Introduction

This manual was designed and created to share our Science Fair knowledge and successes with other First Nation Communities. We, the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education Science Fair Committee, have seen our Fair grow into an annual event that acknowledges the potential of our youth. We have seen the Fair become a display of our culture, our history, and especially our future, and that future is bright with promise. The Science Fair benefits all those who have learned something, including students, teachers and the whole community. It is a chance for our elders to pass on their knowledge and for this knowledge to be investigated in greater depth. It benefits everyone. This is why we would like to spread the word, and show others how they can also enjoy this positive event in their communities.

Ahkwesahsne

Ahkwesahsne is a Mohawk community situated on the St Lawrence River, (part in Canada and part in the United States) at the junction of New York state, Ontario and Quebec. It consists of 3 separate communities on the ‘Canadian' side: Kawenoke (Cornwall Island), Kana:takon (St Regis) and Tsi Snaihne (Snye). The Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education was formed in 1987, and controls the schooling system in these three districts. Each region has its own elementary school from Grades K-6, with the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School on Cornwall Island going to Grade 8. Students then continue their education at high schools in neighbouring Cornwall, or in the United States. Much of Ahkwesahsne's culture is based on the river, and on the life it gives. The people of Ahkwesahsne belong to the Mohawk Nation (People of the Flint Stone), who are in turn, part of the Iroquois Confederacy (People of the Longhouse), which also includes the Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora Nations. Ahkwesahsne is a unique community in many ways, but that is another story...

History of the AMBE Science Fair

The Science Fair movement in Ahkwesahsne began in 1989, with a local school Fair held at Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School. The winners moved on to the regional competition in Cornwall - The United Counties Science Fair. This continued until 1993, when Tsi Snaihne School held its own Fair, and sent its Grade 6 winners to the American Indian Science and Engineering Society Fair held in Bismarck, North Dakota. It was then decided to combine the efforts of all three districts within the Board, and in 1994, the first Board-wide Science Fair was held. Students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 from the three schools within the Board all entered projects, and the top projects won a trip to the American Indian Science and Engineering Society Fair (AISES) held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that year. Other winners entered their projects in the United Counties Fair (UCSF) in Cornwall, Ontario - just across the river. Since then, the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education (AMBE) Science Fair has grown by leaps and bounds. It now includes a Wall Display competition for students in Grades 1-5, and has seen winners at local and national levels representing Ahkwesahsne!

The AMBE Science Fair

The Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education (AMBE) Science Fair is held annually at the end of February, with all students in the Board from Grades K-8 participating. Students in Grades 1-5 compete in a Science poster competition called the Wall Display competition. They compete within their district schools, and winners are displayed at the AMBE Fair, held at the largest school - Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School. This helps to prepare and encourage students for the more elaborate projects that they do in Grades 6-8. Prizes are awarded to the best Wall Displays in each Grade and winners are then sent to the United Counties Science Fair in Cornwall. Many of our younger students have won prizes of $5 - $10, and all students who participate are rewarded by being able to display their work to the school and community. In Grades 6-8, the students become more involved, choosing to do either a study or experimental project for part of their second term Science grade. They are introduced to, and become familiar with using the Scientific Method, and often choose to do projects exploring our local area. Examples of such projects include testing water or air quality in the area, examining traditional dyes used in making baskets, exploring which type of leather makes the best water drum, and asking why certain types of wood ash work best for cleaning corn. The Science Fair is a chance for them to gather information not only from books, but from their elders and other sources in the community. It is also a chance for them to meet and be judged by scientists from around the area, and to show-off what they have learned. Top projects are awarded an all-expenses paid trip to AISES, an annual National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair that brings together approximately 1000 students, representing American Indian communities from across the United States and Canada. These trips are funded by donations by Clarkson University/Corning Glass, The Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education, and the Mohawk Council, along with some local businesses and fund raising by the Science Fair Committee. Our annual budget has grown from about $4,000 to $10,000 Often, our students have won cash prizes and medals at the AISES Fair, but the experience of travelling and getting to meet other native students from all over North America is worth as much as the awards. Other top projects can choose to participate in a regional Fair, the United Counties Science Fair, with a chance for awards and a top prize of a trip to the Canada-wide Fair. This past year, one student represented Ahkwesahsne and First Nations people with pride, by winning the regional Fair, and going on to win a silver medal at the Canada-wide Fair in Regina, Saskatchewan. So, this Science Fair that began with a few individuals interested in Science and Education, has grown to become an annual event in the community. It benefits everyone, even the students who don't win, for they have ultimately learned something either from their own projects or from someone else's. Teachers and community members also learn from the variety and creativity of projects entered. The efforts of the Science Fair Committee and the students has resulted in a growing number of top-notch young scientists leaving our school system to continue their studies with confidence, and proudly represent their community and their heritage.

This manual explains how we run our Science Fair in Ahkwesahsne. We have included many good ideas and useful forms to help you get started. It is separated into 4 major sections: Planning a Science Fair for organizers, Doing a Project for teachers and students, Wall Displays for teachers and students in Grades 1-5, and some Food for Thought at the end.

We do not intend this manual to work everywhere and for every situation. Please feel free to modify any part of it, so it will work best for you. Let us know any suggestions you may have. We are still learning and always trying to make improvements, and would appreciate any advice you might offer. We hope you enjoy this manual and find success in your Science Fair.

Niawen:Kowa

The 1997 AMBE Science Fair Committee:

Chairperson, Judging Cathy Hall, Grade 6 teacher Treasurer Lilian Macias, AMBE Curriculum Co- ordinator Secretary Susan Dennett, Grade7-8 teacher Facilities Larry Garrow, Vice-Principal Fundraising Stephanie King, Junior S.A. teacher Lucille Peters, community member Computer Program Barry Montour, Grade 8 teacher Publicity Larry Scanlan, Grade 5 teacher Special Events Chris George, Grade 8 teacher Program Elaine Thompson, School Secretary

• Planning A Science Fair
• Student Guide To Doing A Project
• Wall Displays
• Appendices