2009 Insect Fair Information
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The deadline for registering for the 2009 fair has passed. Please stop back again next year!
What is the Insect Fair?
The Monarchs in the Classroom Insect Fair is an
opportunity for students to display their research projects in a science fair-like
setting. It is held annually at the University of Minnesota and is sponsored by
the Medtronic Foundation, the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office, and Monarchs in the Classroom.
When and where is the Insect Fair?
The
13th
annual Insect Fair is on
Saturday, December 12, 2009
, at the
University of Minnesota Coffman Union (Minneapolis Campus)
from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Here's a map:
http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/maps/CMU/index.html
Who can attend the Insect Fair?
Anyone can attend the Insect Fair as a visitor; however, we recommend that student
researchers be in at least 4th grade. If you have not attended one of our summer
courses, please contact Karen at 612-624-8706 or
oberh001@umn.edu about bringing students.
What kinds of projects do students conduct?
Any projects related to insects or their habitats are welcome! These projects can
include field or classroom experiments on insects or other organisms that share
their habitat, library research, class data analyses, or reports on observations
of insects in the classroom, at home or outside. All student presenters must make
a poster on their research, and submit an abstract for their poster.
What happens at the Insect Fair?
Students will be interviewed in small groups, and will have the opportunity to attend
two break-out sessions that include fun activities on insects. All participants
will receive a lunch and awards for preparing projects.
More Details
Each teacher can bring 1-6 students to the Fair (more if you cover their costs of
$20
per participant); this cost includes the meal for students and teachers. All participating
teachers can receive up to $50 reimbursement for supplies (we need receipts to reimburse
you). You will also receive a $75 stipend for bringing students.
Beginning in 2009, we will not allow more than six students per project at the Insect
Fair. Teachers are encouraged to bring more than six students (The Medtronic grant
pays for six students to attend) if their students have multiple projects. Having
smaller projects will allow for a more manageable interview group, so students will
benefit more from the experience. Projects can be completed by more than six students,
but we ask that no more than six attend the Insect Fair to represent the group.
All student presenters must make a poster on their research, and submit an abstract
for their poster. The research projects can be experimental, carried out in the
classroom, outside, or in the library; they do not have to have "earth-shattering"
results. In addition to carrying out and presenting their research, whenever possible
we ask that each student give at least two "outreach" presentations to younger students,
their peers, or adult groups.
How do I sign up?
We will collect all Insect Fair information online. The first step is to sign up
online
by 10/14/2009
if you'd like to participate. If this is your first time attending, you will
need to register for a new account on our website. (If
you've attended before, you should login with your
existing username and password and re-activate your registration.) You will
be able to login at a later point to submit student participant names, project titles,
etc. Check below for a summary timeline and deadlines for participant names, project
titles, etc. We look forward to seeing you again, and learning about the great research
you and your students are doing!
Additional Attendees
Others are welcome to attend the banquet, but will need to register and pay
$10
for food. This is an excellent opportunity for parents to see their students shine!
Teachers must enter the additional attendee names for those planning to stay for
lunch.
Summary of
13th
Annual Insect Fair Key Information
Deadlines
-
10/14/2009:
Sign up to participate in the Insect Fair
-
11/20/2009:
Submit student participant names
-
12/2/2009:
Submit project titles and abstracts
-
12/4/2009:
Submit names of additional people (parents, other teachers, administrators, etc.)
who will be attending the Insect Fair. The cost for these individuals is
$10
for the banquet.
Fall
2009
Students conduct research with insects in teams, as classes, or individually:
- Field studies on insects or other organisms that share their habitat
- Library research
- Class data analysis
- Observational studies
- Museum displays (with help from Bell Museum staff)
Fall/Winter
2009:
Students attending Insect Fair conduct outreach
- Classroom visits
- Talks to teachers, church groups, PTA, school board, nature center, etc.
- Outreach visits can include slide presentations, art activities, "show and
tell," research presentations
Saturday, December 12, 2009: Insect Fair at University of Minnesota Coffman Union (Minneapolis Campus)
- Teachers receive $75 stipend for Insect Fair attendance
- Student costs for up to 6 students per teacher and their teachers are covered
by the grant; additional attendees (students over 6 per teachers, parents, etc.)
are charged a fee to cover costs
- Students present research, attend break-out sessions, and participate in banquet
- Teachers and parents view student projects, attend break-out sessions, and participate
in banquet
- Students receive a T-shirt and certificate
- Student awards for best questions, best display, and best overall project
