First Annual Science Fair

This past week we held our first annual science fair in our classroom. It was a lot of work but a huge success for students. Parents, teachers, and administrators loved our science fair. We worked on our experiments and investigations all month long. Using the unique learning curriculum our science fair aligned to our monthly science standard the scientific method. At the beginning of the month I introduced our standard by having student conduct candy corn investigations. Students placed candy corn in different substances (water, vinegar, salt water, baking soda water) and made predictions and charted their results on how the candy corn changed in various substances. This was a great way to kick off our scientific method unit. They even tried the candy corn of course :)
 To further get students excited about the science fair I compiled a list of experiments that I thought would interest students based on their interests and let them choose. Some of experiments at our fair included.... Gummy Bear Growth, The Great Cookie Dunk Experiment, Making an Avalanche, Dancing Rice, and Balloon in a Bottle. I paired students with paraprofessional staff to help support students through their experiment. I adapted data sheets and made visual answer choices to meet students individual needs for understanding their experiment. Our classroom speech pathologist created communication boards and visuals that aligned specifically to their communication IEP goals. This was great because it allowed students to practice their specific communication goals across contents.
Students created posters that highlighted their predictions and results. At the science fair students presented their results using communication boards, visuals, and communication devices. Prior to the day of the science fair we practiced for two days our experiment presentations. I wanted students to be able to successfully communicate their results. Students knew the expectations which helped to diminish meltdowns or frustration. Students were also paired with a paraprofessional or therapist to be a support person while they presented. At the fair parents, administrators, and teachers strolled around our classroom and looked at each students exhibit. Prior to entering our room I had a student greeter that activated a single cell switch "Welcome to Our Science Fair." The student activated the single cell switch and then gave each person who entered a pamphlet about our science fair. This was another way to embed communication skills and appropriate social skills.
I wanted this to be a project to highlight students individual gifts and talents. I invited parents, building principal, and our district special education directors. We had four out of six families for our science fair. I sent out an invitation weeks prior to get a head count for the science fair. I was a little nervous about having so many people in our classroom at once. Sometimes students on the autism spectrum can meltdown due to auditory bombardment or crowded spaces. Everyone did well with this event. I also think it helped that we practiced a couple days prior to the event. Their were not surprises for students.
Overall, this was a great event for students. It was also a great parent involvement event that got parents excited and into our classroom. I think it is important that we celebrate what our students can do in our classroom to parents. So often, I feel that parents only hear and see what their child cannot do.
No idea is too big for your classroom. Go for it. See the possible.

Until next time teacher friends.
Peace.  XOXO

Dulce