2008 Insect Fair Info

What is the Insect Fair?

The Monarchs in the Classroom Insect Fair is an opportunity for students to display their research projects in a science fair-like setting. It is held annually at the University of Minnesota and is sponsored by the Medtronic Foundation, the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office, and Monarchs in the Classroom.

When and where is the Insect Fair?

The 12th annual Insect Fair is on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at the University of Minnesota Coffman Union (Minneapolis Campus) from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Here's a map:
http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/maps/CMU/index.html

Who can attend the Insect Fair?

Anyone can attend the Insect Fair as a visitor; however, we recommend that student researchers be in at least 4th grade. If you have not attended one of our summer courses, please contact Karen at 612-624-8706 or oberh001@umn.edu about bringing students.

What kinds of projects do students conduct?

Any projects related to insects or their habitats are welcome! These projects can include field or classroom experiments on insects or other organisms that share their habitat, library research, class data analyses, or reports on observations of insects in the classroom, at home or outside. All student presenters must make a poster on their research, and submit an abstract for their poster.

What happens at the Insect Fair?

Students will be interviewed in small groups, and will have the opportunity to attend two break-out sessions that include fun activities on insects. All participants will receive a lunch and awards for preparing projects.

More Details

Each teacher can bring 1-6 students to the Fair (more if you cover their costs of $20 per participant); this cost includes the meal for students and teachers. All participating teachers can receive up to $50 reimbursement for supplies (we need receipts to reimburse you). You will also receive a $75 stipend for bringing students.

All student presenters must make a poster on their research, and submit an abstract for their poster. The research projects can be experimental, carried out in the classroom, outside, or in the library; they do not have to have "earth-shattering" results. In addition to carrying out and presenting their research, whenever possible we ask that each student give at least two "outreach" presentations to younger students, their peers, or adult groups.

How do I sign up?

We will collect all Insect Fair information online. The first step is to sign up online by 10/6/2008 if you'd like to participate. If this is your first time attending, you will need to register for a new account on our website. (If you've attended before, you should login with your existing username and password and re-activate your registration.) You will be able to login at a later point to submit student participant names, project titles, etc. Check below for a summary timeline and deadlines for participant names, project titles, etc. We look forward to seeing you again, and learning about the great research you and your students are doing!

Additional Attendees

Others are welcome to attend the banquet, but will need to register and pay $10 for food. This is an excellent opportunity for parents to see their students shine! Teachers must enter the additional attendee names for those planning to stay for lunch.

Summary of 12th Annual Insect Fair Key Information

Deadlines

10/6/2008: Sign up to participate in the Insect Fair
11/7/2008: Submit student participant names
12/1/2008: Submit project titles and abstracts
12/5/2008: Submit names of additional people (parents, other teachers, administrators, etc.) who will be attending the Insect Fair. The cost for these individuals is $10 for the banquet.

Fall 2008

Students conduct research with insects in teams, as classes, or individually:

Field studies on insects or other organisms that share their habitat
Library research
Class data analysis
Observational studies
Museum displays (with help from Bell Museum staff)

Fall/Winter 2008: Students attending Insect Fair conduct outreach

Classroom visits
Talks to teachers, church groups, PTA, school board, nature center, etc.
Outreach visits can include slide presentations, art activities, "show and tell," research presentations

Saturday, December 13, 2008: Insect Fair at University of Minnesota Coffman Union (Minneapolis Campus)

Teachers receive $75 stipend for Insect Fair attendance
Student costs for up to 6 students per teacher and their teachers are covered by the grant; additional attendees (students over 6 per teachers, parents, etc.) are charged a fee to cover costs
Students present research, attend break-out sessions, and participate in banquet
Teachers and parents view student projects, attend break-out sessions, and participate in banquet
Students receive a T-shirt and certificate
Student awards for best questions, best display, and best overall project