MS Science Fair 2025

This core STEM experience engages all Middle School students (Grades 7-9) and unfolds over months.

MS Science teacher Heather Donovan ably coordinates volunteer mentors from the local science community. In addition, she plans and oversees our adjudicated exhibition, with 50+ volunteer judges. 

Our mentors offer support in the early stages, as students identify project ideas and discuss strategies to reliably produce their project/data set. These early conversations help students draft a manageable plan and procedure. 

Students conducting experiments learn and apply the scientific method, and all students must think critically about their own process/research and conclusions.

When projects are complete, each student/team produces a written report and visual display. These elements represent their work and supplement the presentations that they prepare.

The climax is an open exhibition, during which judges visit students and their displays. Judges assess their work and presentations against a standard rubric. Students present, repeatedly over two days. After months of preparation, students are deeply familiar with their projects. The room buzzes with anticipation. 

During the exhibition, students speak about their work with anyone who stops by their display. They deliver prepared content, but also respond to spontaneous questions. Each student has multiple opportunities to explain their experiment/innovation/study to their assigned judges – and to visitors of all ages from our school community and beyond. In this way, they gain valuable experience in reframing content quickly and competently. 

The judges provide constructive, individual, written feedback. Not only that, but their assessments help determine which projects will advance to regionals.  Our local, regional event is Halifax Sci-Tech Expo (HSTE). In turn, it determines who advances to the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF). 

While we are thrilled when our students advance to the regional/national level, we celebrate all of our student scientists. We are proud to see them share their work with a diverse audience from younger students to seasoned scientists and researchers.

In tackling challenges and navigating a substantial assessment of their work, our MS students develop valuable skills, resilience, and confidence. 

Congratulations, MS students, for continuing the legacy of HIS Science Fairs!