Preparing for Science Fair Projects

1. Preparing for Science Fair Projects Guidelines for a Viable and Valuable Science Fair Project

2. Why a science fair? • A science fair project is a valuable way for students to: • Learn the scientific method. • Apply the scientific method to everyday life. • Encourage students to think critically and to investigate. • Having fun constructing knowledge in a creative way.

3. What is a Science Fair Project? • A science fair project is a hands-on, research based, scientific inquiry experiment. • The project must attempt to test a hypothesis using an experiment. • A science fair project MUST NOT be only a display of scientific knowledge the student has learned.

4. Question / Problem • A student’s experiment should be guided by a question. The student must be able to answer the question using an experiment. • Examples: “Does temperature affect the rate that seeds sprout?” or “What percent of an orange is water?”

5. Bad Science Project IdeasWhy are these ideas bad? • Describe the different phases of the moon and explain what causes them. • How do volcanoes work? • How to make your own comet. Could these ideas be changed to make them more appropriate for a science fair?

6. Variables • A variable is something that changes in an experiment. • Independent variable- something you change • Dependent variable- something that changes because of what you change • Controlled variable- parts of the experiment that stay the same for all trials. A science experiment should have only ONE independent variable.

7. Hypothesis • A hypothesis is proposed answer to a questions. • The hypothesis must be testable • Use the words If _(I do this)_ then (this will happen)___ because ____(answer why)

8. Examples of Hypothesis • "If I open the faucet [faucet opening size is the independent variable], then it will increase the flow of water [flow of water is the dependent variable] because …. • "If a plant receives fertilizer [having fertilizer is the independent variable], then it will grow to be bigger than a plant that does not receive fertilizer [plant size is the dependent variable]." because…

9. Procedure • The procedure is a step by step list of exactly what will occur in the experiment. • Example: #1- Measure 100 grams of baking soda. #2- Pour baking soda into a 400 mL beaker. #3- Add 150 mL of vinegar. #4- Observe what happens to mixture.

10. Materials • Make a list of materials that will be required in the science fair project. • Example: Materials List 100 grams of baking soda 150 grams of vinegar 400 mL beaker

11. Observations / Results • An area where students make appropriate observations and graphs of what occurred in their experiment. • Data observed may include: temperature, mass, height, volume, color, smell, number of objects, percentages, fractions, texture, etc.

12. Examples of Tables and Graphs

13. Conclusion • The final part of the experiment is the conclusion. • In this part of the experiment, the student takes the data She/He collected and decides if it proves or disproves their hypothesis. • The student will share what they learned and how they interpreted the results.

14. Trials • All science experiments should be repeated at least 3 times in order to minimize the impact of mistakes. • Each trial should be performed exactly the same way. Each set of trials will compare the same independent variable. The students will observe the same kinds of data for each trial.

15. Science Fair Displays • Usually, science fair projects are accompanied by a display board. A display board is a way for a student to display what they have learned and the process used. • Display boards are usually large, 3-sided and cardboard. Tag board or other materials are also common.

16. Science Fair Pictures (K-5)  “Bird Beaks and Food” “Work Underwater”

17. More pictures

19. Bilingual Education Modifications • The idea of a Science Fair is for students to learn the scientific method. Students should concentrate on the science content, not on the language. • Suggestions: LAU Levels 1- 2 can complete Science Fair Project in their native language, while Level 3 and above can complete their project in English, with proper accommodations.

20. Pre-Science Fair Lesson Ideas • Recipes are designed sort of like science experiments. Have the students write a procedure for how to make a food that they like. (PB&J) • Give students some basic objects, and have them come up with an experiment they can test using those objects. (Egg, water, and salt)

21. Science Topic Ideas • The Internet is a great way to find topic ideas, as there are thousands. • Have students make a web on construction paper. • #1 - Basic topic the student likes • #2 - Expand on topic • #3 - Add ever-increasing (and specific) detail until a topic is found.

22. Topic Web Example

23. Should parents help? • Parents can help students with their project, as it promotes positive parent-student interactions and helps to keep the parents more involved in the school. • A oral component to the science fair evaluation will ensure that the student has a through understanding of the project that they have worked on.

24. Valuable Websites • http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/ • http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/taylorse/about/sciefair.asp • http://go.hrw.com/resources/go_sc/hst/HSTGP111.PDF

25. Contact Information • Antonio Rodriguez • rodrigax@milwaukee.k12.wi.us • Office: 414-475-8790 • Fax : 414-475-8074 • Presentation created by • Eric Berg • Antonio Rodriguez • Science Team