Expo will feature hands on experiments, demonstrations, and student-produced displays
The Reading Memorial High School First Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 4761, “The Robockets,” and co-sponsors Reading Public Schools and Reading Education Foundation (REF), via a parent volunteer team, is hosting Reading’s Third Annual Science Expo.
The Science Expo will be held from 2:00pm – 4:00pm on Saturday November 18th, 2017, at Coolidge Middle School, 89 Birch Meadow Drive, Reading MA 01867. Deadline for K-8 students to apply for table space for an exhibit, or wall space for a poster, is November 10, 2017. Sign up via SignUP Genius at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0e4da8aa2bab9-third. Instructions and guidelines can be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-qNKWzfHKf7emlFOUdiS3M4MTQ/view?usp=sharing .
The Science Expo is a free, fun, non-competitive event to get children to experience the joys and wonder of scientific discovery. In addition to student exhibits, the Science Expo will feature hands on science experiments for students in grades K-8, led by Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) Robotics students, as well as robot demonstrations from local First Robotics Competition (FRC) teams. Students of all grades are invited to participate in the experiments, observe the demonstrations, and take a look at the science displays, posters, and exhibits their fellow students have submitted. All children in grades K-8 who live in Reading are encouraged to join us to be an exhibitor or provide a poster; we welcome students who attend both public and private schools. The event itself will be open to the public.
Students in kindergarten through grade 2 are invited to make a science poster for display. Students in grades 3 through 8 are invited to create a display, exhibit, or demonstration, related to any STEM area of interest. Optionally, students can opt to be present to discuss and demonstrate their exhibit (adult supervision required). Students may exhibit individually, as part of a group (e.g. as a Scout troops, FLL Teams, Science Teams, etc.), as part of an informal group of classmates, or even as part of a classroom. Students also can demonstrate what they are learning in their science classes and repeat class experiments.
Students can choose any STEM topic for their exhibit and can use the websites www.sciencebuddies.org and http://www.education.com/science-fair/elementary-school/ and for inspiration and for guidance and instructions around finding and conducting a science experiment. Students may also use ready-made science kits to help in their displays, including kits used in the Know Atom program. The instructions and guidelines at the above link specify various uses and items not allowable in this part of the school building (e.g., open flames, latex, live animals, etc.), so please refer to that before you choose a topic.
If you have further questions about this event or the signup process, please don’t hesitate to email rpsscienceexpo@gmail.com . Parent Volunteers Eileen Manning, Janet Bonitatibus, Marianne Downing, and Kristin Kinsella are running the Science Expo on behalf of its sponsors and will be happy to answer any questions and provide guidance.
