In standards-based science fairs, children learn more about what they are interested in. They deepen understandings of how science works and improve inquiry skills--including the ability to communicate and share research results. Parents learn more about science inquiry and their child's science abilities. The standards-based science fair builds on the strengths of traditional science fairs, but by having students compete against standards rather than against other students, the projects become more student-centered. The classroom format of this science fair features many opportunities for students to communicate about their full inquiry projects. In this article, the author discusses the challenges of a science fair and describes how science fair projects can be a powerful tool to give children full-inquiry experiences fueled by explorations of their unique interests. (Contains 1 figure.)