LBMS holds 36th annual science fair

Long Beach Middle School held its 36th seventh grade science fair on Nov. 24, giving students the opportunity to become actively involved in the process of scientific investigation, which may lead to participating in the high school’s science research program.

As an example of interdisciplinary instruction, the program incorporates science, English language arts, technology and math instruction to teach students all the components necessary to compile and present their research.

In science class, students learn the foundations of inquiry, discovery and proper use of the scientific method. In English class, they learn the rules of reporting, writing and parenthetical notation. In math class students are taught the proper methods of developing data tables and graphs. Participants research their topics in the computer lab, and utilize Word, Excel and PowerPoint to create their presentation boards.

Although students conduct their experiments at home, they are guided every step of the way by their teachers, in class and during extra-help classes after school, exploring principles of biology, chemistry and physics, as they developed their research projects.

At the science fair students were judged for the appearance of a project, oral presentation, use of controls and sampling techniques, use of the scientific method, originality, the validity of their conclusions, and the ability to answer questions about the project.

Throughout their presentations, students engaged in lively exchanges with their judges, and seemed excited to present their finding. During the public presentation for parents that evening, students had the opportunity to share their discoveries with a larger audience.

“It has been my privilege for the past 30 years to assist our middle school students in developing the foundations for gathering and analyzing data and verbalizing their findings,” said science teacher and chairperson Wendy Klein, the longtime coordinator of the science fair. “These are vital skills that they will use throughout their lives.”