Mendham Township Elementary School Family Science Expo

For 28 years, Chester Schools have been known for their annual science fair. This year, Mendham Township Elementary School is introducing its own Family Science Expo on May 1st.

The date is Thursday, May 1st, 2008 from 7:00 to 8:00pm. The Family Science Expo Committee is accepting applications until next week (week of March 17th).

According to the flyer that came home in my daughter's backpack, it is a voluntary, after school activity that encourages elementary school children and their parents to work together in ways that will test, tinker and toy with their interest in science. Children and parents will come together to collaborate in hands-on science activities and experiments, to share insights and to problem solve. All experiments will be open-ended, use inexpensive, readily-available materials, and enrich the elementary science curriculum. The program is being run by two elementary school teachers, Nancy Fuller and Laura Porrovecchio.

Q. Who can participate in the Science Expo?
A. The Science Expo is open to any student K-4. Students may work individually or in groups. Groups should be in the same grade level with the exception of siblings who may work together regardless of grade level.

Q. What type of projects should be made?
A. Projects may be as simple as a diagram, a diorama, a poster, or a display of rocks. Projects may be more experimental, computer-generated, mechanical, or celestial. Projects can show how things work, explain why things happen or even define the essence of matter.

Q. Where can resources be found?
A. Students are encouraged to obtain resource and reference materials from the Morris County Library, the Mendham Township Library, and the MTES library. The Internet is another great resource. Students can also talk to experts to whom you may have access and any other sources which can help develop ideas and projects.

Q. What information should be included in each project?
A. The display may consist of a model or demonstration of the experiment, using equipment, photographs, drawings, charts or diagrams. The Scientific Method questions should be answered.

1. PURPOSE: What do you want to find out?
2. PREDICTION: What do you think will happen?
3. MATERIALS: What items do you need?
4. PROCEDURES: What steps will you follow?
5. OBSERVATION: What happened?
6. CONCLUSION: What did you learn from your experiment?
   

Q. Where and when will the projects be displayed?
A. Every entry will be displayed in the Mendham Township Elementary School gym on May 1, 2008. Doors open at 6:00pm to set up projects. Please be ready to present your project at 7:00pm. The Mendham Township Elementary School Family Science Expo will take place on Thursday, May 1st between 7:00 and 8:00pm.

Q. Who can come see the projects?
A. Parents, guardians, friends, neighbors and Roxiticus Desperate Housewives are all invited and encouraged to visit the Family Science Expo at Mendham Township Elementary School.

Here is a direct link to download the flyer and application: http://www.mendhamtwp.org/pdf/ES/science%20expo-website%20copy.pdf

For more information, the Roxiticus Desperate Housewives recommend calling Mendham Township Elementary School at (973) 543-7107.