Recently, I planned a science fair on behalf of my local elementary school’s PTA. Participation in a science fair might just be the thing that inspires a passion for science and technology for kids, nurturing the next generation of innovators and leaders in STEM fields. Therefore science fairs provide an amazing opportunity for students to engage with science in meaningful and impactful ways.
It was time-intensive to plan, but when it was done the excitement and the exhilaration of the event left me energized! We planned to have two parts of the event — the first was a science fair, where students presented their original research. The second was the science expo, where outside groups — including Edvotek — set up demonstration so that kids could get some hands-on learning. Here, I’ll tell you about the different parts of our science fair and what I did to plan it.
STUDENT SCIENCE FAIR
Student experimentation is really important in elementary school as this plant the seeds of curiosity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning among students. By encouraging students to explore scientific concepts outside of the classroom, they are learning to ask questions, conduct experiments, and analyze results independently. They can design a project based on their daily life and interests, rather than dictated by the curriculum. By designing and presenting their project, the kids develop essential skills such as problem-solving, communication, and creativity, which are vital for success in both academic and real-world settings. Here are some great resources to help you get started on your experiment and your poster board.
- A description of the Scientific Method from Khan Academy
- The Elementary School Science Fair Planning Guide from Saint Paul Public Schools
- Science Buddies for hands-on science resources and project ideas.
- The Science Explorers have a great description of the Scientific Method.
- Science fair projects for all grade levels from All Science Fair Projects.
- Kids science projects from Science made Simple
- Tools for Teaching and Learning from the Exploratorium
- How to do a great elementary science fair project and board by We Have Kids
- Science Fair Project Display by Science Buddies
STEM EXPO
A hands-on science expo is like a playground for curious minds! It’s super important because it lets students dive into science in a totally hands-on way without planning by the student or their grown-ups. Even if a student feels a bit nervous about doing their own project, they can still jump in and explore all sorts of cool STEM stuff at these expos. It’s like a safe space where they can get messy, make mistakes, and learn from them—all while having a blast. These events are like magic; they spark curiosity, fuel creativity, and show kids that science is way more than just books and lectures. Here are some ideas for setting up a STEM expo.
- Is your school near a university, biotech or pharma company, or a research institute? Many have outreach groups who volunteer to go into schools and perform demonstrations.
- Are there afterschool programs that deliver STEM content at your school? Or a math or science center that serves your neighborhood? They will often volunteer to set up a booth so that kids can get hands-on experience.
- Try contacting local municipal organizations like the department of energy or agriculture. These groups have content and dedicated employees that focus on community engagement, and the school events represent a perfect opportunity to meet local residents.
- Parents are also a great resource! There are a lot of quick demos that can be put together at low cost. I presented an activity about cells using the Plant Cell Model and the Animal Cell Model from Origami organelles. I printed out the black and white models and let students color and decorate their own fantastic cells!
So, let’s roll up our sleeves, grab some goggles, and get ready to have some science fun!
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