Science Expo

2010 Dates: Bring in the Poster by May 12th, PLEASE.  This gives us time to work out any omissions or misunderstandings. The convention happens May 26th.

Each Spring, Manning School students carry out science work on their own. This means (usually) doing science at home, using the skills learned in the Manning Science Center.  The Expo is when students share this work at our own special convention. 

The Expo takes place one afternoon in the cafeteria. Every student who has brought in a project that meets all the rules will participate. (This means they earned a grade of level 3 or level 4). Every participating student is a winner, and receives a small set of prizes. Students have time to share with each other - and this part is what makes it all so valuable and worthwhile. Students move around the tables, visiting with another attending scientist, and discuss the project. The students have always taken this part very seriously, showing how much they understand about how science really works.

What does a student need to do to receive an invitation?

Students will investigate, test, or experiment. This project emphasizes doing REAL science – so your child will be doing science, not reading about a science topic. These home investigations are expected to be easy and fun.

The final project requirements are so basic (and easy) that students in Grades 3, 4, & 5 do not need any help, except maybe with supplies and reminders (the school does not provide any supplies).  This project runs the same way we work in the Manning Science Center (MSC). The only times families find this challenging is when the basic approach learned in the MSC isn’t followed.

• The work starts with a question, the same as in the MSC.

The Question: No questions about volcanoes, about planets, or dinosaurs, by the way. For safety, none about growing molds. It is a good idea to ask me to check the question – but this isn’t required (strongly suggested – but not required).

Here are some helpful online resources for ideas:

1. Science Bob
2. Discovery Education - Science Fair Central 
3. The Five Types of Science Fair Projects (we use the Investigative)
4. ScienceBuddies

• The work is summarized – in a very short report which is made into a mini-poster.

The Poster: Posters are small!!! – about  the size of two pieces of paper – no bigger than 11” by 17” (and only on just one side). Students will bring home a folder soon, along with examples of past projects, from different grades.

I review the posters as they come in and give feedback to all “not yet done” students. I really want all to have a successful project. They will be able to bring back their revised project or poster. I keep on reviewing, until the day before the Convention. 

Who?  We want everyone to participate, even Kindergarten. Each and every student who brings in poster for a project meeting all the rules is a winner, and will receive a prize at the Expo Convention.