The Next Generation of
Science Fair:
The Next Generation of
Science Fair:
Alissa Royal
K-12 Engineering Coordinator
aroyal@melissaisd.org
Dollie Green
5th Grade Science Teacher
dgreen@melissaisd.org
Science Fair
 scientific method
 competition
 rigid guidelines
 showing of work through
Kids’ Inquiry Conference




display boards




scientific method
non-competitive
choice
showing of work through
variety of mediums to
audiences
authentic experiences
fosters collaboration
become experts on topic
integration of technology
beyond word processing
 Get others excited about
science
 Authentic, non-competitive
environment
 Students sharing science
experiences
 Greater awareness of their own
science knowledge
 Strengthened presentation,
communication and
technology skills
 Determine scope of KIC for
your campus
 Establish support from
colleagues
 Foster science inquiry in
classrooms
 Introduce KIC to students
 Establish a student timeline
 Establish parent roles
 Gather materials
 Decide on the level of involvement: 1 class, 1
grade, whole department
 Decide what type of KIC: single school or
multi-school
 Determine location: rooms for presentations
and demonstrations, welcome area, keynote
address
 Determine date: time of year and day of
week
 Determine time: begin with KIC Pep Rally,
how many sessions, length of sessions,
morning group and afternoon group.
 Determine needs for implementation:
technology, materials, volunteers, mentors
 Establish rubrics
 Student/Teacher
conferencing
 Assist students in
evaluating their plan
 Mini-Lessons
 Monitor progress
 Establish roles
 Investigation
Planning sheets
 Experimentation
 Blurbs
 Presenters Bios
 Journal Articles
 Presentation Prep
 Rehearsals
 Video
 Flipvids
 8mm video camera
 Microsoft MovieMaker
 Webpage
 TeacherWeb
 Google Sites
 Glogster
 TeacherTube
 Weebly
 MOODLE
 Photo Story or Vodcast
 Digital camera
 Microsoft Photo Story
 Demonstration
 Presentation with Visual
Aid
 Microsoft PowerPoint
 Prezi
 Podcast
 Audacity
 Live Streaming
 ustream.tv
Websites
Demonstrations
Videos
Vodcast
Display Boards
Oral Presentations/PowerPoint
Live Streaming
Cardinal Learning Online
 Increase of student







conceptual understanding
Increase in district and
state data
Student ownership of own
learning
Connects all processing
skills in a cohesive
experience
“Being a scientist”
Improves student cognition
21st century skills: digital
literacy
Business and community
partnerships
Short Course
Saturday
9:00-12:00
Generation 2.0: The Next Step in Starting a “Kids’ Inquiry Conference.” Renovate
your science fair into a “Kids’ Inquiry Conference” to support the rigor and
complexity of our newest standards. This working session will take us
through the process of moving students through the inquiry continuum, to
create independent thinkers, writers, data collectors, and communicators of
science. Create a plan for implementing a Kids’ Inquiry Conference on your
campus and walk away with checklist, timelines, schedules, and rubrics for a
success first year of KIC.
Dieckman, Dona, Charles R. Pearce, and Wendy Saul. Beyond the Science
Fair: Creating a Kids' Inquiry Conference. Chicago: Heinemann, 2005.
Print.
"The Kids' Inquiry Conference Homepage." The Elementary Science
Integration Projects. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.esiponline.org/kic/
"Science Education Products and Supplies | ETA/Cuisenaire."
ETA/Cuisenaire: Hands-On Manipulatives and Supplemental
Educational Materials for Grades PreK-12. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.etacuisenaire.com/catalog/department?deptId=SCIENCE
&d0=SCIENCE>.
"Melissa Ridge Elementary - KIC: Kids' Inquiry Conference." Melissa Ridge
Elementary - Index. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2010. <http://melissaridge.groupfusion.net/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=3036&sessio
nid=fea16593c11b978dda2befd292dcf250
Structured
Guided
StudentInitiated
Student:
focuses on
one aspect
focuses on more
than one aspect
focuses on
all aspects
supporting aspects
model and guide
supporting aspects
defines
learning goals
guide reasoning
guide reasoning
guide reasoning
Teacher: model and guide
with discretion
Stixy.com
Scientific Inquiry Model: NW Regional Educational Library