International School Magazine - Autumn 2019

Page 31

Curriculum, learning and teaching

Science is objective, data-driven, and factbased. Science does not discriminate. Science does not have a hidden agenda, and it transcends political and cultural boundaries.

learning and understanding of the work studied over the previous few weeks. Recently, I held a science fair for our Grade 2 (7 to 8-year-old) students and their parents. The theme was ‘Materials’, and during the fair both students and parents described a variety of materials, created marshmallow and spaghetti towers, and tested the absorbency of kitchen towels. Earlier in the year, Grade 1’s science fair focussed on ‘Light and Sound’, while Grade 3’s focussed on ‘Forces and Simple Machines’. After organising and running science fairs for a number of years, it is clear to me that students grow from the experiences. Working with their relatives, students have the opportunity to communicate, engage, and show their interest and expertise in science. Concrete curriculum links are established in the students’ minds, which then facilitate further growth in different topic areas. Many students also re-create experiments at home, thus further demonstrating interest, commitment, and a passion for science. Science

fairs celebrate science. Science is objective, data-driven, and fact-based. Science does not discriminate. Science does not have a hidden agenda, and it transcends political and cultural boundaries. Do science fairs have a place in international education? You bet they do! My final science fair this year was for our Grade 4 students and parents, and was based on the ‘Geology’ unit. Students and parents travelled back in time 175 million years, and created the Pangaea by moving a cut-out map of the world on a sticky and resistant layer of syrup. They also created working volcanoes and streams of lava with food colouring, bicarbonate of soda, and vinegar. To top things off, they created and tested earthquake-resistant buildings! Incidentally, this science fair also coincided with our ‘Crazy Hair Day’, a day when students (and staff) decorate their hair and donate to registered charities. The expression ‘mad scientist’ certainly crossed my mind on more than one occasion throughout the day! So, are science fairs still relevant, with a place in international education? A categorical ‘yes’. Do they impact student growth? Absolutely! Anthony Artist teaches science in the lower school at ACS Cobham International School, UK. Email: aartist@acs-schools.com

Do science fairs have a place in international education? You bet they do!

Spring

Autumn |

| 2019

31


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook

Articles inside

The International Baccalaureate: 50 years of education for a better world, by Judith Fabian, Ian Hill and George Walker (eds), reviewed by Andrew Watson

7min
pages 67-70

International schools are the perfect place to incubate the next generation of entrepreneurs, Hazel Kay

5min
pages 57-58

Linguistic and Cultural Innovation in Schools, by Jane Spiro and Eowyn Crisfield

5min
pages 63-66

Why being the ‘difference makers’ still matters, Peter Howe

7min
pages 52-56

Rijul Gupta and Tomas Imparato

4min
pages 50-51

First international Round Square Conference hosted in Northern Ireland

3min
pages 48-49

An unlikely partnership, Q&A with Amar Latif and Leila

4min
pages 46-47

Alice in Education Land: Alice gets a job, Chris Binge

12min
pages 42-45

Fifth column: ‘Sez who?’, E T Ranger

3min
page 41

How to ensure a successful placement for your employees, Bal Basra

4min
pages 38-39

Science matters: Celebrating a scientific life, Richard Harwood

3min
page 40

CAS Trips – redefining educational travel, Simon Armstrong

6min
pages 36-37

ReVERBeration: a collaborative, international, sound sculpture project, Greg Morgan

5min
pages 34-35

Is the IB Diploma for everyone? SEE Learning certainly is, Carol Inugai-Dixon

5min
pages 32-33

Science fairs – still relevant? Anthony Artist

3min
pages 30-31

Linguistic autobiographies of international students as a starting point for research

6min
pages 28-29

On overcoming misunderstandings about an academic institution

5min
pages 26-27

Ten ways to improve mental health in your primary classroom, Becky Cranham

5min
pages 15-16

Educational reform: Henry VIII contributes to critical debate, Simon Taylor

3min
pages 22-23

Resusci-Anne: Lifesaver extraordinaire, Linda Duevel

11min
pages 19-21

comment

3min
pages 5-6

Rhiannon Phillips-Bianco and Karren van Zoest

7min
pages 11-12

Danielle Mashon and Tenley Elliott

5min
pages 13-14

The architecture of learning, Richard Caston

5min
pages 17-18

Leading with ‘impact’: A possible counterpoint to tribalism, Tim Logan

6min
pages 24-25
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
International School Magazine - Autumn 2019 by williamclarence - Issuu