arranged by last name. At check-in, you will pick up your exhibitor packet. In it, you will find your nametag, exhibitor ribbon, exhibit card, judging labels and registration paperwork. At this time, you will be told where your project space is located. The project space for ALL participants is 48 inches wide by 30 inches deep by 72 inches tall (from the table top). This space size is in agreement with the International Science & Engineering Fair requirements. Additional space cannot be provided. You need to wear your nametag and exhibitor ribbon at chest height throughout the day. If you are part of a team, the exhibit card, judging labels and paperwork will be in one team member's exhibitor packet. The exhibit card needs to be attached to your exhibit board. If your exhibit requires electricity and you did not check "yes" to electricity on your registration form, you must notify the GSSSF by March 21. Please bring an extension cord at least 20 feet long with your exhibit.

Scientific Review Committee/Display & Safety Review:

All Senior Level (grades 9-12) students must have their registration paperwork ready at their exhibit for the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) to look over and notarize. Your paperwork will be in your exhibitor packet or at your location. All Junior Level (grades 5-8) students must have their exhibit looked over by the Display & Safety (D&S) Committee when the exhibit is completely set up. Read over "Exhibit Requirements" to know what you can and cannot bring to the fair. The SRC/D&S Committee will provide you with a sticker for your exhibit card after its review. The exhibit cannot be changed in any way after approval. All students must be present at their exhibit during the SRC/D&S review in case of questions or needed changes.

Lunch/Afternoon Snack:

The GSSSF recommends bringing your lunch to the fair. You must be back to your exhibit at the start of Judging. A break during judging will be provided. Since the day will be a long one, it is recommended that you bring a snack to tide you through the evening.

Judging:

Judging will begin promptly at the times listed in the schedule. At judging time, you must be at your exhibit and all parents, teachers, friends and family members who are not judges must leave the Exhibit Hall for the entire judging period. You will not be able to leave the Exhibit Hall during judging unless it is an emergency. There are restrooms available in the Exhibit Hall.

During the judging period, you will meet with at least three to five GSSSF judges and any Special Awards judges whose awards are compatible with your project. Greet the judges, shake their hands or do whatever else you need to do to feel connected to the judge and less nervous. Typically, you will spend about 10-15 minutes with each judge. Be prepared to talk about your research first --how and why you chose your topic, your background research, your experimentation and your results. (Practicing this in advance with adults you are comfortable with will help you improve your presentation.)

The judge will then initiate a question-and-answer conversation. Feel free to ask the judge to clarify any question you do not understand. You will give each special awards (green ribbon) judge a Judge Label from your exhibitor packet. Each GSSSF (red ribbon) judge will give you a sticker that goes on your exhibit card. If you think a GSSSF judge has not judged you, please contact a Science Fair official before break.

There may be "down time" during judging. You are encouraged to bring a book, headset, etc. to help you through that time. However, the GSSSF is NOT responsible for anything you bring to the fair. Chairs are permitted, but please stand for all judges.

You are allowed to have snacks and beverages at your exhibit. If you need to leave your exhibit at any time during judging, please leave a note for the judges.

Public Viewing & Reception:

At the conclusion of judging, the GSSSF will open the exhibit hall to the public and the media (TV, newspaper and radio). Please be at your exhibit during this time. This is your chance to discuss your research with interested members of the community, including other students like yourself. This is also the best opportunity for families and schools to take photos and video.

Guest Speaker:

Participants will be seated theater-style for the guest speaker and the Awards Ceremony. Student participants will be seated in reserved sections for easier access to the stage during the awards ceremony.

Awards Ceremony:

The Awards Ceremony is for all grade levels. It will begin with special awards given by organizations, businesses, colleges and universities. Then, GSSSF awards will be given in Honors, High Honors and Highest Honors. About one third to one half of science fair participants will recieve a GSSSF medallion. All participants will recieve a certificate of participation given by judges at the end of the judging period. The Awards Ceremony will conclude with the Discovery Young Scientist Awards for the Junior Level and the International Science & Engineering Fair Awards for the Senior Level. The GSSSF asks that you stay until the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony so that the proceedings are not disrupted. If you must leave before the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony, please contact me at gsssf@most.org or leave word at the Information Booth in the lobby so any awards can be sent to you at your school.

Media Release Statement:

Please print out the Media Release Statement. The Media Release Statement authorizes the MOST and GSSSF to take photos and/or video for use in publicizing and promoting the GSSSF. This form must be signed by a parent/guardian. If your parent or guardian chooses not to authorize the release, it should be noted on the form. The Media Release Statement needs to be turned in at Exhibitor Check-In the day of the fair.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail (preferred) at gsssf@most.org or by phone at (315) 425-9068 extension 2146.

I look forward to seeing you on March 30 .

Sincerely,

Bobbi Alcock
GSSSF Director