Playing Fair: Melrose Elementary Schools Holding Science Fairs

It will be the first science fair for both of them, but fifth-grader Maggie O’Donnell and her first-grade brother Daniel, initially approached their project like any scientist would. They asked themselves a question. What, they wondered, do we want to know? After tossing around ideas, they finally agreed on one that would make Isaac Newton proud: Why do things move at faster speeds?

The two Roosevelt students will answer their question on March 1 at Roosevelt’s first-ever, school-wide science fair. The fair is one in a series of science fairs being held at each of the city’s five elementary schools in late February and early March. More than 570 students in grades K through 5 are slated to present projects.

Science fairs in the United States date back to 1921, when newspaper publisher E.W. Scripps began promoting science for the masses. Science education, in particular, became even more popular in the late 1950s, following the launch of the Soviet satellite, Sputnik. Science fairs became an entrée “to science for those who might not consider themselves science fanatics,” wrote The New York Times in 2011.

And yet, despite subsequent reports like 1983’s A Nation at Risk, which questioned America’s dominance in science and technology, and today’s vast need for STEM workers—those in science, technology, engineering, and math—school science fairs have struggled nationwide, especially at the high school level, due in part to mandated standards that have left little time for extra projects and creative outlets.

Luckily, in Melrose, a parent-led advocacy group called the Melrose Education Coalition stepped up, organizing the fairs, which are run by volunteers and supported by Mayor Robert Dolan, who says, “Science fairs are an excellent way to learn science, because students really get the hands-on experience and can make experiments their own, rather than just reading about them in a book.”

Which is exactly why Maggie and Daniel’s mom, Cindy, was thrilled when she first learned the fairs were for younger students.

“The nice thing about science is that it can meet the child where they are,” she says. “It is all about thinking, what do I want to understand, and then looking at possible explanations. Kids in first grade are natural explorers and if they find they like something, it can keep them engaged for many years.”

And why is Maggie excited about her first fair?

“I think that learning science when you are young is better than when you are older and already have your mind full of thoughts,” she says. And of course, “Because I am in fifth grade and I have a better chance of winning.”

Community members, teachers, local officials, parents, and grandparents interested in being judges should contact melroseeducationcoalition@gmail.com.

Fair dates and time:

Wednesday, Feb. 29, 5-7:30 p.m.,

Wednesday, Feb. 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m.,

Thursday, March 1, 5-7:30 p.m.,

Friday, March 2, 6-7:30 p.m., (grades K-2)

Monday, March 5, 6-7:30 p.m., (grades 3-5)

Monday, March 5, 6-8 p.m.,