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Science fairs – still relevant? Anthony Artist
Science fairs – still relevant?
Anthony Artist believes so, and here’s why...
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 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
learning and understanding of the work studied over the previous few weeks. Recently, I held a science fair for our Grade 2 (7 to 8-year-old) students and their parents. The theme was ‘Materials’, and during the fair both students and parents described a variety of materials, created marshmallow and spaghetti towers, and tested the absorbency of kitchen towels. Earlier in the year, Grade 1’s science fair focussed on ‘Light and Sound’, while Grade 3’s focussed on ‘Forces and Simple Machines’.
After organising and running science fairs for a number of years, it is clear to me that students grow from the experiences. Working with their relatives, students have the opportunity to communicate, engage, and show their interest and expertise in science. Concrete curriculum links are established in the students’ minds, which then facilitate further growth in different topic areas. Many students also re-create experiments at home, thus further demonstrating interest, commitment, and a passion for science. Science fairs celebrate science. Science is objective, data-driven, and fact-based. Science does not discriminate. Science does not have a hidden agenda, and it transcends political and cultural boundaries. Do science fairs have a place in international education? You bet they do!
My final science fair this year was for our Grade 4 students and parents, and was based on the ‘Geology’ unit. Students and parents travelled back in time 175 million years, and created the Pangaea by moving a cut-out map of the world on a sticky and resistant layer of syrup. They also created working volcanoes and streams of lava with food colouring, bicarbonate of soda, and vinegar. To top things off, they created and tested earthquake-resistant buildings! Incidentally, this science fair also coincided with our ‘Crazy Hair Day’, a day when students (and staff) decorate their hair and donate to registered charities. The expression ‘mad scientist’ certainly crossed my mind on more than one occasion throughout the day!
So, are science fairs still relevant, with a place in international education? A categorical ‘yes’. Do they impact student growth? Absolutely!
Anthony Artist teaches science in the lower school at ACS Cobham International School, UK.
Email: aartist@acs-schools.com
