2009-2010

Science Seminar at Wachusett Regional High School

Science Seminar is currently enjoying its 51st year at WRHS.  The goal of Science Seminar is to expose students interested in science to a wide range of science topics, current research, and opportunities to improve their own research and experimental projects. This organization meets every Tuesday night from 7 PM to 9 PM.  During the first hour, students listen to a speaker. Generally, the speaker is a working scientist sharing his/her research. Speakers are from all areas of science. During the lecture hour of Seminar students learn about current research.  This allows them to gain more knowledge in all scientific fields.  Students are also encouraged to evaluate other scientific and technological evidence and explanations.

During the second hour, students work with advisors to get advice on their Science Fair projects.  Advisors to Science Seminar are not WRHS faculty, but scientists from the community who volunteer their time and expertise.

Winning students at the WRHS Fair are eligible to attend the Regional Science Fair at WPI.  Those winners go on to the State Science Fair at MIT.  WRHS has had several students represent the state of Massachusetts at the International Fair.

All science curricula at Wachusett include an inquiry approach as set by the learning standards.  Science Seminar builds on this knowledge gained in the classroom.  In designing their independent science project Seminar students make decisions about the range and number of independent variables and how to control other variables in designing experiments. They select and use common and specialized tools to measure the dependent variable and select appropriate methods of recording and interpreting data.  Many students borrow sophisticated equipment from the classroom to carry out their experiment.  They apply measurement and data collection techniques they have learned, as well as analysis and interpretation of data through the use of tables, models, demonstrations and graphs. From this interpretation of their data they must draw conclusions for which there is supporting evidence and understand that any conclusions can be challenged by further evidence.  When they enter the science fair and explain their project to the judges they must select appropriate means for representing, communicating, and defending a scientific and technological argument.