Science Fair & Open House
Date: Feb 14, 2024
Where: Island Pacific School
Time: 5:30-7:15 pm
Have you ever wondered if dryer lint might make an eco-friendly alternative to styrofoam insulation? Or if the presence of scents might affect your ability to remember facts? Or just how quickly biodegradable plastics decompose in your compost?
These are some of the questions the Grade 7 and 8 students are asking and hoping to find answers for their science fair projects. This is a busy time of year, but the enthusiasm is infectious and the learning is genuine for the students and their teacher.
Science Fair has become a favourite project for many middle school students as it gives them a chance to learn about things that they are curious about and interested in. By conducting experiments, they learn that they can find the answers to their own questions and it sparks a sense of wonder and curiosity that transfers to other aspects of their lives. Every year we see the students become excited about their topic.
They have to complete many steps over a long period of time and it may be complicated and require some higher level critical thinking and problem solving, but, no matter the level of difficulty or complexity, students learn about the scientific method and gain an appreciation for the role science plays in advancing our understanding of the world around us.
Some of the topics our students are working on are:
- Does dryer lint make an eco friendly alternative to conventional insulation materials?
- Can we grow food and extract resources from regolith soil on Mars?
- Is there a link between human activities and the health of pond ecosystems?
- How do cigarette butts affect the health of plants?
- Does adding weight affect the speed on a downhill bike?
On February 14, while the 7s and 8s are presenting their projects, the grade 6s will be showcasing their Rube Goldberg machines and the 9s will be showing off their creative electricity projects. Please join us to celebrate their learning and to find the answers to the fascinating questions the students have been investigating.
You are welcome to join us at the school between 5:30 and 7:15pm. Bus shuttle from Snug Cove at 5 pm and return shuttle at 7:15 pm for the 7:40 ferry.
Students will also participate in the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair (GVRSF) at UBC April 4-6, 2024.