In a previous post I linked to a couple of sites that are good science fair resources. One of the comments (My first comment! Hurray!) noted that one of the sites -- "Dr. Shawn's Super Science Fair Support Center sold science fair projects. My commenter asked if this was how it was done -- buy a science fair project?
What I like about Dr Shawn's Super Science Fair Support Project:
- Most of it. Lots of good resources, many good ideas, good experience.
- Dr. Shawn is obviously a highly educated person with great dedication in bringing science to our children.
- Dr. Shawn's experience. The man knows science fairs. He has done this for years. I have done this for months.
- Lots of tips.
- Resources for science fair ideas. The CD of Scientific American columns is great -- I have it at home, although much of it is beyond the scope of elementary school scientists.
- Supply for science equipment
- Lots of good links
- That LabRats program looks really good, though I do not have any experience with it.
- Cookie-cutter hypothesis-to-conclusion packaged science fair projects. Seems like such a project entry would be Dr. Shawn's victory rather than the student's.
- Focus on winning the science fair ("Victory Guaranteed").
Finally, I fully admit that Dr. Shawn is more qualified in the areas of science, science education, and science projects that I am or ever will be.
Parents and teachers: what are your thoughts on this matter?
1 comment:
I have a couple of thoughts about purchasing science fair projects.
There are some kids who are just not into science, they procrastinate doing their project or they down-right hate science fairs. Well, there are so many science fair science kits that are manufactured for just this purpose. Let them pick up something that would be of interest to them?
You could do a sports science fair project if you are into sports - scuba diving, football, basketball, soccer - and all the time your child is learning about physics. (wait until they find that out!)
For those students that are procrastinators there are now 24 hr science projects that you can download off the internet and actually do in 24 hours.
Then for those children that want to think of their own science fair project but need to have a detailed guide they can download the Super Science Fair Projects eBook. This is for the serious contender or science teacher.
Whatever your children's orientation, there are hundreds of choices nowadays.
I think more kids would not dread doing a science fair project if they realized that there are no right or wrong answers. What is so great about writing a hypothesis is that you can prove or disprove your outcome and either way you are a winner.
How many experiments did Thomas Edison do before he found a way to make the electric light bulb last a few hours? Thousands. Did he consider himself a failure? No. He just kept on experimenting. So kids, parents and teachers, science fair projects is about experimenting, about letting your imagination run wild, and to have fun.
Madeline Binder, M.S.Ed.
M.S. Human Services Counseling
Post a Comment