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Science fair 2008.9. An adventure with the Scientific Method. What is it?. The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is an international competition of student – designed and student – conducted experimental investigations and engineering projects.
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Science fair 2008.9 An adventure with the Scientific Method
What is it? The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is an international competition of student – designed and student – conducted experimental investigations and engineering projects.
Our local school fair is December 8 Winners will go to the… Paulding County fair Jan 14-16 Regional Fair, Wheeler H.S. February 7 State Fair, administered by UGA, spring Nationals, ????? ISEF, ??????
Last May, 6th through 8th grade Venture students had the opportunity to visit the ISEF since it was held at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Why do Venture students have to do a Science Fair project? • This project is perfect for gifted students! It requires students to think outside the box and is interdisciplinary, combining both science process and language arts skills.
The Paulding County Venture program has determined that all middle grades Venture students in the county should have this opportunity to do the project.
What is involved in this project? There are three parts to the project: the Research Paper, which includes background information, the experimental design, results and conclusion and some appendices and official forms.
the Backboard, which reiterates the essentials of the paper and puts it in a more visual, presentation format
the Log Book, which acts as a documentation of the entire research process. No pages should ever be ripped out of this book. It MUST be in ink, and if there is a mistake, students are to put ONE line through the mistake and go on. It should reflect the student’s steps (and missteps) in the investigation.
How should a parent/guardian help? You should support your students by encouraging them to meet their deadlines, taking them to the library, proofreading their work (especially letters), asking questions to get him/her thinking, etc. For more ideas, go to Mrs. Pearson’s teacher web and click on the “Tips for Parents/Guardians” documents.
Do NOT do the project for them. Let them compose the research paper, create the backboard, think through the process. Students’ abilities and confidence grow with this challenge.
Where can we find information about the project? • Go to Mrs. Pearson’s webpage at http://teachersweb.comGA/EastPauldingMiddleSchool/APearson/h0.stm • or link to it from Schoolnotes or the EPMS webpage
Use the UGA websites: http://www.uga.edu/oasp/Science%20Fair/GSEF%20Home.html (the official site for the Georgia Science Fair) http://www.uga.edu/oasp/Science%20Fair/Additional%20Information.html (click on “Science Fair Basics” or “Project Ideas” on the left)
If your student is stuck or needs extra help… go to http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml It can help with project ideas, how to do background research and even gives you access to expert advice by scientists.
What makes a good project? • It should answer a scientific question through experimentation. • It should not have been done a “thousand times before.” • It should pass the “so what” test. In other words, it should have some practical application. • Some of the best projects come from the student’s everyday life.
It should ONLY have ONE independent variable (this is the variable being changed during the experiment to see how it will affect the dependent variable). • The results (dependent variable) MUST be measurable. This means that the dependent variable will have to be measured in some way, for example, time, temperature, amount, mass, length, etc. Subjective data collection must be avoided. • The project must have at least 5 background resources available from printed sources, online, and/or through interviews, etc.
Something from a student’s everyday life This one sought to determine the best search engine to use by academic subject. “Dogpile” was best for Science. This was a highly useful project from the student’s own experience. There was no cost to this project, except for the backboard materials!
Product testing This project is what we call “product testing” and answers the question, “Which product is the best?” “Best” must be defined by the student. Be sure the data is measurable.
Myth busting Acting as a “myth buster,” this student hoped to determine if wrapping an aluminum can with foil (as some moms do to place it in the student’s lunch) will keep it cooler longer. It doesn’t.
The Project is NOT… • a “show and tell”. It is not to be a demonstration of explanation of how something works or what something is. • to include molds, bacteria, hazardous materials, human or vertebrate animal subjects or parts of the same. This is for safety reasons.
not to be a survey of people. The paperwork for these is enormous. A survey of plants, wildlife, a stream, or other natural events is fine.
What will my student need for the project? • Composition book and pen • 1 pocket folder to keep related papers from class • Tri-fold backboard and materials to use on the backboard, such as rubber cement • Report cover or notebook • Photographs of the project • Materials, if necessary, for the experiment
So when does all this have to be done? • Projects must be delivered to the Media Center at school before homeroom on Monday, December 8. Judging begins that morning. If it is late or does not have the 3 pieces to the project, it will not be entered. • There is a timetable for getting the “pieces” of the project done. It is posted on Mrs. Pearson’s webpage.
Students may not move ahead on the experimental process UNTIL the previous step has been approved. • NO experimentation may begin until the “Research Plan” and specific official forms have been filled out. Your student will be told when he/she has the “green light.”
Grading • The log book will receive one summative grade (60% category). The backboard and research paper together will receive one summative grade. See Mrs. Pearson’s webpage for a copy of the grading rubric. It is different from the judging rubric.
Identified tasks along the way will be graded as a homework/class work assignment and be considered a formative assessment (40% category). As with all work, work one day late will get a 10 point deduction. Work 2 or more days late will receive a “0” but will still be necessary in order to complete the project.
Grading of the little tasks: • 100 for tasks that are approved • 90 for tasks that just need a little tweaking • 80 for tasks that need several changes • 70 a good attempt was made but and overhaul is needed • 0 for tasks turned in 2 or more days late
In order to polish their task before it is turned in for a grade, students may conference with the teacher or request feedback on the task. Such input should be requested no fewer than 2 days in advance of the deadline. (Science Fair is extremely time-consuming for the teachers!!!) Students may also seek input from other students.
What kind of support will my student get? • NBI (1st period, several mornings/week. Do remember there are up to 30 students in this class.) • Teacher webpages will have updates and all kinds of information, websites, and documents related to Science Fair • Blog
Phew….. Are we there yet?
together, we can make it !!!
Now, let’s take a quick tour of where those resources are on Mrs. Pearson’s webpage.
