gres science fair 2015 a quick “how to” guide for parents and kids

GRES Science Fair 2015A quick “how to” guide for parents and kids.

Welcome

Introduction

Did everyone get a ticket for the raffle?

Why have a science fair?

Expectations

All students are expected to complete a scientific experiment to present at the Science Fair in early May as part of our science curriculum.

Due Dates

February 6th - Experimental Question Due

February 20th - Materials and Procedure Due

April 10th - Experiment Data and Conclusion Due

May 4th - Final display due at school.

Key Parts of a Science Experiment

QuestionHypothesisVariablesMaterialsProcedureData (Results)Conclusion

Designing a Question

Get ideas from your interests first.

Shouldn’t be a demonstration. “This is how a volcano works.”

Should be written in one of the following ways.(Does A affect B? or Does A have an effect on B?)

Hypothesis

Educated guess or prediction.

Should be done before you begin the experiment.

Should be a complete sentence with some explanation for your prediction if possible.

Variables

Independent - What the experimenter is changing or testing. Should be only one.

Dependent - What is being measured. Can have more than one as long as question is answered.

Variables cont.

Confounding - We don’t want these. Anything that might make your results unreliable. A thorough, detailed procedure helps a lot.

Constants - Conditions of the experiment that remain the same.

Materials

Should all be collected prior to starting experiment.

Should be in a detailed list which is bulleted or numbered.

Trials

Experiments need more than 2 trials for each condition tested.

Should be an odd number. The more the better.

Control trials always a plus!

Procedure

Step by step list, which is numbered, on how the experiment will be completed.

Steps for the first trial in each condition should be listed, subsequent trials should just be mentioned with “repeat steps”.

Data/Results

Should be quantitative if at all possible. Observational data, while an interesting extra, is hard to make objective.

Should be in a table and graphed.

Be careful when averaging data. May skew results.

Conclusion

Should state whether hypothesis was proven or not.

A disproven hypothesis does not mean it wasn’t a good project.

Don’t worry. You are not alone!!!

Your child will conduct experiments in class in which all of these components are taught and discussed.

Trust your child. If you have a question, feel free to email your child’s teacher.

Be bold. Be realistic.

We want experiments that are out of the box.

We do not want experiments that will potentially harm animals or people.

We do not want experiments which mess up life for a month.

Judging

Students will present their projects during school on May 7th.

They will be judged by area science teachers, administrators, and 4H faculty.

Ribbons will be rewarded based on judge scoring. GRES 5th grade teachers do not judge. Grades for projects are separate from ribbons.

Display

36” Display boards are the biggest we allow. Headers optional.

Make sure your information is in a logical place on your board.

Everything Typed...Spell check, spell check, spell check!!!

Don’t overdo decor. Shouldn’t detract from the information.

Glue: Less is More!!!

Further Information

www.mrcampbellsclass.net

Look for “Science Fair Headquarters” under the “More” tab at the far right.

www.sciencebuddies.org

Has a survey students can take to find project topics.

Have fun!!!

Enjoy this time you have to work on a meaningful scientific endeavor with your child.

It can be a very rewarding experience.

Thanks for coming!!!