District Unveils Elementary Science Fair Changes
Change is coming to the Huntington School District’s elementary grade level science fair program. The individual school fairs typically draw entries from hundreds of students. The projects are later put on public display.
District officials recently announced procedures for this year’s science fair initiative. Teachers have long believed science fairs are an important educational opportunity. “When completed, this self-directed project incorporates all aspects of learning: reading, writing, spelling, math, critical thinking, graphic arts and scientific methodology,” said science teacher Donna Moro, the district’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) coach.
The district feels the recent changes will:
• Minimize the at-home stress sometimes associated with participation in the science fair.
• Provide an equitable educational learning experience for all students.
• Focus on specific well defined learning objectives that establish a strong foundation of science skills for all students.
“Participation empowers students to explore their natural curiosity and inspires their love of independent learning,” Ms. Moro said.
The newly implemented changes at the primary grade level include:
Kindergarten – Grade 3:
• All students will participate in a teacher directed science experiment. Classes in each primary school will construct a testable question and design a controlled experiment that relates to their grade level science curriculum.
• Each class will create a display board for an in school science fair (specific dates for each grade level and school to be announced). Families will be invited to attend the in-school science fair where each class within a grade level will have an opportunity to present all aspects of their project to their fellow classmates and families.
Grade 4:
• All students will be required to participate and conduct an at-home experiment. However, the planning and development of a testable question will be guided by their classroom teacher.
• Each student will produce a display board for their project in a specific format as defined by Brookhaven National Laboratory.
• Families and students will be invited to attend a night time science fair (dates available on the district calendar) will be held to display all fourth grade projects.
• One student from each building will be selected to represent the district at the Brookhaven National Laboratory elementary science fair.
Changes at Woodhull include:
Grades 5 and 6:
• All students will be required to participate and conduct an at-home experiment. However, the planning and development of a testable question will be guided by their classroom teacher.
• Each student will produce a display board for their project in a specific format as defined by Brookhaven National Laboratory on May 7, 2016.
• Fifth grade students will have an in-school daytime science fair (specific dates for each grade level and school to be announced). Families will be invited to attend the in-school science fair where each class within a grade level will have an opportunity to present all aspects of their project to their fellow classmates and families.
• Sixth grade students will be invited to attend a night time science fair (date available on the district calendar). Students will have an opportunity to display their work and answer questions related to their project.
• Two students in each grade (fifth and sixth) will be selected to represent the district at the Brookhaven National Laboratory elementary science fair on May 7, 2016.