1. Action Plan Template Educator Academy May 2011
Costa Rica

2. 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.

3. 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). / 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 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 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 th place in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering , 2nd place team projects in Electrical and ‘ Mechanical Engineering, 4th place team projects in Environmental Engineering
2010
ISEF th place team projects in Environmental Engineering
By Nathalie Valencia

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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.