By Carolyn Bogott

Science Fair Mentoring Project

On Feb. 23, 58 third and fourth grade students from Banfield and Neveln elementary schools participated in the STEAM Expo as a result of the mentoring they received from volunteers from the Science Fair Mentoring Project (SFMP).

Twenty-eight of those students qualified to attend the regional science fair in Mankato on April 28. SFMP will support those regional participants by paying registration fees and providing transportation, snacks, lunches and chaperones.

Jake Vela, a success coach at Banfield Elementary School, said he is very happy with the support it offers students.

“Students always say their favorite part about the science fair is conducting the experiment. Children are inquisitive by nature and the Science Fair Mentoring Program helps nurture that curiosity. The greatest benefit is that kids are learning about teamwork, accountability, and accuracy.”

The program started in 2014 when Catherine Haslag, a chemistry teacher at Riverland Community College, brought together a group of interested Austin AAUW Branch members and others interested in working with the project. She proposed forming a mentoring program to help children prepare for entry in the science fair. This grew out of her observations when helping to judge the science fair that some children were at a disadvantage because they had not had anyone to help them with their projects.

Since that first year, 238 children have been assisted by volunteer mentors in preparing their STEAM Expo entries. All materials have been provided at no cost to the families. The program has evolved and is structured so that volunteer mentors have lots of support as they help the children. Some of the students are mentored during the school day and others participate after school.

Dewey Schara, principal of Neveln Elementary School, said he has seen an increase in students’ enjoyment of science because of this program.

“Five years ago, Neveln Elementary School did not participate in the Science Fair. We simply did not have the resources to help our students compete. However, this year we had over 40 students participate. With the help of the adult mentors our students are exposed to the science fair project in a safe, welcoming and successful manner. The Science Fair Mentoring project has helped make science “our favorite subject at Neveln. We can’t say enough about how positive this relationship has been.”

Before the “hands on” mentoring begins, the children attend a “Meet the Scientist” presentation at their school, with speakers from Hormel Foods Research and Development, The Hormel Institute and other local scientists. There is also a field trip to Riverland to participate in experiments in the laboratories there. And after the STEAM Expo, there is a post-party held on alternate years at Hormel Foods R&D and The Hormel Institute.

For the last two years, SFMP has worked with the Austin Public Library to offer Saturday Science Experience and Science Fair Boot Camp for Parents. Participants observed or took part in activities to see how to use the scientific method to conduct an experiment or to solve a problem and discover resources available at the Austin Public Library to assist with completing a science fair project. In the past two years, more than 200 parents and students have participated in these programs.

The activities are made possible through the generosity of 26 Austin businesses, clubs, institutions and individuals who donate money and services to the project and the volunteers who give time to this program.

In the past four years, volunteers have donated more than 5,500 hours to work with students, organizing and purchasing supplies, writing curriculum, developing experiments, and various other efforts needed to make this program a success.

Students reported their favorite part of the project was doing the experiment; mentors said their favorite part was helping kids learn about the world around them. One mentor commented on their survey, “[There is] nothing better [than] to see young children get excited about science and the accomplishments they made throughout the program.”

“We are always looking for mentors,” said Haslag. “The number of mentors is the limiting factor of how many students we can help. You don’t have to know anything science. You just have to love working with kids. We’ll help you with the rest.”

Those interested in volunteering or providing support for the program should email Haslag at ScienceFairMentorMN@gmail.com.