science fair

New Scientist, the world's most-read science and technology weekly, returns to the Festival as a key Media Partner, once again greatly enhancing our ability to reach out globally to the growing number of ultra-inquisitive Festival fans who just can't get enough insight into science's new and emerging frontiers! Known as the magazine for "people who ask why", New Scientist, with its solid team of writers and experts, brings a comprehensive and inquisitive approach to reporting on a wide array fast-developing and futuristic developments in science and technology --from space, technology and the…
By: Nancy Trang  USA Science & Engineering Festival X-STEM Coordinator Snow may have kept many people at home on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014 but not the young aspiring scientists from USA Science & Engineering Festival X-STEM School  Patriot High School (PHS) in Nokesville, Virginia.  The PHS Science National Honor Society (SNHS) organized a free science education event, called Super Science Saturday, for 2nd-7th graders from around the community. The event which took place at the Bull Run Regional Library, was organized by the members of the SNHS to educate kids about science and to…
USA Science & Engineering Festival X-STEM Speaker renowned aviator Barrington Irving sums up his current mission as a role model this way: "Kids want to be challenged, but today too many are bored and uninspired. I want to use aviation to excite and empower a new generation to become scientists, engineers, and explorers." He has a lot to inspire kids about. Born in Jamaica and raised in Miami Florida's inner city, surrounded by crime, poverty, and failing schools, he beat the odds in 2007 when, at the age of 23, he became the youngest person ever (and only African American) to pilot a…
  Chevron,  the global energy company known for its commitment to "finding newer, cleaner ways to power the world," has joined the USA Science & Engineering Festival as a major sponsor, bringing with it a proven history of hands-on corporate outreach initiatives that ignite student motivation and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). And true to the company's innovative approach to outreach, students and others at the Festival Expo this April in Washington, D.C. can expect to experience a special Chevron exhibit that they won't soon forget: a smorgasbord of…
By  Mark Modzelewski Washington, DC, July 15, 2013 – Science Spark has teamed with Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) to support the University’s Mind Trekkers traveling science festival as it heads out across America. The Mind Trekkers tour will culminate at the USA Science & Engineering Festival, supported by presenting host sponsor Lockheed Martin. The traveling festival offers children of all ages the opportunity to engage in hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities. The first stop will be the National Scout Jamboree, July 15-24, 2013 at the…
Save the date: the USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo is just one year away! We are so excited to bring you the largest celebration of science & engineering for the 3rd time! Leading up to the Expo we will have affiliate events, the return of the Nifty Fifty (x3), contests, and school programs! The Festival week will kick off with the U.S. News STEM Solutions Conference, the launch of  X-STEM Extreme STEM Symposium (Thursday, April 24) and Sneak Peek Friday (April 25)! The free and open to the public finale Expo will be the weekend of April 26-27, 2014! The spotlight on STEM (…
"You will be a restless wanderer on the earth" -Genesis 4:12 Today, a few of us visited the Twin Cities Home School Creation Science Fair of 2013 at its new location. The fair used to be held in the historic Har Mar Shopping Mall but for some reason it has wandered up the road and across Snelling Avenue to a nearby Christian college on the shores of beautiful Lake Johanna Lake, in Roseville, Minnesota. We were, verily, Mike, Angry by Choice, and me. Angry arrived separately and reviewed the exhibits on his own, and Mike and I visited nearly all of the 23 posters together and spoke to many…
I can still remember how excited I got in junior and senior high school when it was science fair season. My friends and I would kick around ideas and make elaborate plans for what we were certain would be that year's shoo-in winner of the school fair. And once we captured the school's top prize, we would surely breeze through the city, county, and state prizes -- all the way to the nationals. But while we never made it to the nationals (nor to the state, county, or city competitions), we still couldn't wait to work on our science fair creations each year. One year I used some little-known-at-…
Earlier this week, I got to judge projects at a Science Fair, which, as usual, was loads of fun. This year, however, owing to budget cuts and staffing cuts and things like that, there will be no science fair at the sprogs' elementary school. We are wistful about this, especially after the fun we had at their science fair last year. But just because there's not a science fair this year doesn't mean the sprogs are without questions they'd like to explore with science fair projects. As they were flitting about with their other activities, I got each of them to give me a list of three such…
After judging the science fair last week, I would like to revisit my tips for you the science fair participant. Warning number 1 Some of the things I say here might go against what your teacher has told you. I am not sure what you should do in this case. Your teacher gives you a grade and I am just some dude on the internet. Proceed at your own risk. Oh, and maybe you are a teacher. I think that is great that you are seeking more tips for your students. However, note that I have not read any science fair rules. I am merely thinking about science fair projects from a science viewpoint.…
I have been meaning to write about this for quite some time. Really, I wanted to reply to Chad's article on science at Uncertain Principles, but you know how things go. So, here are my key and interesting points about science in random order. Science is all about models (not ball bearings) Science is about making models. What is a model? A model can be lots of things. It can be a mathematical relationship, a conceptual model, or even a physical model. One model I like to use is static friction. For many cases, the frictional force can be modeled as: This model says the frictional…
I just got back from judging elementary level science fair (this is like kids in 6th grade or something). Here are some quick notes in no particular order. Please, please do not have a 20 item list of supplies that you used on your board including things like thumb tacks, tape, paper and poster board. And then please do not read this list aloud during your presentation. I know you are nervous, I feel for you. Maybe you are trying to fill up time - maybe you think a long presentation is a good one. However, don't do it. Stick to the important stuff. If you need to fill up space on your…
Sunday March 1, Seed employees and friends of Seed ventured up to the NY City College campus to help judge the annual New York City Science Fair. The event was sponsored by Seed, as science fairs are an important part of the learning and scientific development process for young minds. Additionally, Seed's founder and CEO Adam Bly won the "Best in Category" Grand Prize in biochemistry at the 1998 Intel International Science Fair, so the enthusiasm for science fairs runs deep throughout the company. To start off the day, five of science's most intriguing figures took part in a panel on…
Previously, I talked about science fairs. One of the problems is that students don't really have a good understanding of data analysis. For me, statistical analysis is just something to do with data. It isn't absolutely true. So, it doesn't really matter that students use sophisticated tests on their data. The important point is they use some type of test to compare data. I just made up some arbitrary data analysis rules. Maybe if students and judges accept something like this, it could really improve science fair projects and judging. To explain my analysis, I decided to have my own…
Last friday I volunteered as a science fair judge. It took half a day, but I did get free food and tons of things to blog about. There are so many things to say about science fairs that I don't really know where to begin. I actually might not even address all the issues. Here is what I would like to talk about (in no particular order): What is the purpose of a science fair? How do you win a science fair? Tips. What about judging? Are the normal methods reliable? Data Analysis tips for middle schoolers Creativity vs. the Internet vs. parents. Social Science Fair posters? Er? Why science…