MBVM 7th Grade Science Fair

6th Grade Planning for

Experiment Choice

The Science TOPIC

is not as

important as the

KNOWLEDGE GAINED from the experiment

Regional Website www.jdstaregion11sciencefair.org

The experimentation behind a science project is what is significant. It is not the choice of the topic that is important,

but WHAT IS LEARNED BY THE STUDENT!

Choose something that interests you! There is nothing worse than working on something you do not enjoy.

Be realistic about the amount of time needed and available.

Remember that all projects must answer a definite scientific question or solve a problem.

Start early; Do not wait until the last minute.

SCIENCE FAIR REPORT(Illinois Junior Academy of Science)

IJAS REQUIREMENTS

1) Formal SCIENCE REPORTABSTRACT – Summarizes their Project

SAFETYENDORSEMENTS (HUMAN/NON-HUMAN TESTING)

TITLE PAGE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS BACKGROUND RESEARCH EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE-metric measurements EXPERIMENT RESULTS – TABLES, GRAPHS ANALYSIS CONCLUSION REFERENCE PAGE PICTURES

2) POWER POINT AND ORAL PRESENTATION (NOTECARDS)

What is the Purpose?

Purpose – Scientific method, Project Design

Expectations – Parental Support

Students understand science

How can we accomplish this …..

Science Fair Spring Schedule:

6th Grade Goal: Learn and use Scientific Method Learn Research and Writing Skills

March: Choose Science Fair Topic

Design Experiment Procedure

April: Complete Trial #1 at homeResearch to understand science

concepts May: 7 References (2 books, 5 internet) Write “Research Background” paper

Use APA Citation format

Summer/Fall ScheduleOptional - Experiments CAN BE completed during

the summer if it works for your family schedule

June – September: Experiment Testing

15 Trials, Metric

September – October: Experiment Results

Final Report

November: Power point Notecards

December: Report Printing Presentation Practice

6th Grade Science Fair Report

1) Experiments completed INDIVIDUALLY AT HOME Measurements must be metric (mm, cm, mL, s, etc.)

2) Research completed as homework with parental help

3) Science Fair Goals by May:

a. Experiment procedure, materials gathered, and Experiment Trial #1 completed at home

b. Organize Research Topicsc. Gather references materials by 4/25 (2006-2014 Copyright)d. Write “Background Research” paper with citationse. Complete APA Reference page

EXPERIMENT

ORGANIZE EXPERIMENT

Safety Procedure Essential

Parent Supervision FOR ALL TRIALS

GATHER MATERIALS Borrow equipment before purchasing supplies

Research Skills – 7 References

1) SCIENCE BOOK from school (1)2) Additional Science Book or Journal (1)3) Internet References (5)4) Students will learn to:

a. Research – Website Reliability b. Note taking/Summarizing skills c. Understand Summarizing vs. Plagiarism

PARENT REVIEW NEEDED FOR ALL WORK BEFORE STUDENT TURNS ANY SCIENCE

FAIR HOMEWORK IN TO A TEACHER FOR GRADING!!

References from LibrariesLimited Resources at local libraries

(Can use INTERLIBRARY Loans - plan time)

Books – If purchasing books, donations to our Science Fair Library are appreciated!

*Student responsible for bringing

1 BOOK to school by April 25, 3014*

Background Research Formal Report Organization:

a. Topic Research Organization List

b. Gathering Research References

c Note taking/Summarizing/Writing Skills

Formal Sentence structure (NO “you, I, we”)

Double spaced, Size 12 font (Times New Roman)

Diagrams/Pictures (Need Titles/Reference Information)

4-5 pages (1200+ words)

7 References (2 books, 5 internet resources)

APA format (Citations listed for each paragraph)

APA Reference page(APA e-book, Bedford Bibliographer on

Mrs Gaca’s and Mrs. Darling’s website)

Parental GuidanceREVIEW REQUIREMENTS HELP THEM TO STAY ORGANIZED

MEET DEADLINES REVIEW PAPERS

TRANSPORTATION

WORK COMPLETED BY THE STUDENT with TEACHER AND PARENTAL SUPPORT

Goal: Promoting college and career readiness by fostering independent inquiry, research, and writing skills

Parent Support – Communication is Key to Success

Your role is essential for their success with this project!

1) Help organize a schedule that works for your family 2) Help with research (books and internet research)

3) Review their work and help with corrections

Offer support and encouragement, help them learn to overcome problems

Praise their good efforts.

If in doubt, we encourage you and your child to MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE TEACHER

HELP IS A “CLICK” AWAY!

School website: www.mbvm.org

Mrs. Smith’s Website (Experiment/Final Report)

Mrs. Gaca’s Website (Background Research)

Mrs. Darling’s Website (Background Research)

Regional Science Fair Website:

www.jdstaregion11sciencefair.org