Beyond the Science Fair: Creating a Kids' Inquiry Conference [Paperback]

Wendy Saul (Author), Charles R. Pearce (Author), Dona Dieckman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0325007349 | ISBN-13: 978-0325007342 | Publication Date: March 15, 2005

It's time to rethink the traditional science fair, with its tired tri-fold posters and first-prize ribbons. It's time to create an event where children share the results of authentic, personally meaningful explorations with one another rather than compete for adults' praise and attention. It's time for a Kids' Inquiry Conference (KIC).

Beyond the Science Fair is a how-to manual for organizing and hosting a KIC that's linked to your curricular planning and goals. Beginning with a snapshot of a KIC developed by the authors, Beyond the Science Fair guides you through the specifics of organizing and hosting the conference in your classroom, school, or district, with:

• a wealth of narrative descriptions of KIC classrooms
• examples of student projects
• personal reflections by students and teachers involved in KICs
• tips on encouraging student involvement
• an extensive resource list
• 26 helpful, reproducible forms like student registrations, promotional flyers, and letters to parents.

Then Beyond the Science Fair details how KICs can contribute toward your curricular objectives, including information on how they help you:

• meet science and literacy standards
• develop students' critical-thinking, analytical, and presentation skills
• implement inquiry-based science instruction
• use cross-curricular learning to support scientific inquiry.

Adopt a more meaningful and student-centered alternative to the science fair. Read Beyond the Science Fair and create opportunities for kids to investigate their world and share the products of their natural curiosity with a scientific community of their peers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Wendy Saul, Professor of Education at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, is Director of the National Science Foundation-supported Elementary Science Integration Projects (ESIP). She is the originator of Search It! Science, an online resource available from Heinemann. She also serves as editor of "Thinking Classroom: An International Journal of Reading, Writing and Critical Reflection."

Donna Dieckman is a classroom teacher who works with ESIP at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. She taught for nine years in Montgomery County and serves as Program Director.

Charles Pearce is a classroom teacher who works with ESIP at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Pearce, a long-time classroom teacher, is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching.

Donna Neutze serves as ESIP program resource specialist.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann (March 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0325007349
• ISBN-13: 978-0325007342
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,392,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful step-by-step guide for creating an unforgettable science experience, July 8, 2005

By 

T. Voreis (Durham, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond the Science Fair: Creating a Kids' Inquiry Conference (Paperback)

Engage kids in the work that real scientists do. Students design their own investigations, write science journal articles, and present their investigations at a non-competitive conference (KIC). The students' preparation is done in the classroom, and this book provides useful student forms as well as step-by-step organizational instructions for the teacher. This book was written by teachers from the Elementary Science Integration Projects, and they have so many strategies that help teachers engage kids in science and enhance literacy instruction. KIC is a huge undertaking, but this book helps teachers know exactly what needs to be done to pull it off. I just finished organizing the first KIC for my school, and this book was a great resource.