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On February 10, 2017, IVA will be hosting its third science fair!
The purpose of a science fair is to provide students the opportunity to use scientific practices to investigate a scientific question they are curious about. Students design their project, carefully collect and analyze their data, and write a thorough report. Students present their findings to the scientific community in class and some will present at the IVA science fair.
This year, Ms. Gordon and Ms. Campos have decided to hold the science fair on a volunteer basis meaning students interested in presenting will be encouraged to do so, rather than all students being expected to create a project board and present. In the last three years we found that requiring all students to do the fair didn't encourage as much autonomy and thoroughness as if it was a selected entry. We do not want to hold students back that are feel stress or anxiety about such an experience at the same time that we want to provide the opportunity for those students ready to step up in this way.
An exciting part of the fair is that students are able to interact with scientists or retired scientists in the field. If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering to be a judge at our science fair, please contact Ms. Campos via email at claudia.campos@ivalongbeach.
Good afternoon IVA Families,
I hope you are having a relaxing weekend! I am writing to you to inform you of the changes to this year’s IVA science fair taking place on Friday, February 10th. Ms. Gordon and I were discussing the benefits and drawbacks of science fair and came up with a new idea of how this year’s event should take place.
We love that students are able to investigate questions they are curious about and do so as scientists. Reporting findings to the scientific community is what allows us to be informed about discoveries and understandings in our dynamic world.
Because of the importance to communicate procedures, results, and conclusions, all students will be turning in a formal report. Directions for the report were given to students by their teachers and have had class time to work on them.
The big difference this year is that not all students will be expected to make a project board and present at the IVA science fair. This means that presenting will be on a volunteer basis for students interested in this opportunity. If students are interested in presenting, and potentially being invited to present at the Los Angeles County Science & Engineering Fair, then they will be expected to prepare a project board.
The rationale for this change is that students are given the opportunity to explore something they are curious about and we would like them to value the process and what they have learned. Some students perceive presenting as an extra stress that might take away from the enjoyment of completing a careful and thorough investigation. On the other hand, some students enjoy the presentation portion and want to compete in a next level science fair. We would like to appreciate students’ efforts, while not overwhelming them with more mandatory assignments. We do encourage students to participate in presenting at the fair because they will get to speak to current or retired scientists and receive valuable feedback, while practicing scientific communication. Students who decide not to present will have the opportunity to shadow a science fair judge and be a part of the interviews.
This information has been communicated to students, but I wanted to make sure families were aware as well. Please email your student’s teacher if you have any clarifying questions.
The following are due dates for each grade level:
6th Grade – Slideshow report and board due Wednesday, February 8th
7th Grade – Written report due via Google Classroom Thursday, February 2nd; Board due Thursday, February 9th
8th Grade - Written report due via Google Classroom Friday, February 3rd; Board due Thursday, February 9th