Abaco Science Fair 2024
"Adapting Today for Tomorrow’s Climate: Climate Resilience & Adaptation"
Thursday, November 14th 2024
New Vision Ministries
Overview
Projects should show evidence of research into a topic surrounding “Adapting Today for Tomorrow's Climate: Climate Resilience & Adaptations”. Climate resilience and adaptation are critical themes in addressing the challenges posed by global climate change. As the impacts of climate change become increasingly apparent, communities, governments, and organizations must develop strategies to adapt to evolving environmental conditions. This theme focuses on understanding how to effectively build resilience and prepare for future climate scenarios. Categories for projects might include but are not limited to renewable energy solutions, sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and community resilience.
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Projects must be based on scientific investigations, an experiment or surveys, including environmental and/or social perspectives. (**All high school projects must include the scientific method. If high schools do not use the scientific method, the project will be placed in the Non-competitive/Display category.**)
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All information outlining how the project was done, key findings and conclusions, should be included in a poster presentation for lower primary, upper primary and lower high. All information outlining how the project was done, key findings and conclusions, should be included in a powerpoint presentation for upper high ONLY*.
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*Component for UPPER HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS : GRADES 10-12 ONLY* This year, instead of setting up a table with a display board, we are asking upper high school students (grades 10-12 ONLY) to prepare a powerpoint slideshow to explain their projects on stage in front of the audience. Students may include props along with the slideshow to help to explain their projects. Presentations should be no longer than 10 minutes.
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All teams should also use their research to inform an action component that demonstrates student participation in solutions, behavior change, or community outreach for increasing public understanding of the services provided by the chosen ecosystem(s). Proof or samples of the action component should be provided (photo copies, video, photographs, etc).
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All projects must include a list of sources/references for any photos, diagrams, definitions etc. that are borrowed for their project.
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Please note: Students who are homeschooled but live in Abaco can enter to participate in the competition. Please make entries based on the grade level they are currently in.
Judging Criteria
There are four components of each project to be judged:
1) Originality (Score 1- 10 points)
Projects should have original information and not just copy and paste from other sources not made by schools (e.g. brochures, internet). Students should be able to demonstrate an original thought process.
2) Content (Score 1- 10 points)
Information should be consistent with chosen topic and relate to overall theme. For high schools: Headings should relate to the scientific method (abstract, introduction, hypothesis, methods, discussion/conclusion including sources of error and methods for improvement). For primary schools: Headings should reflect what you did, how you did it, and what you found out (do not need to use those phrases verbatim).
3) Presentation for lower primary, upper primary and lower high ONLY (Score 1- 10 points)
Project should be well presented. If hand written, it should be legible. Projects should be neat and tidy, and follow a logical order. Projects which are eye-catching will score higher.
3.1) Presentation for upper high ONLY (Score 1- 10 points)
Students should have an organized powerpoint presentation that is easy to follow, easy to read and eye-catching. Presenters should speak clearly when presenting and must not exceed the limit of 10 minutes.
4) Student Explanation (Score 1- 10 points)
Students should be able to answer questions posed to them by judges and display that they have an overall knowledge of the project.
*In the case of a tie, the project scoring higher on student explanation will be the winner.
NOTES FOR ALL ENTRANTS
You are responsible for projects that are legible, audible, etc. depending on project format.
Credit your sources of information (including photos, web research, interviews etc).
For lower and upper high school: You must show use of the scientific method in your project (steps listed below).
Rules
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Each school is allowed one entry per school category (i.e., one for lower primary, one for upper primary, etc.). Additional entries will be placed in the display category and will not be judged.
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Prizes will be awarded to the winning school and not to individual students.
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Registration opens Monday, September 2nd 2024. Schools registered by Friday, October 4th 2024 will receive ONE bonus point towards their final score. Schools must complete entry forms by Friday, November 1st 2024.
REGISTER HERE
Registration opens on Monday, September 2nd 2024.
All entry forms must be submitted by Friday, November 1st 2024 the latest.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD...break it down!
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Ask a question
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Do some background research
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Form a hypothesis (educated guess)
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Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment
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Make an observation from your experiment
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Analyze results and form a conclusion
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Report your results
HELPFUL TERMS
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Climate change is a long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth's local, regional and global climates. (NASA)
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Climate resilience is the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to hazardous events, trends, or disturbances related to climate. (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions)
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Climate change adaptation refers to actions that help reduce vulnerability to the current or expected impacts of climate change like weather extremes and hazards, sea-level rise, biodiversity loss, or food and water insecurity. (UNDP)