Is your child considering participating in a school science fair? Are you wondering if the benefits are worth the time commitment? Participating in a science fair is a great way for kids to explore their world and how things work. Science fairs first became popular in the 1950s when the invention of the television and atomic bomb piqued the interest of budding scientists all over America. Today, with the growing popularity of STEM education (focusing highly on the study of science, technology, engineering, and math) in our schools and the potential for a drastic increase in STEM-related jobs in the future, science fairs are more popular than ever. Kids who participate in science fairs will learn skills that can be used for problem-solving and critical thinking throughout their lifetime.
Investigation
The first step in participating in a science fair is to come up with an idea. Kids will have the opportunity to choose a topic they are curious about, plan an experiment that will help answer their questions and conduct an experiment. This fosters their creativity and problem-solving skills. It will also encourage them to question how things work and make them aware of scientific principles all around us.
Project management
Once the child has planned their science experiment, they will need to manage their project. This is no small task. Kids will need to use time management, stay within a budget, acquire the materials needed, conduct the experiment, and meet deadlines. The ability to successfully manage a project is an invaluable skill that kids can use now and in the future as they continue their education and enter the workforce.
Analysis
When the science experiment is complete, the child will need to compile the data, analyze it and create a chart or graph of the findings. The answers to their questions will not be from a textbook but will come from their own hard work and experience. Reflection is key as they have an opportunity to think about what they would do differently, what they have learned and why. The ability to analyze and problem-solve will be skills they use throughout their lifetime.
Communication
Once the science experiment has been completed and analyzed, kids will be expected to communicate their results through writing, speaking and materials such as storyboards or other displays. Communication is one of the most important skills a child can develop. Even as our culture moves more towards digital communication, such as texts and emails, good public speaking skills are an asset they will rely on throughout the rest of their school and professional careers.
Most would agree that hands-on learning leads to better understanding, which is what participating in a science fair offers to students. When time is spent researching, developing a project, analyzing the results and studying it thoroughly in order to communicate the findings to others, we are much more likely to understand and retain the information we have learned. Teachers and parents would agree that science fairs help develop benefits that last a lifetime and kids will tell you that science fairs are a lot of fun too.
Sarah Lyons is a mother of six children, including 8-year-old triplets.
