If you have talented students who are interested in science, here are some ways to encourage them to participate in a science and technology exposition.
• Introduce the science and technology expo at the beginning of each semester and even at the end of the school year to get students interested in working on projects during the summer.
• Determine a plan for working within a school’s semester or block scheduling of sciences classes so that everyone can be encouraged to participate.
• Stress hands-on labs with data collection in your sciences classes. This reinforces concepts and helps students learn the scientific method in a concrete fashion.
• Urge research experiments, rather than models or collections.
• Require students to write up their lab experiments using the scientific method. Make sure they have all the parts of an experimental summary: question, hypothesis, materials, procedures, results in chart or graph form, analysis and conclusion.
Outside the Classroom
• Encourage students to pursue their individual interests within the scientific topic being learned and to go beyond their classroom learning.
• Start a science club to help students who are not currently enrolled in a science class and to provide extra-curricular opportunities in science exploration and discovery.
• Be familiar with the NHSEE rules and regulations so that you may advise your students. Hold a seminar to explain them, or if appropriate, draft a science and technology expo handbook with reference to these rules for your students. (Many districts have a science and technology handbook; check this out before you start writing your own.) Include:
o Deadlines for entry. o Individual or team entries allowed. o Method for reviewing rules and getting appropriate approvals. o Display & Safety Guidelines: Size of board and what can and cannot be on the board.
• Work with the community to connect students to mentors – at the local university, hospital, or veterinary practice.
