Science Fair Wrap-Up

A science mentor (NOAA fisheries biologist) and I talked with your kids on Tuesday (4/6). We were able to speak one to one with some students. We are using the attached worksheet. Please encourage your students to bring their data to school this week and next so we're able to maximize our classroom time.

It's time for your students to:

1. Wrap up the investigation part of their Science Fair projects
2. Turn their attention towards analyzing the data they've gathered, and
3. Think about how to communicate what they have done.

We will provide mentoring again this Thur, and Tues & Thur of next week. Here is what we will work on:

Some students have questions that are still so broad it will be difficult to prove a hypothesis. They will need to narrow down their questions and hypotheses into something workable that honors the data they've gathered so far.
Some students have a lot of data and are having a hard time figuring out what to do with it. They will need to think through how the data can be put together in a meaningful way to support their hypotheses and conclusions.
Other students don't have enough data. In having them walk through their projects, they may find details and observations they hadn't noted down. Pictures may help tell the story.

What to expect on April 22nd
Judging will occur during the school day. This is a non-scored, non-competitive science fair. One judge will talk with each student or team for 15 minutes and draw from them how well he/she/they have understood and applied the scientific method and what they've learned from the process. Attached is a judge's form so you understand the high-level criteria the judges will be listening for.

On the evening of April 22nd, from 6:00-8:00pm, we will hold a Family Celebration. Families are invited to school to view all the projects and talk to the budding scientists behind the projects.

I know how hard your students have been working. The kids have definitely invested time in their experiments and it shows. Please continue to support them in the way you have in the run up to the science fair. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Arlene Murray