science+fair+alternatives


 * Science family Night- ** this was presented by a 7th grade teacher who wanted to excite the school’s community about science. Science fair was not part of this. He rotates the science night themes which is usually in the spring three times. The event last 90 minutes, he has students earning bonus points if they come. First he does a raptor program for students and families. The next year he does a discrepant event night where students facilitate a station of a discrepant event. Each event is taught throughout the school year and are assigned to students who have a c or better to lead. There are over 30 stations that families can visit throughout the school. He mentioned this is a big hit, but also requires a lot of time and can be costly the first year. The presenter and the audience were so captivated by the discrepant events being presented we never got to what he does the third year.

Hair dryer and ping pong ball/leaf blower and beach ball Magic Sand Baking soda and vinegar r= CO2 gas extinguishing flame Blowing up balloons in 2 liter bottle contest only one has a small hole to allow balloon to expand Crushing can Insert skewer into a balloon Coke and diet coke density Wax in water and isopropyl alcohol Singing rods Fortune fish Light refraction (test tubes in corn oil) Termites and pheromones will follow ink trails Drops on a penny Bess bugs $35/6 Pulling pennies Light money dipped in acetone, salt water on fire Boo Bubbles Finger prints on balloons Van De graaff generator Pencils in a plastic bag Edible Apple/potato core candle Mentos experiment Egg in a bottle
 * Discrepant events for the classroom and family science night **


 * Alternatives to science fair projects-** this was presented by a college professor at William Jessup University. He is working with his county to involve surrounding schools to participate in what he calls the STEM Exposition, an evening to tour students and local science work. He mentioned working with colleges in terms of space and budget in a great idea. He also recommended involving local business to share their science practices like green building or technology innovations, or places like the Science Factory**.**

He had some great ideas to spark student interest when the traditional science fair doesn’t. I do plan to try some of these options with my students. I may even try a Rube Goldberg club. I worry about the logistics and organization I will need to do in terms of grading and monitoring student progress

[|www.rubegoldberg.com] [|www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8wEfeature=player_embedded#] [|www.aas-world.org] [|www.crackingideas.com] [|www.inventnow.org] [|www.inventorspot.com/inventor_calendar] [|www.popsci.com/sciencecontest]
 * __Rube Goldberg__**– Students create a minimum of 15 cause and effect steps, including 3 simple machines, written out steps, submission of an illustration, or construction
 * __Inventions__** students create 2 labeled viewpoint of an invention then design a prototype construction, finally they write a report detailing materials, how it would be used, beneficial and target audience.

May include- ecological restoration, green building, pollution prevention eco efficiency [|www.earthforce.org] []
 * __Science Fiction__** students write a minimum of two pages on a science fiction theme. [|www.stonesoup.com] [|www.youngvoicesfoundation.org/youngvoiceshome.html] [|www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/contest/kaa_about.asp]
 * __Environmental Innovations__** students write a proposal that demonstrates ways to minimize environmental impact. Students prepare a plan for implementation with a time line budget and partnerships

**__Engineering students can either choose Reverse or Robotics__** Reverse [|www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_engineering] - students obtain two mechanical products (toaster) - disassemble on product the mount and label all the components - included is an explanation of each component Robotics- [|www.botball.org] [|www.bestinc.org]


 * __Inquiry__** (traditional science fair project)
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