Although science fairs are designed to help students develop inquiry skills, including writing research proposals, working with peers, and sharing experimental findings, simply holding a science fair is no guarantee that students will actually acquire these essential skills. Participation in a science fair should not be viewed as the "one shot" opportunity for teachers to involve their students in inquiry, but rather it should provide both extensions and reinforcements to skills that were developed over time through a variety of classroom activities. This article outlines six specific characteristics for students that are essential to the completion of a quality project.