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Marian College Promotes Science Fair Participation
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Kym Flowers
Photo by Linda Karn |
(posted Nov 2)
Kym Flowers of Marian College calls it her mission to inspire teachers
and students to improve their science and math skills. She was so concerned
about the falling numbers that she left the private sector as a mechanical
engineer in hopes of making a difference. She is surprised that many people
can not explain what a mechanical engineer does. A common answer from students
is "car mechanic."
She said "the nation is at risk" of not producing enough engineers,
scientists and mathematicians necessary for the work force. The Indiana
Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Network (I-STEM) was formed to improve the workforce gap. The network has involved 17
public and private universities and colleges to focus teaching skills and
to encourage K-12 students to take on the academic "rigors."
She said American elementary students are at the same competitive level
with other students around the world in science and math, but by the time
they reach high school both the number of students involved and their grades
drops dramatically.
Flower's goal is to keep students interested in science and math from K-12,
and "not to be afraid of physics and science." Part of her mission
is to encourage students to participate in their school's science fair.
She offered a one hour class on Nov 1 at the Pike Township Library to prepare
students for a science fair. Approximately 18 students and parents attended
to learn tips about participating in Pike's 2009 Science Fair.
Each school holds a science fair where local judges decide if a project
is worthy of participating in a regional science fair, with the ultimate
goal of competing in the Intel International Science Fair in Reno in May.
Kim Russell said her daughter Sara won the second grade division last year
with her friction project. Russell explained there was little guidance
from the teacher on how to participate.
Russell said her daughter plans to enter again and is looking for tips
for her magnet project. Flowers agreed there is little instruction coming
from teachers because many elementary teachers are not really trained in
math and science. She said many teachers do not know how to use technology
like video conferencing that the schools have installed as part of I-STEM's
efforts to teach teachers the use of technology.
Flowers said that parents should act as coaches and supporters. She cautioned
that judges will know if parents step in and do their child's project.
Judges will ask the students questions about the data and results.
The big taboo in a science fair is for the hypothesis to equal the results,
that tells the judge that the student worked the project backwards and
did not test the hypothesis to see if it was true or false. She encouraged
students to do their project research at the library and on-line
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