A Kids’ Inquiry Conference

The Next Generation of Science Fair:

A Kids’ Inquiry Conference

The Next Generation of Science Fair:

Alissa Royal

K-12 Engineering Coordinator

aroyal@melissaisd.org

Dollie Green

5th Grade Science Teacher

dgreen@melissaisd.org

What is a Kids’ Inquiry Conference?

Science Fair scientific method competition rigid guidelines showing of work

through display boards

Science Fair vs. Kids’ Inquiry Conference

Kids’ Inquiry Conference

scientific method non-competitive choice showing of work

through variety of mediums to audiences

authentic experiences fosters collaboration become experts on

topic integration of

technology beyond word processing

Get others excited about science

Authentic, non-competitive environment

Students sharing science experiences

Greater awareness of their own science knowledge

Strengthened presentation, communication and technology skills

Melissa Cardinal KIC Goals

KIC Outcome

Determine scope of KIC for your campus

Establish support from colleagues

Foster science inquiry in classrooms

Introduce KIC to studentsEstablish a student

timelineEstablish parent rolesGather materials

Where do I Start?

Decide on the level of involvement: 1 class, 1 grade, whole department

Decide what type of KIC: single school or multi-school

Determine location: rooms for presentations and demonstrations, welcome area, keynote address

Organizing and Hosting

Determine date: time of year and day of week

Determine time: begin with KIC Pep Rally, how many sessions, length of sessions, morning group and afternoon group.

Determine needs for implementation: technology, materials, volunteers, mentors

Organizing and Hosting

Teacher Preparation for a Kid’s Inquiry

ConferenceEstablish rubricsStudent/Teacher conferencing

Assist students in evaluating their plan

Mini-LessonsMonitor progress

Student Preparation for a Kid’s Inquiry

Conference

Establish rolesInvestigation

Planning sheetsExperimentationBlurbs Presenters BiosJournal ArticlesPresentation PrepRehearsals

Technology Tools as a Vehicle for

LearningVideo

Flipvids8mm video cameraMicrosoft

MovieMakerWebpage

TeacherWebGoogle SitesGlogsterTeacherTubeWeeblyMOODLE

Photo Story or VodcastDigital cameraMicrosoft Photo Story

DemonstrationPresentation with Visual

AidMicrosoft PowerPointPrezi

PodcastAudacity

Live Streamingustream.tv

Student Presentations

Websites

Demonstrations

Videos

Vodcast

Display Boards

Oral Presentations/PowerPoint

Live StreamingCardinal Learning Online

Why do KIC?

Increase of student conceptual understanding

Increase in district and state data

Student ownership of own learning

Connects all processing skills in a cohesive experience

“Being a scientist”Improves student

cognition21st century skills: digital

literacyBusiness and community

partnerships

Generation 2.0: The Next Step in Starting a Kids’

Inquiry Conference

Short CourseSaturday

9:00-12:00Generation 2.0: The Next Step in Starting a “Kids’ Inquiry Conference.”

Renovate your science fair into a “Kids’ Inquiry Conference” to support the rigor and complexity of our newest standards. This working session will take us through the process of moving students through the inquiry continuum, to create independent thinkers, writers, data collectors, and communicators of science. Create a plan for implementing a Kids’ Inquiry Conference on your campus and walk away with checklist, timelines, schedules, and rubrics for a success first year of KIC.

Dieckman, Dona, Charles R. Pearce, and Wendy Saul. Beyond the Science Fair: Creating a Kids' Inquiry Conference. Chicago: Heinemann, 2005. Print.

"The Kids' Inquiry Conference Homepage." The Elementary Science Integration Projects. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2010. <http://www.esiponline.org/kic/

"Science Education Products and Supplies | ETA/Cuisenaire." ETA/Cuisenaire: Hands-On Manipulatives and Supplemental Educational Materials for Grades PreK-12. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2010. <http://www.etacuisenaire.com/catalog/department?deptId=SCIENCE&d0=SCIENCE>.

"Melissa Ridge Elementary - KIC: Kids' Inquiry Conference." Melissa Ridge Elementary - Index. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2010. <http://melissa-ridge.groupfusion.net/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=3036&sessionid=fea16593c11b978dda2befd292dcf250

Resources

Structured Guided Student-

Initiated

Scientific Inquiry Continuum

Student:

Teacher:

focuses on focuses on more focuses on one aspect than one aspect all aspects

model and guide model and guide defines supporting aspects supporting aspects learning goals

guide reasoning guide reasoning guide reasoning

with discretion

Stixy.com

Scientific Inquiry Model: NW Regional Educational Library