Science Symposium
Grades 4 - 8
The VINS Science Symposium provides opportunities for students to complete scientific research, design solutions to solve a local problem, and present their findings at a regional symposium.
VINS Science Educators provide teachers with resources and ongoing support needed to design and implement a project-based learning unit aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.
The Science Symposium creates a deeper understanding and excitement for science, engineering, and the environment through a project and place-based community approach to education.
Program Package
Through guided, collaborative teaching, the Science Symposium gets students engaged in authentic, real-world science projects.
VINS Educators work with each class to identify a problem in their community, facilitate scientific research and data collection, provide guidance on developing solutions, and prepare them for presenting their findings at the Science Symposium event on the VINS campus in May.
Participation in the Science Symposium includes:
Program Fee: $600 (includes a teacher meeting, 2 lessons, and admission to the Symposium), plus $1.25 per mile to cover travel expenses and the educator’s time. Scholarships are available. Please email Hannah, Director of School Programs and Teacher Professional Development if you need financial assistance.
2023 Science Symposium Event at the VINS Nature Center
May 2, 2023
Community Problem Solvers
Keynote: Randy Richardson. Development Director at Upper Valley Trail Alliance.
Project theme: maintaining trails around the school.
May 3, 2023
Climate and Energy/Energy in the Ecosystem
Keynote: Lael Will, Fisheries biologist at VT Fish and Wildlife.
Keynote: Kim Quirk, Branch manager at Revision Energy
Project theme: learning about hydro energy, particularly as it relates to fish populations.
May 4, 2023
Food Systems
Keynote: Liz Kenton. 4-H Youth Agriculture Project coordinator, UVM Extension College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, FIRST Technical Challenge co-partner, UVM College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences.
Project theme: Waste audits at schools, particularly focusing on food waste.
Habitat Protectors
Keynote: Josh Halman, Ph.D. Forest Manager
Keynote: Lael Will, Fisheries biologist
Project theme: School trail maintenance
Community Problem Solvers
Keynote: Jens Hawkins-Hilke, Conservation Planning Biologist
Project theme: Keeping a healthy sugarbush for maple sugaring
Habitat Protectors
Keynote: The Hartford Salamander Team, Ben Fletcher and Nathan Thoele
Forest Explorers
Keynote: Len Reitsma, Professor of Ecology at Plymouth State University and an Avian Ecologist
Habitat Protectors
Keynote: Luke Groff, Wildlife Biologist
Environmental Action and Crime
Keynote: Ginger Nickerson, Vermont’s Urban & Community Forestry Program and Pest Education Coordinator, and Judy Rosovsky, Vermont’s State Entomologist and Plant Regulatory Official
Community Problem Solvers
Keynote: Walter Opuszynski. Forest Recreation Specialist, Vermont’s State Lands
Action in the Community
Keynote: Robin Tindall, Engineer and the Environmental Stewardship Manager at Hypertherm
Hydrosphere
Keynote: Heather Pembrook, VT Department of Environmental Organization, freshwater aquatic biologist supervising the State of Vermont Biomonitoring Program
Biosphere
Keynote: Len Reitsma, PhD. Professor of Zoology, Plymouth State University
Energy & Engineering
Keynote: Robin Tindall, Hypertherm. Engineer and Environmental Stewardship Manager at Hypertherm
Authentic, Real-World Science Projects
Each VINS Science Educator has a Master of Education degree, is a Highly Qualified Teacher, and holds a teaching license in Vermont and New Hampshire.