FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Can I do a team project with my friends? How many people can be on a team?

Yes, you can do a team project with your friends or your siblings. We do not set a limit on the number of people on a team, but teams of 2 or 3 people are usually good. Every person on the team must fill out a registration form and pay a registration fee in order to participate in the Science Fair.

2. Are there any ribbons or prizes?

No, but students will receive written feedback from their reviewers telling them what they did well and how they might improve next year. This science fair is non-competitive so that science fair beginners as well as science fair pros can all enjoy the fair and learn how to make their projects even better. Students looking for the challenge of a competitive fair should considering entering one of the two regional fairs where ribbons and prizes are awarded. A student can use the same project for both the GATEway Fair and a regional fair.

3. Can my family come, too?

Yes. Family members are welcome to attend for free. We do ask that your family keep to the seating at the sides of the project display area during the review sessions. You may also choose to invite family and friends to attend during the public viewing time (see Schedule for specific times).

4. I missed the deadline. Is it really too late?

Maybe not. We continue to accept registrations as long as we have openings. We don't guarantee a t-shirt after the registration deadline, but we usually order a few extra and usually have enough for everyone. The earlier you register after the deadline, the more likely you will be to receive one of the extra shirts. We do not re-order.

5. Are students younger than 3rd grade allowed to participate?

Possibly. We may choose to allow participation by younger students if the student is able to do all of the following:

Wait patiently at the project spot during the entire one-hour review session. Parents will be seated nearby but cannot sit with the student at the project spot.
Feel comfortable speaking with reviewers without parental assistance.
Understand all parts of the science fair project thoroughly so they can explain it and answer questions about it.

If you think your student is capable of all of the above, please contact us at gatewaysciencefair@gmail.com to receive our authorization to register.

6. How will you handle safety during the ongoing COVID pandemic?

We realize COVID-19 is still circulating in our community. Depending on current conditions, we will conduct our Science Fair with reasonable safety precautions. We will make a decision about these precautions closer to the date of the Science Fair, but we reserve the right to potentially require any or all of the following:

We may request everyone attending the fair be fully vaccinated, including eligible children.
Masking may be required by everyone over the age of two, unless actively eating or drinking. We recommend N95/KN95 or surgical masks. Surgical masks will be provided for those who need one.
Do not attend if you or your child is not feeling well the day of the Fair, have tested positive or have been exposed to COVID-19 within the last 10 days or are awaiting a COVID test result.

Thank you for observing our guidelines and doing what we can to keep each other safe as we return to an in-person Science Fair. Please to not attend if you feel the risk is too great for your family.