Student Enrichment
Science & Hobby Night
What is it?
Science & Hobby Night is an annual, one-night-only event showcasing science projects, experiments, hobbies, crafts, collections and talents of Hawthorne students. The event is unique to Hawthorne school and represents a tradition going back more than a decade. Participants choose topics of interest and create exhibits that are displayed throughout the old and new gyms. Past exhibits have included everything from catapults and dinosaurs to electricity and Webkinz. And, there are usually at least a few erupting volcanoes! The enthusiasm of the exhibitors and the wide variety of projects on display are sure to inspire participants and visitors alike.
Who Can Participate?
All Hawthorne/Lincoln students, grades K-5, are eligible. Students are allowed to collaborate on exhibits. All participants must sign up on-line.
Who Can Attend?
Many families attend this event even if they do not have a student participating. On Science & Hobby Night, there’s an exciting buzz in the air as exhibitors proudly tell visitors about their special projects and the school gyms are transformed into our own Hawthorne Science & Industry Museum!
Is this a competition?
Science & Hobby Night is more about fun and creativity than it is about competition. The goal of the event is to encourage imagination, exploration, learning and fun!
Historically, attendees have had the opportunity to vote for their “favorite” exhibits. The top vote-getters have received token awards at the end of the night. Voting procedures will be determined after a majority of applications are received.
Volunteers Needed
We need parent volunteers to help on the day of the event with set-up, voting, table assistance, photography, and cleanup. Volunteer shifts typically look like this:
Set-Up and Check-in (6 - 7 pm)
Voting (7 - 7:30 pm)
Voting (7:30 - 8 pm)
Cleanup (8 - 8:30 pm)
Photographer (7 - 8 pm)
I want to participate! What's next?
The following information is for the 2019 event.
1...Complete an application.
2...Review the Guidelines for Participants found on the Science & Hobby Night web page and start working on your exhibit!
3...Bring your exhibit to Hawthorne on September 28th at 6:30 pm. Check in at the registration desk to receive your unique exhibitor number, then head to one of the gyms to set up for the big event! Set-up is 6:30 - 7 pm. Please don’t arrive earlier than 6:30 as our volunteers will be hard at work getting things ready. Doors will be open to all visitors from 7 to 8 pm.
Guidelines for Participants
The following guidelines are for the 2021 event:
*Science & Hobby Night is an optional PTA-sponsored event. Participants will not be given class time to work on their projects. Participants select topics at home and complete all work at home, on their own time.
*On the day of the event, participants are responsible for setting up their own displays and taking them home at the end of the evening.
*Each display should occupy no more than half of a 7 foot table.
*Participants requiring electricity must indicate this when they sign up online so that space can be reserved near electrical outlets. These participants will need to bring their own extension cords.
*Students are responsible for providing all aspects of their exhibit, including tape, extension cords, cleaning supplies (i.e. paper towels for erupting volcanoes!).
*Hawthorne School is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Participants are solely responsible for all materials included with their display. If the display includes valuable items (i.e. computer, iPod, special collection, prized Lego blocks, etc.), someone should remain with the display for the duration of the event.
*No pets! No animals!
*Basic school safety rules should be followed when selecting a topic and creating a display. If you have questions as to whether or not an exhibit is safe and appropriate for school, please refer to the school handbook or contact the Science & Hobby Night committee chairs, Melissa Donaldson or Angela Oest with any questions.
*Parents are allowed to help with projects! Working together on a Science & Hobby Night project can be a wonderful and rewarding experience for everyone!
Looking for inspiration?
Check out these web sites to get your creative juices flowing!
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/
http://www.education.com/science-fair/
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/projects.html
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/science/science-lab/
Science Olympiad
Tuesday, April 9th 2019
6:15 pm - 8:15 pm
Grades 1-5
Event Schedule:
6:15 pm: Check-in at Hawthorne in the Old Gym
6:30- 7:30 pm: Experiments
8:00 pm: Awards
WHAT IS IT?
Science Olympiad is nationally sponsored science education program. It's designed to heighten students' interest in science by giving them unique, non-school related or graded opportunities to learn about science in a fun and engaging way. By not only EXPOSING students to science, engineering and forensics experiments but also INVOLVING them, they will gain a fresh perspective and understanding of science that they may not otherwise receive.
Students will participate as teams per grade and rotate through classrooms at Hawthorne where they will be introduced to different scientific topics and then participate in an experiment that puts that topic into action! Some of the activities may be competitive where they will compete against other teams in their grade (and receive awards) while others will be conducted simply to generate interest and intrigue.
During the Science Olympiad, students in teams of three to five, led by a parent volunteer, rotate through several experiments/activities, each designed to meet age-appropriate skills and knowledge bases.
Science Olympiad gets kids excited about science, and also about teamwork. Each group of three to five students is required to choose a team name and a team color, and then encouraged to dress for the part on the night of the event.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Hawthorne students grades 1-5 are encouraged to sign up! Students will be assigned to a team of 4-5 students by grade. Each team will be lead by a parent volunteer. All participants must register on the PTA Webstore by Monday, March 11th. Parents interested in leading a team will select “yes” under Parent Group Leader during the registration process.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
Registered students along with the parent group leader are able to attend. Due to space limitations, we can not accommodate unregistered siblings.
If you are not leading a team, but are interested in participating in another way, we will find a job for you! Also, older siblings can volunteer to assist the experiment facilitators and receive service hours, if needed.
WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A PARENT GROUP LEADER?
You will be emailed name and contact information for your team before the event. You will be responsible for contacting your team members and as a group deciding on a team name, and coordinating clothing or accessories. Be creative and have fun!
On the night of the event, you will guide your group around the school to the experiments/activities to which you are assigned.
Everything is set up for you and it’s super easy and FUN!
Allergy Awareness
Marshmallows (First - Third grade/Room 202) & eggs (Fourth & Fifth grade/Old Gym) will be used in an experiment. Please reach out to Kelly Hummel at kellyhummel@outlook.com with any concerns
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to lead and assist the experiments/activities as well as set-up and/or clean-up the night of the event.
Any questions, please contact Andrea O'Connor at andreagraczyk@hotmail.com.
Reflections
2023-2024 Reflections Entries Due by Nov. 3rd!
The submission date has been set for this year's Reflections program. All students need to submit their entries by Friday, November 3, in the school office. As a reminder, your children are invited to create a piece of artwork in one of six categories that reflects this year's theme, "I am Hopeful Because…". They can choreograph a dance, produce a film, write a poem or story, compose a song, take photos, or create a piece of visual art, then explain how it relates to the theme. Last year, more than 225 district students participated and were recognized locally, nine received State awards and three received National recognition. For more information and entry guidelines, visit the PTA Council website here or contact Libby Hoppe