What happens when teachers give Middle School students the tools to think like scientists and engineers? The annual Science + Engineering Fair in April provided exciting answers.  

As students prepared for the Fair over six weeks, they were encouraged to inquire, problem-solve, think creatively, and discover. Using the framework of the Engineering Design Process, Level 6 students were challenged to identify a problem in their own lives and build a prototype solution. For their projects, Level 7 and 8 students applied the Scientific Method to conduct different experiments connected to their science curriculum. 

On April 3, the Middle School was abuzz, full of families, students, and teachers eager to see the results of their hard work and experimentation. 

Level 6 engineers showcased solutions to a range of challenges in their daily lives. Students guided audiences through their engineering process for prototypes like a sunrise alarm clock, a hockey stick that returns the puck back to the user, a 3D printed trash compactor, and much more. Sharing their successes, failures, and surprises illuminated the reality of creative problem-solving. 

Level 7 and 8 tackled questions like: What is the effect of a Venus fly trap’s diet on their growth? How does the temperature of a guitar string affect its frequency? How does the size of the blades affect the amount of voltage produced by a wind turbine? Using the Scientific Method, students designed experiments to probe these questions. Students conducted background research, formed testable hypotheses, collected data, and analyzed results to answer their posed question.  

In addition to their impressive experiments and engineering design work, students also gained public speaking experience with various audiences, from Level 1 students to HRS parents and faculty members. Experiences like the Science + Engineering Fair are essential parts of the HRS Middle School journey, building students’ confidence and skills as they look towards the future.