M i d d l e L e v e l E d i t i o n
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SCIENCE FAIRSScience fairs have been around for a long time, and they are enjoying a renewed surge in popularity. Becoming popular in the 1950s, science fairs have helped to popularize science and to recruit new generations of mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. Doing research projects provides problem-solving experiences with emphasis on the inquiry-centered approach. Science fair projects should also be fun and exciting, motivating students to do research projects at higher academic levels as well as to pursue professional careers in research. Although competition drives some students to succeed in science fairs, it can be extremely stressful and intimidating for others. Students who do have a negative reaction to competing in science fairs will often find the entire process a chore. Read on to discover whether a science fair is right for your students.Click here to read NSTA's Position Statement on Science Competitions: http://www.nsta.org/positionstatement&psid=3. Science Fairs in the News Article summaries provided by the NSTA WebNews Digest (Visit http://www.nsta.org/mainnews for nationwide news for science educators). The scope of science fairs has changed. Read two articles that explain how simple experiments have changed into high-tech presentations that can result in thousands of dollars of scholarships for students. http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-03/news_stories_middle.htm Science Fairs on the Net In this month's middle level journal, Science Scope, NSTA members read "Non-Traditional Characteristics of a Successful Science Fair Project." The link to that article is: http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=ss&n=49073 SciLinks® is a web-based service from NSTA that provides online content chosen for printed articles and books. It does so through keywords; the keyword from this issue is: Science Fair: http://www.scilinks.org/retrieve_outside.asp?sl=9263565510331044 NSTA Articles on Science Fairs The following NSTA journal articles provide you with some ideas about science fairs. Click here to read more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-03/middle.htm Books, Books, Books At last: a sure cure for science fair fatigue. This new book—a collection of 20 articles from NSTA's member journals for elementary, middle, and high school teachers—is bound to reenergize the way you plan and produce these mainstay events. Click here to read more or to buy: http://store.nsta.org/showItem.asp?product=PB173X Click here to view the list of new books from NSTA Press: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-03/newbooksmiddle.htm Professional Development Effective professional development is seen as increasingly vital to school success and teacher satisfaction. With schools today facing an array of complex challenges—from working with an increasingly diverse population of students, to integrating new technology in the classroom, to meeting rigorous academic standards and goals—observers have stressed the need for teachers to be able to enhance and build on their instructional knowledge. (Education Week on the Web) Click here to read more: http://www.edweek.org/context/topics/issuespage.cfm?id=16 NSTA Opportunities Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 The NSTA/Children's Book Council Joint Book Review Panel selected the outstanding trade books of 2003. Click here to read about them: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-03/cbc.pdf Coming Your Way: A Summer Issue of Science Scope You told us that you have more time for reading and planning in the summer months, so we are mailing our first-ever summer issue of Science Scope in July. Click here to read more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-03/scopesummer.pdf How to Write for Science Scope Interested in becoming a published author but not quite sure how to go about it? Writing for one of NSTA's peer-reviewed journals is a great way to share your experience with your colleagues and to enhance your resume at the same time. Click here to read more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-03/wwwscope.pdf Write for NSTA's Journals Science Scope (Grades 6–9) has issued this Call for Papers on specific topics. Click here to find out more: : http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-03/scope.htm Next Month's Theme: Collecting, Interpreting, and Analyzing Data If your colleagues would like to subscribe to Science Class, please direct them to: http://www.nsta.org/newsletters. If you have a text-only browser or are having any difficulties with our links, please visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-03/member_middle.htm. THE FINE PRINTThis
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