Teacher PLD

Flipping science fairs

Science fairs have the potential to be a rich learning experience, bringing out the very best of student creativity and curiosity. Often they are fraught with sighs, nervousness and unsupportive comments from home.

Thank you. I have new ideas to add to our annual science fair.

Participant

Join Andrea Soanes and Greta Dromgool from the Science Learning Hub team in this recorded session to help flip the science fair flunk into what could be your school's best science fair year yet! We will highlight the important components for ensuring quality learning, explore the links to the science capabilities and nature of science and also share some inspiring outcomes.

This session will be valuable for both primary and secondary school teachers.

Flipping science fairs

This is an edited recording of the webinar Flipping science fairs.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

Flipping science fairs – slideshow

This slideshow, from the webinar Flipping science fairs, provides additional support for the video tutorial.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

You can download the video and slideshow presentation.

Thank you, as a newbie, I am very grateful!

Participant

Index

Topic

Slideshow number(s)

Video timecode

Introducing the Science Learning Hub and presenters

1–2

00:00

Purpose

3

01:49

Index

4

02:29

What is the purpose of a science fair?

5–7

02:41

Health, safety and ethics

8

08:55

Finding a good fit

9

12:29

What’s in a name?

10

25:31

Figuring out what project to do

11–13

28:14

Planning and useful tools

14–17

36:36

Get inspired

18–19

41:28

SLH links, keep in touch and thanks

20

41:40

Related content

A big part of science fairs is developing an understanding of the Nature of science. Have a look at our topic to find out more.

Read these stories of some previous New Zealand science fair winners.

The Connected article Winning ways: presenting scientific data shares some important ideas for presenting science fair learning.

Useful links for science fairs

This very helpful document from Mike Stone focusses on what teachers can do to help prepare their students for science fair success.

This Safety and Science guide is a great place to learn more about keeping students safe.

The New Zealand Association of Science Educators has some useful information and links about animal ethics.

To find out about science fairs in New Zealand check out NIWA’s science fair page

More resources for planning a science fair are available on various regional websites, for example the Auckland Science and Technology fair.

See our Science fair investigations Pinterest board for more science fair inspiration.

Published: 03 March 2020