Belt News: Science Fair

With the science fair in Belt approaching in mid January students are trying their hardest and best to get their projects done and done well. The science fair is a yearly event that seems to be on all students’ minds around this time of the year. Just last year there were over a grand total of 305 students from 22 different schools participating in the regional science fair. The science fair is important and meets many learning objectives such as finding answers to questions through experimentation, data organization, working on critical thinking skills, practice problem solving skills, collaboration, communication abilities, and meeting objectives in a deadline.

Mrs. Vogt and Mrs. Horton are in charge of the middle school and high school sciences fairs. They help students understand and complete the objectives and learning of the science fair. The hardest part of the science fair according to Mrs. Vogt was... “Helping up to 80 students find a project that they will enjoy doing and that is an actual experiment.” and Mrs. Horton said it was “To keep all the groups on task and schedule because some projects cannot be done at school.”

The most fun parts of the science fair is “When students enjoy presenting their projects to the judges on the days of the science fair.” said Mrs. Vogt and Mrs. Horton stated that it’s “watching students successfully and professionally present their projects to the judges.”

Both Mrs. Vogt and Mrs. Horton have been doing the science fair for a very long time, Mrs. Vogt started science fair when she moved from teaching 5th grade to teaching the middle school eight years ago and Mrs. Horton isn’t entirely sure when she started but she has said it's around eight or nine years. But, no matter how long they have been conducting the science fair, they both have phenomenal advice for the students in the science fair. Mrs. Horton’s advice for the students is to “Keep on time, so you don’t have to rush. Choose a topic you are really interested in.” and Mrs. Vogt said “My advice would be to choose a project that the students are interested in, choose wisely if they decide to work with a partner, and don’t procrastinate!”

The science fair is organized into 3 divisions: school, regional, and state. The dates for the schoolscience fair are January 15th for the middle school and January 16th for both the elementary and high school. There will be a public view of the projects on January 15th from 3:30- 6:00 pm.. The dates for the Middle School/High School Regional Science Fair will be on March 5th at MSU-GF and the Elementary Regional Science Fair will be held on March 7th at MSU-GF. Judges are still needed for all levels. Please contact Mrs. Vogt at her number, 406-277-3351, or at her email [email protected] if willing to help.