Information for Teachers, Sponsors, and Parents

On this page
  1. Sponsors and Teachers
  2. Parents

Sponsors and Teachers

Behind the student is the sponsor, often a teacher of a science subject, but occasionally a dedicated citizen. These volunteers are the unsung heroes of the local, regional, and state expositions. The ways in which they can assist the students are:

  • Instill interest within the students.
  • Register in the fall with the State Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS). Registration deadline is December 31 using the link on the IJAS website .
  • Check with the Regional Chair for specific regional fees, deadlines, and registration requirements; regional fees and registrations will vary. Contact information for Regional Chairs is on the IJAS website.
  • Provide materials that will help the student select the project: The Illinois Junior Academy of Science Policy and Procedure Manual, regional mailings, state mailings, and access to the IJAS website at www.ijas.org.
  • Discuss how to develop a project and show results of past projects.
  • Review all rules, regulations, and safety policies and procedures. If students intend to carry out human or other vertebrate animal experimentation, make certain that they are aware of the procedures to follow and that they complete the proper endorsement forms. (Middle School see Appendix pages 58-62; High school see pg 8-9).
  • Participate in a local Science Exposition. This local exposition will give the students experience in the displaying and explaining of their projects and may determine which projects are worthy of Regional competition.
  • Establish a deadline calendar. For example, project selection to be by the first week in October, progress reports by December, final sketches by January, and projects completed and ready for presentation by early February. This will leave time for final adjustments before the regional fairs.
  • Arrange periodic small group discussions of progress on projects and provide an opportunity to analyze and solve problems related to individual projects.
  • Offer encouragement and guidance.
  • Ask others to assist, such as an English teacher for writing assistance, a mathematics teacher for assistance with statistics, or a science teacher with special expertise.
  • Check the project and paper carefully to be sure the student has complied with all safety regulations and with the regulations for writing the paper and abstract before signing the safety and any necessary endorsement sheets. Sponsors are responsible for all aspects of the student’s project.
  • Request the necessary entry materials for both the Project and Paper Sessions. Since regional procedures may vary, consult with the regional chair for specific details.
  • Be sure all projects being sent to the Regional fair also register online on the IJAS website. Only projects registered online will be considered for the state exposition.
  • Provide qualified judges for both the Regional and State Expositions. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the return of the project and/or paper entries. Judges must be aware of their responsibilities. If they cannot attend, they must provide a suitable replacement in the same judging area.
  • Provide safety inspectors, runners, awards room workers, and other volunteers as required by the regional and/or state organization. In all stages of competition, the judges’ decision is final.

Parents

Parents are proud of the accomplishments of their son or daughter, and parents are anxious to see them succeed in this introductory phase of a possible career or a lifelong interest in science. The role of the parent is to support the child’s independent efforts, not to take over the project. The challenge is to provide just enough assistance to allow a child’s own efforts to take center stage, while offering ideas and resources that might help them raise their efforts to a higher level.

Keep in mind the following suggestions:

  • Review this Policy and Procedure Manual in its entirety and any other materials the child’s science teacher (sponsor) provides about the requirements of the project. All State information is available at www.ijas.org.
  • Encourage students as they brainstorm ideas for the project. Do not be too quick to shoot ideas down as impractical or expensive – let the student explore ideas first. If there are concerns, form them into questions for the student to consider. If possible, allow the student to rule out impractical ideas before the parent does.
  • Parents must understand what is required before approving a science project topic. Will it be able to be accomplished with all the other activities that students are involved in, along with other academic requirements?
  • Support the child in researching the topic and conducting the experiment; assist by supplying transportation (if needed), and access to information and materials. Often excellent learning opportunities will present themselves. Parents could teach the child to use a piece of equipment or machinery rather than doing it for the chld just because it might be easier.
  • It is recommended that parents become familiar with the safety guidelines and see that they are followed. See pp 7-33. A student may be denied participation at the next level of exhibition if the project or paper is found to violate the established rules and regulations published in the most recent copy of the Policy and Procedure Manual of the Illinois Junior Academy of Science. Some projects may be disqualified if these projects are done at home.
  • Assist a student in thinking through experimental or design procedures and how they plan to record and organize their data.
  • Students might need assistance in preparing their display board and presentation. A parent’s role should be secondary to their efforts. Parents can help their child by reading through and suggesting editorial changes to their report, assisting with advanced computer applications or the display board layout, and listening to their presentation.
  • In general, show an interest in the child’s progress, offer support and encouragement, help them overcome problems, and praise their good efforts.
  • If in doubt, contact the child’s science teacher or sponsor for assistance or encourage the child to do so.
  • The Illinois Junior Academy of Science attempts to award and recognize as many students as possible. Proper handling of the successes and disappointments of a competition can lead to the continued efforts towards a higher goal.
  • Celebrate the successes and spend a moment looking at what went wrong. Encourage a discussion as to how things might have been done differently. This process is an important part of both learning and science.
  • In all stages of competition, the judges’ decision is final. Volunteers are NOT agents of IJAS. Special Award judges, who are also not agents of the Illinois Junior Academy of Science, may use other criteria for selecting their special awards. Not all projects will be judged for special awards.