Helen Ball Elementary Raising Scientists: Science Fair Projects

1. Helen Ball ElementaryRaising Scientists: Science Fair Projects Antonio Garcia Amanda Ayala Science Fair Coordinators September 21, 2010 Parent Informational Night

2. Why do we have our students create Science Fair Projects? • Develops Higher Order Thinking Skills in students • Allows children to work as a scientist • Allows children to work in-depth on a topic of interest • Provides children an opportunity to combine many academic skills to produce an end product

3. Physical Science Category • These are projects that work with the natural sciences such as matter, energy, physics, and chemistry. Physical science is the study of non-living matter.

4. Life Science Category • The area of science that deals with living organisms, the life process, biology, medicine, and ecology.

5. Earth Science Category • These are projects that consist and deal with the earth, its composition or changing aspects. This will include geography, geology, meteorology, and oceanography.

6. What science projects are NOT! • Demonstrations • Volcanoes • Tornados • Model of Solar System • How a light bulb works • No new information is discovered from these types of projects • The outcome is already known before the experiment begins (ex. We already know that there are 8 planets in the Solar System)

7. What Science Fair projects are • A test of at least two different items • Involve the use of variables and controls • Involve students in an experiment where the results can be guessed at but are not known for sure • The outcome may be different from what the child thought

8. Experiment Ideas • Move away from doing these types of projects – diaper absorbency, paper towel absorbency, creating electricity with lemons, cleaning pennies with soda, floating an egg, and best popcorn brand projects. These are geared more toward K-2nd.

9. Experiment Ideas • Are waterproof mascaras really waterproof? • Do clothes take the same length of time to dry if you add a dryer sheet or fabric softener to the load? • Do all students in the class have the same size hands and feet as each other? • Do cockroaches have a preference for direction? • Do ants prefer different types of sugar? • Can you taste the difference between foods that contain fat and fat-free versions of the same product? • Does storage temperature affect popcorn popping? • Does rust change a magnet's power of attraction? • Which has a greater effect on a plant, rain water or tap water? • Does organic material affect the absorbency of water in soil?

10. Experiment Ideas • http://www.ipl.org/div/projectguide/choosingatopic.html • http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml?From=Tab • http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scifair/index.html • Google students grade level and the words ”Science Fair Project Ideas”

11. Variables • Manipulated variable- a factor or condition that is intentionally changed in an experiment • Responding variable- a factor or condition that might be affected as a result of the change • Controlled variable- a variable that is not changed

12. Variables • A student wanted to test how the mass of a paper airplane affected the distance it would fly. Paper clips were added before each test flight. The mass of the plane (number of paper clips added) was the manipulated variable. The responding variable was the distance flown. The controlled variable was the fact that the same plane was used for each trial.

13. Scientific Report • All District Science Fair Projects will require a Research Paper / Report. • Reports are to include: • Introduction • Body • Related Research • Conclusion • Resource Page • 1 web resource • 2 Book Resources • Sweepstakes judging will be on the board and report only.

14. Judging Sheet

15. Don’t forget… • Must have clearly stated variables and controls. • Must have 3 trials – test the project 3 times exactly the same way and record your data for each trial/test. • Grade level vocabulary • When testing humans, must test 10 or more. • Make a real life connection with your topic • Research Paper/Report

16. The Scientific Method • Question / Purpose / Problem • Hypothesis • Materials • Procedure • Results • Conclusion

17. SISD Science Fair Rules • Projects must be the work of the student. Teachers and parents are only to provide guidance, encouragement, and constructive criticism. • Participants must be present at the time of judging for full point opportunity. • Exhibits must meet size specifications (48 inches by 48 inches) and all must stand on their own. • Only the exhibit board, science report and the student are allowed to be present for judging. • The following cannot be displayed for any categories: glass, liquid, living organisms, electrical equipment, or hand held binders for data collection. • Living organisms (animal, insects and humans) cannot be harmed in the process of the science experiment. • Bloody/bodily fluid or harmful bacteria (salmonella, e-coli, etc.) cannot be used in an experiment. • The student and/or campus name will not appear on the board or on student clothing. Identification number labels will be issued to participants prior to the district science fair.

18. How To Display a Project

19. Science Fair Packet • Timeline • SISD Elementary Science Fair Rules • SISD Judging Form • Board Display • Scientific Method Steps • Presentation Rubric

20. Questions? • E-mail Ms. Ayala or Mr.Garcia at helenballscience@hotmail.com • Call 937-8200 and leave a message • Visit the Helen Ball webpage for this power point and web links. Don’t Forget to purchase your board for $5.00 in the front office!