Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is launching a new approach this school year that combines science and history fair projects and demonstrations, as well as technology and engineering programs, into a showcase event called the History, Industry, Technology and Science (HITS) Expo.
The Expo replaces the annual Science and History Fairs, generally held annually in the spring, and will also showcase several programs offered to CCPS students such as robotics, the computer science partnership with Code.org, and Project Lead the Way. The first Expo is planned for March 19, 2016, at St. Charles High School. The implementation of the HITS Expo changes a few requirements for CCPS students.
Starting with the 2015-16 school year, only students in ninth-grade honors Earth and space science courses will be required to complete a science fair project. This project will account for 10 percent of the student’s grade in quarters one, two, three and four. Students in all other grade levels can complete a science fair project as an enrichment opportunity and earn up to 10 percent extra credit for the third quarter only.
Also changing this school year is the history fair project requirement for students. Only students in seventh grade enrichment social studies classes will be required to complete a history fair project. This project will account for 10 percent of the student’s grade in quarters one, two, three and four. Students in all other grade levels can complete a history fair project as an enrichment opportunity and can earn up to 10 percent extra credit for the third quarter only.
In prior years, science fair projects were required for students in grades 6-12 enrolled in enrichment and honors-level classes. History fair projects were required for middle school students enrolled in enrichment level courses, and high school students who took honors courses. As part of the annual CCPS Science and History fairs, students could submit their projects for judging in the local competition, and advance to the state and/or national levels. Students who participate in the Expo with a science or history fair project are still eligible to compete at the state and/or national levels.
The goal of the Expo is to showcase programs, activities and student skills in areas of science, history, technology, computer science, career and technology education (CTE) and engineering. Also planned as part of the March 19 Expo are representatives from several CCPS science, technology and industry programs located at North Point High School, staff from the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center CTE programs and James E. Richmond Science Center staff to discuss opportunities for student enrichment and public engagement.