Science Fair at Oneness-Family School (OFS)
AT OUR SCIENCE Fair
The Science Fair is a highlight of the academic year, offering students a chance to explore their curiosity, think critically, and take ownership of their learning. It’s an engaging, hands-on experience that brings science to life through inquiry, experimentation, and communication.
Scientific Method
In Montessori education, science is introduced early through hands-on exploration, helping children develop observation skills, curiosity, and a lifelong love of discovery.
About Science Fair
As a manifestation of the scientific knowledge learned by the students, the students are engaged in Science Fair projects in the spring.
Typically, there is experimental work done by the students each night for two weeks. Projects increase in rigor and scale with grade level.
Upon completing the procedures of their experiments, the students prepare for the visual and verbal presentations of their work both in class and at the school-wide Science Fair in early spring.
This is a chance for students to practice their presentation skills and demonstrate their knowledge of the scientific method.
Quote: Elliette Goldberg (’24)
Because of the focus on community, people get to know what is important to you, what you love, and where you can grow, and so they support and push you in all of these areas.
Ellie shares her 8th-grade graduation speech, given on June 6, 2024.
For eight years, I have watched class after class of eighth graders present their graduation speeches and thought, “Someday, that will be me.” I thought about this speech over and over again as I watched some of my closest friends get ready to leave for high school.
When I had to finally write my own speech, I thought about the year I spent away during 5th grade, when my sister, my mom, and I moved to New Zealand. I loved being there because I got to spend time with my family, who I don’t get to see as much, and a lot of time with horses, but I have to admit I spent some time scrolling on Oneness’s Instagram on my mom’s phone and looking at what my friends were up to. I joined several Zoom community meetings and tried my best to keep in touch with my Oneness friends (despite the 8-hour time difference, which made that a bit more challenging). And whenever people asked which place I liked more, I would always say, “I love New Zealand, but I’d like it waaay better if it had Oneness.”
The thing that Oneness has that I was missing in New Zealand is community. I mean, there is community everywhere, but Oneness is a community where I feel like I know everyone, and they know me. Because of the focus on community, people get to know what is important to you, what you love, and where you can grow, and so they support and push you in all of these areas. Because of the community, people also know when you are having a hard time and are ready to support you in whatever ways you need. It’s not everywhere where your teacher will come to see your performances or visit you in the hospital.
It is not everywhere where you and your friends show up for each other when you just need someone. Being a part of such a close community has given me many opportunities for me to show the same support and care for others. As a 3rd grader in Peace Arbor, I took on a lot of responsibility to help the new first graders and make them feel comfortable in a new environment. This made me appreciate leadership opportunities, and I have continued to embrace them, from the classroom to theater, to Montessori Night, to Montessori Model UN. These leadership experiences have been opportunities for me to be a part of building communities, and I look forward to helping create communities like the one I have found here, wherever I find myself in the future.
Thank you all for making this an amazing place. I love you all so much!
