History Day
Seventh and eighth grade students have the opportunity to participate in the National History Day competition. The purpose of History Day is to improve the teaching and learning of history. Students select a topic of interest related to an annual theme.
After extensive research, students present their findings in original papers, exhibits, performances, websites, and documentaries. These projects are entered into competitions at the local, state, and national levels.
Science Fair
The St. John the Baptist Science Fair is held annually and projects are divided into two divisions. The seventh grade is a group project and the eighth grade is an individual project. Categories include Behavioral and Social Sciences, Botany, Chemistry, Earth Science, Biology, Engineering, Environmental Science, Medicine and Health, Physics, and Zoology.
Students begin researching their selected topics in September and conduct an experiment following the steps of the scientific method. This process not only teaches the scientific investigative process, but also enhances research, experimental design, statistics, writing, grammar, word processing, math, art, communication, and graphing skills. Students create an exhibit and write a report about their results. Final projects are judged in November when the students present their projects and interview with a set of judges.
Judges are science educators from surrounding high schools. Projects are judged on their originality, use of the scientific method, neatness, communication skills, and quality of written report. Students with superior projects will be awarded first, second,and third place medals in each division.
Speech Contest
Fifth through eighth grade students participate in the STJB Speech Contest each year. Students are required to research, write, and deliver a 3-5 minute speech based around a specific theme chosen by the Language Arts teacher each year.