Primary & Lower Elementary
Science & Engineering Fair
January 29, 2020
Upper Elementary and Middle School
Science & Engineering Fair
January 14, 2020
About the Science & Engineering Fair
The Free Horizon Montessori Science & Engineering Fair is an opportunity for students to apply in meaningful ways the science, technology, engineering, and math knowledge and skills they have acquired through their hard work at school. It is also a great way for the students to have fun as they create and present a project to professional engineers, scientists and/or elder students.
Goals of FHM's Science & Engineering Fair
It is our desire that FHM's Science and Engineering Fair be a time for playful and purposeful investigation of the sciences.
We intend that the Fair:
- Broadens children's understanding of science as a way of knowing.
- Promotes the importance for scientific literacy as a critical tool to understanding the universe and our place in it.
The Science & Engineering Fair is about exploration and
experimentation. Is a time when authentic and important questions can be
asked and solutions attempted. The focus is not on being right or
figuring everything out; it's about the process of scientific inquiry.
Enjoy the process and have fun!
Student Participation
Students of all ages can join in on the fun and challenge!
Participation by Primary and Lower Elementary students is optional,
while all Upper Elementary and Middle School students are required to
participate as part of their curricular studies.
Since Upper
Elementary and Middle School students are required to complete a
project for the Science & Engineering Fair, they will have some
class time to work on their projects and meet with mentors. Like all
long-term projects, however, students will need to do the bulk of their
project work outside of school hours.
Primary and Lower Elementary students will need to complete their projects outside of regular school hours.
Useful Links for Students
The following websites are offered as resources for our young scientists and engineers as they select and complete projects for the Science & Engineering Fair. This list is not exhaustive, and students are encouraged to explore beyond these websites.
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The Exploratorium - Ideas and activities for younger students
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Biology 4 Kids - Great resource for older students focusing on cells, microorganisms, plants, invertebrates, vertebrates, and animal systems
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About.com Biology - Site for 4th graders and above with articles and links to other websites related to biology
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Eureka Science - Information, activities, and website links pertaining to cells, DNA, RNA, proteins, and cloning geared toward older students
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The Science Club - Ideas for projects based on level (beginner, medium, advanced)
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Mad Science - Franchise offering hands-on workshops for children, focus on Primary and Lower Elementary ages
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Discovery Kids - Site from the television station with interactive games and activities geared toward younger students
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PBS Kids - Site from the television station with interactive games and activities geared toward younger students
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Science Buddies - Geared toward Upper El, Middle School, and High School featuring project ideas, resources, and more
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Advanced Science Fair Projects - Ideas for the advanced student scientist who is interested in a real challenge
Parent Participation
Parent participation in their student's project is encouraged. The role
of the parent, however, must be one of guidance, support, and
motivation. To help the students learn the most from their Science
& Engineering Fair experience, they must choose their project,
conduct their experiments, collect their data, and create their
presentation as independently as possible.
Classroom Mentors
Each
classroom will have a Classroom Mentor, a dedicated parent volunteer to
help both students and parents during the process of creating a
project. Classroom Mentors will visit with students during school hours
to help anyone who would like assistance in choosing a project or who
has questions about their project or how to present it. Classroom Mentor
contact information is listed below, and will be updated as more
volunteers join our ranks!
If you are a scientist, engineer
and/or lover of the sciences and would like to serve as a classroom
mentor, please email Miera Nagy
We Need Volunteer Judges
We are in need of volunteer judges for the first day of the Fair.
Please pass the word along to family and friends that you think might
enjoy interacting with our talented junior scientists and engineers. If
you are a scientist or engineer and would like to serve as a judge,
please email Miera Nagy or visit our volunteer page.
Participation in the Denver Regional & State Science & Engineering Fair
Students in 6th - 8th grade will have the opportunity to continue on to
the Denver Regional Science & Engineering Fair (and the State level
if they should happen to do well) if desired. The decision to be judged
for continuing on to the Denver Regional Science & Engineering Fair
will be up to the students. Those projects will be subjected to more
rigorous evaluation by a minimum of three adult judges, with only those
projects meeting minimum requirements selected to move on to the Denver
Regional Fair. Participation in the Regional and State Fairs is limited
to 6th - 8th graders, with teams of one to three students.