In LaMesa Middle School we have thought of developing a special workshop room available for kids to develop and build inventions from simple, available materials. In the San Diego Area we have a tradition of having annual Inventors Fairs that parallel the traditional Science Fairs. Kids build and display home-made inventions instead of science experiments. We have found that this activity appeals to a different segment of the school population than do science fairs, and the public loves the invention events.

At a Santee Middle School, we are in the process of developing an outdoor science area where classes can conduct observations and experiments in school gardening, weather monitoring, soil science experiments, and practice of conservation measures. Experiments in organic gardening, natural pesticides, and invertebrate behavior are envisioned. Support will be needed for a garden shed, garden tools, weather instruments, seeds, ladybugs and other insects, a composter, etc.

Alan McCormack
San Diego State University
San Diego CA 92119

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