2010 Science Fair
Science Fair Information Sheet
We have been asked to re-evaluate The Science Fair, which is a tradition here at
Notre Dame. We have realized that for some time, some of our families have
struggled with preparation for Science Fair; for some, it has created great stress,
scheduling nightmares, and conflicts with extracurricular events. As a result, we
have come up with a new way to celebrate Science at NDES, a way which will
hopefully eradicate many of the problems of the past.
We will be assigning, preparing, and executing the entire experimentation process
in school, during Science Class time. As this
will be a time sensitive endeavor, wewill be devoting the entire month of May to Science Fair at NDES.
At the beginning of May, 3rd and 4th grades will first discuss the experimentation process and the Scientific Method.
Following this week of preparation, both grades will be divided into pairs, and assigned an age/ability appropriate experiment or activity.
The students will use Science class time to read and understand their experiments; they will be using Computer/Library class time to research their experiments and type up the information for their presentation boards.
Towards the end of May, the students will be given a "Shopping List" to fill,
with the items needed for their activities/experiments. Please note that all assigned experiments/activities will be generally inexpensive, simple, and require items easily acquired in our local stores.
On Friday, May 21st, students will have a Science Sharing Afternoon,
presenting their completed experiments/activities to classmates.
On Saturday, May 22nd,Students will set up their completed
experiments/activities in the cafeteria, and share their experiments with parents and friends.
Each grade will be assigned a 30 minute time slot for the 22nd,and when
their half hour presentation time is done, they may pack up and leave.
We will do our best to schedule siblings in the same family to the same time
slot, despite grade divisions.
Our tentative plan for presentations is as follows:
Any and all judging will be done internally, most likely by NDES teachers who do not have the students in their current grade levels. They will be given a list of specific criteria to use in their evaluation, and all students will receive certificates, as well as some additional form of recognition for their month long project.
We are inviting the current second graders to join us in this new endeavor, by creating posters in school that display some aspect of their Science curriculum for this year. Posters will be displayed in the cafeteria. We are hopeful that this restructuring will create a better learning development, a greater appreciation of the experimentation process, and a more effective understanding/implementation of critical thinking skills. In addition, we are expecting that this change will be supported by our families and offer a less stressful and more constructive experience for Science Fair.
Daniel J. Maciag, Grade 3
Diane C. Quintiliani, Grade 4 Science Teacher
9:00am - 9:30am 3A
9:45am - 10:15am 3B
10:30am - 11:30am 4A &4B