STEAM Fair

STEAM Fair

The Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) is shifting gears and emphasizing STEAM, where students will be applying and practicing their Science, Technology, Engineering and Math skills, but approaching their projects with a creative, or Artistic, perspective (the “A” in STEAM).  This perspective is based on the new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) where students are encouraged to focus not just on results, but on their process, one that includes trial and error, divergent thinking, dynamic problem solving and plenty of perseverance.  

​The STEAM Fair is held yearly at Torrance Elementary Schools. Last year was the first year the kindergarten class participated in the program.

STEAM FAIR 

STEAM FAIR at Lincoln Elementary is TBA.  Please visit the TUSD STEAM FAIR website for details: http://bit.ly/tusdsteamfair

Download Rules and Regulations Here

**Print form for parent/guardian approval here. The form must also be submitted to your teacher for approval. If you have any questions, please contact your teacher.**

Projects are due TBA:   (In the cafeteria by 9a.m. Enter from staff parking lot).

Lincoln Elementary School STEAM Fair:  @TBA

TUSD STEAM Fair @ TBA
(Winners going on to the district will be  announced during Lincoln's STEAM Fair night.  Winners will receive a letter with details about the district STEAM Fair prior to the district STEAM Fair night).

Overview:

All elementary students in the Torrance Unified School District are invited and encouraged to submit a project for this year’s STEAM Fair.  Grade levels are suggested as age-appropriate levels for projects, however, if a student would like to do a project that would be categorized as a higher grade-level than their own, they may do so.  Students that submit a project from a category that is lower than their grade-level will not be judged.

Theme: “What do you wonder about?”
Purpose: To have students think critically about the world around them and be problem solvers


K/1st Grade - Collections (Focus: Science & Math) 

Wonderings:  What do I want to collect? What is the best way to organize my collection? Why is that the best way?
Sub questions-”How many different kinds of …(ex.leaves, legos, rocks, candy,etc )?
*Organize & Analyze (similarities, differences, more, less, etc)


K-5th Grade -Inventions  (Focus: Science & Engineering)

Wonderings:  What can I design/invent on my own? How can I make a model of my invention? How does this design work? What problem did it solve? Why is it important?


4th/5th Grade -Scientific Thinking/ Experimental Design  

(Focus: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) 
Wondering:  What have I always wondered about? What experiment can I create to learn more?

 

For all projects:
Safety First

lab safety clip art

  • Never use or mix any chemicals or hazardous materials

  • Always wear goggles with activities that could harm your eyes

  • Do not use live animals

  • Avoid using sharp objects

  • Do not use an open flame to conduct experiments

  • Avoid using AC current electricity

  • IF electricity or heat is needed, adult approval and supervision is required

  • Do not display items that require tasting, touching or inhaling

  • Project display should be free of objects easily broken

  • Always use common sense-Safety First


Scope:

  • Enthusiastic students can take on more than they can do. Most are not familiar with time frames involved in doing investigations or the availability of materials.

  • Help them by stating that they must have the plan, the time frame, and their materials list approved by the teacher or other adult who will conduct a reality check.

Student work:

  • All work presented must be the student’s work.

  • Parents/guardians can be guides. Adults may supervise the investigation, but please do not take part except in cases of safety.

  • Parents should not participate in the preparation or presentation, except to help with materials and act as an audience for practice.

  • Students must cite research..