Award Announcement Toronto District Science Education Scholarship Funding Source: UofT Science Rendezvous Classroom Enrichment Fund Registration Deadline: Friday April 15 th, 2016 Poster Submission Deadline: Friday April 29 th, 2016 The Toronto District Science Education Scholarship is a Toronto-wide competition open to Junior and Intermediate-level science classrooms. Participating teachers will assign a poster project on any topic within their current science curriculum, and select up to five students to represent their classroom at the Toronto District Science Fair during Science Rendezvous UofT on Saturday, May 7 th 2016. A scholarship of $1000 will be awarded to the classroom represented by the student with the top poster in each division: Junior (Grades 4-6) and Intermediate (Grades 7 & 8). Classroom registration is now OPEN. PURPOSE Science Rendezvous Toronto Science Education Scholarship aims to promote scientific literacy by recognizing teaching excellence and commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. This is an annual scholarship awarded to Junior and Intermediate classrooms that demonstrate outstanding student comprehension of the science curriculum. This award serves to publicly showcase the talent and innovation of Toronto District teachers and students, while providing funds to allow science educators to continue to enhance to their classrooms and spark student interest in STEM careers. Scholarship funds may be used towards field trips, classroom makeovers, science materials and/or equipment necessary to facilitate current and future science education. This competition offers teachers an avenue to supplement classroom funding by covering curriculum material, while also promoting student engagement with STEM research. To win $1000 in scholarship funds, teachers must assign their class a Poster Project on any topic covered by their current science curriculum and register their class in the Science Rendezvous Toronto District Science Fair held in collaboration with the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) Toronto Section. Science poster projects assigned previously in the 2015/2016 school year are also eligible for submission. Participating teachers can register up to five students to represent their class, and present their classwork at the Toronto-wide competition on Saturday, May 7 th 2016 at the University of Toronto, St.
George. There, one Junior (Grades 4 6) and one Intermediate (Grades 7 & 8) student demonstrating outstanding comprehension of STEM concepts will be awarded $1000 for their teacher and classroom from the UofT Science Rendezvous Classroom Enrichment Fund. Science Rendezvous is a FREE Canada-wide science street fair that moves state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities into city streets (www.sciencerendezvous.ca). Serving science fans of all ages, Science Rendezvous brings students face-to-face with the scientists, engineers, clubs, and researchers at the frontiers of innovation. In 2016, Science Rendezvous U of T will partner with the Chemical Institute of Canada to host the first annual Toronto District Science Fair, offering students from Toronto schools the chance to demonstrate their STEM knowledge to the community, and showcase their work alongside that of Canada s leading scientists and innovators. ELIGIBILITY AND RULES Eligibility: All participants must teach math or science to Junior or Intermediate-level (Grades 4 8) students at a Toronto District school. Teachers must register their class to compete via the Science Rendezvous Website (Visit www.sciencerendezvousuoft.ca for details) Teachers must assign their class a STEM Poster Project that covers a topic within the Ontario Science Curriculum (see below for Poster Board Guidelines). Past assignments completed within the 2015/2016 academic year are eligible for entry as long as the submitted presentation to the Toronto District Science Fair is in poster form. Teachers may select up to FIVE student projects to represent their class as finalists at the Toronto District Science Fair on May 7 th, 2016. Finalist names and confirmation of attendance, as well as poster project must be submitted by the teacher prior to the date of the competition (see Competition Timeline below). Rules and judging criteria: The top five students from each classroom- as selected by teacher or class vote- will go on to represent their class at the Toronto District Science Fair on Saturday May 7 th 2016 at the University of Toronto, St. George Campus. All poster presentations will be displayed
simultaneously and students will have the opportunity to hone their oral presentation skills through mini poster talks with attendees and judges. As part of Science Rendezvous UofT, the Toronto District Science Fair will be judged by U of T faculty and graduate researchers, and open to Science Rendezvous 10,000+ attendees- giving students the opportunity to showcase their work to leading researchers in STEM, as well as the broader public. Posters will be evaluated based on scientific thought, creativity, and communication. REGISTRATION PROCESS Teachers will enter their classroom to compete in their respective division (Junior or Intermediate) on a first-come, first-served basis via the Science Rendezvous UofT Website (www.sciencerendezvousuoft.ca) by April 15 th, 2016. Confirmation of eligibility and registration will be sent within two business days. If registration for the division is full, a confirmation of waitlist status will be sent. Successful registrants must select and register up to five student projects to represent their class by Friday, April 29 th 2016 via the Science Rendezvous UofT Website. Confirmation of the completed projects must be submitted at this time and should include student names, project titles, and photos of the finished posters. Waitlisted candidates will be notified if additional spots should become available. COMPETITION TIMELINE Classroom Entry Deadline: Friday, April 15 th, 2016 Student Poster Submission Deadline: Friday, April 29 th, 2016 Toronto District Science Fair and Poster Judging: Saturday, May 7 th, 2016 10:00 am 1:00 pm *Science fair poster sessions will be organized by division, and consist of approximately 50 presenters each.
POSTER GUIDELINES All posters must address a scientific question or topic covered by the Ontario Science Curriculum, as chosen by the registered teacher. Use a self-standing display board, such as Elmer's 36in x 48in tri-fold display board. Displayboards in black or white-coloured "foam core" (a sandwich made up of two pieces of smooth surface paper with a plastic middle) or corrugated cardboard are readily available at many retailers including (Wal- Mart and Michaels) ranging between $4 to $14 per board depending on the material. All posters should prominently display the: o Student s name o Teacher s name o School affiliation o Research topic SUGGESTED POSTER TOPICS Grade 4 Understanding Life Systems: Habitats and Communities Understanding Structures and Mechanisms: Pulleys and Gears Understanding Matter and Energy: Light and Sound Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Rocks and Minerals Grade 5 Understanding Life Systems: Understanding Life Systems: Human Organ Systems
Understanding Structures and Mechanisms: Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms Understanding Matter and Energy: Properties of and Changes in Matter Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Conservation of Energy and Resources Grade 6 Understanding Life Systems: Biodiversity Understanding Structures and Mechanisms: Flight Understanding Matter and Energy: Electricity and Electrical Devices Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Space Grade 7 Understanding Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment Understanding Structures and Mechanisms: Form and Function Understanding Matter and Energy: Pure Substances and Mixtures Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Heat in the Environment Grade 8 Understanding Life Systems: Cells Understanding Structures and Mechanisms: Systems in Action Understanding Matter and Energy: Fluids Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems CONTACT AND RESOURCES If you have questions about this award, please visit www.sciencerendezvousuoft.ca or contact: Science Rendezvous Classroom Enrichment Office scholarship@sciencerendezvousuoft.ca