SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FAIR:

Science Fair’ is a school wide event that has been happening at Balmacewen Intermediate for many years now. It involves students, or groups of students, creating a science or technology-based project where they explore problems or questions using the scientific principles or the ‘Design Thinking’ processes. Students who create outstanding projects then have the opportunity to represent Balmacewen at the Otago Science & Technology Fair in term 3. In the past Balmacewen students have achieved well and we have had a number of overall winners during our years of entering. 

WHO: All Balmacewen Intermediate students have the opportunity to complete a science and technology fair project individually or as a group. This is an optional project and is not compulsory for students.

WHEN: Science fair takes place over the course of term two. Projects are due for presentation in week 1, term 3, Friday 26th July.
The best entries will be taken to the Otago Museum to be judged amongst the best in Otago at the Otago Science and Technology Fair in week 3 of term 3.

WHERE: The majority of the project work will need to be carried out in students’ own time, with a designated teacher in each syndicate who are available to be contacted for guidance and offer support (see list below). Some class time will be given towards the end of the term for students to work on their projects with the rest of the time made up a home.

Rms 1,2,25 = Miss Smart. 

 Rms 9,10,11 = Mrs Cooper. 

 Rms 5,6,26 = Ms Dixon

Rms 3,4,13 = Terry Tarapi. 

 Rms 7,8,14 = Mr Cooke. 

 Rms 22,23,24 = Mr Olsen

WHAT:

A science fair project can be a scientific investigation, experimental research or technology-based solution to a problem.

• WEEKS 3-4: A project will start with a big question. From there it will lead to further exploration and investigation of an idea or problem associated with their question. Science-based projects should have a clear ‘aim’ and technology projects should have a clear need or problem that the student wants to explore. For example: ‘How can I keep the fizz in my fizzy for longer?’ or ‘How can I make myself safe on my skateboard coming to school in the mornings?’

• Next the students will need to research and gather background information around this big idea.

• They will use this information to make a hypothesis or (in the case of an invention) come up with a prototype or plan.

• WEEKS 4 – 7: From here the students need to come up with a plan for how they are going to carry out their experiment, invention or investigation. They need to remember to use fair testing principles (these things will be covered at school) or, in the case of a technology project, follow the Design Thinking proess.

• The students carry this plan out over the next few weeks and keep a log book and take photos of the process along the way.

• WEEK 8: Next the students put together their results using graphs etc

• WEEK 9-10: They then summarise their results, making reference to their hypothesis (or problem).

• A summary explaining the most important steps and finding of the project get presented nicely on a display board along with an oral presentation to the judges. The rest of the information goes into a log book/clearfile which will be kept with the display board for judges reference.

A key focus for assessment will be on the quality of the process that has been followed. Good scientific and Design Thinking principles should be covered in classroom programmes and notices with additional information will also be available. This is a basic run down to help you get your head around it all. I hope this is useful. If you have further questions please see your child’s teacher.

GOOD LUCK from the Balmacewen Intermediate teaching staff. ☺