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PTA Science Fair

  • Centennial Lane Elementary School 3825 Centennial Lane Ellicott City, MD, 21042 United States (map)

2026 CLES PTA Science Fair

April 30, 2026 at CLES


⚗️🧪Join us for student science projects and hands-on STEM fun.

Families will be able to explore science fair exhibits throughout the evening while also participating in exciting STEM activity rotations, including:

  • Lego Derby

  • Mad Science Show

  • Robotics / ICode

  • Earth Day Activity Room


Volunteers Needed! 👩🏻‍🔬🧑🏼‍🏫

Please consider helping with judging, set-up, supplies, crowd control, etc.

Sign up on SignUpGenius:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B49AEAA2EA0FBCE9-63044489-cles#/


PARKING & ARRIVAL

We anticipate over 400 people for this year's extended Science Fair! Parking on site is very limited. Please plan to arrive early and allow extra time to find parking and walk to the building. All families should enter through the FRONT ENTRANCE.


CHECK-IN & PASSPORTS

When you arrive, each child who is registered for the event will receive a color-coded passport. Your passport color is your group — it tells you exactly where to go and when all evening, so don't lose it! Children should be accompanied by an adult throughout the evening. 

The first rotation begins at 6:15 PM.


HOW THE NIGHT WORKS

There are 5 exhibits set up around the building. Your group rotates through each one in 20-minute sessions, with 5 minutes to transition between activities.

Stations include:

  • Science Fair in Cafeteria

  • Mad Science Show and LabsforKidz in Art Rooms

  • Everything Robotics with CHS Robotics Team and ICode in Gym 1

  • LEGO Derby: The Physics of Car Racing with Pack 361's 44ft Race Track in Gym2 

  • Earth Day with The Plastic Initiative and PTA-led coloring activities and reading nook in the Media Center

Given the need to manage capacity for the art rooms, parents may need to observe from the hallway to ensure all children in the rotation can see the show up close. 


PRIZES

Volunteers will stamp your child's passport at each station. DO YOUR BEST to collect all 5 stamps and earn a small prize by the cafeteria stage. Students with parents who volunteer for this event will earn an EXTRA PRIZE. Volunteer for one of our open slots and feel free to break up a slot between two parents!


Science Fair Project Steps

  • Step 1. Read the Science Fair Handbook‍ ‍UPDATED 4/4!!

    • Learn the guidelines for the fair.

  • Step 2: Pick a Project Topic

    • Decide if you will enter as an individual or as a group.

  • Step 3: Register for Science Fair by deadline of April 23.

  • Step 4: Finish Your Project before the Fair.

  • Step 5: Participate in the Fair! Thursday Night, April 30.


Questions about the Science Fair 🚀🪐🌕

  • - Complete the Project (according to the Project Planning Worksheet in the handbook found on our website)

    - Make a display board, plan and practice your presentation (5 min max)

    - At the Science Fair, you’ll present your project to a judge who will give you some constructive feedback

    - NOTE: This is NOT a contest - just learn and have fun! There will be fun science-themed raffle prizes!

  • To encourage everyone to particpate, the judges will provide constructive feedback but not rank the projects. So there will be no 1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes.

    Instead, every participant will receive a prize for participating.

  • To encourage kids’ curiousity about science/engineering and to advocate doing their own research to understand the underlying knowledge.

    The kids can learn, by preparing and presenting a small science fair project, to solve problems, be organized, work and communicate with others, be courageous at public speaking, and have fun.

  • Yes! Please register as a group on the Google registration form linked above.


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April 25

Earth Day Garden Cleanup

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May 5

May PTA Meeting