Saint Mary School in Buffalo Grove has worked to incorporate a robust science and STEM program into its curriculum and if the upcoming state science fair is any indication, it’s paying off.
A student presents her findings to one of the judges at the Science Fair at Saint Mary School.
At the Illinois Junior Academy of Science State Exposition, which opens May 2 at the University of Illinois, Saint Mary’s will have nine students competing. Of these seventh and eighth grade students, seven will be competing in the poster session and two in the paper session.
The State Science Fair includes projects in Aerospace Science, Agriculture, Astronomy, Behavioral Science, Biochemistry, Botany, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Health Science, Materials Science, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics, Product/Consumer Science, and Zoology.
Students are judged on their scientific approach, their written report that documents their methodology, results and analysis; as well as their display board, oral presentation and creativity.
“The joy of Science Fair is that it brings together all areas of learning,” says Science Teacher Mary Vitaioli, “from reading and writing to math and presenting — along with science.”
Learning about science comes early at Saint Mary’s. Students are exposed beginning as early as preschool, culminating with 7th and 8th grade students participating in the science fair each year.
Preparing for the Science Fair is a 12-week journey that is incorporated into students’ science classes. They complete their experiments with supervision from parents or from their teacher, before compiling their work into a Science Fair report and science display board.
Ultimately, students present their projects to their science teacher in preparation for the fair held at the school. There, judges include parishioners, parents, teachers from local high schools and other qualified adults.
Together, they helped determine the 22 Saint Mary students who qualified for the regional fair held at Northeastern University in Chicago, where they won 19 gold awards, 2 silver and 1 bronze award.
These Saint Mary students competed in the regional science fair at Northeaster Illinois University.
Of the 19 gold awards, 11 students also were recognized with an Award of Excellence certificate. Additionally, two students won the design contest at regionals, with their drawings selected for the souvenir t-shirt and program booklet.
Their Science Fair journey will end soon, with the state competition, but their science teacher hopes the immersion into science will continue to lead them to explore more opportunities in science.
“I couldn’t be more proud of Saint Mary’s students’ science fair results,” Vitaioli said, “and all of the hard work and creativity they put in.”
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