the LPIE Science Fair
March 21st 5-7PM 

The LPIE Science Fair is a fun and educational event open to all TK through 5th grade Burton Valley students.

FAQs  

IS SCIENCE FAIR MANDATORY? 

Absolutely not!  Science Fair should be a fun and exciting way for kids to share their science interest.  If students are not ready to participate this year, just attending the fair during school may inspire them to do a project next year. 

DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO DO AN EXPERIMENT? 

No!  Experiments are great (See below for more info) but reports, models, and inventions are all welcome.  The idea is to make our students feel empowered by exploring and sharing their discoveries and creations. 

HOW DO I GET MY CHILD INTERESTED? 

Students may be inspired by a current event (i.e., the recent volcano eruption) a cause (recycling, climate change) or a passion (pets, space).  Helping your child explore interests through appropriate internet websites and videos, helping in the kitchen, or visiting a science museum, can all be inspirational. 

HOW DO I HELP MY CHILD WITHOUT DOING THE PROJECT FOR THEM? 

It can be challenging for kids to do a project by themselves. My suggestion is to start small, and help with providing materials,  and allowing plenty of time and guidance.  But doing a project together can be a great experience. 

CAN KIDS WORK TOGETHER? 

Teamwork in science is always encouraged. I recommend teams not greater than 2 or 3 simply due to scheduling difficulty. 

WHAT EXPERIMENT GUIDANCE CAN YOU PROVIDE? 

The goals of a traditional experiment is to come up with a testable and measurable activity that answers the student’s question and prompts them to have further questions.  For example, if a student tests whether a plant can grow with limited light, measuring the time a light is on and plant growth might lead a student to wonder what happens if the light is always on. 

HOW ELSE CAN WE GET IDEAS? 

There are innumerable websites, books and other resources to explore.  There are plenty of books in the school library and the local libraries with ideas of science fair projects. Have your student pick something they are really interested in. If they like mountain biking, have them test what jump they can go further off of - a dirt dump or an asphalt jump. If they like dogs, have them do a taste test with different dog treats. If they love sleeping, have them research and share out how much sleep students need to get each night and why. Focusing on something they care about and is relevant to their lives will be much more fun and impactful.