Maude Trevvett Elementary Science Fair

Wednesday, April 1st, 2015PROJECTS SHOULD BE

fun and interesting to the student age-appropriate displayed neatly, but an understanding of the subject matter is most important

SCIENCE FAIR IS FUN! the Science Fair is not competitive there’s something for everyone! many project ideas to get you started

ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDThere are many ways to do this without actually doing the project for them.

help your child develop a list of possible projects, based on their interests and abilities; help your child gather materials; make sure that the project is safe and provide supervision when necessary; help your child manage his/her time

Dear Parents,

We are starting the process of creating science fair projects. Please read this packet with your child and sign below that you are aware of the due dates and grade percentage. This project will be done at home, but I will be checking in with your child to make sure everything is going okay. Individual assignments will earn grades. These grades will be combined with the final grade. Each day late on the small assignments will be counted as part of the normal homework grade for science. Each day the final product is late will result in ten points being taken off the 200 point project grade.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Clark- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Science Fair Project Letter Due Date – 1/28/15Student Name _____________________________Parent Signature ___________________________

Final Due Date: March 30th Grade Percentage: 1/3 nine weeks grade

1

Project Idea Starters

Fifth graders will not be allowed to do product testing for their science fair project. This means that you may not choose a topic like which popcorn pops the most kernels. Some product testing suggestions are list below, but are just there to help you think of ideas.

Which color of liquid absorbs the most heat?Which color container absorbs the most heat?Which color container cools off the quickest?How temperature affects how high a ball bouncesMaterials that absorb soundThe strength of a magnet vs. distanceWhich toothpaste is most abrasive?Water retention of different soilsA comparative study of various packing materialsWhich candle is the best buy?Which battery is the best buy?Which detergent has the longest lasting suds?Shampoo evaluationSkateboard wheels: which are best?Which paper towel is most absorbent?Do roots always grow down?Effects of artificial vs. natural light on plantsUnder which color cellophane do plants grow best?Testing different potting soilsWhich type of battery will run a toy the longest?In what concentrations of salt water can roots grow?How much potato plant tissue is necessary for the development of a potato bud?What solids will conduct electricity?How can the strength of an electromagnet be increased?What affects light reflection?What factors affect the rate and size of growing crystals?

Science Project Safety Rules

1. Project Approval: All project topics must be submitted to Mrs. Clark before you begin. If you change topics, you must submit the information for your new project. You will be notified if your topic is unacceptable.

2. Animals as Subjects: No animals will be allowed to be test subjects in the science fair. This includes no human testing / surveying. There are too many variables to eliminate in human testing.

3. Blood / Bacteria: Students should avoid doing experiments involving bacteria cultures and blood.

4. Controlled Substances: No controlled substances such as prescription drugs should be displayed.

5. Chemicals: No dangerous or combustible chemicals should be displayed at the fair. Rockets or engines must not contain fuel. All chemicals displayed should have the contents clearly marked on the container.

6. Flames: No open flames will be permitted. If you plan to use fire in your project you must have parental approval and proper safety equipment.

7. Eye Protection: Student experimenters should wear safety goggles (eye protection) and follow standard safety practices when working with fire, hot liquids, or chemicals. Parent approval and supervision are required for these projects. You may borrow goggles from Mrs. Clark if necessary.

8. Electricity: It is recommended that all electrical experiments be designed using direct current circuits of 12 volts or less. All projects using household electricity must conform to standard wiring practices and safety. Open knife switches are not acceptable for circuits exceeding 12 volts.

Science Fair Participation Form• Deadline for submission: January 30, 2015• must be submitted before beginning work

•You must have this approved in conference with Mrs. Clark before beginning your project.

Student’s Name:________________________ Homeroom Teacher_________________

Science Project Title:_____________________________________________________________________(The effect of IV on DV)

Brief description of what you plan to do :

Parent’s signature:___________________________________________ Date:______________

Note: If you change to a new project or change the plans you’ve written above, you must re-submit this form before beginning your new project!

I will contact you ASAP if your plan is not acceptable.

HOW TO PREPARE A SCIENCE PROJECTRemember: Complete the Science Fair Participation Form First

Submit the Participation Form to Mrs. Clark. You will have a conference with Mrs. Clark to get approval before beginning.

If you change problems or procedures, you must submit a new proposal.

1. SELECT A TOPIC - once you’ve done this, you’re halfway there!

Choose something you are interested in (baking, skateboards, nature, music, sports, for example).Check out the internet for project ideas. You must create your own project, but you may get ideas from others.

List questions that you think might be interesting to answer . Make your question as specific as possible.

Examples might be:“How important is sugar as an ingredient in cookies?” “How does plant food type change plant growth?”“Which thread is strongest?”

Choose one that you think you can answer Before making a final choice, consider these four questions:1. Will it be interesting and safe?2. Is it something that can be accurately tested?2. Can I get the necessary equipment or materials to do it?3. Will I have enough time to complete it?

Your project doesn’t have to be complicated to be good.

2. GATHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION Find out more about what you want to investigate Use the graphic organizer to help focus your research. You must print out or copy all of your research to turn in to Mrs. Clark. It

should be read and highlighted. This will be turned in as a packet with one of the graphic organizer in this packet.

Attach to the back of the packet your sources in MLA format. You must use four sources for background information. At least two of these have to be non-internet based sources. Complete the resources page and a proper MLA based bibliography page to be attached to the back of your board. The website http://citationmachine.net/ will help with this.

3. STATE THE PURPOSE/PROBLEM

This is often written as a question. What do you want to find out?Since you are performing an experiment using the Scientific Method, you will also state a HYPOTHESIS.

ex: How does sugar affect the taste of cookies?

4. STATE YOUR HYPOTHESIS This should be based on your background research. What do you think you will discover once your experiment is finished? State this in the “If IV, then DV.” format. Your hypothesis does not have to be correct, rather, you will be doing the

experiment to test it and see if it was right. ex: “If chocolate chip cookies are baked both with varying amounts of sugar, then tasters will prefer cookies with the most sugar.”

5. DEVELOP A PROCEDURE This should test your hypothesis. Complete the ED chart and turn in to Mrs. Clark. develop a detailed numbered step-by-step list of what you will do to find out

the solution to your problem. Remember finding out your hypothesis is wrong is just as good as finding it

is right

Identify constants, controls and variables.Everything must stay the same except the one thing you are testing.

Constants: what remains the same for the whole experimentsex. the amount of cookie dough, cooking time, all ingredients other than sugar

Control: to what you will compare your resultsex. the cookies made with no sugar to give tasters a comparison

Independent variable: what the student changes on purposeEx: the amount of sugar in the recipe

Dependent variable: what changes as a result of the purposeful change made in the independent variable. Usually what we measure.Ex: the taste is the dependent variable (taste depends on the amount of sugar). We measure how the cookies taste.

Consult the Safety Rules

6. LIST AND GATHER MATERIALS Be as specific as possible, someone else may want to try to repeat your experiment by

following your outline! This should also be a numbered list Details are important Use metric when possible (ex: 1. 150 ml of Diet Coca-Cola)

7. CARRY OUT YOUR PROPOSAL

Once you have received approval, begin to follow your plan carefully.Complete the Science Experiment Worksheet to make sure your goals are clear.

8. RECORD OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS Keep careful records: This is the heart of your project! Setup a data chart before starting the experiment. Make a column for each bit of

information you are going to record. You may show Mrs. Clark your chart if you would like feed back before starting to collect your data.

Record all data as you go (in metric when possible). It would be a good idea to keep a hand written copy as well as enter the data into a spreadsheet program on the computer. This will make creating your graphs easier.

Use a control when applicable Have a sufficiently large sample size and/or perform your experiment more than once Make drawings, take measurements, record observations, and take photographs

along the way

9. DRAW CONCLUSIONS Answer your hypothesis. Was it correct or not based upon your data. Explain why your project turned out the way it did. What did you learn from your project? What problems did you encounter?

10. LIST SOURCES OF INFORMATION

11. PREPARE YOUR DISPLAY Include information from all the steps listed above in a brief, clear, and

organized manner. see separate worksheet for details

Due 2/6/15

Name ______________________Note Organizer

Five important questions about your topic. Write the answer on the back of this paper.

Why is this important in my life?

1.

2.

Vocabulary

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Facts

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Topic ________________________________ Source _______________________________

Important connection to the real world for my project __________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Due 2/6/15

Name _________________________

Science Fair Update #1Variables & Hypothesis Worksheet

Independent Variable(Remember only one

thing)

Dependent Variable(What is being

measured)

Constants(What will remain the

same)

How you will measure? (tool)

Units of Measure

Hypothesis

If ________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________,

then _______________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Control

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Student’s Parent’s Teacher’s Date turned

Due 2/20/15

Initials Initials Initials in

Name _________________________

Science Fair Update #2Title: ___________________________________________________The Effect of IV on DV.

Hypothesis: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________If IV, then DV.

IV:(What you Change)

DV:(Resulting Change)

Levels of IV tested:Label the control.

Constants:

Procedure:

Modifications:(What would you change next time to improve the experiment.)

Student’sInitials

Parent’sInitials

Teacher’sInitials

date turnedin

Due 2/27/15

Science Fair Materials Request FormReturn to Mrs. Clark and she will respond ASAP

Student___________________________ Teacher__________________

Parent’s Signature________________________________________

Safety goggles

________I would like to request the loan of safety goggles for use during performance of my science fair project. I will return them in good condition at the completion of the science fair or be prepared to pay the replacement cost of $5.00.

Other items:

________ I would like to request the loan of another item(s) that I do not have.

This item(s) is a(n) ___________________________________ ex: magnifying glass, forceps, beaker, graduated cylinder, thermometer, meter stick,

dropper, etc.

Name _________________________

Science Fair Update #3PROJECT TITLE:____________________________________________________________

HYPOTHESIS: What do you think will happen? Often stated as “If…then..”

MATERIALS: Make a list of everything you will need to do the experiment.

COLLECTED DATA FROM TRIALS: Attach your first draft of your graphMeasure, count, or estimate and establish a method of recording data (in a table, etc.)

CHARTS: Attach first draft charts to this sheet

Student’sInitials

Parent’sInitials

Teacher’sInitials

Date TurnedIn

Due 3/20/15

PROJECT DISPLAY REQUIERMENTSYou are finished and ready to proudly display your work!!

Keep it simple!

All Science Fair Projects must utilize a display boardYour project will be surrounded by many others, so it should be attractive and have eye appeal. Remember the “C’s” for exhibiting:

* Color appeal * Contrast * Clear, concise statements * Completeness

Your exhibit should tell the story of your project. Include the Question, Hypothesis, Materials , Experimental Steps , Results , and Conclusions using simple statements and attractive visuals. Your display must have pictures or sketches, data charts, AND a properly labeled graph of your data.

If you used special equipment, the set-up should be placed in front of your display or in a place to enhance the exhibit - not overwhelm it. Layout and Appearance: Make your display look interesting and present all information clearly. Print wording on plain or simple paper and matte it on a coordinating color. This gives a

much more polished look. All writing must be typed. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Use no more than two or three fonts.

Do not use fancy fonts. They are hard to read!Use bold and italics for emphasis only not for all fontsDo not use all caps, they are harder to read.

These type sizes are minimums. You may use larger fonts if necessary to make your board look appropriate. Do not use smaller fonts!!!!

Item Font SizeTitle 150+Headings 32+Subheadings 20+Main Body Text 16-18+Captions 12-16+

Information to be included on your display board The types of information to be displayed on your poster will vary depending on your project Examples of information that might be appropriate are:

Student Name(s), Grade, Teacher – display proudly, prominently on front of board

TitlePurpose / questionHypothesisMaterialsProcedureResultsPictures, drawings, photos

DataGraphsObservationsConclusionsResearch informationReferences (on the back)

Attachments to the board: Appropriate materials can be attached to the display board (ex: bags of popped corn)

Additional items for exhibit: Must fit in front of and within the boundaries of the standing display board.

Project Evaluation:Projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Understanding of the topic

• Project Design- the purpose is clearly stated- the procedure is clearly outlined and designed to fit the purpose- the steps of the scientific method are followed precisely and outlined in the display

• Data Presentation, Interpretation - data is recorded for the experiment and presented as both a table and a graph- results, observations, and other data (graphs, charts, photos, etc.) are presented clearly- the data support the conclusions- the conclusion answers the hypothesis

- adequate research/background information-

• Display appearance- neat – must be typed- well organized- follows display requirements previously listed

Protect your science project!- Expensive or fragile items should not be displayed but should be simulated or

photographed.- Whenever possible, items to be displayed in front of the backboard should be adequately

secured.- Design your display so that it is easy to transport to and from the fair. Carefully pack all

materials when transporting.

Have a photo taken of you and your project for your scrapbook.Years from now you’ll be glad you did!

Scientist ___________________________Title __________________________________________

Science Fair Project RubricExperiment

Graded Area Possible Student TeacherTitle The effect of IV on DV Correct size (150+)

5 0 3 5 0 3 5

Problem & Research State what you want to learn about Show what you learned before testing

10 0 3 5 7 10 0 3 5 7 10

Hypothesis If IV, then DV Testable Correct IV Correct DV Clear and concise

15 0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15

Materials Numbered List All required materials

15 0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15

Procedure Numbered List Clear steps Completely explained Repeatable

20 0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20

Data Table All data shown Sensible data taken Actually measures DV

20 0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20

Graph Title X/Y Axis correct labels Interval Appropriate Correct type for data

20 0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20

Documentation of Process (pictures) 10 0 3 5 7 10 0 3 5 7 10

Conclusion(answers the hypothesis) 20 0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20Typed 15 0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15Aesthetics Neatness Proper fonts Good color choices Pleasing to look at

20 0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20

Oral Presentation Eye Contact Voice Level Good use of board Calm and collected

30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Total 200

Student Feedback

+ - +

TITLE – The effect of IV on DV.

PROBLEM

RESEARCH

HYPOTHESIS

If IV, then DV.

MATERIALS1.2.3.

PROCEDURE

1.2.3.4.

IV: DV:Constants:Control:

PROPS / PICTURES

DATA TABLE

GRAPH(S)

CONCLUSION

Answer your hypothesis!

FUTURE MODIFICATIONS

NAMEDATE HOMEROOM

COUNTDOWN TO THE SCIENCE FAIRUse this form to keep your science fair project on schedule.

Check Off When Completed

________ Turn in your parent signature form by January 28th.

________ Fill out the Science Fair Participation Form & return it to teacher by January 30th.

________February 6th Bibliography Worksheet, graphic organizer, & printed/copied and highlighted research Due to Mrs. Clark

________ February 20th 1st Update due to Mrs. Clark

________ February 27th 2nd Update due to Mrs. Clark

________ March 16th experiment should be complete

________March 20th 3rd Update due to Mrs. Clark

________ March 30th – Turn in project to Mrs. Clark & be prepared to

present to the class

________April 1st – Science Fair Open House for parents this evening - times will be announced later

________ Pick up project by April 3rd to avoid damage or loss Students may take the project home on the bus.