Middle School Science Fair Marisa Gonzales Silverstein Melissa Shandroff

Hillside Science Fair Initiated in 2011 by an 8th grade Girl Scout, Julia Morriss; she created marketing and how-to-create-a-science-fair-project materials; 40 kids participated Two parents coordinated the fair the second year, building on Julia’s work Hillside’s principal began to coordinate the fair in year 3; Jamie Nedwick currently is the coordinator; 75+ kids typically participate each year Mostly demonstrations; some collect data and use the scientific method Students prepare projects on their own outside of school time Fair typically takes place in May; no judging involved; students receive a certificate of participation Engages students: Classes rotate through the fair the next day

Middle School Science Fair History Started when the Hillside parents moved to middle school A team of three parents was recruited Wanted to continue engaging students through a science fair First year: Marketed to parents, not students Only four students participated, but several families visited the fair No judging; students received certificates of participation

Middle School Science Fair History Second year: Parent organizers marketed directly to students: went into 5th grade classes and 6th grade science classes Numbers increased to 15 projects Team of parents grows to 4 Science fair takes place at night Projects are judged during the fair; awards ceremony directly afterwards

Middle School Science Fair Last two years: 40 students participated each year Parents created a website with resources for students Students registered online Web blast sent to families for additional marketing High school science research students assisted with marketing: went to middle school classes to encourage students to participate Majority of students were 5th graders followed by 6th graders, lower numbers of 7th and 8th graders

Day of the Fair Students are judged by a panel of 3 - 4 judges Students sign up for a time slot on Saturday morning for their judging session Judges see every project Projects judged on creative ability, scientific thought, thoroughness, and clarity

Day of the Fair Students return in the afternoon for a public session and awards ceremony All participants receive certificates

Day of Fair and Beyond Top two projects move on to the Tri-County Science Fair Sophia placed 1st in chemistry in 2014 Chelsea and Sara placed 1st in Middle School Psychology Category at Tri-County Fair in 2016

Mentoring Sessions High school science research students Mentoring sessions (4-5 each year) to assist students in formulating their projects Question Data to collect Display results Parent Scientists Scientific method

Parental Engagement Organize and run the fair Parent scientists within the district help to mentor students Community scientists volunteer as judges: year to year consistency Reach out to parents to encourage student participation Parents attend the public fair and awards ceremony

Student Engagement Participation in hands-on research/activity Many non-participant students attend public fair and then sign up next year

Student Engagement Engagement between middle and high school students Middle school students are proactive in terms of registering and attending mentoring sessions Team projects: collaboration

Middle School Science Fair Future Parents continue to organize at this time Move towards having a teacher organize and run fair, similar to Hillside Continue to engage parents as judges, mentors, and viewers at public fair