Get Involved in Education!

Volunteers have more fun!

There are lots of ways to get involved with the Education Foundation and Sarasota County Schools...

Science Fair Judges

PALS Partners in Education

Texcellence Computer Program

Classroom Grant Readers

Foundation Volunteers

Please call 941.927.0965 for more information about any of these opportunities or return a Volunteer Questionnaire.

Science Fair Judges

Each year the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, the Sarasota County School District and the Sarasota County Agricultural Fair Association partner to produce the Sarasota Regional Science, Engineering & Technology Fair.  Do your part and volunteer just a little of your time as a judge for this impactful experience.

It is the culminating activity of the science curriculum taught in the classroom.  Every student Kindergarten through 12th grade is invited to participate. During the Science Fair, students are interviewed and their projects assessed by volunteer judges. Nearly 200 community leaders, elected officials, and professionals in science-related fields such as medicine, engineering, academia, research and technology serve as judges.

The Regional Science Fair is an exceptional opportunity for Sarasota County students to explore, develop and demonstrate their talents in eleven different categories of science, plus engineering, math and technology.  Last year our students presented over 600 projects.  Many earned well deserved recognition and awards including international awards at the Intel and Google Fairs.

Instructional meetings will be held on the judging days at 8:00 a.m. To better serve our judges, additional opportunities to receive instruction will be available at your convenience on the days preceding the judging. Monday, January 28^th and Wednesday, January 30^th at Robarts Arena, staff will be on hand between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to provide instructions and answer questions.

To register as a judge for this year’s Science Fair please go to the Science Fair page on our county website by clicking the link below:

Science Fair Judges Registration

We hope that you will join us as a science fair judge this year. Your participation will provide students with a valuable science education experience. We know you will find it exciting and rewarding. 

Sincerely, 

Brad Porinchak                                                              Susan Scott
Science Program Specialist, Grades K-12                        Executive Director
Director of the Sarasota Regional Science,                      Education Foundation of Sarasota County
Engineering and Technology Fair                                   
Brad_Porinchak@sarasota.k12.fl.us                                Susan@edfoundation.net

PALS Partners in Education 

Do you have a little time to read with a child? PALS’ innovative tutoring programs give caring adults a chance to make a real difference in the lives of Sarasota County students. Comprehensive training is provided for in-school tutors and other volunteers.  More about PALS...

Texcellence Computer Donation Program

Big on technology? Computer savvy? You can help narrow the digital divide by assisting the Texcellence Program! More about Texcellence…

• During computer distributions in the schools, help set up and test out the equipment, register families as they arrive, and make sure families are keeping up with the trainer during training aimed at familiarizing students with their new equipment.
  
• Individuals who have experience with technology and enjoy working with students are invited to help during weekly tech club meetings at Booker Middle School. Volunteers can participate as guest speakers or work with students on refurbishing and rebuilding computers. An understanding of technology, including skills such as website design or networking is required.

Classroom Grant Readers

Community leaders, professionals and advocates for education, like you, are invited to read and evaluate teachers’ grant proposals, helping us choose the classroom projects that will win awards of $500- $1500. No experience is necessary. A practical viewpoint and a bit of imagination are all that you need to recognize projects that will excite students and set them on a path to success. Instruction will be provided on-site for new volunteers.

---

 Foundation Volunteers

Got a mind for detail? Like to stay behind the scenes? We could really use your help at the Education Foundation office, any time of year, to help with mailings, copying, data entry, grant processing and other tasks. The coffee is on us!