A Kid's Inquiry Conference

Paula A. Magee, a clinical associate professor at Indiana University and Ryan Flessner, an assistant professor at Butler University in Indianapolis co-authored an article in which they prese... See More

Paula A. Magee, a clinical associate professor at Indiana University and Ryan Flessner, an assistant professor at Butler University in Indianapolis co-authored an article in which they presented a concept that is an alternative to a science fair. The KIC (Kids Inquiry Conference) is a concept that more closely aligned with the way that scientists share their ideas. A science fair typically requires students to follow a step-by-step experimental process in which they construct a hypothesis, collect data to support or disprove the hypothesis. Often the science fair includes prizes that are awarded to students for their projects. The KIC has a format that more closely tracks a professional science conference. In a KIC, students are encouraged to develop their own inquiry projects, carry out the projects using an inquiry-based model and prepare for a presentation. Participating in a KIC offers teachers a powerful professional development experience. At a professional science conference, scientists share their work, including work in progress, which provides the opportunity to obtain feedback from peers. The atmosphere is not competitive. The authors credit W. Saul, D. Dieckman and C. Pearce with creating the idea of the KIC in a 2005 article. The article details the ways to initiate and plan the process, with examples of projects, community involvement, a sample schedule as well as a section of what was learned from organizing a KIC. The article presents a valuable concept with a significant details of how to implement it.

A Twist to the Standard Science Fair

Science fairs occur in many schools at all levels each year. A Kid’s Inquiry Conference (KIC) is a twist to science fairs. Students engaged in KIC develop their own inquiry project which t... See More

Science fairs occur in many schools at all levels each year. A Kid’s Inquiry Conference (KIC) is a twist to science fairs. Students engaged in KIC develop their own inquiry project which they ten carry out using an inquiry-based model. This is followed by preparing for sharing the process they went through in a public event. This article describes the process of preparing, implementing and reflection on the KIC. This article takes you through the process and also offers sample projects and reflections from teachers who experienced a KIC. This sounds like an interesting twist.

A Different Kind of Science Fair

This was a fantastic alternative to the traditional science fair. The idea that teachers and students collaborate with university/college level professor for a real life science conference e... See More

This was a fantastic alternative to the traditional science fair. The idea that teachers and students collaborate with university/college level professor for a real life science conference experience is such a great way for the students to learn. I loved the idea of the projects being student based, ongoing and research based. I also loved the noncompetitive atmosphere; I feel that this puts the emphasis on learning rather than achievement. One of the biggest positives about this idea to me was the introduction that the students get to a college level experience. Depending on how realistic it is for a classroom teacher to communicate with a professor, the students would get a taste of what it is like to be enrolled as a college students and I feel that this could help take the fear out of some students. Overall, I thought that this was a wonderful idea for all ages. While the specifics are most likely only to be carried out in older elementary, mid and high school grades, I also feel that younger grades could conduct a simplified version of this type of inquiry conference.

A Different Kind of Science Fair

This was a fantastic alternative to the traditional science fair. The idea that teachers and students collaborate with university/college level professor for a real life science conference e... See More

This was a fantastic alternative to the traditional science fair. The idea that teachers and students collaborate with university/college level professor for a real life science conference experience is such a great way for the students to learn. I loved the idea of the projects being student based, ongoing and research based. I also loved the noncompetitive atmosphere; I feel that this puts the emphasis on learning rather than achievement. One of the biggest positives about this idea to me was the introduction that the students get to a college level experience. Depending on how realistic it is for a classroom teacher to communicate with a professor, the students would get a taste of what it is like to be enrolled as a college students and I feel that this could help take the fear out of some students. Overall, I thought that this was a wonderful idea for all ages. While the specifics are most likely only to be carried out in older elementary, mid and high school grades, I also feel that younger grades could conduct a simplified version of this type of inquiry conference.

Great alternative to science fairs

The Kids Inquiry Conference is a great way to have your elementary students develop the develop their own inquiry skills using an inquiry based model and develop the communication skills nee... See More

The Kids Inquiry Conference is a great way to have your elementary students develop the develop their own inquiry skills using an inquiry based model and develop the communication skills needed for sharing their projects. One remarkable project was a young girl's project on Alzheimer's disease so she could better understand the disease. This investigation helped her communicate with a grandparent who was suffering with its onset. Get more information on the benefits for your staff and students holding a kids inquiry conference from this article

Growth for Teachers and Students

This article outlines one experience with creating an Kids Inquiry Conference in leiu of a traditional science fair. It goes over some of the logistics of how to organize a KIC as well as t... See More

This article outlines one experience with creating an Kids Inquiry Conference in leiu of a traditional science fair. It goes over some of the logistics of how to organize a KIC as well as the author's take aways from the experience. Although it does not directlly discuss how to do inquiry teaching in the classroom, it would be a nice complement to any classroom where a teacher is looking to expand their inquiry teaching practice.