The following is information for parents and guardians from Stoddert’s science teacher regarding this years STEM fair…

Do you have a 4th or 5th grader? If so, information about Stoddert’s 2017-18 STEM Fair is in their hands!

Students might need some support from you in generating good project ideas, obtaining materials, deciding how to communicate their results, and staying on track time-wise. But, this is their project, so you don’t need to be overly involved. We encourage adults to adopt an approach of “monitored independence” whereby you are helping to motivate and support, but are allowing your child to do much of the heavy lifting. Please ask your classroom teacher if you would like your child to have a STEM Fair mentor in school, or if they need any special materials, and we will arrange it.

NEW THIS YEAR

We have expanded the fair this year to include engineering projects (hence a “STEM Fair” rather than a “Science Fair”). Both types of projects are accepted at the City-Wide STEM Fair, where some of our students will go on to compete in June. There is a lot of information in the packet for you and your student. Your student does not need to digest ALL of the information in the packet – only the parts pertaining to the type of project your student wishes to complete. Please note that if your student wants to do an engineering project, their prototype will need to be a working, testable model. So, though it would be exciting to invent a “homework machine” or a “room-cleaning robot” it might be difficult to complete for the STEM Fair.

Also new this year, both 4th AND 5th graders may work with a partner, if they choose to do so. They may, of course, work independently, instead. Third graders will complete group projects in science class, with guidance from Ms. Schneider. This allows them to gain experience before they are “set loose” to work at home in 4th and 5th grades.

Parents are welcome to attend the Fair, which will be held from 9 am – noon on March 22nd.

JUDGES NEEDED

If you are interested in serving as a STEM Fair judge, please contact Science Teacher Julie Schneider. You do not need any special experience or training to be a judge – we will guide you. Thank you for your support of the STEM Fair, and we look forward to seeing all of the students’ projects!