Science Fair Pack 2018-2019 This pack belongs to: St. Mary's ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Science Fair Pack
2018-2019
This pack belongs to:
___________________________________Dear Students and Parents, It is time once again to begin work on our projects for the upcoming Science/History Fair. This is always an exciting time, as our students generally impress us very much with the quality of their work. It is important to remember that the quality of the questions being asked, and how well the experiment answers these questions, should be the focus rather than beautiful displays that are not showing the scientific method. Parents can and should provide input on projects, but we would hope to see the students’ work. As we select the projects that represent St. Mary’s at the Charles County Science/History Fair, an oral presentation will be of great importance. Please remember that the idea of Science/History Fair projects is to promote problem solving in an individual and enjoyable format. Included in this packet is information you will need for your child’s project. There is a timeline of due dates for various phases of the project. Also included are a sample backboard, along with rules and regulations regarding safety concerns, some simple guidelines for projects, as well as a judge’s evaluation sheet. Please note that projects involving vertebrates will not be acceptable. Science/History Fair backboards will be on display in the cafeteria and will remain in the hall for one week. Good luck and remember to have fun! We want the students to view science experimentation in a positive light.
Science Fair Checklist & Dates
Student _________________________________________ Project_______________________________ Grade__________
Project Assignment Assignment Description Due By
Signature Form Please read the timeline and sign signature form to acknowledge that both October 23, 2018
(in packet) parent and student understands the expectations.
Topic Selection Narrowing down a topic that interests you for your Science Fair project. October 30, 2018
Research Worksheet (Your teacher will conference with you about your topic choice/choices.)
(in packet)
Experimental Design Complete November 13, 2018
Worksheet #1 Question/Problem: What do you want to find out?
(2 pages in packet) Variables: independent/dependent & controls
Hypothesis: What do you think will happen in your experiment?
Experimental Design Complete December 11, 2018
Worksheet #2 Materials: What do you need to complete this experiment? This should be in
(2 pages in packet) the form of a list.
Be specific: how many, size, color, type, etc.
Always use METRIC measurement!
Procedure: What will you do, step-by-step, to complete your experiment?
Conduct Experiment, You need to have at least 3 trials. Depending on your experimental design, January 08, 2019
Analyze Data & Making you may want many more to assure that your data is reliable!
Conclusions Record your results in a form of a chart, graph, or table. It is a good
idea to record your progress using photographs.
(Turn in results (Grades K-3 models should be assembled and recorded in pictures.)
graph,chart or table & Communicate your results. What did you learn? The conclusion should be
typed conclusion a 5-7 sentence typed paragraph that explains the results. The paragraph
paragraph) should begin by stating whether or not your hypothesis was correct or
incorrect and why? The conclusion must be supported by details and or data
from the experiment.
Abstract After finishing research and experimentation, you need to write an abstract. January 15, 2019
The abstract needs to be a maximum of 250 words on one page typed.
An abstract should include the
(Turn in typed page of a) purpose of the experiment
abstract) b) procedures used
c) data
d) conclusions
Design and Construct Construct your backboard. Everything you have done will appear on the Science Fair Projects
Backboard backboard. The backboard should be neat, colorful (no more than 3 colors), Due
and have a catchy title. In addition to the backboard, you may bring only the January 22, 2019
journal of pictures and data to be displayed on the table. Be sure your name
is clearly marked on the back of your blackboard.
All students MUST have final Science Fair Project turned in.
School Science Fair Come view all Science Fair Projects January 24, 2019
Reception 4:00 – 6:00 pmAll Parents, Please read the timeline booklet, sign this sheet, and return this sheet to St. Mary’s School by October 23, 2018. Students in grades 4-8 participate in the Science Fair. Middle School students may choose to complete a History Fair Project instead of a Science Fair Project. Science Fair projects are optional but strongly encouraged for grades K-3. I, ________________________ am ready to assist my child in completing his/her science/history fair project providing materials, guidance, and support. I understand that the finished project must be at school on January 22, 2019. I will help with the transportation if necessary. I will also hold my child accountable to meet the timeline assignments and submit them to his/her teacher for approval. _____________________________________ Student Name Grade _____________________________________ Parent’s Signature Date ______________________________________ Teacher’s Signature Date
Science Fair Topic Selection Worksheet
Often the most difficult part of the Science Fair is choosing an appropriate topic to research. The ideas for projects are endless;
you are limited only by your imagination. The key to a successful science fair project is to select a topic that interests you. That
could mean you would like to create devices that make electricity or develop computer programs that search the stars. It could
also mean that you would like to see how music, art, or dance affect memory or that you love history and want to study
mummification techniques. Next, choose a problem relating to that topic that you would like to explore.
A younger student may decide on an experiment that is designed for an older student, but an older student may not opt for an
experiment designed for a younger student. A winning science fair project does not have to be complex; however you must fully
understand your project and have completely investigated all of the scientific properties of your experiment. All science
experiments should include STEM components: Scientific Method, Technology (computers, internet, computer programs,
measuring devices), Engineering (testing device or procedure you had to construct), and Mathematics.
**Remember: Testing requirements: minimum of 3 trials for your experiment!**
Projects previously undertaken by a sibling may not be repeated.
Science Fair Project Categories:
Animal Sciences Earth Science Mathematical Sciences
Behavioral & Social Sciences Engineering:Material & Bioengineering Medicine & Health
Services
Biochemistry Engineering: Electrical & Mechanical Microbiology
Cellular & Molecular Biology Energy & Transportation Physics & Astronomy
Chemistry Environmental Analysis Plant Sciences
Computer Science Environmental Management
These items are not permitted as a part of your Science Fair Project;
· Human subjects
· Vertebrate animals
· Potentially hazardous biological agents or rDNA, human or animal tissue
· Research conducted at an Institutional or Industrial Setting Hazardous Chemicals, Activities or Devices: DEA-controlled
substances, prescription drugs, alcohol and tobacco, firearms and explosives, non-ionizing and ionizing radiation, toxic
chemicals.
· Lasers, and other hazardous laboratory devices prescription drugs, alcohol and tobacco, firearms and explosives,
non-ionizing and radiation, toxic chemicals, lasers, and other hazardous laboratory devicesDate Due: October 30, 2018
Science Fair Topic Selection
Go to http://www.sciencebuddies.org/and click on the “Take Survey” for the Topic Selection Wizard Tool. Complete the survey.
When the list of topics appears it will have a difficulty scale listed with each suggestion: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.
Advanced Projects are for High School. Based on suggestions in your correct degree of difficulty, list the top three that interest
you:
Science Buddies is to be used as a resource, you are not to plagiarize the project. Plagiarism can be defined as presenting
someone else’s work as your own. Plagiarism of any kind is unacceptable in any educational community. Plagiarism of any
type, including copying of another student’s homework or the aiding in plagiarism, will not be tolerated at St. Mary’s School. (St.
Mary’s Bryantown Handbook)
a. Choice 1 __________________________________________________________________________________
i. Briefly explain in a paragraph
b. Choice 2 ________________________________________________________________________________
ii. Briefly explain in a paragraph
c. Choice 3 _________________________________________________________________________________
iii. Briefly explain in a paragraph
Student Signature __________________________________ Parent Signature __________________________________
Teacher Signature_____________________________________________________________________________Name: ________________________________ Grade:_________
Date Due: November 13, 2018
Experimental Design Worksheet #1
Problem
Topic
What question do you want to investigate?
Independent Variable
The independent variable is the variable whose change isn’t
affected by any other variable in the experiment.
Dependent Variable
The dependent variable is what is being studied and
measured in the experiment.
Controlled Variables
Variables that are constant. They don’t change.
List at least 5 terms you could use to do an
internet search
How do plan on testing this question?
Why is this topic important in the “real
world”?Name: ________________________________ Grade:_________
Date Due: November 13, 2018
Experimental Design Worksheet #1 (continued)
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an intelligent prediction about the outcome of your experiment, based on your
prior knowledge and research you have done about your topic. It answers your problem. It
describes the cause and effect of your experiment. Your hypothesis should be testable by
observations and/or experimentation. A hypothesis should be written as an If, then, because
statement.
If the ______________________________ ______________________________
(Independent Variable) (Describe how it will be changed)
then the ___________________________ will _______________________________
(Dependent Variable) (Describe the expected effect)
because _____________________________________________________________.
(Give 1 piece of evidence from your research that supports your prediction).
Example: How does the angle of a ramp affect how far a toy car will travel?
If the angle of the ramp increases then the distance the toy car travels will increase because
according to my research cars on the road need to leave extra space for stopping when they
are traveling downhill.Name: ________________________________ Grade:_________
Date Due: December 11, 2018
Experimental Design Worksheet #2
Materials
Name of Materials How Many? Where will I get my Materials?Name: ________________________________ Grade:_________
Date Due: December 11, 2018
Experimental Design Worksheet #2 (continued)
Procedure
Independent Variable: ________________________________________________
Dependent Variable: ________________________________________________
Controlled Variables: ________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Procedure:
1._________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
2._________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3._________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
4._________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
5._________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
6._________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
7._________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
8._________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
9._________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
10.________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
11.________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
(Continue the procedure on another page if you need more space)
Validity: I will repeat my experiment __________ times.You can also read
