1^st European Science Fair

A major Science Fair will run from the 5th to the 8th of September at rooms 2201 to 2204 at CP2, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar. 

The Science Fair will be open to the community Friday afternoon.

Schools, research institutions, commercial companies, science clubs, teams and or groups of students or teachers, and individuals may prepare a booth to present their work at the Conference’ Science Fair. A short abstract of no more than 500 words (two pages including affiliation and figures) describing the activity must be submitted by May 15, 2006.

Lodging will be provided to students that present their works and experiments at the Science Fair. Requests should be made as soon as possible (hsci2006@hsci-pt.com) before July 14.

Estudantes que apresentem os seus trabalhos e experiências na Feira de Ciências ficarão alojados a expensas da organização. As inscrições e qualquer outra solicitação de apoio devem ser feitas tão cedo quanto possível (hsci2006@hsci-pt.com) antes de 14 de Julho.

The finals of the 1st EUROPEAN CONTEST  on "IDEAS FOR SCIENCE FAIRS" will take place on September 8, 2006 around 17:00 hours (room B1).

A Feira de Ciências estará aberta à visita de todos na 6ªfeira (8 de Setembro) de tarde. No entanto, se Escolas, Autarquias, Centros de Estudos e outros grupos pretenderem visitar a exposição num outro dia, poderão fazê-lo bastando para isso que enviem um email para hsci2006@hsci-pt.com (ou ainda por carta ou fax) indicando a data e horário pretendido e número estimado de visitantes.

1^st EUROPEAN CONTEST

on

"IDEAS FOR SCIENCE FAIRS"

Learning about science, exploring our universe, understanding the mystery and wonders of Nature is and should always be a fascinating experience.

In 2004 the Hands-on Science network launched a major European contest on "Ideas for Science Fairs".

This is an excellent chance to get involved!  You may take part as an individual, as part of a group at School, in a Science Club or just at home.

A Science Fair day is special. After having a fun time experiencing the thrill of discovery, you will present the results of your work to friends, teachers and parents. You will explain your ideas, the experiments you tried, the research you did and what you discovered. You might even discover something completely unexpected, perhaps something no one knew before...

This Science Fair contest covers the entire European Union, so students hundreds of miles away in many different countries will see your work and share theirs with you. There will be also national competitions and you can even participate if you live outside the EU. Projects in all fields of Science and all kinds of presentations will be considered. The contest will run continuously and each year the best projects will be selected. There will be prizes and trophies for the most interesting ideas and participation diplomas for all. You might even win a special invitation to present your work in one of our annual conferences! The next meeting will be in Braga, Portugal. As Coordinator of the Hands-on Science network it is my pleasure to invite and welcome you to the 3rd International Conference on “Hands-on Science. Science Education and Development ” in Braga, Portugal, September 9 to 9, 2006.

The Contest is divided into four classes: up to 9 years old, 10 - 12, 13 - 15 and from 16 up; (ages are determined at the date on which you submit your work). You may present your ideas in any format you want (text, diagrams, pictures, computer simulations,…). Just try to make them as clear and exciting as possible. Send your work at any time to H-Sci by mail, email or using the contest web site (http://hsci.no.sapo.pt/ScienceFair.html). A brief description of all submissions will appear on the website. Please tell us the address of your own web site if you have one so that we can make a link to it. 

So how do you think up an idea? Well, it doesn’t need to be complicated or complex (often the best are the simpler ones… but it’s up to you. Let your imagination and the scientist inside you to take control…!). Here are just a few ideas…: what about a hamster that produces it self the energy needed to run his private jacuzzi?…; a story about an “ecological” bird that recycles others waist; a simulation of a high jump competition in the moon; the distinctive features of the rocks you find in the backyard of your school; how to measure how far is the sun from us; why do we have two eyes or why are birds, usually, so colorful; how to build a solar popcorn machine; a painting made just of natural dyes; a simple, or not so simple…, solar watch… or a sand one;… can you build a simulation of a mirage?; what is a hologram, how does it work, and what is it used for?; were there dinosaurs in Mars?; imagine a sophisticated robot to go try to find their skeletons…; or find a way to produce an homemade rainbow; or bouncing balls; an underwater volcano; or a submarine robot to measure the depth of a lake and, why not…, the quality of its water; a tsunami; or how to build an home to stand an earthquake; … or any other of the so many ideas you will have just by “looking” at the world that surrounds you.

Remember… when you are trying to understand the world, you are doing Science… and how exciting and rewarding it might be to explore all those wonders of Nature!

The Hands-on Science network is pleased to invite you to participate in this contest. We are sure you will enjoy it… and are looking forward to hearing from you!

Universidade do Minho, Portugal, 15 January 2006.

Manuel Filipe Pereira da Cunha Martins Costa