Transcript Science Fair Projects - Deer Park Elementary School
STEM Fair Projects
Young Scientists Search the Unknown…
STEM Fair Coordinators
Kelley Fernandez, Intermediate Science Contact Melissa O’Connor, Primary Science Contact Carol Birch, Academically Gifted Program
Oh No! What do I Do
?
• What is a Science Project?
• What do I do first?
• How do I choose a topic?
• What is an experiment?
• What do I do with all the information?
Communication Tools
• Parent Resources: • 2013 STEM Fair Brochure • Parent’s Guide for Science Projects • STEM Fair Parent PowerPoint
What is the importance of Science Projects?
• Allows for a variety of learning styles • Real world application • Hands-on approach to learning • Encourages higher order thinking • Allows students to investigate what they are interested in • Students are responsible for their own learning • Curriculum connections
The Planning Phase
Most detailed part… includes:
Journal….journal….journal
• deciding what to do • doing some research • forming a hypothesis • writing the experiment plan
KEY: Keep It Simple!
Expectations:
What should be expected from the parent?
•Guidance, support, encouragement, minimal intervention •Help with topic selection •Help maintain pace of project •Communicate with your child •Praise responsible behavior •Provide transportation and necessary materials
The Experimentation Phase
• Conducting the experiment. • Collecting and recording the
data.
• Analyzing the evidence.
Purpose Hypothesis Procedure:
Variables Step-by-Step Directions Research Paper Optional
Graph
90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr East West North 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Results Conclusion
East West North
…In Search of a Topic
http://paintcartoon.blogspot.com/2008_03_16_archive.html
How to identify a good question
A good science investigation question: Cannot be answered with one word such as; yes, no or purple. Tells you what you need to measure. Is something you can investigate yourself. Is answered with a fact, not an opinion.
Purpose
Tells why the investigation is being done.
It is written as a statement from the topic question.
Example: The purpose of this project is to find out…
Hypothesis
•
Research the topic and find out background information about your topic of investigation!
•
After researching your topic, reveal your possible answer to the question being investigated.
•
Don’t forget to state your reasons why your hypothesis results will occur.
Procedure (The Plan)
• Materials - What materials will you need for your experiment?
- Be sure to list all materials, the type, and amount.
– Use metric units of measurement
Variables
•
Manipulated (Independent ) What is being changed in the experiment on purpose. (What you are testing)
•
Responding (Dependent) The measurable result of what is being changed in the experiment. (What you are measuring)
•
Held Constant All the things that are kept the same or controlled during the experiment.
Step by Step Directions (The recipe)
• Write them clearly so someone else can follow them.
• Be specific.
• Remember to indicate how many trials are necessary.
Example “ Repeat steps 3-6 four more times with each item being tested for a total of five trials”.
Data
• Keep the data in a chart or a table.
• All the trials of the experiment must be indicated. (5 or more trials) • Data collection should match grade specific math benchmarks. How many milliliters of liquid is absorbed?
BRAND NAME Trial 1
(ml)
Trial 2
(ml)
Trial 3
(ml)
Trial 4
(m)
Trial 5
(ml)
Bounty Super All Natural Clean Sweep 2 3 3 4 3 2 3 2 4 1 3 3 2 3 2 4 3 1 3 4
Graphs
• It is an organized way to display the data collected during the experiment.
• There are two main types of graphs.
1.
Bar Graphs-
(most common type of graph) Displays data that does not occur in a continuous manner Ex. (Number of burgers eaten)
2.
Line Graphs-
Displays data that occurs in a continuous manner Ex. (Growth of a plant over a controlled period of time)
50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Plant A Plant B Plant C Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Conclusion
• The analysis of the data as it relates to the original hypothesis. It should include: - Whether or not your data supports your hypothesis.
- A description of any problems.
- What would you do differently next time?
- Real world connections.
Showboard
• Advertise your project using a Showboard!
• Make it colorful • Use a creative title.
• Make sure the components are placed so that there is a natural flow to the reader.
Requirements
All projects must have a Data Log
•
The log should be in the form of a notebook or tablet showing evidence of student work throughout investigation period.
•
All entries in the log should have dates for each part of the project.
•
Logs may be hand-written or typed.
•
Logs should be reflective of the student’s thoughts, questioning, and reasoning.
Sample Data Log Entry
• 9/4/2012 My teacher said it is time for STEM fair. I don’t like it because it is a lot of work, but I get to work with a partner and I am really excited. I think it would be cool if I could come up with a topic. I kind of have one in mind. • 9/5/2012 I shared my ideas with my teacher. She loved my idea about experimenting with worms. • 9/6/2012 My teacher said I had to have a question that I want to try to answer about worms without harming the worms. I wonder if worms like the dark more than sunny places? I always see worms after it rains. I wonder if worms don’t like being wet? I wonder where I can get worms?
Extra! Extra!
‘Research’ All About It!
• A Research Paper may be included and placed in a separate Research Folder.
Required to move to next level
• Extra data, photos, and information may be included in the Research Folder.
Prohibited Items
•Human Blood Projects •Pathogenic Agents •Bacteria Mold •Fungi Viruses •Parasites The items above are
NOT
allowed at the Elementary level.
Highly Discouraged Items
•
Animal Related Projects
•Requires veterinarian signatures •Extra forms to complete •
Human Related Projects
•Unforeseen issues may arise •Allergic reactions Some projects may be acceptable with
PRIOR
approval by School Review Committee
Restrictions
•
Chemicals, soils, foods, gases, open flames, and explosives
•
Plants or plant parts
•
Controlled or illegal substances
•
Drugs, Alcohol, or tobacco
•
Knives, syringes, or any sharp objects
•
Glass items or baggies
•
Straight pins, tacks, or staples
•
Any item easily pulled off and swallowed must be secured
Human teeth, hair, or nails are NOT allowed
…Science is Everywhere!
http://www.pickinsplinters.com/2009/10/08/open-thread-thursday-october-8th-2009/#comment-7264
School Entries
Class Projects ENTRIES ALLOWED PER SCHOOL K - 2:
1 per grade
Individual Projects ENTRIES ALLOWED PER SCHOOL 3 - 5:
2 per grade
Small Group Projects ENTRIES ALLOWED PER SCHOOL 3 - 5:
4 per school and 1 additional project* from an exceptional education group may be included per school
For More Information Contact:
Shana Tirado •Elementary Science Supervisor • [email protected]
Barb Brightman •Elementary Science DRT • [email protected]
Michele Wiehagen •Elementary Science DRT for Title I Schools • [email protected]
Christina Calve •Academic Coach • [email protected]
Anita Ventura •Academic Coach • [email protected]
Original presentation Created By: Yvonne Rotolo 2009 Adapted for use by Elementary Science Department, Fall 2010