Meeting Place: Science Fair

What is a Science Fair?

A typical science fair is a collection of experiments done by students. Each experiment clearly demonstrates the steps of the scientific method that the student followed to complete the experiment. Science fair projects are usually done on your own (in small groups). The science fair takes place on one day where all participants set up a booth to showcase what they have done.

Our science fair will be completed in class and showcased in a digital format. A digital format means once your project is completed, you will put your end product, along with pictures of your steps along the way, online and students can view each other's projects on a computer. You will have the opportunity to view a number of projects from both 6th grade teams.

Skip Course Objectives

* Understand the process of scientific inquiry
* Have an understanding of how the scientific method helps scientists
answer questions
* Gain experience using different forms of technology

	Science Fair News forum

8	A Note to Educators The digital online science fair is used at the beginning of the year for two main purposes: 1) to get kids excited about science (and it does!) and 2) to help them understand that there is a process to doing science. The process is of course, the scientific method. There are many steps to the scientific method. You may be teaching more or less of them depending on your grade level. The steps taught in my district are scaffolded depending on grade level and begin in 6th grade. The steps included in this unit are: Question Research Hypothesis Data Collection (and citing sources as a research objective) Procedure/Experimentation Analysis Conclusion So-What Question (higher order thinking question) Feel free to add or omit steps as it fits with your students. This can be a very chaotic project as all groups could possibly doing different labs. Having effective lab management skills and organization will help ensure all of your students success and help you keep your sanity! Here are a few tips I have learned to make this project a success: Give plenty of notice to parents if supplies will need to be brought from home. Collect a supply list from your students a few days before the experimenting days so you know what you need to provide and they are clear on what they will be bringing. Check in with each group during the procedure writing day. I do not let groups experiment until I have checked off on their procedures. This ensures that there will be less floundering and playing on the experimenting day. In my classroom, this project takes 17 days to complete. Leave extra time your first time through.