Community Innovation Fair 2026

The Community Innovation Fair is a district event, similar to a science fair, where:

• Participants sign up ahead of time to present an idea.
• Each presenter or group receives a table or poster board to display their work.
• Presentations focus on:
  • A problem connected to our schools or district
  • A proposed solution
  • The potential impact on students and the community
  • The resources that might be needed

Throughout the evening, School Board, district administrators, school leaders, staff, families, students and community members circulate, ask questions, and share feedback.

This fair supports our commitment to:

• Student voice and agency
• Partnership with families and community
• Continuous improvement aligned to our District Comprehensive Plan

Ideas shared at the fair can help inform district planning in areas like:

• Teaching & learning
• School climate and culture
• Facilities and operations
• Equity and access
• Community partnerships and services

Presentations are welcome from across the district:

• Students (individuals, clubs, or classes)
• Staff (teachers, support staff, administrators)
• Families and parent organizations
• Community partners and organizations that serve UPSD students

Ideas should be connected in some way to UPSD schools, programs, or services.

Example topics:

• Supporting academic achievement or enrichment
• More affordable technology 
• Improving school culture, inclusion, and belonging
• Transportation, safety, or facilities improvements
• Programs for mental health, wellness, and social-emotional learning
• Family engagement and communication
• Partnerships that expand opportunities for students
• Impact of additional bussing after-school hours 

• Sign Up in Advance
  • Use the Sign Up to Present form to share your idea and basic information. This helps the district plan space, materials, and supports for presenters.
     
• Prepare Your Display
  • Posters or tri-fold boards (Provided in advanced if requested during sign-up)
  • Handouts or a one-page summary
  • Slides on a laptop or tablet
  • Models or prototypes, if relevant
• On the night of the fair, each presenter/group will have a table or poster board, similar to a science fair. Presenters are encouraged to bring:

If needed, the district can provide a presentation template or board.

• Share and Discuss
  During the event, School board members, district administrators, staff, families, and students will visit each table, ask questions, and offer feedback on the idea.

• Gather Feedback
  The district will provide simple feedback tools (e.g., sticky notes, short forms) so visitors can share what they found promising, what questions they have, and suggestions for strengthening each proposal.

To keep presentations consistent and easy to understand, every proposal should consider addressing:

1. Problem

• What issue or challenge in UPSD are you addressing?
• Who is affected (students, staff, families, specific schools)?
• Why is this important now?

2. Proposed Solution

• What do you suggest the district or school(s) do?
• How would it work in practice?

3. Potential Impact

• How would this improve the experience or outcomes for students and/or staff?
• How will we know if it’s working?

4. Resources Needed

• What people, time, funding, partnerships, or materials might be needed?
• Could it be piloted on a small scale first?

After the event, Upper Perkiomen Administration and the the School Board commit to:

• Publishing a district-wide summary of themes and top ideas on the district website.
• Highlighting a set of standout proposals, including student-led and community-led projects.
• Reviewing the most feasible ideas in collaboration with appropriate departments (curriculum, student services, facilities, technology, etc.).
• Communicating clearly which ideas:
  • Will be explored or piloted, and what the next steps are
  • Are being considered for future planning or funding
  • Cannot move forward at this time and why (e.g., legal, policy, or budget constraints)

This follow-up will be shared on the district website, through district communications Friday Blast, and in a board meeting updates when appropriate.