Integrating Science Fairs Into The Curriculum

Intel ISEF 2009Educator Academy

Reno

Daniel BarbourSciMatics Academy Director

Alumni Cleveland 2003Barbour@rrhs.rrps.k12.nm.us

Scope of Program~2500 Students

• 4 Elementary Schools, Ages 5-11 ~450 students (Voluntary)– Have Fun and Explore

• 3 Middle Schools, Ages 11-13, ~1800 students (Required)– Developmental Work book

• 1 MidHigh, Ages 13-14, ~50 students

• 1 High School, Ages 15-18, ~200 students

Student Research EXPOAdvancing Research In The

Classroom• New Mexico State Standards Alignment Strand I: The Process of Science• Champion Director with support structure• Curriculum• Creating a culture within the schools• Creating student/parent expectations• Passion and Fun

Creating the Support Structure

• Champion (Necessary)– Staff Recruiting– Professional Development– Resources– Consulting– Publicizing– Listening– History

Staff Support Structure

• Division of Labor• Job descriptions

– Expo coordinator– Scientific Review Committee (SRC/IRB)– Judging coordinator– Scoring/Awards coordinator– Set-up and take down coordinator– Further Competition coordinator– Program Trainer (add this year)– Information Office IPO (add this year)– http://www.rrps.net/Achievement/District/JRExpo/

jrResearchExpo.htm

OrganizationRRPS Junior Student

Research EXPO

Trainer:IRB Reviewer

Daniel Barbour:SRE DistrictCoordinator

Debbie Loftin:JSRE DistrictCoordinator

Eagle RidgeEXPO Team

LincolnEXPO Team

Rio Rancho EXPO Team

Mountain ViewEXPO Team

RRPS ~2500 Students Doing Research

Developmental Curricular Approach• K-5 (6yrs-10yrs) Fun of the Experiment

– Voluntary– Teacher Guidance– Website searching – Parent information– Student workshops at lunch– Older student Interviewing

• 4-5 (9yrs-10yrs) After School Science clubs – Robotics, Critical Scientific Investigation– 8 weeks-1.5 hours- 1day a week– Students have fun with science and engineering– Take home something to teach parents

• 6th grade Emphasis: • Intel ISEF Protocols: Science for Society and The Public• Competitive or non-competitive• Thought of the experiment integrated into science

curriculum throughout the year– Hypothesis– Independent / Manipulated variable– Dependent / Response variable– Control– Constants– Abstract

Developmental Curricular Approach

• 7th-8th grade Emphasis: Project required• Intel ISEF Protocols: Science for Society and The Public• Competitive or non-competitive• Practice the skills of the experiment integrated into

science curriculum throughout the year– Include all of 6th grade – Procedure with multiple trials– Data table– Data collection methods– Analyzing results– Conclusion– Bibliography

Developmental Curricular Approach

Developmental CurricularApproach

• Grades 8 -12 (13yrs -18yrs) – Voluntary Further Exploration

• Intel ISEF Protocols or non-competitive• Extra Credit in math and science classes• Project required in Advanced science classes• Student Mentorship program• Business Research Opportunities• Never say “NO” to the “WHAT”. Always guide

the “HOW”.

Building a Culture

• Support – (hiring/classroom expectation)– Superintendent– Director of Curriculum– Principal Buy-in– Student Buy-in– Parent Buy-in– Business Buy-in– Intel Education Manager– Multiple programs and Venues

Classroom Tools• Rule of Thirds Timeline• Inspirational Movies• Topic selection video• Handbooks, student workbooks• Scientific Review Committee

– Review projects– Checklists for forms

• Credentialing packet (paperwork)• Power points / Student workshops• Preview day

Professional Development Tools• Intel Educator Academy• ISEF Shadow Team• Site-based Leadership• Leadership celebration and debriefing• Sponsor Workshops – Vocabulary Shift

– Getting started, SRC, Statistics, Embedding Inquiry

• Student Mentorship• Student Workshops

– Choosing a topic, Building a Board, SHAPE, Statistics, Paper Work, Abstract Writing

• Students – Ceremony, Certificates, Iq letters and bars, $, Recommendations, Public Speaking, Classes, extra credit, letters of recommendation

• Internships-University, Industry, Labs • Conference Displays• Staff – Thank you notes, Gift cards, Plaques• Sponsors – Plaques, Shirts, Gift cards• Schools – Plaques, Positive press• Custodians – Thank you notes, Lunch• Parents – Volunteers, Newsletter, Around the

Community• Businesses – Sponsorship, Outreach• Research in multiple disciplines

Continuous Recognition

• 7 years, students qualify for Intel ISEF• Enthusiastic Staff• Content Experts• Community Networks• Celebrate after every EXPO• Debrief and record improvements• Multiple venues • Higher levels• Transcends all disciplines for life-long learning

Passion and Fun