Are you new STEM EXPO? Have you never tried a project before?
EXPO is a non-competitive showcase of STEM projects that students have worked on at home. They can do any type of project that is interesting to them; a traditional science experiment, an exploration, an invention, an engineering project, or a technology project. Past projects have ranged from explorations of a topic, such as sharing what they learned about magnets to a more detailed experiment about germs on surfaces.
How to get started
Choose a topic your child is interested in. Maybe they like rocks or cars or baking or a certain animal.
Google the topic with their grade level and "science experiment". You will get a lot of results. Pick something you and your child can do within a short time span, a couple of days to a week. If you are still unsure of what to do, ask Mrs V. or Ms. K for advice.
Email us vaiciuliske@dist102.k12.il.us or kokoskaka@dist102.k12.il.us We can help turn an idea into a project.
Do the project. Take photos along the way.
Sometimes a little research is needed. Depending on the grade level of the student, read a book about the topic or get information from the internet.
Don't forget to register for EXPO. This lets us know that you will be there, so we have table space and a t-shirt for your child.
Prepare a display board. The board should be able to stand up on its own (a tri-fold board is recommended). The board should include the Title of the project, what the child did, and what they learned. Include any photos or the materials they used. If they did an experiment, include the question they were trying to figure out, the procedure they followed, any data they collected and the results. Check out the photos of past projects if you need some ideas.
Present at EXPO. An "Official" will visit the student's project at an assigned time, for example between 9:30 - 10:00. Students will explain their project, possibly demonstrating what they did and explain what they learned with the project. The "Official" will ask questions and present the child with their certificate. "Officials" are there for your student to explain their project to, not to grade them.