2009 LEAP Elementary Science Fair
(5/21/09)

LEAP Elementary School hosted its 2nd Annual Science Fair on May 21st when over 300 projects from students in grades K-6 were on display.  Several teachers, staff and even members of the LEAP Board of Trustees were invited to participate as judges and cast their votes for the top three projects in each grade.

The science fair was coordinated by LEAP First Grade teacher Nicole Maenner, who explained that the event is a great experience for students but it also fits into part of the school’s mission.  “LEAP is a Science & Technology school, so the science fair follows the school’s mission and charter.  That was one of my goals in organizing it,” said Nicole, who also coordinated the first elementary science fair in 2008. 

Last year’s event was for K-3 only, but this year Nicole and other LEAP teachers wanted to expand it to involve grades 4-6 as well.  Students had six weeks to research their topics, conduct experiments, and create a display for their results.  “It’s a nice way for kids to be the teachers for once and be able to learn from each other,” Nicole said.  “And just take a look around; they’re thrilled.” 

Among the hundreds of projects this year were traditional topics like model solar systems, plant cycles, four seasons, electromagnetism, rocks, and tornadoes; but several new project ideas were submitted this year like archaeology and fossils, glaciers, sound waves, elevator systems, rust and oxidation, and even live turtle observations. 

Students waited next to their projects, eager to explain their experiments and discuss the scientific methods they used: like second grader Samantha Jones, whose archaeology project included a small sandbox that judges could sift through to find fossilized bones and rocks; or second grader Wady Rivera (a 2008 & 2009 first place winner), who recreated the first elevator system developed in 1852. 

“It’s nice to see them able to talk about their experiments and give explanations.  It’s rewarding,” Nicole said, noting an increase in the number of experiment-based projects this year.  “I think the students gained a lot of experience from last year’s science fair.”

After tallying the votes, the following students were awarded 1st to 3rd place for each grade (K-6):

Congratulations to all of the winners and participants for making the 2009 LEAP Elementary Science Fair a great success!
Click here for pictures of the event