SALT LAKE CITY — As Kearns-Saint Ann School prepared for Catholic Schools Week this year, Principal Susan Nakaba, with her biochemistry background and decades of science fair experience, brought a novel, all-inclusive perspective to allow participation from all students from kindergarten to eighth grade in the 2019 Science Extravaganza.
Students benefited from a hands-on approach of conducting experiments and gained exposure to the unique ‘engineering method’ in addition to the more traditional scientific method.
Each teacher chose a scientific topic covered in the newly adopted Next Generation Science Standards specific to their grade level. Nakaba then taught each class multiple science sessions in the KSA Science Lab, where students first learned the curriculum and then conducted an experiment to solidify the abstract concepts in real world experiences. For example, third graders learned about simple machines through sorting household appliances, and foldable fortune tellers, and then created various simple machines constructed of Legos.
After two weeks of work in the lab, classes were ready to show off their skills. For the Jan. 31 Extravaganza, the faculty, staff, and students came to school dressed as real-life scientists. The students put on a practice science fair in the school gym to prepare them for the Science Extravaganza that night, when their own parents, family, and community members came to see their skills put into practice. The students explained their science standard, such as water cycle, hydroponics, force and motion, and magnets, and then guided their parents through a hands-on science experiment.
Smiling scientists filled the KSA gymnasium with energy, laughter and learning. First graders in Carrie Justesen’s class yelled out, “Customers! Customers!” in hopes of teaching visitors about light waves and sound vibrations. Veteran teachers and long-time family members marveled at the vibrancy illuminating KSA, saying that they had not seen such a display in years.
The entire process was gratifying for teachers and students alike, with hope for continued success through this type of fair for years to come.
The success extended beyond just the extravaganza, as Principal Nakaba took six of KSA’s sixth-grade students to compete at the diocesan science fair on Feb. 9. Out of 72 sixth-grade projects, Kearns-Saint Ann School had two third-place winners and two-second place winners, and five of the students have advanced to the state finals.
“We were all very excited about the success of the Extravaganza, and are so proud of each of our student scientist learners,” Principal Nakaba said.
Courtesy of Kearns-St. Ann School
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