A Virtual Science Fair!  What's that?

A Virtual Science Fair is just what it sounds like, it's a Science Fair,
but rather than the students presenting face-to-face to the judges,
the judges will see a recorded presentation. 

If you enjoy a Science Fair, you will enjoy a Virtual Science Fair, too! 

Keep reading, everything you need to know is below. 
Info for teachers
Be sure to watch the video above to give you an
​understanding of how a virtual Science Fair works. 
Open September 9 - October 31, 2020
Middle School and High School students register on the same form.​ 
Open 7:00am Jan. 19  -  3:00pm Jan. 20, 2021
​(Dates subject to change)
Project videos should be no longer than 5min in length.​
Open 7:00am Jan. 25  -  3:00pm Jan. 26, 2021
​(Dates subject to change)
Project videos should be no longer than 8min in length.
​

So, What are the Steps?

1.  Commit to participating, and begin to think on possible
experiments or research you would like to complete.

2.  Complete the Virtual Science Fair Registration form by October 31, 2020.   The form asks for a summary of your project so have a project in mind. 

3.  Begin your research and/or experiment.  Take lots of
pictures.  Be sure you are in some of the photos.  Collect data.  Analyze your data. 

4.  Develop your presentation. 

5.  Determine how you will submit your virtual presentation. Will you  a)present on Zoom,  b)will you use Screencastify,  c)will you make a tri-fold board and have someone video record you?

6.  Build your presentation.  Video record it.  See options below. 

7.  Upload to YouTube.  Mark it "unlisted."  See time/date guidelines.  

8.   Turn in the YouTube link.  See project submission to the left. 

​8.  Wait to see if you are a winner in the Virtual Science Fair or in your school.

What about Group Projects?

Students are allowed to work in groups of up to 3 students.  It is preferred that groups be made up of students from the same school and same grade-level.  When students of different schools desire to work together on a project, it tends to pose a hardship for parents to get students together to work on the project.  This hardship often leads to incomplete work and students not being able to complete their project.   If students from different schools or different grade-levels desire to work as a group, they must complete the permission form below.  
Click for Permission Form

Three Ways to Record your Project

​How to Upload a Video to YouTube
Present on Zoom -
​great for projects with partners!
Go to Zoom.us and create a free account.  Share your screen and present - don't forget to click record!  Watch your recording, if you think it needs to be revised, do it again before submitting it for judging. 

MS video length may be  5 minutes
HS video length may be 8 minutes.
Present using Screencastify -
use PPT or Google Slides.
Download Screencastify as a Google Chrome extension.  The free version allows only a 5 minute video, so practice your presentation first.  HS students, you are allowed an 8 minute video, but if you can do your presentation in 5 minutes, it is acceptable. 
Trifold Video -
keep with tradition! 
Make your trifold board, as you ordinarily would for a Science Fair.    Place the board on a table and present with someone recording you.  Be sure to hold the phone horizontally for a wide view.  

MS video length may be  5 minutes
HS video length may be 8 minutes.
Picture
Students using a microscope during the 19-20 Science Fair.
How to Upload A Video to YouTube
Picture
Students toyed with motors during the 19-20 Science Fair.

What About My School Science Fair?
Each middle school and high school will be allowed to submit 10 projects in the RHSD Virtual Science Fair.   All projects will be entered into the same project portal, but each school will have 2 days to decide which projects they will judge themselves, and which 10 they would like to submit as RHSD Virtual Science Fair Projects.   These decisions will be made by the Science Dept.
​
Middle School Project Submissions will take place 7:00am Jan. 19 until 3:00pm Jan. 20, 2021.  The Science Dept. must choose 10 projects for the RHSD Virtual Science Fair by Friday, Jan. 22 at 3:30pm.   Other projects will be a part of the school's virtual science fair.   (Dates subject to change.)

High School Project Submission will take place 7:00am Jan. 25 until 3:00pm Jan. 26, 2021.  The Science Dept. must choose 10 projects for the RHSD Virtual Science Fair by Friday, Jan. 29 at 3:30pm.  Other projects will be a part of the school's virtual science fair.  (Dates subject to change.)

How Can I Get Help with My Project?
  • Whether you attend school on A/B Day or you are enrolled in the Rock Hill Schools Virtual Academy, you may participate in the Virtual Science Fair, and help is available!

  • This webpage has resources below to help you choose a topic for your research.  The Media Center at your school may have helpful some resources, too!

  • You have a Science teacher!  If you are a high school student, you may not have Science until 2nd semester, so you may not know your Science teacher just yet, but you can introduce yourself and ask for assistance.  (If you're shy, ask a teacher you know to introduce you.) 
    -All RHSD Science teachers are in support of the Virtual Science Fair and they are willing to help students.  If you feel more comfortable with your Science teacher from last year, that's an option, too!  

  • Due to limited time on A/B days, C-day may be the best option for time with your Science teacher to help you with your project.  You will need to work at home, too, but do seek the advice of your Science instructor.  
    ​
  • If you are a RHSVA student, your Science teacher may host a Zoom session to assist with Science Fair projects - but you may need to ask!

  • If you need a tri-fold board, please let your Science teacher know and one will be provided. 

  • Don't neglect to seek the advice of your parents!  They were Science students at one time, and they may even have experience with the Science Fair - maybe not a virtual Science Fair, but they can help you!

  • If all else fails, please email kmassey@rhmail.org for help with your project!  

Why participate in the Science Fair?

Build your confidence.

Gain recognition for your research.

​Solve world problems.
Give meaning to your scientific study.

​Deepen your knowledge.

Put various academic skills to work.

What are the Categories?

  • Behavioral & Social Sciences
  • Biology
    -    Environmental Sciences
    -Medicine & Health Sciences
    -Plant Sciences
    -Microbiology
    -Animal Sciences
    -Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Chemistry
    -Biochemistry
  • Computer Science
    -Math
    -Statistics
  • Earth Science 
    -Astronomy
  • Engineering
    -Electrical & Mechanical
    -Materials & Bioengineering
    -Environmental Management
    -Energy & Transportation
  • Physics
  • Research Results
    -This category is for projects that are not an experiment.  Research may be related to Biology, Chemistry, etc. ​​
NOTE: Depending on the number of projects submitted in each category, some categories may be combined. 

How Do I Decide on a Project?

Think about topics that interest you. 
electricity....water...solar energy...cell phones...coronavirus recycling...germs...climate change...music...pets...insects...severe weather...engineering...construction...five senses...periodic table...bacteria...fungi...planting seeds...insulation

Brainstorm questions you have about how things work,
or how something could work better.
Design a test or experiment that uses the scientific method to answer your question.
Does cell phone use impact short term memory?
Does hand-washing with hot water or cold water make a difference?
What weather conditions are indicative of mosquitoes carrying viruses?
What's the best treatment for ant bites?
Is wifi or carrier more strain on a cell phone battery? 
Do grasshoppers chirp more when it's warmer or cooler?

If you don't do an experiment, but would like to share your research, that's fine, too! 
Choose Research Results as you category. 
These projects will be allowed for the Rock Hill Schools Secondary Science Fair, but  will not be allowed to proceed to the Piedmont Region III Science Fair. 
What happens to blood once it is donated but before it is given to a new person?
What I learned from my dog's DNA results, and my new questions.
Why are so many people deciding to become vegetarian or vegan?  Is it really a more healthy option?
How do the Covid-19 metrics really work?
How is Coronavirus like and unlike other viruses?
​​

Need Some Ideas?

Browse through the lists to develop your own, original question to research and investigate.
Picture
This photo, from http://templatedb.me/pick/ is a suggestion of how your board should look.
​Following our Science Fair, some projects may proceed to the regional science fair.  We do not know the parameters yet.  They may not match with our parameters.  Students will have time to adjust their project to new parameters and make improvements. 
 Picture
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This is a video compilation of photos from the 2019-20 Science Fair.




​


This website has been developed and maintained by
Kimberly G. Massey, K-12 Science Instructional Specialist
for Rock Hill Schools of York County, South Carolina.

Telephone

803.981.1886

Email

kmassey@rhmail.org