Science Fair

We participated in our Homeschool Science Fair last night. For the first time. I didn't know what to expect but our homeschool group had put on a Geography Fair last year and we really enjoyed that experience.

I let the girls decide what they wanted their Science Exhibit to be about and they chose birds. We decided to make a backyard field guide. A book filled with pictures and information about the birds that we have, right here in our own backyard. Over the course of about 2 months they had spotted about 17 different birds, since getting their bird feeder outside their bedroom window.

The project was to write up information about what they, themselves, observed about each bird. Then they spent about a week and a half trying to take pictures of each bird. We printed off pictures from the Internet of birds they were unable to photograph. I helped make the book using my card making stuff. I thought it was a really creative, original, fabulous idea!

We then got one of those tri-fold boards and taped pictures of the trees that the birds live in in our yard. We also included some fun facts. The girls have been wanting a CD of bird calls and sounds from the birds of Florida. So, I decided to go ahead and get the CD and they could use it for their exhibit. They brought along a CD player and made a list of the birds and tracks of the sounds of the birds in our backyard.

We also brought the bird feeder, seed and all of our bird field guides from Wisconsin, Florida and Georgia. The kids were asked questions as part of the judging. We were not really prepared for that part. But, the kids did fabulous. I was not the least bit concerned about their knowledge of the subject. In fact, hubby and I have been amazed at the information they have gained about birds, just on their own.

They received great marks for enthusiasm and knowledge and over all presentation. For the most part, they did it all on their own with a few detailed suggestions from me (and the typing on the computer.)

One of the best parts was, they were right next to one of their best friends, who did a science exhibit on bees. My friends mom noticed that the two exhibits right next to each other were the birds and the bees. I thought that was so funny!!

Anyway, the kids (and I) had a great experience. And, look forward to doing it again . . .