Science Fair

All you ever wanted to know about the Sundling Science Fair...

Do all kids enter the Science Fair?

All of the students in eighth grade are required to complete a science project. The students are then given the option to enter the building science fair. In seventh grade the option to complete a science experiment is open to all students but only required to be completed by the gifted sections. The students in the gifted sections are then given the option to enter the building science fair.

Do they do projects at home?

Most of the work is completed at home. Some of the students who have an experiment that may need human test subjects for experiments with taste, smell, memory, reaction time, etc... will get together after school to run the tests and collect data.

Are there specific criteria for projects entering the Science Fair?

Some of the criteria that the experiment calls for is that it be done using the scientific method and that there needs to be a review of literature (research paper) that shows the students understanding of the topic. In addition, students will make a backboard and present an oral report.

Who judges?

The judges are other junior high science teachers in the district. There will be a number of judges coming over from Winston Campus, Sandburg and Plum Grove Junior high to judge our students' projects. The judging will take place during school.

Regional and State Science Fairs

Students who perform well in the building science fair are encouraged to continue on to the Region 6 Science Fair. The Region 6 Science Fair usually takes place in March at the Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights. If a student does an outstanding job, placing among the top 250 projects, at the Regional Science Fair they are encouraged to continue with their project to the State Science Fair. The State Science Fair usually takes place in May at the University of Illinois.

In addition, at both the regional and state fairs, kids may enter the Paper Session where they just present their paper and oral presentation. This works well for projects that are well written and in a good amount of detail. Otherwise, they are participating in what's referred to as the Project Session, which has their backboard.