Science Fair Article

When assigning a science fair project to your students it is important to first go over science safety. Teachers must remind students about safety procedures and protocols for them to follow. It would be beneficial to model how to perform a science experiment safely and model non-examples for students. When assigning a science fair project teachers should teach students how to correctly pick an effective science fair project. The science fair project should have independent and dependent variables as well as a control group. Teachers should tell students to pick a topic that interests them so they will have fun doing the science fair project. All science fair projects involve inquiry and the scientific method so teaching or reviewing these two topics first are instrumental to the success of the students.

Teachers should be able to answer the following two questions when assigning their science fair projects. First, teachers should think if students can be organized doing many projects at the same time in the classroom or if the science fair project will be assigned for homework. Teachers should also think about how can the teacher help students while giving them the freedom of choice and independence of thought that comes with genuine inquiry. Techers should guide students to pick science fair topics or ideas that they will be successful at. Teachers should also provide graphic organizers for students to follow to make sure they have all parts of the scientific method in their experiment. Teachers should also model or show students how scientist encounter new and interesting situations and how they go about solving them. Students should be made to believe that they are scientist in training and feel a connection to the work they are doing.

When teachers give real life problems that need to be solved, this might serve as a jumping off point for students who may be feeling stuck. Modeling figuring out a problem, making a question and hypothesis that will need to be tested will help show students how to think and act like scientist. A science fair project is a good time to build students' self confidence and help them believe they can be successful in science.

Check out this video I found on the benefits of students performing science fair projects!!