How Important Is The Science Fair?
Science fairs are an extremely important part of every student's journey through science. Science fairs help students get involved with hands on activities to make new discoveries as scientists. This gives students the opportunity to expand their ideas and create an experiment that interests them. After reading many articles, I have learned so many positive things about why science fairs are actually so important for young scientists!
When I was in middle school I participated in a science fair through my school. I worked with a partner and we conducted an experiment that asked the question: "How does different colored lights effect plant growth?" This was a great experience for me because I was able to collaborate with a partner to create something we were both interested in! While participating in this science fair I wasn't too sure why it was so important, but I knew I was having fun! After reading a few articles, I now understand why science fairs are so important!
In the article Science Fairs: Teaching Students To Think Like Scientists, the author stressed how important it is for students to develop new ideas through science fairs, rather then thinking science is a step by step process in the classroom. Many students think science is about rote memorization, but it is not, it is about an active and live process of discovering science! Students have misconceptions that science is conducted in a cookbook sequence, but Kenyon, a former marine science researcher who teaches 6th grade, is determined to get rid of these misconceptions and help students understand that science is an active and hands on learning process. This article helped me realize how important it is to guide students towards ideas that allow them to become part of the scientific process. A great way to help students create a project that they are interested in is to have them keep a journal of ideas that they have. Each student can "own" the topic they choose and this helps them to be engaged in the science fair project. Science fairs require a lot of commitment, but the results are extremely rewarding to all of the students.
In the article The Value of a Science Fair Project, I learned about even more benefits of participating in the science fair. Science fairs involve so much more than just science. Not only do students take part in the research and data collection of a science fair project, but they also usually write a paper on their results, which includes reading, writing, and grammar. Students will learn even more skills than just new science skills. Students may use the computer and internet to gather research, which will give students new skills with the use of technology. A science fair also requires students to use time management and planing skills. Science fair projects do not just happen over night, students must create a thorough plan to carry out. Students may also work on their communication skills, because at the science fair students will learn to share with an audience what they have created and discovered. This was my biggest challenge to overcome when I participated in the science fair. I was terrified to speak in front of other people and share my ideas, but after I did it I felt great! I was proud of myself for sharing my ideas and overcoming my fear!
Clearly, we can see how many benefits a science fair has for young learners. I believe that the biggest benefit is that a science fair gets students out of the classroom and allows them to use their own ideas to conduct an experiment. It allows students to leave behind the books and participate in hands on activities to enhance their learning!
In the article The Value of a Science Fair Project, I learned about even more benefits of participating in the science fair. Science fairs involve so much more than just science. Not only do students take part in the research and data collection of a science fair project, but they also usually write a paper on their results, which includes reading, writing, and grammar. Students will learn even more skills than just new science skills. Students may use the computer and internet to gather research, which will give students new skills with the use of technology. A science fair also requires students to use time management and planing skills. Science fair projects do not just happen over night, students must create a thorough plan to carry out. Students may also work on their communication skills, because at the science fair students will learn to share with an audience what they have created and discovered. This was my biggest challenge to overcome when I participated in the science fair. I was terrified to speak in front of other people and share my ideas, but after I did it I felt great! I was proud of myself for sharing my ideas and overcoming my fear!
Clearly, we can see how many benefits a science fair has for young learners. I believe that the biggest benefit is that a science fair gets students out of the classroom and allows them to use their own ideas to conduct an experiment. It allows students to leave behind the books and participate in hands on activities to enhance their learning!
References
Mascarelli, A. L. (2011, October 5). Science fairs: Teaching students to think like scientists. Retrieved November 27, 2016, from https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/science-fairs-teaching-students-think-scientists
The Value of a Science Fair Project. (2016). Retrieved November 27, 2016, from http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/scifair_value.shtml
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