Science fairs give students chance to present projects
School science fairs are doing more than just allowing students to show off their prowess with physics, chemistry and biology.
It gives them skills in all subjects that they can carry with them through life, educators say.
“That value in going to the competition, the science part is good, the research is good, but being able to make a presentation is probably more valuable than anything else they get out of it,” said Veronica Sankey, a science teacher at Butler Intermediate High School.
Sankey takes about 50 to 60 high school students from Butler School District each year to the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science regional competition at Slippery Rock University at the end of February.
The top students from the regional competition move on to state competition at Penn State University in May. Each year about 20 to 30 Butler students move on, Sankey said.
Students are tasked with selecting a project to explore an idea in an area they are interested in. Like what type of microwave popcorn has the least number of unpopped kernels or how to extend the life of a battery, Sankey said. As they get older, the projects become more complex.
“If it's something you enjoy or are interested in, you're going to do a better job,” she said.
Then they do the research, perform experiments and create a presentation to bring before a panel of judges at the competition. Students have 10 minutes to present what they've done, Sankey said.
The projects are not judged against each other, but judged based on a rubric. Students who score a 4 or higher on a scale of 1 to 5 move on to the state competition.
“It makes it fairer in that regard. Everyone has a chance as long as you follow the set guidelines,” she said.
Sankey's eighth grade students are required to do a project for class, although they do not have to enter it in the competition. As they get older, students enter the competition on their own with the possibility of winning scholarship money and cash prizes, Sankey said.
On top of learning more about their chosen topic and scientific principles, students learn about how to research, how to sift through information and compile it, and how to present before a crowd, Sankey said.
“They're learning how to set goals, how to keep yourself organized, make sure you're reaching deadlines,” Sankey said. “All of that ties into doing a science fair project at any type of level.”
At Mars, the PTO sponsors two voluntary science fairs — one for grades two to four and one for grades five and six, said Tracey Smith, science fair coordinator. The goal is to get students interested and involved in science while they're young and allow them to explore different questions and ideas that interest them.
“We thought it was something they could have fun with,” Smith said. “We also look at it as, it encompasses all subjects at school. It's science, English, art, math, research.”For the lower grades, the science fairs are more about encouraging students to explore science and have fun in the process, Smith said. Students can work alone or in groups of up to three.Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh will walk around the displays and ask students about their projects, but the projects are not judged. Last year, they had 193 projects with 300 students participating.“We are just trying to get the students interested in science and getting them familiar with using the scientific method,” Smith said.At Centennial School, fifth- and sixth-grade students must choose a category under which their project will fall: life science, physical science, environmental science or earth or space science, Smith said. They can work alone or in pairs.The projects are judged by science professionals from the community and given a first-, second- or third-place medal based on a rubric score. A few special awards are also given to stand-out projects, Smith said.In the past, students have looked at the SPF in sunscreen, how preservatives affect the shelf life of food, if a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's and the longevity of rechargeable and regular batteries.The Centennial School science fair drew 46 projects and 70 students last year.The elementary science fair is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. April 12 at Mars High School. The Centennial science fair will be from 6 to 8 p.m. March 14 at the school.
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