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Christopher Columbus Awards. Quiz Question: In what month is “Columbus Day”?. Christopher Columbus Awards. This is a science fair type of competition that rewards problem solving and creative thinking dealing with a problem in our community. What do we mean by “Community”?.
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Christopher Columbus Awards Quiz Question: In what month is “Columbus Day”?
Christopher Columbus Awards • This is a science fair type of competition that rewards problem solving and creative thinking dealing with a problem in our community. • What do we mean by “Community”?
Christopher Columbus Awards • Brainstorming… • Work in your table groups to do some brainstorming. Come up with a list of 9 issues/problems in our community that needed to be addressed.
Brainstorming….. • Community Issues • What are some issues in your community which could benefit from a new, creative way of thinking? These could include: environmental issues, health & safety, sports, school, transportation, hobbies, or anything else that could help people if a new approach to a problem were adopted. - No idea is too outrageous to start with!
Christopher Columbus Awards 9 Community Issues 3 – School / School District Issues 3- Rochester / Minnesota Issues 3- Personal / Family Issues
Rules…Rules…Rules… • So…really….what will I have to do for the Christopher Columbus Awards?
Direct Off the Contest Website… • Team Rules • Each team must have three or four student team members and a coach. • Team members must be students in good academic and behavioral standing. • Team members are limited to participating on one team project per year.
What is Required???????? • A completed entry consists of 5 parts- 4 written sections and one visual. • The written sections are : • 1. The Issue • 2. Research • 3. Testing • 4. Your Solution The visual presentation may be: - A Drawing or Diagram, - Photos, or - A Videotape
Step Two…… • Talk about a solution • Come up with an innovative solution to your community issues using science and technology. • What is currently being done to solve your problem in your community? • Come up with 3 or 4 solutions that your team could research and experiment with.
Steps Three and Four : • Research! Research ! Research! • Identify people or groups in your community who who could help you with your project. • Select one solution to research in greater depth. • Find out as much as you can about your proposed solution and what you would have to do to test the effectiveness of your solution.
Step Five….. • Formulate and Test your Solution • Control your variables (remember science fair?) • Collect data to support or reject your solution • Discuss the results of your tests. • Accept or revise your solution. ***You’re Almost Done***
When is it all due? • Put together your entry. • The entry deadline is February 6th, 2012, and we need to mail your entries out AT LEAST 3 days before this deadline. I will have all of the entry materials when you hand in your final drafts. So ….It’s a national competition…what could we win?
A Trip to Disneyworld!!!!! • This is with 3 of my 8th graders at the Magic Kingdom
Coronado Springs • We stayed at one of the Disney resorts while we were in Florida for championship week
Some of the Finalist teams from a few years ago…. The Baby Beeper The Quiet Alarm
Some of the Finalist teams from a few years ago…. Ladder Masters Stopping Cart
Some of the National Finalists Last year included….. This entry won First place! $5000 saving bonds for each group member Pendulum Barking System
Some of the Finalist teams from a few years ago…. Plateau Preservation Project The Red Arroyo project
Some of the Finalist teams from a few years ago…. Gone Buggy
The Christopher Columbus Grant Winner!!!!! This group received $25,000 to develop and put their program in place!! Milfoil Masters
Remember- This can be you next Summer • And Finals week is not all work… • We spent a great deal of time doing fun things. Like…….
Just Remember….. • This is not going to be quick or easy! It requires a great deal of hard work, and commitment to your idea. But if you believe in yourself, your dream may just come true
Christopher Columbus Awards Entries Due: Tuesday, February 1st 2012
Back to Step One…… Find a group of 2 or 3 other students to work with • Share all the answers from your brainstorming session • Decide on 2 community issues that you would want to work on • Fill out the “First 5 Questions” worksheet • We will all share our community issues during the last 10 minutes of class