Student scientists to present their proof in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – From studies of crystals to tsunamis to germs, the student scientists at Stanley Elementary School are getting ready to present their research at the school’s first science fair this Monday.”It’s just another way to encourage science, in each student’s unique way,” said Stanley Parent Teacher Association Co-President Stephanie Greenfield.But while you might see the classic erupting volcano on display, this isn’t your typical science fair.Rather than aligning with a specific curriculum or grade level, the fair will feature 85 students of all grades and is a purely volunteer, extracurricular activity, Greenfield said. There will also be no prizes awarded and no grades given for particularly elaborate projects. Rather, individual or groups of students will also have to be able to explain their investigation to fellow “scientists,” or parents and teachers who have volunteered for the event.”The students will not be judged, but they must be able to explain their investigation,” Greenfield said.”The idea is to have the kid do it and not have the parents do it.”Greenfield said that making the event open to all students helps spark excitement for the fair, but also helps maintain focus on the hypothesis – the basis of all scientific experiments whether conducted by a student in Kindergarten or Grade 4.School Committee Chair Jacqueline Kinney said that the science fairs held by each elementary school – Clarke and Hadley both had events earlier this year – encouraged students to not only investigate a scientific issue, but also helped to learn from each other.”It’s fun for the kids to experiment on their own and to look at what other kids do and find out,” she said. In fact, Kinney said her daughter was inspired by a friend’s investigation of snails to start a terrarium. “They learn from each other that way.”With so many students participating, it seems likely that there would be lot of scientific scholarship going on.”We just want to introduce more science,” said Green-field.”We’re thrilled with the number of participants, and really hope the kids have fun.The Stanley School Science Fair will be held Monday, June 6 from 6-7 p.m. at the school. The PTA encourages all interested parents, students from nearby schools, teachers and community members to attend.For more information, contact the Stanley School PTA at http://stanley.swampscott.k12.ma.us/Pages/SwampscottStanley_PTA/index