Fifth Annual Homeschool Excellence Day
Capitol Building Harrisburg
Wednesday, September 29, 1999
SPONSORED BY PA HOMESCHOOLERS

We need your participation to make the day a success.  At the rally we will celebrate the eleventh anniversary of PA's home education law by sharing about the vibrancy and diversity of homeschooling in the state.  Our Annual Homeschool Excellence Day tells the legislators, each year, that homeschoolers are doing great and that families can indeed provide a fine and well-rounded education for their children of all abilities. 
All homeschoolers are welcome to take part-- bring a project, come see the excellent inspiring projects brought by other homeschoolers,  come and show your support. Visit your Representative and Senator in the morning (we'll help you find them), and attend the 1pm rally in the Capitol Rotunda.  All events are FREE!
You can also take time during the day to tour the Capitol Building, or visit the nearby Museum of Scientific Discovery or the William Penn Museum.

Schedule

9-10:30 am.  Projects will be set up on tables and bulletin boards in the East Wing of the Capitol Building.  Also, homeschoolers will visit the offices of their representatives and senators.
10:30am - noon.  Judging will occur. 
1pm. Press Conference and Rally in the Capitol Rotunda where winners will be announced and certificates awarded.  Press conference will feature high scores of homeschoolers on AP exams and 11th anniversary of home education law.
2-3pm.  Students will be able to share their projects with everyone. Take-town time 3pm.

PROJECT ENTRY FORM

From Marie Robbins, Coordinator for Project Fair
PLEASE use a 3x5 card for each Category¹. (1 category per card. Send cards to Marie Robbins, 6901 Spruce ST, Finleyville PA 15332

PRINT the following information in the order requested:

  • Top line: Category
  • 2nd line: width²: ____ depth³:____ height:____ (for art projects)
  • 3rd line: place project won in local competitive fair*
  • 4nd line: Student's Name:  LAST, First; Age (one student per card)
  • 5nd line: Parent's Name
  • 6rd line: Street Address
  • 7th line: Town, State Zip
  • 8th line:  (Area code) Phone Number
  • 9th line: email address (if available)
  • 10th line: write "Group" if it is not an individual project. On the back of the card list all children involved in the project and their ages.

¹ Category choices are: Science Experiment or Science Display; History; Painting, Drawing, or Mixed Media.
² Maximum width is 3'
³ Maximum depth is 2'
* If the project did not place in a competition, please send a description on a separate piece of notebook paper. A picture would be helpful.

Guidelines for Projects

If you can bring a project, send in the form at the left by September 15.  Project registration fee is just $5 (which helps defray our costs for renting the tables). If the project won a local art, history, or science fair, then it will automatically be accepted.  Other projects will also be accepted, space permitting.  Last year we were able to accept most of the projects that were submitted.  We'll let you know ahead of time if yours is accepted.

Art projects (painting, drawing, or mixed-media) will be judged upon: (1) originality and design, (2) creative use of medium, (3) technique, and (4) neatness of presentation.

History Projects and Science Displays will  be judged on: (1) accuracy, (2) thoroughness, (3) clarity, (4) originality, and (5) overall appearance.

Science experiments use the scientific method to find the answer to a question or questions.  They include a statement of the problem, a review of related research, a plan for obtaining a solution, a display of results, conclusions that are supported by the data, and ideas for further research.  They will be judged on: (1) creative ability, (2) scientific thought, (3) thoroughness, (4) skill, and (5) clarity.

There will be impartial judges for each category who will determine state-wide winners.