Students Take it to the Next Level: Exploring, Testing, and Discovering at Canyon Rim Elementary Science Fair

Just before the winter break, 5th and 6th-grade students at Canyon Rim Elementary shared their learning during their school’s Annual Science Fair. More than 200 students presented hands-on science projects they worked on throughout the second quarter, sharing their findings with nearly 700 younger peers from across the campus.

The science fair allows students to explore topics they are curious about while learning how scientists test ideas and solve problems. Students select their own project topics and work through the scientific process, including forming a hypothesis, conducting multiple tests, collecting data, and drawing conclusions based on their results.

This year’s student projects reflected a wide range of interests and science concepts, including robotics, projectile launchers, plant growth, electricity created from potatoes, slime experiments, and even how milk can be turned into plastic. Each project was displayed on a presentation board featuring photos, models, and written explanations that walked viewers and judges through each step of the experiment.

For example, one pair of students tested different materials to determine which would help ice melt the fastest. After researching the topic, they identified their variables and ran several trials using sand, cat litter, and mineral rock salt. By reviewing their data, the students found that mineral rock salt melted ice 3 to 4 minutes faster than the other materials.

As part of the science fair, students presented their projects to judges and answered questions about their process and results. Awards were given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-place projects in a variety of categories, recognizing both strong scientific thinking and clear communication.

In addition to showcasing student learning, the science fair connected students across grade levels. Nearly 700 Pre-K through 4th-grade students attended the presentations, giving younger learners an early glimpse of the types of projects they will complete as they progress into upper elementary grades.

Across Gilbert Public Schools, science instruction is designed to build curiosity while giving students meaningful, hands-on opportunities to explore how the world works. Guided by the district’s science mission and vision, GPS focuses on igniting a passion for science through creative and collaborative learning experiences that encourage students to ask questions and think critically. From early elementary through secondary grades, students engage in science learning that emphasizes problem-solving, communication, and discovery. Experiences like Canyon Rim’s Annual Science Fair reflect this districtwide approach by helping students apply what they learn in the classroom and share their thinking with others.

To learn more about Science Education across Gilbert Public Schools, visit GilbertSchools.net/Teaching-Learning/Curriculum.