KICMiniCAST2011

A Kids’ Inquiry Conference

Extreme Makeover: Science Fair Edition

Alissa Royal

K-8 Engineering Coordinator

aroyal@melissaisd.org

Dollie Green

5th Grade Science Teacher

dgreen@melissaisd.org

What is a Kids’ Inquiry Conference?

Science Fair scientific method competition rigid guidelines showing of work

through display boards

Science Fair vs. Kids’ Inquiry Conference

Kids’ Inquiry Conference

scientific method non-competitive choice showing of work

through variety of mediums to audiences

authentic experiences fosters collaboration become experts on

topic integration of

technology beyond word processing

Get others excited about science

Authentic, non-competitive environment

Students sharing science experiences

Greater awareness of their own science knowledge

Strengthened presentation, communication and technology skills

Melissa Cardinal KIC Goals

KIC Outcome

Foster science inquiry in classrooms stixy.com

Start Question Boards early in the year

testable vs. researchable questions

Establish a student timeline

Introduce KICEstablish parent rolesGather materials

Where do I Start?

Decide what type of KIC: single school or multi-school

Determine location: rooms for presentations and demonstrations, welcome area, keynote address

Determine date: time of year and day of weekDetermine time: begin with KIC Pep Rally, how

many sessions, length of sessions, morning group and afternoon group.

Determine needs for implementation: technology, materials, volunteers, mentors

Coordinator and Teacher Checklist

Organizing and Hosting

Student Preparation for Presentations or Demos

RubricsRolesPlanning

sheetsBlurbs Presenters

BiosJournal

ArticlesRehearsals

Student Presentations

Websites

Demonstrations

Videos

Vodcast

Display Boards

Oral Presentations/PowerPoint

Live Streaming

Why do KIC?

Increase of student conceptual understanding

Increase in district and state data

Student ownership of own learning

Connects all processing skills in a cohesive experience

“Being a scientist”Improves student

cognition21st century skills: digital

literactyBusiness and community

partnerships

Dieckman, Dona, Charles R. Pearce, and Wendy Saul. Beyond the Science Fair: Creating a Kids' Inquiry Conference. Chicago: Heinemann, 2005. Print.

"The Kids' Inquiry Conference Homepage." The Elementary Science Integration Projects. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2010. <http://www.esiponline.org/kic/

"Science Education Products and Supplies | ETA/Cuisenaire." ETA/Cuisenaire: Hands-On Manipulatives and Supplemental Educational Materials for Grades PreK-12. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2010. <http://www.etacuisenaire.com/catalog/department?deptId=SCIENCE&d0=SCIENCE>.

"Melissa Ridge Elementary - KIC: Kids' Inquiry Conference." Melissa Ridge Elementary - Index. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2010. <http://melissa-ridge.groupfusion.net/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=3036&sessionid=fea16593c11b978dda2befd292dcf250

Resources

Structured Guided Student-

Initiated

Scientific Inquiry Continuum

Student:

Teacher:

focuses on focuses on more focuses on one aspect than one aspect all aspects

model and guide model and guide defines supporting aspects supporting aspects learning goals

guide reasoning guide reasoning guide reasoning

with discretion

Stixy.com

Scientific Inquiry Model: NW Regional Educational Library