STEM - A - Fair : Expectations from students
What the students are expected to do :
Students must have understood the concept / principle which they choose to explain. For e.g. – Evaporation : What it is, how it is used, its applications (salt pans, clouds forming, clothes drying, hot liquids cooling down etc.) Basically, the group will be talking about evaporation and how it works – all in the theme of the STEM a-fair!
They must select a project which is age - appropriate. ‘Age - appropriate’ means the project should not be too complex or too simple. A very complex project will not allow the students to explore any concept thoroughly. A very simple project will not allow the students to reach their potential.
If the subject is too vast (vast does not mean complex), the group can choose to focus on one aspect for the detailed explanation.
The idea is to focus on science, rather than on craft. So a big NO to volcanoes or similar projects. Volcano projects do not even show how a volcano really works! It’s a totally different chemical reaction from what actually happens in a real volcano. Similarly, just showing a craft model of a farm or the digestive system is not okay either.
After the group submits the abstract of the project, the teachers will scan the information. They may ask students to increase or decrease the difficulty level – or modify the project. All this is to make sure that there is some value addition and learning for each participant.
We want the students to think, understand, analyze and explain. This opportunity should be used to engage in research and improve presentation skills. Rather than rote memorization, students should totally understand what they are talking about – and experience a hands-on activity!
Start early, practice more, ask questions, have arguments and debates with your parents and team members, exchange information, learn and enjoy the process.