Curriculum, learning and teaching
Science fairs – still relevant? Anthony Artist believes so, and here’s why...
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everyone (and I mean everyone) knows it is happening. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. Science fairs also impact parents. The student presentation might be an independent project, but parents inevitably become involved by assisting, purchasing, advising and motivating their children. Parents will also feel obliged to attend the fair itself, and might have to take time off work to do so. But, do we ever question the validity of the science fair? Does it add anything to student growth, or are we just celebrating science for the sake of it? A different model? Science fairs in the lower school at ACS Cobham International School, UK are slightly different. During the school year, students work through a series of topic-related science activities, after which parents come to school and work through the same science activities with their children. Students do not produce displays, and they do not produce reports. The science fair is simply a shared experience of Autumn |
Spring
Science fairs are rooted in American culture. You may have seen them in movies, and you might even have organised or attended one yourself. There is also frequently a competitive element to such fairs, with cash prizes or scholarships on offer. But do they have an impact on student growth, and do they have a place in international education? Typically, at science fairs students present projects in the form of a report, display or model. It might be an electrical circuit, an erupting volcano, or a paper bridge. The presentation typically endeavours to engage and entice the passer-by to find out more about the all-singing and all-dancing piece of work, and the presenters, eager or otherwise, endeavour to share findings with friends, adults, administrators ‌ anybody really who is walking past and pauses to listen. Student presentations at science fairs require a lot of preparation and hard work, and this is not just from the student. Teachers dash around to ensure a physical space is booked, ensure the resources are in place, and ensure
| 2019
