Action Plan Template Educator Academy May 2011 Costa Rica

Education Environment Costa Rica Country Population: ~ 4.5 million; Territory: 51,100 km2 Education Environment Education System: Organization: National centralized system with 27 regional offices of the Ministry of Education One National Curriculum Mandatory (K-9) and free public education K-12. 30-40 students / class. Math & Science introduced from K-6 by elementary regular teacher, general science teachers in 7-9th grades, and specialized science teachers in high school.

Science and Engineering Fairs in Costa Rica: History Science fairs as extracurricular activities: First Creativity and Science Fairs attempts 1970´s University of Costa Rica (UCR) organizes Science Fairs with university students 1980’s 1987: Fist National Science Fair (NSF) managed by UCR. NSF during this period included mainly private HS students from metropolitan area. (30-50 schools participated) 1990’s Law 7169, formal organization of NSF. NSF expanded to Primary School (1998) and other regions of the country (300 schools participated). 1999 NSF affiliated to ISEF. First 3 Regional Fairs (550 schools) / ISEF Student observers. 2000 20 Regional Science and Technology Fairs feed the ISEF affiliated National Science & Technology Fair; (710 schools participated). / 2002- CR team obtains first Special Award at ISEF. 2004 National Decree (# 3900 MEP-MICIT) Institutional science fairs are mandatory and incorporated in National School Calendar Launch Intel SAS teacher training program. ISEF 2004 CR students obtain 3rd place team award in Botany. 2005 Development of judging manuals and training . 2006 New regulations for the participation of Kindergarten students A new fair is affiliated to ISEF; ISEF 2006 CR students obtain 3rd place team award I Environmental Sc. 2007 Creating an Engineering Fair. ISEF 2007 CR student obtains Special Award (scholarship to study at Instituto Tec.de Monterrey). 2008 ISEF 2008. CR team obtains a team special award and an individual special award: a scholarship to study at Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey). CR SF model is used as a model for the development of the SF process in Medellín, Colombia. Launch of the 1st National Engineering Fair in Costa Rica. 2009 Implementation of National ExpoENGINEERING Fair (former National Engineering Fair) with the collaboration of Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Intel Costa Rica ISEF 2009. 4th place in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering , 2nd place team projects in Electrical and ‘ Mechanical Engineering, 4th place team projects in Environmental Engineering 2010 ISEF 2010. 4th place team projects in Environmental Engineering By Nathalie Valencia

Science Fairs, math and science curriculum What are the three biggest obstacles you face? Training (teacher, mentors & judges): The lack of training program for the main actors of SF process results into low quality researches process and lack of motivation. Project quality (writing, safety, ethics): Low quality research process has been generating problems in data searching, theoretical framework, references use, safety procedures and data analysis. Motivation strategy (teacher, mentors & students): Lack of support from the administrators and the absence of motivation mechanisms produce low performance on research process and SF participation.

High Level Goals What do you want to accomplish for your school, region or country? Look at long-term (3-5 years) and short-term goals (1-2 years) Examples Long term goals Implement science inquiry in secondary schools Institutionalize management of science fairs and science programs for primary and secondary schools Increase the number of students participating in science fairs by XX% within X years Short term goals Establish a bank of mentors to assist students Start a new fair Improve scientific review and judging

Objectives To develop a strategic plan for a national training program focused on teachers, mentors, judges & students to improve projects quality, focused on writing, safety, ethics. To generate a motivation strategy for each one of the actors in the process (judges, teachers, mentors & students)

Action Plan – Steps to Meet Your Goals and Objectives Measure success? Who’s Responsible? Deadline? Coordination with state holders to develop an integrated strategy Strategy developed TEAM December, 2011 Development of training materials. 3 training modules (Teachers, mentors & judges) June, 2012 First pilot of training modules 75 master teachers trained as facilitator for the three modules August, 2012 First trainings at national level At least 300 teachers, mentors and judges trained December, 2012 Training Certification At least 300 teachers , mentors and judges certificated March, 2013 Stablish comittment of the National Scientific Community to volunteer as mentors and judges Mentors and judges Data Base Costa Rican Science Camp (first steps into science research for students) Development of 7 Science Camps (one per provinces) December, 2013 Recognition of scientific community members that volunteer as judges and mentors with the reward "Scientist of the year for social integration" on the National Science & Technology Day Reward given Publishing at newspaper and digital media that recognize the awards of teachers and students at national level Publication

Intel ISEF Educator Academy Reflection - To be done… Highlight for the Academy, the need of commitment of scientific community, the importance of training and support (government, scientist and private sector) What impressed you the most? Shop Talks from Russ Fisher, Jack Franchetti and Bill Ringney What would you improve? Shop Talks of searching for funds and commitment from government, scientist and private sector: Non USA examples.