Action Plan Template Intel ISEF 2009 Educator Academy May 2009

1. Action Plan TemplateIntel ISEF 2009Educator AcademyMay 2009 Costa Rica

2. High Level Goals Our focus is to improve aspects of two national fairs: the National Science and Technology Fair (K-12) and the National Engineering Fair (grades 10-12). • Long term goals (3-5 years) • Improve quality of judging and standardize processes in all levels– institutional- regional- national of the National Science Fair (NSF). • Obtain Ministry of Education commitment to integrate inquiry and research projects in the national academic curriculum. • Overcome the cumbersome logistical administrative processes of the National Science Fair Program, and ensure efficient and transparent use of resources. • Strengthen participation of the Scientific Review Committees at Regional and National levels. • Improve quality of student projects at the institutional level for both the NSF and the National Engineering Fair (NEF). • Create a “young scientist student motivating students” program. • Short Term (1-2 years) • Establish a certification program for fair judges at all NSF program levels. • Analyze program alternatives to modify student selection as ISEF finalists to allow more time to improve projects before participation. • Pass a national decree to institutionalize the National Engineering Fair and update the NEF manual under this new administrative process. • Increase student participation at the NEF through leadership motivation of school principals, supervisors and academic advisors. • Improve quality and standardize judging processes of the National Engineering Fair.

3. Objectives We will have successed if: • The Ministry of Education has initiated processes to include inquiry based learning and research skills in the national curriculum by 2009. • A Presidential decree is passed which ensures Government financing of the NEF by Sept 2009. • Within two years the SRC creates a judging certification process and a training curriculum with civil service credit for teachers, and launches pilot training. • For 2009 competition, the number of high schools participating in the NEF doubles in number. • Create a course that orients students and teachers on how to implement engineering projects, and defined written guidelines on how to present documentation. • Profile and criteria for participation on the NSF Scientific Review Committee is re-defined to include strengthening off the Regional SRC membership and processes.

4. Action Plan – steps to meet your goals and objectives

5. Action Plan – steps to meet your goals and objectives 5

6. Intel ISEF Educator Academy Reflections, and Lessons Learned • Key learning from the Educator Academy • “WE CAN DO IT” Great experiences demonstrated that the key element for success is not financial resources, but the human resource and motivation • This international experience opened our vision and broke down some paradigms on what a fair is, and how it is managed for such a large number of students. • Importance of networking and borrowing best practices. • Which Shop Talks were the most beneficial for your team? • All were great… Just the international experience alone and opportunity to take best practices and create networks is a huge benefit and allows us to follow-up on all our gaps or needs. • At this point of our fair process Teresa Clark’s presentation on independent high school science research was really helpful. . • Also, the Scifest experience gave us new ideas on how to develop our newest fair. Sheila Porter. • Engineering is Elementary (Bill) and Korean workshop were great,, we need materials to support K-6 programs • Nigeria’s experience for Initiating and sustaining SF programs was very motivating. Jerry Orhue • What types of Shop Talks were missing? • Detailed workshop (not a panel) for ISEF affiliation and creating a SRC – need more detail for new fairs, and a refresh for experienced fairs. • Hands on workshops gave us great ideas– need more! • Longer workshops– allow more time for speakers. • Programs for talented students, and creating mentorship experiences with scientists.

7. Costa Rican team