WHAT is a Science Fair? - Trailside Elementary School

WHAT is a Science Fair?
A Science Fair is…
•  A science compe++on •  The students answer a ques+on using the scien+fic method OR design a tool to fit a need •  Students display their projects on poster board & give a presenta+on •  Judges evaluate the projects & award prizes WHY do a science project?
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Explore a subject you’re interested in Learn organiza+on & cri+cal thinking skills Boost presenta+on skills Build confidence Impress your friends & teachers J Win awards (and cash!) FUN!! WHAT is a science project?
1.  EXPERIMENT (classic science project, K – 5th) 2. ENGINEERING DESIGN (for 3rd – 5th grade)
3. OBSERVATION (for kinder – 2nd grade) EXPERIMENT - classic science project
Ask a ques+on about a topic y ou’re interested in • 
•  Research the ques+on to see what is already known •  Form a hypothesis (educated guess at the answer) for your ques+on •  Do an experiment (manipulate variables) to test your hypothesis •  Analyze the data & draw your conclusion •  Share results – was your hypothesis correct? Why not? •  I think model rockets are cool and I want to do a project with them. You need a TESTABLE QUESTION! →If I add fins to my model rocket, will it fly farther?
•  What is known about model rocket design? •  How do fins affect the flight of a model rocket? → Go to library, use reference books, use known internet sites and keep a list of your references •  I think that my model rocket will fly furthest with 5 fins. •  Design an experiment to test your hypothesis: Independent variable = number of fins –  Dependent variable = length of flight Controlled variables = length of rocket, how hard you launch the rocket, weight of rocket, etc… •  Use graphs, tables, charts, etc… to convey your data •  What happened? •  Was your hypothesis correct? •  Why or why not? •  What other experiments could be done ….? ENGINEERING DESIGN (3
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– 5th grade)
•  Determine a need need •  Develop a tool to fulfill the •  Build, test, & refine the prototype based on results •  Evaluate usefulness, cost effec+veness & performance •  Present your design & results OBSERVATION (kinder – 2nd grade only)
you •  Find a subject that interests •  Do basic background research •  Make & record personal observa+ons on the subject •  Share your findings •  e.g.: How does a seed sprout? Parts of a pine cone. How do birds feed at a bird feeder? Students should observe, not copy from a book.
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Keep a journal • 
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To be eligible for district fair To keep notes/records to review To allow others/judges to follow your thoughts To keep track of progress and next steps Do write everything down Do draw pictures Do tape other things in it that are important Do not erase things in the journal Do cross out things and make notes Keep projects student driven •  It is important the projects are student driven. •  Let students come up with the ideas. •  It is ok to answer ques+ons but to do not come up with the solu+ons for them (or the design). •  Answering ques+ons with ques+ons is a good tac+c. Where can I get inspired?
“Prefab project” -­‐ make it your own! Science Buddies www.sciencebuddies.org/ Salt Lake Valley Science & Engineering Fair website slvsef.org/ Science Stuff.org sciencefairproject.virtualave. net/
observa+on.htm Science Fair Projects World www.sciencefair-­‐projects.org/ • 
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hgp://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/ hgp://www.ipl.org/div/projectguide/ hgp://www.stemnet.nf.ca/sciencefairs/ hgp://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/ hgp:///www.educa+on.com K through 2 rubric
Note: Not all questions are relevant to a given project, this is a guide.
Does the project solve a problem or teach about a problem, issue or natural phenomenon?
Does the scientist express an understanding of the project’s subject?
Does the project’s display board portray the scientist’s thought process and intentions clearly?
Did the scientist encounter any interesting problems in completing this project? Any solutions found?
How well is the scientist able to communicate the learning that took place during this project?
Summary or additional comments:
Scientist:_______________________Grade:_________ Judge:_____________
Criteria!
Question!
Hypothesis!
Procedures and
Organization!
Excellent!
Original Research and Idea"
Good!
Evaluation and
Conclusion!
Judge’s Comments!
Comments!
Unique perspective Tried and true experiment"
on a traditional
project"
Thoroughly developed with Sufficiently
“I think...because..”"
developed"
Not yet or partially
developed"
Easy to follow sequence of
the Scientific Method. Good
log/journal. Includes
observations, data collection
and changes to project."
More difficult to follow
the sequence of scientific
method. Had to rely
more on the oral
presentation than able to
follow on display board."
Easy to follow
sequence of
Scientific Method
and/or has few
lapses in sequence"
Investigation Trials! Experiment was performed Experiment was
more than 2 times or sample performed 2 times
size great."
and/or sample size
was adequate"
Analysis or Results!
Developing!
Experiment was
performed 1 time or
incompletely"
Data is clearly presented and Data is mostly
Data not presented or is
directly relates to
presented and
incomplete"
hypothesis/question"
shows some
relationship to
hypothesis/question"
Logical conclusion has been
drawn from the data
collected and answers the
hypothesis/question and/or
raises a new hypothesis/
question"
Reasonable
Conclusion drawn doesn’t
conclusion has been relate to the data
drawn from the
collected"
data collected"
Thank you for
participating in the
Science Fair! Science
rocks and your efforts are
awesome!"
"
Projects NOT to do
•  Projects that are not unique, are a simple preference, or difficult to measure: –  Effect of music, talking, different liquids, etc… on plants –  “Which is best?”, e.g. which popcorn pops beger, which paper towel is most absorbent, which soda tastes beger, etc… •  Projects that are not experiments: –  Baking soda & vinegar volcano (observa+on) –  Diet coke & Mentos (observa+on) –  Op+cal illusions (observa+on) –  The solar system (research) What does a good project board look like?
•  Free-­‐standing! •  Tell project story in a clear, concise, logical way using KEY POINTS Emphasize your exci+ng conclusion & end result •  Neat & readable -­‐ use tables, graphs & charts to present data How do you present your project?
•  Know your project and show your enthusiasm! •  Look the judge in the eye, speak clearly •  Use props to demonstrate your experiment, if possible •  PracRce your presentaRon on your parents and siblings! HOW does the Science Fair work?
•  All students must register! •  To Register go on-­‐line: hgp://parkcity.illumina+ngsokware.com •  Par+cipa+on is op+onal, but a fantas+c experience & encouraged for all students! •  Students may work alone or as a team of 2 or 3 students, all from the same grade – ALL students need to do the work! HOW does the Science Fair work?
•  Set up projects in cafeteria: Wednesday, January 28th, 3 – 5:30 pm •  Par+cipa+on prizes for all. Top 3 projects in each grade will be awarded trophies. •  Winning 5th grade projects compete in Park City School District Science Fair & could go on to compete at the Salt Lake Valley Science & Engineering Fair in March. How can I get help?
•  Your teachers, your librarian! Aker-­‐school mentoring sessions: General Overview and How to choose a Ques5on –  Monday, December 5th 12:30 to 1:30pm Experiment Design and Hypothesis Check –  Tuesday, December 19th 12:30-­‐1:30pm Help with Data / Miscellaneous –  Thursday, January 8th 3pm-­‐4pm Presenta5on Ideas / Last minute help –  Thursday, January 22ndth 3pm-­‐4pm ● Trailside’s website
PLEASE help!
•  We need many judges, mentors, & fair day helpers to make this work – please volunteer and help make this the best Trailside Park Science Fair yet! Contact: – MarRna Costello (435) 615-­‐7587 Science Fair Website will have Science Fair Packet, Power point presenta+on Up to date informa+on •  hgp://tses.pcschools.us/index.php?page=134