Elementary students judging science research? Co-organizers of Virginia Tech’s ‘Flip the Fair’ science engagement community event explain

Fanuel Muindi interviews graduate students Gates Palissery and Megan Evans, co-organizers of ‘Flip the Fair’ at Virginia Tech, a unique science fair where elementary school students judge graduate students’ scientific research. The conversation delves into the origins of the program, which started as a community outreach initiative in collaboration with Roanoke Public Libraries, and has since evolved into a field trip-style event. Evans explains, “We have the kids paired off into small groups, and they evaluate the graduate students’ posters based on a rubric.” Palissery emphasizes the program’s impact: “For some of them, it’s the first time they’re seeing scientists who look like them, and it’s really impactful.”

The co-organizers highlight key lessons learned. Palissery notes, “The kids are really excited and looking forward to this field trip. It’s educational, but they’re still really into it.” Evans adds that graduate students find the experience invaluable: “It’s a great experience for graduate students…they enjoy breaking their research down in new ways for kids, not just the typical scientific audience.”

They also discuss the important support they receive from Virginia Tech’s Center for Communicating Science. Evans remarks, “The Center has been fantastic. They help support us in ways we don’t necessarily have the expertise…providing workshops and resources to prepare the students.”

Convesation Analysis (coming soon)

Additional Reading

1. Graduate students vie for top prizes in science fair with a twist
2. WATCH: Virginia Tech Graduate Students present research as science fair projects

Fanuel Muindi

Fanuel Muindi is a former neuroscientist turned civic science ethnographer. He is a professor of the practice in the Department of Communication Studies within the College of Arts, Media, and Design at Northeastern University, where he leads the Civic Science Media Lab. Dr. Muindi received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and PhD in Organismal Biology from Morehouse College and Stanford University, respectively. He completed his postdoctoral training at MIT.