Science Fair WorkshopTuesday, October 6, 2009

Welcome Parents and Students

Purpose of workshop◦ Help your son with his project◦ Help his teacher with time

It will be difficult to help all students Will be a big help if parents check their sons’ work to

get things right the first time◦ Educate parents on what is expected to go into

the project so they are prepared to correct/help with their sons’ project

Welcome

For the student to become an expert in their topic

Be able to conduct successful research using credible/reliable sources

Turn what students find about their topic into a well written, scientific paper

Presenting information on a display board

Main Goals of Completing a Science Fair Project

I will provide a file folder for your son to turn in his work◦ Folder needs to stay at school

Checklist Final approval Hit deadlines

◦ Even if its not a perfect draft◦ Students need to follow through in getting that FINAL

Draft turned in and approved MyBackpack will also show comments if things

were turned in on time, if its been approved, etc

Checking on Student Progress

Students create a “Science Fair” folder on their flash drives

Should save their files with:◦ First Name◦ Last Name◦ Portion of Project

If emailed to me, it is easier to know what I’m looking at

For example(s): Jennifer Baron Research Plan Jennifer Baron Title Page Jennifer Baron Abstract

Recommendation

1 inch margins Double spaced Size 12 font Times New Roman Proper punctuation, spelling, grammar Don’t need name block!

◦ Items will be put automatically in the science fair folder once collected

Other basic things to be followed:

Students should turn in a typed page of their final topic

One more thing…

Highly recommended to do early on Topic still needs to be approved Deadline for topic change/approval Tuesday,

October 20, 2009 Needs to make-up/redo any assignments

given to go with new topic◦ Research plan◦ Abstract/purpose statement◦ Introduction◦ Etc

Changing topics…

Should be thoughtful and creative Of interest to the student Challenging!! (Oh NO, hard work!) Can cover all areas of science (computer

science, electronics, astronomy, health, environmental, physiological, chemical, etc…)

At the State Science Fair, there are subject specific prizes/scholarships/$$$◦ Some areas of science are more popular than others◦ This year I’m seeing more topics that could possibly

qualify for the subjects which aren’t as popular, that’s a benefit!!

Project Topic

Been There, Done That◦ Volcano Models◦ Mentos and Coke◦ Growing mold on bread, cheese, food, etc…

Opinions/Personal Preference◦ Which football shoes help me run faster?◦ What baseball bat will hit the ball farther?

If an experiment, should be testable/measureable◦ Which soda is more fizzy?◦ How long will the flavor of gum last?

Project Topic No-No’s

Dangerous experiments◦ Explosions◦ Chemicals

Cruelty to animals Certain tests with human subjects

◦ Special forms◦ Permission

Guardians approval/signature

More Project Topic No-No’s

Display Research Confusing terms!

Project Types

“Display” No Experiment Conduct research

on topic and basically write and in depth, informational report

“Research” Experiment Conduct research on

topic◦ Helps give student

background on their topic

◦ What to expect during an experiment

Write and in depth, informational report, with an analysis of what you learned from the experiment

Project Types

This is to help students set up a plan on what they will be doing for research or their experiments

What kinds of sources they will use If doing an experiment, how will they set it

up (variables, safety, number of trials)

Next step: Research Plan

Must be approved Turned in Final Draft form

◦ If revisions are necessary

Research Plan

It is alright if it is not successful! A hypothesis does not need to be always right

◦ Careful wording… Supported Not supported Proven True False

Experiments don’t need to always go well◦ Prediction◦ Trials◦ Discuss New Modifications and Why

New hypothesis◦ New Predictions◦ New Trials◦ More Modifications??

If doing an experiment…

Misunderstanding “If I add research to my paper, my

experiment will be wrong!!” Research from sources are to help provide a

foundation for what students should be looking for

One situation…

Start writing parts of report Start experimentation

◦ Documentation When you started? What you did for experiment? Observations

Library/Computer Lab Time◦ Use time wisely

Report format is all laid out for students 8th graders from last year should know what

is expected

After Research Plan

Double check…◦ Spelling◦ Grammar◦ Punctuation◦ Formatting

Reminders

What’s credible? What’s not? Proper citation format

◦ Importance of giving credit to who deserves it Bibliography

◦ Minimum 5 sources Many complaints from students

◦ The more sources you have, the more in depth, complete, and credible the report/project

Using Sources

Wikipedia◦ Anyone can input their own information

Google, Yahoo◦ Search engines◦ www.google.com is not a source

I have some to purchase◦ $10

Examples Expectations

◦ Should be typed◦ Big enough font to read◦ Pictures

Give credit to sources Photographer With minors you need signed permission from

parents/guardians

Display Board