3 Organisers' Manual Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
PREFACE
For the past 5 years, we conducted the Young Scientific Explorers (YSE) which involved 360 students in 2004, 2005 (1120), 2006 (2094), 2007 (2000) and 2008 (2500). YSE was developed to introduce science to young people in a fun manner using everyday items. It was conducted by visiting the participating schools and exhibiting 8 simple experiments, followed by a visit to the National Science Centre.
As a follow-up to this project, we successfully conducted the Science Fair for Young Children 2007. This project was a collaborative effort between The Centre for Community Initiatives (CCI) and Tamil Foundation, Malaysian Indian Science Intellectuals Association (MISI), Education, Welfare and Research Foundation (EWRF) and the Head Masters Council (Selangor). To take-off this pilot project, the Science Fair 2007 was held in Dewan Tunku Cancelor (DTC), University of Malaya. Forty Nine teams from 44 schools from Wilayah Persekutuan and Selangor participated in this fair.
We were surprised to see how the participating students brought science to life as they tackled investigative questions through hands-on experiments, helping them develop and demonstrate their interests and strengths in science. We also noticed an increase in confidence by the participating students.
In 2008, we conducted the Fair at a national level in 6 zones across Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 180 schools and 197 teams participated in 6 fairs across the country, as per below:
1. Zone 1: KEDAH, PENANG & PERLIS = 31 teams from 28 schools 2. Zone 2: PERAK – 21 teams from 18 schools 3. Zone 3: SELANGOR, WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN - 58 Schools/ teams 4. Zone 4: MELAKA, NEGERI SEMBILAN - 4 Schools/ teams 5. Zone 5: JOHOR – 64 teams from 57 schools 6. Zone 6: PAHANG & KELANTAN – 19 teams from 15 Schools
From the 180 schools, 57 schools (60 teams) were selected to participate at the National Science Fair. The fair was a success with most of our objectives met. Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
In 2009, we conducted the Fair on a national level in 6 zones across Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 190 schools and 207 teams participated in 6 fairs across the country, as per below:
1. Zone 1: KEDAH, PENANG, PERLIS - 30 Schools with 32 teams 2. Zone 2: PERAK - 15 Schools with 18 teams 3. Zone 3: SELANGOR, WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN - 74 Schools/ teams 4. Zone 4: MELAKA, NEGERI SEMBILAN - 3 Schools/ teams 5. Zone 5: JOHOR - 54 Schools 63 teams 6. Zone 6: PAHANG , KELANTAN – 14 Schools with 17 teams
From the 190 schools, 57 schools (60 teams) were selected for the National Science Fair. The fair was a success with most of our objectives met.
In 2010, we conducted the Fair on a national level in 9 zones across Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 263 schools and 285 teams participated in 9 fairs across the country, as per below:
1. Zone 1: KEDAH, PERLIS – 20 teams from 17 Schools 2. Zone 2: PENANG – 16 teams from 16 schools 3. Zone 3: PERAK- 53 teams from 50 schools 4. Zone 4: SELANGOR - 54 Schools/ teams 5. Zone 5: W.PERSEKUTUAN - 14 Schools/ teams 6. Zone 6: NEGERI SEMBILAN – 22 teams from 18 schools 7. Zone 7: MELAKA – 21 Schools/teams 8. Zone 8: JOHOR – 68 teams from 59 schools 9. Zone 9: PAHANG & KELANTAN – 17 teams from 14 schools
In 2011, we conducted the fair on a national level in 9 zones across Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 274 schools and 274 teams participated in 9 fairs across the country, as per below:
1. Zone 1: KEDAH, PERLIS – 41 Schools/ teams 2. Zone 2: PENANG – 16 Schools/ teams 3. Zone 3: PERAK- 47 Schools/ teams 4. Zone 4: SELANGOR - 56 Schools/ teams 5. Zone 5: W.PERSEKUTUAN - 13 Schools/ teams 6. Zone 6: NEGERI SEMBILAN – 18 Schools/ teams 7. Zone 7: MELAKA – 21 Schools/teams 8. Zone 8: JOHOR – 45 Schools/ teams 9. Zone 9: PAHANG & KELANTAN – 17 Schools/ teams Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Science is the systematic study of nature and the knowledge gained. While scientific facts are important, facts alone, divorced from methods employed to discover or learn them are incomplete, could in fact hamper scientific progress.
Students will learn science and its methods better if science is hands-on or experimental experience, whereby students are led on a path of discovering scientific truths. Young students will learn science as they seek to satisfy their curiosity.
A Science Fair can be an exciting component for the mid-school science curriculum. Students bring science to life as they deal with investigative questions through hands-on experiments, helping them develop and demonstrate their interests and strengths in science.
Among the many benefits of a Science Fair are: • Students approach of solving a problem of their choice using a scientific method. • Students ask questions, form hypothesis and create experiments to test their hypothesis. • Students observe records, organise relevant data and draw conclusions. • Students communicate their scientific research. • Students work in a 5- member Science Fair team. • Students budget their time, organise their work into manageable chunks, prepare a schedule and delegate work accordingly. • Students use reading, writing, research data and computer skills for their presentation.
A Science Fair is a long term project, which spans several months. Students conduct most of the Science Fair work on their own, outside the classroom with periodic scheduled discussions with their science teacher. This format allows science teachers to continue their regular classroom curriculum, while having students engaged and working on the Science Fair project.
Through the judging process, a Science Fair gives students feedback from many people, not just science teachers. Judges can be administrators, other academicians, school teachers, members of the community, parents, volunteers, etc.
Students become excited and interested in participating in the Zone Level Science Fair, especially when there is an opportunity to participate in Science Fair competitions at the National level. Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
1.1 The Purpose
This project aims to improve on the concept, supporting structure and implementation tools of Science Fair and help organise science fairs primarily in Tamil Schools nationwide and create a greater awareness about science and scientific methods. It also aims to help motivate the students with the drive for achievement in their quest for knowledge.
1.2 Objectives
1. To review and improve resource materials in the teachers training materials, sample projects and guidelines for students on science projects. 2. To train all interested science teachers in Tamil Schools on the aspects of a good science project. 3. The State Level Science Fair would be divided into 9 zones by training local organising committees in their respective zones. 4. The National Level Science Fair would be conducted for the winners of the zone level Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
2.0 ORGANIZATION 2.1 Organization Structure pg2.pdf 1 2/8/2012 5:44:20 PM In order to implement the Science Fair for Young Children, CCI works in partnership with the Malaysian Indian Science Intellectuals (MISI), Putra MIC, DHRAA Malaysia, ASTRO, various state Headmasters Councils other interested NGO’s and interested parties. Some of these organisations are already conducting science related programmes for Tamil students and have strong links with the Tamil school community.
Media Partners: Advisory Group Astro and Others Funding Group: MCEF and Others
Judging Committee Working Group
HM Council Rep Internal Group/ Secretariat State Organizing Other Orgn. Rep Orgn. / Secretariat
Training Committee Facilitators
Research and Develoment Event Committee* PR and Funds
The SFYC organization structure (You can use a similar structure for your Science Fair team) Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
2.2 JOB FUNCTIONS
Groups Members Job Function Central Working Project Director, - Policy making Committee (CWC) Rep. from all - Decision making organizations involved, - Financial approval - Delegating and monitoring of the project - Chaired by PD. - Assisting the Internal Group - Meetings every fortnight
Internal Group (IG) Project Director - Implementation of the project - Monitor each group’s progress - Report to Working - Prepare progress report for the WG meeting Committee - Meeting every week
Judging Committee Only judges Central - Meeting with all judges regularly (JC) Committee - Review the judging manual - Project Director - Upgrade the marking sheets - R & Q Committee - Train and provide judges for state & national fairs
Facilitators Group, Teachers, Volunteers - Prepare new sample projects/experiments Various (College Students & to be added in the Students Quest Implementation University students ) (Student’s Guide) Committees - Report to PD - Review the facilitator’s guide and upgrade it - Act as main mediators between the teams and organizing committee - Assess the Student’s Guide and upgrade it continuously - Assist teams that are participating in the competition
SFYC and Main St and Project - Make arrangement for meetings Secretariat - Coordinate with State Coordinators, facilitators & judging committee - Update information at the Internal Group meeting - Prepare minutes & report - Report to Project Director - Core coordinator in the implementation of the project
Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
Groups Members Job Function State Level Working State level Coordinators, - Implementation of the project at state level Committee (SLWC) Sta , Teachers, - Monitor each supporting group’s progress Volunteers - Prepare progress report for State Working Committee meetings - Conduct meetings every week - Submit report to Central Working Committee every Research & Quality * Project Director - Design the training modules of (R & Q) R & Q Committee Teachers, Students and Facilitators. - Report to Working - Organize the training for the respective Group groups. - Provide advise during implementation to the respective groups.
Facilitators * Project Director - Mastering the guided & non-guided Committee (FC) Facilitators Committee experiments. - Report to Working - Selecting schools for visitations. Group - Report to Zone Coordinators regarding visitations. - Observe & guide participants’ involvement. - Assist State & National level organizers
Event Committee * Project Director - Organize on the day event. (EC) Event Committee - (Refer to Event Checklist) - Report to Working Group
Public Relations * Project Director - Invite press & other media for launch & Funds (PR &F) Event Committee and day of events. - Report to Working - Design & print iers, banners & buntings Group for distribution to all zones to publicize the event. - Contact TV stations eg. Astro Vaanavil, TV2 etc. for interview & promotions on the Science Fair and the actual event. - Contact Radio stations to do promotions on air.
Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
2.3 Nine (9) Zones For SFYC Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
1 KEDAH, PERLIS - 59 Schools
2 PENANG - 28 Schools
3 PERAK - 134 Schools
4 SELANGOR - 97 Schools
5 WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN - 15 Schools
6 NEGERI SEMBILAN - 61 Schools
7 MELAKA - 21 Schools
8 JOHOR - 70 Schools
9 PAHANG, KELANTAN - 38 Schools Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
2.4 Terms and Conditons For State / Zone Levels
1. The state/zone committee will be given the freedom to run their own Science fair; seed funding will only be given if state committee shows real interest in the project. Funds will be disbursed based on certain Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to be developed by the Working group. 2. If the state/zone committees are unable to function as required, seed funding will be revoked, and the state may not have a Science Fair. The seed funding allocated as per the proposal must be returned to the project funder. 3. The state would be required to look for their own funding to cover part of their cost requirement as per their plan. 4. The State Organisers shall be divided into 9 Zones (see map), depending on the number of schools in the area and the distance to travel to the respective Science Fairs. 5. Respective schools may request to change zones with valid reasons given (e.g. distance to the State Organiser’s HQ). The acceptance of the request is at the full discretion of the Working Group. 6. The Central Working Committee (CWC) needs a quorum of 3 members for decision making. All decisions made by the members present at the meeting are automatically binding. All meeting dates shall be fixed (fortnightly) from the official starting date of the project. 7. The Central Working Committee (CWC) and State Level Working Committee (SLWC) shall be apolitical in its work and agenda and shall conduct itself with strict professionalism. 8. There shall be NO interference from anyone or any organisation in this project, the Central Working Committee’s (CWC’s) decision is final and binding for this project. 9. All work done by the secretariat should be endorsed by the Project Director and in his absence, by Project Director II. 10. All decisions on policy making and funding must be made by the Central Working Committee (CWC); direct instructions from other members (not working committee members) or from partner organisations are not binding. 11. All members shall contribute and cooperate fully for the success of the project to achieve its objectives. 12. The members should not bring their personal and/or their respective organisation’s problems into the project. 13. The Central Working Committee (CWC) shall have one coalition identity to the outside world for the implementation of this project. 14. Any individual promotion by partner organisations of their involvement in this project is permissible but should be done transparently, with the knowledge of all other members of the coalition. Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
2.5 Roles & Responsibilities Of State / Zone Level Coordinators
• Need to form a State Level Working Committee (SLWC). • Must work with any individual or NGOs who are interested to join as partners in the State Level Science Fair. • To remove any individual or NGOs from the coalition, consent from the Central SFYC Working Committee (CWC) is required. • Need to identify and coordinate state level judges and facilitators. • The progress of State Level Science Fairs must be updated by the State Level Coordinators to the Central Working Committee (CWC), every 2 weeks. • Need to take full responsibility and operate effectively at state level based on KPI’s.
2.6 Proposed Milestones for each Phase (September - July)
Review & development of the resources September - October Quality Control October Identify Partners or NGO in each state October - December Final Folder copy November Send for printing December Meeting with Headmasters Council October – November Meeting with Ministry of Education October - November Training of partner organization at the state level December-January Training for Teachers & Facilitators in each state January –March School visiting at each state April Science Fair State Level May Science Fair National Level June Project post-mortem and report(s) submission July Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
3.0 ORGANISING A SCIENCE FAIR
3.1 Why We Need To Organise A Science Fair
Science Fair provides an opportunity for students, individually or as members of a team, to actually apply the theories and skills they have learned and acquired in their study of science. For students who have not studied science, the Science Fair projects will be rather difficult. But if the respective schools have made an effort to give their students lots of hands-on experience solving scientific problems, the Science Fair provides a perfect platform for the kids to show what they have learned. It also provides a venue to show the students, the academic community and the public on the whole, how important and useful SCIENCE can be in their daily lives. 3.2 What Qualities One Should Have To Be A Coordinator
• Able to work with other NGO’s and organisations. • Have good networking abilities. Have good leadership qualities. • Able to delegate work in a justifiable manner without being biased. • Able to trust and work hand-in-hand with others. • Must be committed and dedicated to make the Science Fair a success. • Must be responsible and honest in carrying out his/her duties. • Must have accountability, transparency and good governance with all voluntary sectors involved. • Able to do proper financial planning and general accounting so that expenses do not exceed the budget sanctioned by the Central Working Committee (CWC). • Able to raise funds to cover for any additional expenses required. • Able to submit detailed reports to the CWC on the progress of their respective zones. • Must be a good team-player. Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
3.3 Procedures To Conduct / Organize A Science Fair
Getting started on State Level SFYC
Coordinators Training
• Introduction to SFYC • Review & Overview on SFYC • Describe job functions & responsibilities • Allocation of funds • Recruit volunteers • Number of schools targeted for each sector
Form a State Level Working Committee
• Should have: - A functioning Secretariat - Facilitator’s Representative - Teacher’s Representative - HM Council’s Representative - Other organisation Representatives
Make School contact
• Provide information to schools • (Letters & Follow-up Calls) • Final confirmation with schools • (2 weeks before the training) • Provide printed materials and list of Experiments to schools. • (Schools to select 3 experiments) • Obtain participants’ details. • SLWC to finalise experiments for the Schools. Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
1st Training
• Confirm date and venue. • Prepare food & stationery for participants • Final confirmation on attendance • (Teachers, Facilitator’s & Trainees) • Receive training material from Central Working Committee (CWC) • Training content :
Implementation
• Update confirmation of schools that have started on experiments. • Secretariat & facilitator’s need to follow-up with the schools. • Have regular State Level Working Committee meetings.
1st Visiting
• Confirmation − School visiting − Empower the participants − Prepare them for SF • Facilitators need to come-up with the report about their school visiting & submit to the respective judges • Guide students to use logbook & prepare reports • Judges need to go through the facilitators’ report to evaluate the performance of the schools (if necessary) • Coordinators need to organise a meeting with the facilitators (Q & A) Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
Follow-up training
• Confirm date and venue. • Prepare food & stationary. • Final confirmation on attendance (Teachers, Facilitators & Trainees) • Training content : − Question & Answer − Problem solving
2nd Visiting
• To finalise coordination: − Facilitators need to prepare the participants for the event. − Facilitators need to prepare a report about their school visiting & submit to the respective judges − Judges must mark the logbooks and report books (1 week before State Level Science Fair). − Judges must go through the facilitators’ report to evaluate the performance of the schools (if necessary).
THE ACTUAL EVENT (State Level SFYC)
After the State Level SFYC Event • Follow-up with the respective schools. - Train the participants to be ready for the National Level SFYC. • Make travel arrangements from zone to the National Level SFYC. • Transport arrangement. • Food arrangement. • Prepare Consent Letter to school & parents. • Request schools to arrange for an academic trip to National level SFYC for their students who are not taking part in the National Level SFYC. (IF POSSIBLE) (Provides non-participating students an opportunity to view and experience the SFYC and share the enthusiasm with their participating comrades. This special experience will definitely boost their confidence to love science and what it offers. They too would want to do science projects in their schools)
Getting Ready for National Level SFYC
• Coordinate with participants, teachers, students’ and facilitators from the respective Zones. • Communicate with State Level coordinators. Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
3.4 Overall Checklist For SFYC Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
3.5 Event Checklist For School Or State Level SFYC 3.5.1 Getting Started On School Or State Level SFYC Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
3.5.2 The School Or State Level SFYC Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
3.5.3 Work Breakdown - (Planning Form)
CATEGORY/ITEM PERSON RESPONSIBLE NOTES DUE DATE
1 Food/Catering
Find provider
Select menu
Make reservations
2 Transportation
To location
From location
3 Parking
Bas
Car
4 Banner & Buntings
5 Name tags
6 Publicity
ASTRO
Minnal
THR Raaga
Newspaper
7 PA System (AUDIO)
Sound system
8 Visual System
LCD & Screen
Photographer
Video shooting
Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
9 Security
10 Rental Items
Tables / chair
Booths (Partitions
Tents
11 Decoration
12 Pamplet, Souvenir Book
Invitations, Thank You 13 Cards / letter & Certi cates
14 Room
Vip
Facilitators
SFYC Manual- version 1 Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
3.6 Funding From Central Committee 3.6.1 OPERATIONAL COST (Fixed Amount)
Coordinators Trans port Allowances
Teachers & Facilitators Training Teachers & Facilitators Training (Follow up) * Venue * Miscellaneous
Event Day * Hall * Judges Transport *Miscellaneous
3.6.2 Operational Cost (Depends on size of zone)
1. Transport ( CENTRAL TRAINER ) 2. Food RM 6 X ? (Facilitators+ Teachers+ Trainers) 3. Stationary RM 2 x ? (Facilitators+ Teachers) 4. Teachers Transport RM 20 X Teachers 5. Facilitators Transport RM 20 X Facilitators Facilitator Visiting RM 20 X Facilitators Event Day Meals RM 15X (1 team= 6 people) Prizes RM 50 X ?
The centralThe central funding funding will will be be disbursed disbursed in 33 pay paymentsments to ttohe the Zones Zones based based on the on Zone the Coordinator’s Zone Coordinator’s performance. performance. Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
3.7 SAMPLE BUDGET 1 - (Refer to the Appendix) SAMPLE BUDGET 2
Items Budgets Food/Catering Transportation Publicity & Fliers & Posters Banners & Buntings Decoration Invitation & Thank you letter Invitation & Thank you card Certi cate Hall Judges Prizes Miscellaneous PA System (Sound System) Video shooting Photographer Name tags Rental Items Tables & chairs Booth/ partitions Tents LCD others TOTAL Science Fair for Young Children Organizer Manual
3.8 Safety Rules And Guidelines
A. Electrical Safety
• High-voltage wiring, switches and metal parts must be located out of reach of students and observers. • Design projects that can prevent overload. • All wirings must be properly insulated. • Nails, tacks or insinuated staples must not be used to fasten wiring.
B. Chemicals/Organisms
• Any project producing temperatures exceeding 100C must be adequately insulated from the surroundings. • The following CANNOT be displayed: corrosive, caustic or dangerous drugs; combustible solids, liquids or gases; open flames/matches, animals/cultures; venomous animals; culture plates; disease-causing organisms that harm vertebrates; animal parts of any kind except for legally purchased or acquired taxidermy specimens.
C. Animal Project Rules
Animals are defined as any living thing that is not a plant, fungus or single- celled organism. Animal parts such as shells, teeth, and skeletons, study skins or taxidermy mounts that are legally purchased, prepared or possessed may be exhibited without following the Rules for Animal Experimentation. Observational projects that do not confine or attempt to alter the physiology or behavior of free wild animals are also exempted from the rules for animal experimentation.
All projects involving animals or animal parts must abide by the Rules and Guidelines for Animal Experimentation as set forth in this Handbook. International Science Fair rules are strict and our Science Fair must abide by the following rules:
• No live animals may be exhibited at the fair: drawings, toy animals or photographs may be used where appropriate. • Photographs of dissections or other laboratory techniques depicting vertebrate animals other than normal conditions may not be displayed on the student’s exhibits but may be included in an accompanying notebook.