Today, dozens of students gathered in the Clear Creek School gymnasium to share bubbling volcanoes, growing crystals, solar ovens and even more during the first scientific fair at the recent school of memory.
With community judges, prices given and countless hours of volunteering, the scientific fair held at the small rural school of McCourtney Road met thanks to the good memories of a parent and a persistent idea.
“We are delighted to bring an old -fashioned scientific fair to our school. As a school community, we gathered to ignite an opportunity for fun learning for students who are nostalgic for most of us, ”said parental organizer Kait Schauffler.
Schauffler thought it would be fun to recreate your own childhood experience for his two daughters in kindergarten and the third year.
“I do not remember much about primary school, but I remember seeing white flowers absorb colors at the science fair … I did not know so but I already learned biology. This kind of experience has been extremely fundamental for my love of science, ”said Schauffler who is now a nurse and says that an early exposure to science has helped to open doors to her.
Last summer, Schauffler could not obtain the idea of a scientific fair of his head. Thus, she contacted the director Duane Triplett and the Parent Teacher Club, who all fully approved the idea.
When 113 students signed up for the science fair in 167 students in total of the school, Schauffler and the director Triplett knew they were on something.
“This number is really impressive. Kait did a great job. It is exciting to see enthusiasm in our school community. It has been really, a long time since we have had a scientific fair here, “said Triplett director who has been at school for two years.
Triplett says that having a parent involved in planning and organization, helps to withdraw a charge from teachers who already have a lot. Now, the school seeks to make it an annual or biannual event with greater participation of volunteer parents. For the moment, Schauffler has enlisted his friends, family, neighbors and colleagues to fill.
Schauffler got to work to create instructions for projects, registration forms, plan important dates and make presentations with his sister and children at each class to take an interest. She also contacted the community to collect funds and collect given supplies.
The Office of the Superintendent of the County County Schools of Nevada has become a sponsor of the event and helped to buy supplies with funds from California Mathematics Science & Computer Science Professional Learning Partners (CAL-MSCS) dedicated to the promotion of sciences, mathematics, IT, professional learning and family engagement for students of the fourth year.
Support for the scientific fair has come from many local community sponsors, in particular: Northern Sierra Forestry Services LLC., C and contractors Inc., Bright Electric LLC., Finn’s Coffee, B and C, Grocery Outlet and Hansen Brothers.
In addition to individual student science projects at the Clear Creek scientific fair, there have been a number of learning cabins such as an “construction stand”, a “bath bomb” with a step -by -step guide for DIY bath bombs and a “photomaton”.
“I think these types of events are so beneficial for our children. They can explore the sciences of investigation – see a subject from start to finish and analyze the “why” and the “if” of the way things work. The global objective is that they will have memorable experience thanks to scientific activities, “said Schauffler.
In her own house, she observed her daughters who were now looking at science in a whole new light. His third year daughter will enter a “brain study” for the scientific fair.
Designed to empower students, the science fair also encourages friendly competition. A panel of 10 judges from the community awards first, second and third place awards for each school level. Students can enter different categories such as “experience”, “robotics” and “inventions” and are noted on exhaustiveness, understanding, creativity and overall effort. A voting cabin allows all participants to vote for their favorite project to win the prize for the choice of the people. The school will celebrate the winners during a school assembly on Friday and we will bring you the results.
Participation in parents to create this extracurricular activity has enabled teachers to improve class learning. Some teachers even launched the scientific fair in their study program.
Kindergarten Andrea Hansen is a supporter of the pilot project. She helped intervene on weekends and create leaflets for the event. She says that the scientific fair offers students the opportunity to develop academically and personally.
“It triggers a love for science and helps students practice critical thinking and problem solving skills. It is a great way to strengthen trust and practical learning allows them to explore subjects that interest them. The presentation of their project to judges also adds an aspect of communication, ”said Hansen.
Along the way, Schauffler offered help after school for students who needed additional help. Others have teamed up with classmates or worked on their scientific projects at home with a family. It is delighted by the level of interest and participation in the inaugural year of the event and hopes to inspire other schools to start scientific fairs.
“Many of these children have never had a scientific experience. We don’t want it to be an intimidating process, but we want science to be fun, “said Schauffler.
She already has plans for the next scientific fair: “I did not check with the main triplett on the result, but I think it went very well. Everything I need is a bit of funding and more volunteers for the next time. »If you are interested or know a parent who could help, contact Kait Schauffler to Schauffler4Science@gmail.com Or you can sell (@ clear-creek) a contribution for prices at PTC.
Later this month, look for the event on a county scale, Steam Expo 2025 March 25.