The EMS Science Fair is an annual event for students in grades K-8. Students in elementary grades K-2, create projects by grade, often focusing on recycling and stewardship of found materials. Students in grade 3-5 work on individual projects and are coached by their classroom teachers on how to use the scientific method to investigate personal topics of interest.
In Middle School, 6th grade Science Fair projects focus on data collection with guidance on research methods and result presentation from their science teacher Larry Martin. In grades 7-8, students are encouraged by science teacher Lee Good to “pursue their passion” when selecting Science Fair topics.
Lukas Early, 8th grade, studied the role of memory and how information is retrieved in our brains. During his research he learned the method of loci, which uses visualization to organize and recall information. Will Hess, 7th grade, asked if we can trust what we see, and studied the ways our minds can be tricked by illusions. Ryan Brunk, 7th grade, probed whether yawning is contagious. With a wry bit of humor, Ryan concluded that “sleep can and will most likely decrease the effects of contagious yawning.”
In addition to scientific discovery, students also learn critical lessons in personal integrity, including adhering to planning schedules and deadlines as well as valuable communications and presentation skills as they display and discuss their work.
