Teacher Tips & Science Inquiry
Science Fair Sponsors
Teacher Tips & Science Inquiry
Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair - Inquiry Based Learning at it's best!
“As a teacher I wanted to thank you for making the Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair possible. Over the past three years, I have witnessed a growing interest in science- in large part- because of the opportunities for my students to present their work. Science is messy and often that is lost in the classroom content. Individual research projects help my students to hone their creative and resilience skill sets that will help them in whatever career they choose to pursue. Thank you for making all of this possible!”
-High School Science Teacher
Do you have pictures of your class participating in the science fair this year? Are you a veteran teacher with tips for others about the science fair?
Just have questions or need help? We'd love to hear from you!
Science Fair Builds Skills for College and Career
Students who participate in the science fair show an increased interest in STEM and develop skills to be successful in the 21st century including:
- critical thinking
- communication
- collaboration
- problem solving
Science Fair enhances a college application and resume
Science Fair prepares students for poster presentations in college.
Posters are presented in colleges and universities around the world!
Students show significant gains in their abilities to:
- develop an idea
- meet deadlines
- manage a project
- plan and conduct an experiment
- analyze data
| Helpful Links: |
Free tools and resources from Intel Education:
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/education/k12/teachers.html
Great info and learning videos from edutopia:
Building opportunities for students
An edutopia video - take a look! 
Click here for more teacher resources from edutopia!
Subscribe to the edutopia YouTube channel - click here
| Are you new to multiple projects in the classroom? Consider... |
GUIDED INQUIRY -
One way to handle multiple projects in the classroom is to start with the same inquiry-based project. Divide class into groups of 4 or 5.
Teacher provides materials and problem to investigate. Students devise their own procedure to solve the problem.
Set the stage - teacher guidance - launch a "wow!"
Testable question - testable hypothesis
Students should know it's a process and have expectations/guidelines/boundaries.
Active participation with collaboration (student to student, teacher to students, teacher to class).
Teacher - ask guided questions to each group. Remind students of time.
Data: Teach students to record their data - they can come up with their own charts to share with the class. Let students think of what is the best way to organize their data - not necessarily "your" chart to share with the class.
Reflection: group shares with the class their ideas - was the outcome what they expected - do they have a new question now - learning from "mistakes;" there are no "mistakes" in science inquiry!
Connections: Make real-world connections - ask students guided questions.
Assessment: Assessing Inquiry Based Projects (using assessment to improve teaching and learning) - click here for tools.
NOTE: as students become comfortable working in groups, you may then migrate into individual or team projects and OPEN INQUIRY where students formulate their own problem to investigate.
Don't forget about early finishers!
If you get a group that finishes early, what will you do?
Consider these Ideas:
- Discovery stations (set up stations with a challenge or activities with supplies to complete).
- Book station with additional books for silent reading; journal writing; write a book.
- You can give them a challenge question.
- Start working on their final poster.
- These students could help other kids.
Tips for a Successful Science Fair
from
Veteran St. Louis Science Teachers!
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"More than a practice, best practice involves the right attitude...accepting that students will not be at the same stage of their project at the same time. Teachers need to be content with some chaos. Modeling the process with a 'mini-experiment' that the whole class can do helps students understand what the expectations are for their individual project." Kathleen D. |
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"Set up preliminary due dates for all parts of the project. Follow judging criteria from the beginning. Use Google Docs to sharework between students and teachers before final draftsare printed out to be put on science fair board. Walk students through each step with science experiments in the classroom prior to having them complete one on their own." Joe D. |
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"We use Google Drive for our students in 6th grade. This is a very helpful tool for teachers to use because of the sharing feature. With Google Drive, students share their project planning template that I have them create and I can monitor their progress throughout the planning and experimental phase." Jennifer M. |
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"At the beginning of the school year, teachers are given a science fair calendar to help manaage their projects and get all the parts completed (as a class for the lower grades and for older students' individual projects) before the school science fair." Betsy K. |
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"Start a log right away and write a little each time you work. I use my do-nows to engage students in log entries. Divide the task into logical steps and work on them in order, one at a time. The children need to see progression. They also need to see where they are going, so show examples of correctly done finished projects if possible. For classes doing multiple small groups, it is helpful to have an overarching theme with the projects splitting off from it so you can manage the background and research easier. For example, a topic of acid-based reactions can split into groups exploring diferent acids, different bases, temperature effects, etc." Ruth R. |
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"I think it helps to have a teacher provide structure to the scientific method and process with students on a regular basis. This can easily parallel the components of the science fair projects and prepare the student for independent inquiry. It can be very easy. For example, OES teachers have developed graphic organizers that resemble science fair displays and what is presented to viewers. Chad D. |
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"I made sure to teach the scientific method chapter/unit at the beginning of the school year. I try to incorporate any or all parts of the scientific method as often as possible when teaching other units. My next improvement is to model/work on several small class projects, for each chapter if possible, so the students become more familiar with the steps." Tom S. |
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"Individual Students - Provide as much information as possible for the students/families including a parent seminar and check list of steps and requirements. Have intermittent due dates for students to turn in parts of the project. Use time in class to discuss ideas and give students feedback." Christine N. |
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"I try to include the components in most projects or activities. This gets the students tuned in to the vocabulary, processes, and expectations for when they work on their own project." Ann L. |
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"Give each student/family a packet of information about the process, guidelines, due dates, time-management calendar, etc. Create a teacher webpage of science fair information, time-management calendar, links to resources and videos. Hold a Parent Night about Science Fair in early January. Marianne H. |
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"A big help in doing this project is the fact that we have mini-deadlines (on average once a week), so that the total project is not overwhelming to students. The deadlines really help! So does using the "variable wheel" to pick a project. This exercise requires students to pick a DV and then ways to change the IV. This also leads to a list of potential constant conditions." Laurie R. |
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"I incorporate inquiry and project-based learning throughout the entire year. It is important that these strands of learning be threaded throughout the curriculum. Regular reinforcement of scientific vocabulary is also very important. Clint C. |
"Guided Inquiry: I would add that the teacher needs to MODEL, MODEL, MODEL quality Another tip/idea for Guided Inquiry is to help teachers manage supplies by focusing on only 1 broad unit (such as plants) and provide students with a variety of different types of experimenting/testing that they can do based on the subject matter (i.e. experiment with different liquids, test different growing areas, test different types of plants or soils, etc.) Another idea for middle and high school science fair projects is to have students do the K. Betz
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Teachers: Science fair questions, comments or just need help?
Contact Jessica Winkler, STEM Special Projects and Resource Manager
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SCIENCE FAIR builds scientific inquiry skills and ties into testing.
Science fair helps students to meet the 2020 Missouri Learning Standards science expectations for Grades K-5 and Grades 6-12, as well as the Science and Engineering Practicies (NGSS) summarized in Appendix F and the Crosscutting Concepts (NGSS) summarized in Appendix G.
Science fair helps to prepare students for the science portion of MAP testing, which they will take in Grades 5 and 8.
By participating in science fair, students of all grades can gain a better understanding of scientific inquiry. Scientific inquiry is included in the Science and Engineering Practices (NGSS) in Appendix F:
Standards and performance expectations that are aligned to the framework must take into account that students cannot fully understand scientific and engineering ideas without engaging in the practices of inquiry and the discourses by which such ideas are developed and refined. At the same time, they cannot learn or show competence in practices except in the context of specific content. (NRC Framework, 2012, p. 218)
Engaging in the practices of science helps students understand how scientific knowledge develops; such direct involvement gives them an appreciation of the wide range of approaches that are used to investigate, model, and explain the world. Engaging in the practices of engineering likewise helps students understand the work of engineers, as well as the links between engineering and science. Participation in these practices also helps students form an understanding of the crosscutting concepts and disciplinary ideas of science and engineering; moreover, it makes students’ knowledge more meaningful and embeds it more deeply into their worldview.
The actual doing of science or engineering can also pique students’ curiosity, capture their interest, and motivate their continued study; the insights thus gained help them recognize that the work of scientists and engineers is a creative endeavor—one that has deeply affected the world they live in. Students may then recognize that science and engineering can contribute to meeting many of the major challenges that confront society today, such as generating sufficient energy, preventing and treating disease, maintaining supplies of fresh water and food, and addressing climate change.
Any education that focuses predominantly on the detailed products of scientific labor— the facts of science—without developing an understanding of how those facts were established or that ignores the many important applications of science in the world misrepresents science and marginalizes the importance of engineering. (NRC Framework 2012, pp. 42-43)
Practice 1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
A practice of science is to ask and refine questions that lead to descriptions and explanations of how the natural and designed world(s) works and which can be empirically tested. Engineering questions clarify problems to determine criteria for successful solutions and identify constraints to solve problems about the designed world. Both scientists and engineers also ask questions to clarify ideas.
Practice 2: Developing and Using Models
A practice of both science and engineering is to use and construct models as helpful tools for representing ideas and explanations. These tools include diagrams, drawings, physical replicas, mathematical representations, analogies, and computer simulations. Modeling tools are used to develop questions, predictions and explanations; analyze and identify flaws in systems; and communicate ideas. Models are used to build and revise scientific explanations and proposed engineered systems. Measurements and observations are used to revise models and designs.
Practice 3: Planning and Carrying out Investigations
Scientists and engineers plan and carry out investigations in the field or laboratory, working collaboratively as well as individually. Their investigations are systematic and require clarifying what counts as data and identifying variables or parameters. Engineering investigations identify the effectiveness, efficiency, and durability of designs under different conditions.
Practice 4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Scientific investigations produce data that must be analyzed in order to derive meaning. Because data patterns and trends are not always obvious, scientists use a range of tools—including tabulation, graphical interpretation, visualization, and statistical analysis—to identify the significant features and patterns in the data. Scientists identify sources of error in the investigations and calculate the degree of certainty in the results. Modern technology makes the collection of large data sets much easier, providing secondary sources for analysis. Engineering investigations include analysis of data collected in the tests of designs. This allows comparison of different solutions and determines how well each meets specific design criteria—that is, which design best solves the problem within given constraints. Like scientists, engineers require a range of tools to identify patterns within data and interpret the results. Advances in science make analysis of proposed solutions more efficient and effective.
Practice 5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
In both science and engineering, mathematics and computation are fundamental tools for representing physical variables and their relationships. They are used for a range of tasks such as constructing simulations; solving equations exactly or approximately; and recognizing, expressing, and applying quantitative relationships. Mathematical and computational approaches enable scientists and engineers to predict the behavior of systems and test the validity of such predictions.
Practice 6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
The end-products of science are explanations and the endproducts of engineering are solutions. The goal of science is the construction of theories that provide explanatory accounts of the world. A theory becomes accepted when it has multiple lines of empirical evidence and greater explanatory power of phenomena than previous theories. The goal of engineering design is to find a systematic solution to problems that is based on scientific knowledge and models of the material world. Each proposed solution results from a process of balancing competing criteria of desired functions, technical feasibility, cost, safety, aesthetics, and compliance with legal requirements. The optimal choice depends on how well the proposed solutions meet criteria and constraints.
Practice 7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Argumentation is the process by which evidence-based conclusions and solutions are reached. In science and engineering, reasoning and argument based on evidence are essential to identifying the best explanation for a natural phenomenon or the best solution to a design problem. Scientists and engineers use argumentation to listen to, compare, and evaluate competing ideas and methods based on merits. Scientists and engineers engage in argumentation when investigating a phenomenon, testing a design solution, resolving questions about measurements, building data models, and using evidence to evaluate claims.
Practice 8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Scientists and engineers must be able to communicate clearly and persuasively the ideas and methods they generate. Critiquing and communicating ideas individually and in groups is a critical professional activity. Communicating information and ideas can be done in multiple ways: using tables, diagrams, graphs, models, and equations as well as orally, in writing, and through extended discussions. Scientists and engineers employ multiple sources to obtain information that is used to evaluate the merit and validity of claims, methods, and designs.