North Texas District Science Fair for homeschoolers (NTDSF)

It's time to start thinking about your ideas for your science project this year.

Homeschooled students in grades 3-12 who live in TEA region 10: Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman and Rockwall counties; and TEA region 11: Wise, Palo Pinto, Parker, Tarrant, Hood, Johnson, Somervell, Cooke, Denton, Erath and Eastland counties may enter. The Fair will be held February 7, 2009, 8:30am - 3:00pm at Collin College. Four 7th through 12th graders from region 10 will advance to the huge Dallas regional competition and those from region 11 may advance to the Fort Worth regional, both in March 2008. For more information or ideas on projects, check out our website at http://www.hesp.org. Registration will begin soon so get those creative minds in gear! Students from our science fair have done very well in the Dallas regional (placing and even Grand Prize!) and at the Texas State Science Fair (placing). You don't have to place to win a special prize.

Early registration ($15) for NTDSF ends Dec 22, 2008 and all registrations ($20) must be submitted before Jan 19, 2009.

For students in 7 to 12th grade: some forms need to be filled in and/or filed before experimentation begins! This has to do with handling of toxic/dangerous substances and permission for human and animal subjects. Your research plan does need to be signed before experimentation, but not sent in. Please find out more on our website. This is the most confusing part of science fair participation, so let's get it worked out early. We don't want students eliminated on technicalities.

If your student is thinking about a career in the sciences, engineering or a math related field, science fair participation demonstrates a publicly recognized accomplishment to the college of their choice. It's great preparation. Ask how we can help.

Note: For all science and humanities students (9 to 12th grade) in Texas, nomination for the Texas Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (TJSHS) will end in mid November. We have had tremendous experiences in this project/paper competition as a home school. Yes, as a home school, you can nominate your own scholars. Check it out at http://outreach.science.tamu.edu/tjshs.asp. Homescholars have done very well at this competition, even first place! For other competitions, see our links at www.hesp.org/Links.htm.

Here's a free, fun way to get a project idea: take your 6-12 graders to the Plasma Sciences Expo http://fusioned.gat.com/dppoutreach at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207 on Nov 20 or 21.

There's also a teacher's workshop on Nov 18! As a teacher, you are welcome and eligible to receive educational materials including a plasma ball. Registration ends Nov 7.