The Huntington School District’s annual elementary grade level science fair program is now underway. The individual school fairs typically draw entries from hundreds of students. The projects are later put on public display.
The procedures for this year’s science fair initiative have been set. Teachers have long believed science fairs are an important educational opportunity.
“Taking part in a science fair experiment is important for our students’ scientific literacy,” said Jill Johanson, district director of STEM. “Finding a topic about which one is curious and then determining how best to conduct a fair test with only one variable changing can be challenging. The experience is valuable because it demonstrates how scientists methodically answer their questions. It also gives students a critical eye when learning about other scientific work. Interpreting the data and troubleshooting when things don’t go as expected teaches problem solving and logic skills as well. It is our hope that these skills will transfer to every area of our students’ academic life, including their future scientific studies.”
This year’s program features the following:
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.
• A science fair will be held at each of the four primary school buildings on Wednesday, March 14. Students will display their presentation boards summarizing their respective project.
• One student from each building will be selected to represent the district at the Brookhaven National Laboratory elementary science fair on Saturday, May 5, 2018.
Woodhull Intermediate School 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.
• Fifth grade students will have an in-school daytime science fair. Families will be invited to attend the in-school science fair where each class will have an opportunity to present all aspects of their project.
• Sixth grade presentation boards summarizing individual projects will be displayed during an evening science fair. 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 Saturday, May 5, 2018.
Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School Grades 4-6
• Fourth graders will participate in the traditional science fair program as described above. The top award winner will represent the district at the Brookhaven National Lab elementary science fair on Saturday, May 5, 2018.
• Fifth and sixth graders will participate in an “inquiry fair” rather than a science fair. Principal Donna Moro said there will be a “little different spin with more in-depth research and demonstration of learning through a digital presentation of a web page, video animation or video game.”