Volunteers

The SCVSEFA designs the Synopsys Championship to stimulate interest in science and technology for 6th – 12th grade students from public, private and parochial schools. The philosophy behind the Fair is simple-- students learn science by doing science.

We provide a forum for students to present their scientific work, interact with scientists and receive feedback on their efforts. Students are awarded scholarships, cash prizes and other non-monetary recognition for outstanding work.  Winners from our Synopsys Championship are awarded trips to the California State Science Fair and the affiliated Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Volunteer opportunities are described below.

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION FOR MARCH 11-12 2008 FAIR IS COMPLETED.  Thanks for your interest, and we look forward to hearing from you again next year. March 11 lunch order

Parking and getting to the Synopsys Championship  Please follow the parking instructions for 'Drop-Off at South Hall'.  Parking for volunteers is next to the South Hall building (187 Balbach St, San Jose, CA 95110). Enter from Balbach St (off S. Market or S. Almaden).

  

  

   

General Volunteer Opportunities for the Fair Itself

  

The following is a listing of jobs available at the fair-
DAY 1 Registration Day

 

Hall setup and signs Assistant (8-12AM, includes lunch)

Qualities:  High energy

·        Put tablecloths on 240 tables

·        Set out 900 place cards

·        Rearrange chairs to match needs

·        Hang signs

 
Step 1 Registration Assistant (11:30-6PM, includes lunch)

Qualities:  Pleasant, good knowledge of alphabet

·        Pass out Name Badges, sitting job

Step 2 Registration Assistant (11:30-6PM, includesd lunch)

Qualities (9):  Quick with numbers

·        Find correct application among hundreds, using project number code    

Qualities (Guide):  Quick learner, unflappable

·        Direct students to appropriate line, based on SRC code

 
Step 3 Registration Assistant (11:30-6PM, includes lunch)

Qualities:  Easy!

·        Assign Poster Board location on the exhibit floor

Step 4 Registration Assistant (11:30-6PM, includes lunch)

Qualities:  Good knowledge of alphabet

·        Distribute Certificates of Participation and SCVSEFA Pins and Judging Day Instructions.
Sitting job.

 

Exhibit Hall Guides (11:30-6PM, includes lunch)

Qualities:  High energy, good sense of direction

·        Help students/teachers/parents find place in huge exhibit hall

·        Direct them to exit via Step 4.
  Standing and moving most of the afternoon.

 

Parking Lot/Security Guides ( 9AM-6PM in 3 each 3hr shifts )

Qualities:  Authoritative, patient, good sense of direction

·        Help students/teachers/parents find drop-off area and parking areas

·        Prevent traffic stoppage in the South Hall area of the Convention Center.

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The following is a listing of jobs available at the fair-
DAY 2 Judging Day

 

Judge Parking Pass Assistant ( 9AM-5PM )

Qualities:  Ability to stand for long periods outside and stay warm, good hearing

·        Check judges into to parking lot, check their names off list

 

 Category Judge Check-in Assistant ( 9AM-1PM )

Qualities:  Unflappable, easy with alpha and numbers, careful

·        Mark list and pull file as judges check in

 

 Judge Table Guides  (  11AM-1PM )

Qualities:  Good memory, sense of direction

·        Help judges find their table in large meeting room

 

 Door Monitors ( 1:45-6PM )

Qualilties:  Stern mien, disciplined

·        Prevent contestants from leaving before end of contest

·        Prevent unauthorized others from entering.

        Mostly sitting.

 

Parking Lot/Security Guides ( 9AM-6:30PM in 3hr shifts )

Qualities:  Authoritative, patient, good sense of direction

·        Help students/teachers/parents find drop-off area and parking areas

·        Prevent traffic stoppage in the South Hall area of the Convention Center.

 

 

General Volunteer Opportunities

 

Please consider assisting in one of the following areas:

 

1. Join the Scientific Review Committee.   Be part of an established group of professional scientists and teachers that evaluate project applications before competition. The time commitment will be two Saturday mornings for four hours each at the Oak Grove High School Science Department. If interested please contact the SRC

 

2. Help Prepare the Science Project Database.  Many hands are needed to do the computer entry of the more than 1000 projects which are enterred in the database each year.  If you would be interested in helping with this function, we have a 4hr data entry ‘party’ at the Oak Grove High School Science department one Saturday morning in Dec, Jan, and Feb. These events will be held 8-12 in the morning.  Please join us for any ‘party’ you would like by contacting our volunteer coordinator.

 

3. Help set up the Exhibit Hall for the Fair.  Many hands are needed to physically set up the room in which the competition takes place.  This is done Tuesday March 11^th at the San Jose Convention Center, South Hall.  No experience is required, and there are a large variety of jobs to be done.  Come and join the fun for any time period you are able by contacting our volunteer coordinator.

 

4. Be a general volunteer on Fair day, Wednesday March 12.  We need all the help we can get! Contact our volunteer coordinator.

 

5. Be a Judge at the Fair (see the judging tab on this website).  Judging will take place at the San Jose Convention Center Wednesday March 12 from 1-5 pm. Judges meet with student participants and review and rank their projects. Category judging is done in teams organized by discipline area to determine place awards (1st, 2nd, Honorable Hention, etc). If interested please contact the category-judging committee.  In addition, scientists working for various agencies in the bay area also judge the projects for special awards given by their sponsoring company/agency.

 

6. Visit with the Student Participants.   Plan to come to the South Hall of the San Jose Convention Center, on Wednesday, March 12 from 4:30-6 pm to visit with the students and discuss their projects. If interested please mark this date on your calendar and bring a colleague with you.

 

Other General Activities you can do to help:

• Support your local school's science fair efforts and attend its exhibition.
  
• Become a SYNOPSYS Championship Fair student advisor or mentor, or research supervisor.
  
• Contribute goods and services to run the fair or refreshments or lunches for fair setup personnel.
  
• Send donations to the general fund (SCVSEFA, P.O. Box 307, Los Altos, CA 94023)
  

Become a SCVSEFA Board member and volunteer for a SCVSEFA Committee. 

• Volunteers of various degrees of interest and commitment are needed. Below is a brief description of some of our committees. People of all walks of life are needed to help run the Fair. You need not be an engineer, scientist or doctor to get involved. All you need is an interest in giving back to the community and its young people. Please email the Fair manager with your interest in helping!

 

Thank You, Thank You

Remember, the "science fair" does not just happen, magically.

We appreciate everyone's help.

 

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