Three-day event empowers students to tackle real-world environmental challenges
April 10, 2025 — The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is proud to announce its 2025 Science Symposium, a celebration of student scientific inquiry, scheduled for May 6-8, 2025, at the VINS Nature Center in Quechee, Vermont.
The Science Symposium invites students in grades 4-8 from schools across the Upper Valley to present original research projects and solutions to local environmental challenges. VINS Science Educators work closely with teachers throughout the school year, providing resources and ongoing support to design and implement project-based learning units aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. The educators help each class identify a problem in their community, facilitate scientific research and data collection, provide guidance on developing solutions, and prepare students for presenting their findings at the symposium.
“Our goal is to engage students in authentic, real-world science projects that make a difference in their communities,” said Hannah Gelroth, Senior Director of Education at VINS. “I am really looking forward to learning from the students and seeing what solutions they have been working on.”
This year, the three-day event will have different themes and speakers for each day. Here is the 2025 Science Symposium schedule:
- Tuesday, May 6: Energy in the Ecosystem
Project Themes: Biodiversity of Animals, Invasive Species, Habitat Protection, Food Systems
Keynote Speaker: Celia Chen, Research Professor at Dartmouth College - Wednesday, May 7: Earth and Human Activity
Project Themes: Extreme Weather, Carbon Footprint, Renewable/Nonrenewable Resources, Waste and Pollution
Keynote Speaker: Ryan Rebozo, Director of Conservation Science at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies - Thursday, May 8: Equitable Climate Action
Project Themes: Participating ECAP Teacher projects addressing climate action in local communities
Keynote Speaker: Rosalie Kerr, Director of Sustainability at Dartmouth College
The VINS Science Symposium is open to participating schools, with discounted admission available for students’ families. For more information about the Science Symposium, visit our website.