Science Fair Mentoring Information Session:  Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 7:00 p.m. Room 350, Edina Community Center
Edina Center for Academic Excellence will once again offer a Science Fair Mentoring Program this coming Fall.  Students in grade 7-10 may apply to the program.  Over the course of 12 weeks, meeting every other week on Saturdays, students will brainstorm, select and develop their topic along with a methodology for doing their research.  Display and presentation techniques will be discussed and critiqued.  Students will be advised on how to submit their paperwork and registration for the Fair.  Students must submit an application to be accepted to the ecaae mentorship program.  The 2010 application is posted here:  science-fair-mentorship-application_2010 Please print off a copy and return it by October 16, 2009.  Plan to attend the information session to learn more about the program.

Science Fair participation is the first step middle school students can take towards building a network of scientist mentors and peers.  For many, it is the first time they come to appreciate science as an exciting activity worth pursuing with passion.

ecae Science Fair Students Experience Success
The 2009 Twin Cities Science Fair was particularly significant this year due to the involvement of Michael Cherkassky, Harvard-bound student and former Edina High School Senior.  Not only was Michael again a stand out winner in several categories of this year’s fair, but two first time ecae students who were mentored by Michael, along with Emily Cherkassky, Michael’s younger sister, also brought home significant awards.  The team of Alexandria Herr and Samuel Weiss, prepared a submission titled, Wood Density and its Relation to Caloric Output.  Their entry was selected for awards in multiple categories.  The two students gave much credit to Michael for inspiring them to try the Science Fair.  Many students are unaware of the great opportunities the national science fair program has to offer to students who are good at science, but often find classroom science unchallenging.  Science Fair participation is a highly organized and well-structured program that allows students to advance through yearly participation.  The culminating goal for many is the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair ISEF  awards, or ISEF.  It is the highest level of scientific achievement a high school student can attain through competition.

Top:  Alexandria Herr, Michael Cherkassky, Samuel Weiss 
Why participate in Science Fair?
Science Fair provides a challenging extracurricular academic opportunity for students who are good in science, to focus on an area of their own choosing.  In the middle school years, science instruction in the schools is often prescriptive and defined by state mandated standards.  Many bright students with a knack for science find themselves turned off and underchallenged by the assignments given in class.  Science Fair is a way to engage them, keep their interest and love of science alive.  A by-product of Science Fair participation are the benefits that accrue with every year of participation.  Of those students who at least submit their project application, the majority will go on to become veterans of Science Fair and return year after year.  This learning curve of experience benefits the students as they approach the higher stakes high school Science Fair which leads to the nationally and internationally renowned Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). For those students who truly want the chance to demonstrate a high level interest in science while still a high school student, middle school Science Fair participation is a must.

West Metro Physics Team Information Meeting
Students are welcome to join a wider cohort of area high school students to train and compete together on the West Metro Physics Team sponsored by the Edina Center for Academic Excellence.  The goal is to grow the team members in global competitiveness and individual success in the 2010 Physics Bowl and help students advance towards the prestigious United States Physics Team USPT Competition.

No prior physics knowledge is necessary although a strong math background is helpful.  Students in grades 8-11, who are advanced in math and would like to try competitive problem solving are invited to participate.  Team members will receive professional coaching and train two hours a week through the fall and winter beginning on September 22 and compete in the 2010 Physics Bowl in April.  The short span of this training program has already produced locally 1 USPT finalist, 2 USPT semi-finalists, 3 Physics Bowl Regional Winners and 2 Second Place Team finishes.

A Student-Parent Information Session will take place on Thursday, September 17, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Room 350 of the Edina Community Center, 5701 Normandale Road, Edina.  Coach Andrzej Stankiewicz will explain the coaching format, time commitment and competitions.  Sign ups will take place that evening.  If you missed the meeting, click here to view the PowerPoint presentation.

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