Science Fair Experiment

1. Science Fair Experiment Grades 4-6 Teri Harps, Science Fair Coordinator

2. Free Floating Hot Air Balloon Experiment • Make the title of the project large and bold.

3. Free Floating Hot Air Balloon Experiment • Make the title of the project large and bold. • Place it in the center of the science fair board.

5. Problem • It should be stated in the form of a question.

6. Problem • It should be stated in the form of a question. • This is the first step of the scientific method.

8. Research • All science fair projects should contain research.

9. Research • All science fair projects should contain research. • The student should find several (3) reference sources to read and gather information.

10. Research • All science fair projects should contain research. • The student should find several (3) reference sources to read and gather information. • The research should be displayed as a report on the science fair board.

11. Research • All science fair projects should contain research. • The student should find several (3) reference sources to read and gather information. • The research should be displayed as a report on the science fair board. • Research should be in the student’s own words, not copied out of a book or off the internet.

14. Hypothesis • This is the prediction portion of the Scientific Method.

15. Hypothesis • This is the prediction portion of the Scientific Method. • Your child’s hypothesis may be incorrect. That’s okay. Stick with the original hypothesis and note why the prediction was wrong in the conclusion.

17. Procedure • The procedure will take up the largest portion of the science fair board.

18. Procedure • The procedure will take up the largest portion of the science fair board. • It needs to contain a step by step account of how the experiment was completed.

19. Procedure • The procedure will take up the largest portion of the science fair board. • It needs to contain a step by step account of how the experiment was completed. • You must include a list of all materials used for the project.

20. Procedure • The procedure will take up the largest portion of the science fair board. • It needs to contain a step by step account of how the experiment was completed. • You must include a list of all materials used for the project. • This is a good place to use photos of your child performing the experiment.

23. Results • Record results of the experiment.

24. Results • Record results of the experiment. • Be sure to include charts or graphs. I would recommend 2 charts or graphs for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students.

26. Conclusion • The student should write what they learned in this last part of the Scientific Method.

27. Conclusion • The student should write what they learned in this last part of the Scientific Method. • It should be stated in terms of the hypothesis – tell whether it was correct or incorrect.

29. Last Thoughts… • Artistry is important. Use color, die-cuts, stickers, etc. to jazz up the board.

30. Last Thoughts… • Artistry is important. Use color, die-cuts, stickers, etc. to jazz up the board. • There are five different types of science fair projects. The layouts and required components are explained in the Science Fair Handbook.

31. Journal • This is a required part of the science fair project.

32. Journal • This is a required part of the science fair project. • The journal should contain a minimum of 7 entries. Your child’s teacher will give specific instructions for the number of journals entries expected for the grade level.

33. Journal • This is a required part of the science fair project. • The journal should contain a minimum of 7 entries. Your child’s teacher will give specific instructions for the number of journals entries expected for the grade level. • It should contain specific information which is displayed on the science fair board.

34. Day 1 • Today I selected my topic. Hot air balloons have always fascinated me, and I wondered how they worked. I’ve seen different shapes for the balloons, and decided to test two different shapes to see which one floats better. I will need to read about how they are able to fly, and about their construction.

35. Day 2 • Today I went to the library and checked out 3 books on hot air balloons.

36. Day 2 • Today I went to the library and checked out 3 books on hot air balloons. • (The students should list the books they are using here.)

37. Day 2 • Today I went to the library and checked out 3 books on hot air balloons. • (The students should list the books they are using here.) • I learned that hot air balloons are carefully constructed using very specific measurements and materials. There is a heat source that warms the air inside of the balloon.

38. Day 3 • I learned that the mouth of the balloon must be just the right size. It it is too large, cold air enters the balloon chamber cooling the heated air. If this occurs, the balloon will not float. The skirt also helps to contain the heated air and keep the colder air out.

39. Day 3 • I learned that the mouth of the balloon must be just the right size. It it is too large, cold air enters the balloon chamber cooling the heated air. If this occurs, the balloon will not float. The skirt also helps to contain the heated air and keep the colder air out. • Site the reference source as well.

40. Day 4 • The heat causes the air inside the balloon to rise. Heating the air causes the air to become less dense. This means it weighs less. The cool air around it is heavier. The heavier air lifts the balloon and it floats.

41. Day 4 • The heat causes the air inside the balloon to rise. Heating the air causes the air to become less dense. This means it weighs less. The cool air around it is heavier. The heavier air lifts the balloon and it floats. • Site reference source here.

42. Day 5 • The first hot air balloon flight occurred in 1783 in France. A duck, a chicken, and a sheep took an 8 minute flight. The balloon was fueled by burning straw and other material in a fire pit.

43. Day 5 • The first hot air balloon flight occurred in 1783 in France. A duck, a chicken, and a sheep took an 8 minute flight. The balloon was fueled by burning straw and other material in a fire pit. • Today’s balloons are fueled with propane gas. The light-bulb styled balloon shape became standard in the 1960’s. This shape hold the heated air best.

44. Day 5 • The first hot air balloon flight occurred in 1783 in France. A duck, a chicken, and a sheep took an 8 minute flight. The balloon was fueled by burning straw and other material in a fire pit. • Today’s balloons are fueled with propane gas. The light-bulb styled balloon shape became standard in the 1960’s. This shape hold the heated air best. • Site reference source here.

45. Day 6 • Today I made my balloons. • Balloon #1: • 5 pieces of tissue paper 20”x20” • 4 wedge shapes 20”x4” • Tape together • Attach skirt

46. Day 6 • Today I made my balloons. • Balloon #1: • 5 pieces of tissue paper 20”x20” • 4 wedge shapes 20”x4” • Tape together • Attach skirt • Balloon #2: • 5 pieces of tissue paper 20”x20” • Tape together

47. Day 7 • Today I conducted my experiment. I used a hairdryer to heat the air inside the balloon.

48. Day 7 • Today I conducted my experiment. I used a hairdryer to heat the air inside the balloon. • Results: - Balloon 1: floated freely and upright.

49. Day 7 • Today I conducted my experiment. I used a hairdryer to heat the air inside the balloon. • Results: - Balloon 1: floated freely and upright. - Balloon 2: did not float.

50. Day 7 • Today I conducted my experiment. I used a hairdryer to heat the air inside the balloon. • Results: - Balloon 1: floated freely and upright. - Balloon 2: did not float. • Include charts or graphs in the journal.