The majority of students within the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) district are required to participate in the science fair. The science fair is a time of innovation and experimentation at North Atlanta. Every year, students brainstorm ideas and use creativity in order to compete for the prize. From growing plants to experimenting with physics or exploring biology, the science fair is an exciting time.
While the deadline isn’t until November, most teachers encourage students to get their thoughts and ideas organized at the beginning of the school year. Students get a little more than three months for completion, and numerous steps have to be completed prior to beginning the experiment itself. First, students must choose their topic and get it approved. Some projects this year include testing the best variables for growing plants, testing different caffeine levels on a person’s BPM, or testing different energy drinks on athletic performance.
After deciding the experiment, students must research their topic and variables, and write a research paper. Although the task seems daunting, it improves student’s ability to complete the experiment to the full extent and gain more knowledge and understanding of their topic. After completing the research paper, the fun begins – experimentation. One student, sophomore Blair Carter, won the first-place prize her freshman year. “Finding an experiment that would stand out, and allow for me to learn a lot was important to me,” she said. “Ultimately I chose to do an egg drop experiment.”
Though students are the creators of these awesome experiments, teachers hold a very important role in the science fair. From guiding students and helping them develop topics to judging the final projects, teachers play a key part in putting on a successful science fair. Many teachers help organize and judge the event and ensure it runs smoothly. They must go through hundreds of projects and determine the best of the best in their classes, and then later on the best of the school’s projects. Though the science fair is a lot of work, it is rewarding for the school. The science fair allows teachers to help their students innovate and discover more about intriguing topics, as well as guide students through scientific research and experimentation. Chemistry teacher Dr. Henry said, “I enjoy helping my students discover more about their scientific interests in a way that teaches them researching skills too.”
The science fair brings out the best inventions and innovations for North Atlanta High School students. Researching, experimentation, and learning new skills are all a part of the fun. Teachers and students alike learn more about fascinating scientific experiments and a variety of topics through the brilliance of the science fair.
