Opening the World of Science to Sixth Graders at Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School

Opening up the world of science and discovery to sixth graders while also having fun and making life-time memories was the central theme of the recent Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School Sixth Grade Science Fair.

For Judy Toledano, one of the school’s sixth grade science teachers, the event on April 8 and 9 fulfilled her goal of organizing a fair for her students. “My goal was for the students to choose their own science topic and go with it,” said Toledano. The 6th grade science teachers, Leslie Hoellger, Carol Verrino, Heather Cummings, and Judy Toledano all worked together to develop the projects' rubrics, worksheets, deadlines, and manage the logistics.

"I emphasized to my own students that you never know where something will lead to,” said Ms. Toledano. “The science fair provided the students with lifelong memories and might help them in finding a future career,” she explained.

The students were able to pick their projects’ subject matter and create their laboratory to test their hypotheses. The goal was for the students to learn through experience. The students then presented the culmination of their scientific findings at the science fair which was attended by parents and community leaders. Many projects included hands-on components, bright eye-catching displays, and a wealth of data.

“I found that every time I told people that we were having a science fair, those who had done it when they were children remembered exactly what experiment they had done and what the results were from their school days. So holding a science fair was also for that life long experience of presenting work to the public,” shared Ms. Toledano.

With the positive feedback the event received from both parents and students the science teachers are already looking to continuing the program next year, she added.

By Emily Whelahan, Walter Panas High School Student Intern, Communications Office