Polk County Public Schools’ Elementary Science Showcase recently took place at the Lakeland Square Mall. The two day event provided the public with an opportunity to view science projects constructed by private and public school students throughout Polk County. Event organizers permitted each school to send three student representatives from fourth grade and three student representatives from fifth grade.

But unlike traditional science fairs in which student projects are simply displayed, students with projects at the Elementary Science Showcase participated in inquiry circles. Inquiry circles provide kids an opportunity to describe their experiments and talk about their results with peers, parents and the public. Fellow students are then encouraged to ask questions to gain a better understanding of the research done for the experiments. The hope is that this interaction will increase overall understanding of science. During the Elementary Science Showcase the emphasis is on communication, not competition.

The Science Showcase is designed to support the goals of the Common Core Standards, the National Science Standards, and the Next Generation Sunshine State Science Standards. Nearly 400 students from 68 schools participated on May 24 and May 25. Event sponsors included Mosaic, American Compliance Technologies, The Lakeland Square Mall and Legoland Florida.