Digital Science Fair!

Question: Can students create Science Fair projects using digital tools rather than science fair boards?

Hypothesis: Yes, I believe Science Fair projects can be created with digital tools because we can teach students to be more environmentally conscious, students are already acclimated to digital resources and there's an opportunity to share their product, globally!

I saw an amazing display of student work the other day when I was asked to judge the Digital Science Fair at a local school! Students in grades 3-5 had created their science fair project displays in Google Slides and sent them to their Science Specialist. After sorting them into folders in Google drive, we were able to log into google drive and view their displays. 

I was wow'ed even after I watched a Kinder class that had created their display in the Photo Story program and narrated the processes of their science fair class project under the direction and facilitation of their teacher. After scoring and selecting the top 3 winners from each grade level, we were able to walk down to the cafeteria where tables were set up and the 16 finalist were sitting on the left side with their laptops ready to present! 

Shortly thereafter, their student peers from the grade levels poured into the cafeteria and fanned out like crazed fans until they were sitting across from the finalist and viewing their presentations. With star-gazed eyes, 8, 9 and 10 year olds were deep in conversation, heavily engaged with their classmates about the projects that made the final cut! What a sight to behold!

Here's how (through the lens of the Scientific Method):  

Materials: Computers, digital cameras, Excel, iPod touch, iPad, voice recorders, iPhoto, iMovie, HDMI cable, iPhone or Smart phone, Rubric, Google doc (slides), Photostory program, science fair project references, and lab equipment for the experiments.

Sample Rubric

Research: Technology enables our students to assimilate knowledge more readily by employing a wide variety of media addressing all learning styles in our classrooms. We serve urban school children who are are primarily visual/kinesthetic learners who are often intimidated by written instructions. Using a digital camera, a computer, iPod touch, classroom iPads. I will produce school-wide video instructions showing students how they can document, produce and present their science fair project digitally. (source cited: http://www.weareteachers.com/lessons-resources/details/creating-digital-science-fair-projects)

Procedures: 

1. Students are given various research topics to choose from and/or are allowed to pick their own topic (with approval from teacher).

2. Students should be given a rubric and that rubric addressed in a thorough manner from the teacher so students know what the expectations are. 

3. Students do the Science Project either at home or in pairs/groups at school.

4. Students take pictures of their project using a digital camera or phone.

5. Students create their results and analyze their data (then create a graph in Excel or Word).

6. Students draw their conclusion.

7. Students create their project and digitally put it together using iPhoto, iMovie, Power Point (Google Slides) or Photo Story.

8. Students turn in their digital projects (via Google drive) to be scored/judged and finally, to present to their peers.

Data: 

Students hovering around the finalist to view their presentations.

This project had the attention of several students!

Conclusion: 
So, can YOUR school do Digital Science Fairs? Well, I've seen it done and although it may take some tweaking to differentiate it for the needs of YOUR campus, it IS, indeed, possible!