A week ago I had the pleasure of taking part in LGA's first ever science fair. It was enriching on so many levels! Every student in grades 3-6 was required to participate and students in k-2 were given the option and many of them took us up on the offer to show off their scientific prowess.
For the most part this was a home-based science fair but many of our general studies teachers put in hours of time to make sure that their students were ready for scientific success. Earlier in the spring when we introduced the science fair to the students, I didn't know what their response was going to be. Would it be met with disdain? Would teachers get a lot of eye rolling from their students because there was an expectation of outside work over and beyond homework? Would parents buy into this home based project learning? I am glad to say the answers were no, no, and YES!
Science is an important part of the week at LGA and many other Jewish day schools throughout the country. Cramming many subjects into a seven hour school day can often lead to making tough curricular choices and too often science loses out. As head of this school, I want to see all of our subject areas get equal billing but realize that sometimes that just isn't possible.
This is where supplementing the curriculum with home based learning can be key. Parent after parent came up to me and told me that they appreciated the chance and opportunity to work with their child for the science fair. And what work it was!
Students charted, they graphed progress, they hypothesized about potential outcomes, they exprimented with new products and tested their scientific selves to create a fair that was both enlightening for all that attended and a lot of FUN for kids and adults.
Some of the creative science projects included (but definitely not limited to.):
- Can people read mixed up words?
- Magnetic soccer
- How different flowers are related?
- Endothermic reaction
- A dutch rabbi experiment
- The chemistry of slime
- Color changing carnations
We really gave our students an opportunity to explore their passion! Yasher Koach to all of our LGA students. The pictures above are from the science fair. One of the most creative projects came from a 6th grade student who created a hovercraft. It really worked as he lifted his sister up off the ground. The crowd cheered...
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