About science fairs: revisiting alan ward

About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward

Antonio Gregorio Montes

Ch. Dept. Physics & Chemistry IES de Ribadeo Dionisio Gamallo

HSCi 2014 - Aveiro

Scheme Before

Intro + biographical note + this

Main What a SF is Types / exhibits Suggest or not? / Every exhibit should offer a visitor something interesting to do Connecting with real life Plan Organizing & mounting Awards Criteria for awards After

Reflections & end notes

About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #2

Before. Introduction

The origin of this speech: SF changed what I was teaching for what I help

About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #3

Before. AW bio

[I don't know him personally] Primary educator → his work is addressed to Activist on science learning → 'new' trends & practice research Consultant → external point of view SF Cheltenham → creating an school on practice?

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Before. Over 'this'

â”? Article about article; is about experience Considering only first part of the quoted article of AW Mix Compiling & comparing ideas [Resume + questions] + [Book of congress]

About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #5

Main. A SF is

Best, discuss the aim before the definition A fair organized by showing the student's work for students to students and more people? *A experience *A feel of/to life *Practice of / If you teach, you learn!/situated learning > learn by doing

About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #6

Main. Types 3 things (+1) & a trend thru levels: AW

-show of information (how an ant is born?)

-a model showing a technical or scientific idea (how a rocket works?)

-a experience (the skin of an apple, protects it the fruit of the desease?) *simple, a funny exhibit! (dotty games with dominoes) trend I think that must be * not to do 'something' * towards research, not only experience, but finding new results on simple things About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #7

Main. Types (2) Kinds of SF – Is “your” election *First edition – After a first edition, perspective change *Don't repeat – (If you can!) *Competition vs collaboration – For me, collaboration.

For you?

Implication of teachers – as Descartes set, you are 'you and your circumstance' Possibilities & mixture – mix it and experiment!

About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #8

Main. Suggest or not?

What do you want to do?

Where do you want to do it?

How do you want to do it?

Who do you want to work with?

These are questions/suggestions to a SF/SF project.

But AW suggestions are about presentations.

For me, presentations as free as possible About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #9

Main. Connect with real life

Cost

Framework

Communication

About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #10

Main. Plan (1)

Needed!

-adults help + 'secondary effects' -raise money?

-best place?

-timetable (Have you time to cleaning the place?)

-publicity: 'new' methods

About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #11

Main. Plan (2)

-adequate titles, practical minded presentations,...

-variety: is a fair!

-handly things... if possible!

-practice presentation (do not repeat it!)

-Materials (not compulsory, not free) & more...

About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #12

Main. Organizing & mounting Orientation to topics?

Help to student: no more (imposition), no less (leaving free) Pay attention to searching in internet...

Consider differences amongst contour and needs of students

About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #13

Main. Awards Awards?

Do you want competitive learning or collaborative one?

Partitipation certificates is a good option

About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #14

Main. Awards: criteria

... but, if you choose to have awards, please, put clear criteria... and apply it transparently!

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After. Some reflection

Ideally, students must be encouraged to develop their own ideas as projects.

You consider a SF on research or on fun?

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After. End notes

These are only a short set of comments Apply these ideas and comments having in mind your particular situation: thinking by yourself and share with your fellows ... a kind of 'scientific method'

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Referencies

[1] Rocard Report. http://ec.europa.eu/research/science- [visited 31-May-2014] [2] Ward, A. Planning, organizing and staging a school science fair. School Science Review 1994; 75(273): 41-47 [3] Gregorio, A. As Ferias de ciencia na Galiza. http://feirasdeciencia.wikispaces.com/ [visited 31-May-2014] [4] Gregorio, A. Planificando, organizando e poñendo es escea unha feira de ciencia escolar. http://feirasdeciencia.wikispaces.com/Planificando%2C+organizando+e+po%C3%B1endo+en+ [visited 31-May-2014] [5] Ward, A. Fun with the big twister. School Science Review 1994; 75(272): 89 [6] Ward, A. Froggy and the straw dancers – toys for energy education. School science Review 1994; 75(273):91-92 [7] Ward, A. Dotty games with dominoes – ideas for problem solving and science clubs. School Science Review 1994; 76(274): 98-99 [8] Ward, A. 'Beanmobile'and other buggies. School Science Review 1994; 76(274): 104-106 [9] Ward, A. Cardboard engineering – Making a force pump. School Science Review 1994; 76(275): 89-90 [10] Ward, A. Experimenting with energy. Chelsea: Chelsea House Pub; 1991 [11] Ward, A. Hot air. Two activities. Science Activities: Classroom Projects and Curriculum Ideas 1988; 25(1): 34-35 [12] Vygotsky, L.S. Mind in Society: Development of Higher Psychological Processes.

Cambridge: Harvard University Press 1978 About science fairs: revisiting Alan Ward #18

End?

... The end of a Science Fair is the beginning of next edition ... http://issuu.com/agremon/docs/about_science_fairs__revisiting_ala/0

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