Transcript Parent Experiment Night at William Beanes

Greenbelt Elementary School
Parent Experiment Night 2012
Science Coordinator
Vanessa Zanin
What does STEM stand for?
•
•
•
•
S- science
T-technology
E-engineering
M-mathematics
STEM Fair Information
• Everyone participates in the school
• Grades preK-3 complete class or group projects
• Grades 4-6 complete individual projects
– which is graded for the second and third quarter
– you can not pass science if you do not turn in a project
(mandatory)
– Majority of work is completed at home
• Grades 4-6 also must complete a brief research
paper
STEM Fair will be held on
March 6, 2012
We need judges for the Science Fair. Please sign
up if you are interested in helping out!
Students participated in a Science Fair Kick-Off
January 6, with Ms. Zizzle.
Resources and Support Available
• Parent Experiment
Night
• Student Journals/
School Web Site
• Teacher/Student
Conferences
• Make and Take
Night
– February 7
• Media Center resource
books
• Public Library
Student Journal
• Each student receives a science fair project journal
that takes the student step-by-step through the
process.
• It is the place to keep track of the project steps
throughout the process.
• Gives examples and explanations of each step.
• Gives a place for teacher/parent communication.
• Gives a place for teacher/student communication.
Display of the STEM Fair Project
Procedures
Title
Question
Hypothesis
Written
Explanation*
Variables
Conclusion
Materials
Data Table*
* All parts of the Results.
Graph*
GES website
• http://www1.pgcps.org • STEM fair 2012 tab
/greenbeltes/
• Includes all important
dates
• Includes backboard
format to type or print
and hand write… the
same as what is in the
envelopes for tonight
Experiment Time
• Tonight we will conduct a simple
experiment and continue through the
process of a successful project!
Find the Grey Envelopes
• In each envelope are some supplies.
• On the table in the front of the room are
supplies you can use also.
• Talk in your group and discuss an idea you
can test.
• We are going to try a new strategy the Four
Question Strategy for the Scientific Method
The hardest part is getting started
• We are going to use a Four Question
Strategy
• Step One- What materials are available for
conducting experiments on the topic
Magnetism?
• Look in the grey envelope
• Write a list of materials you see and others
in the environment (you cannot see)
Step Two
• How does topic magnetism act?
For example: How do batteries act?- give
energy to make things work
Example: How does soil act?- helps roots
grow, feeds earthworms
Step Three
• How can I measure or describe the response
or action of the topic magnetism to change?
• This is the data collection phase
• Think…What can I measure?
(time, length, height, etc.)
Step Four
• Look back at Step One
• How can I change the set of materials to
affect the action or behavior?
• create a list of possibilities with each
material
• (this is the possible variables)
• You can only pick ONE difference
• EVERYTHING Else is the SAME
Now… Pick ONE idea to test
Creating the Question
– Use the material (variable in Step Four) and
how the change will be measured (Step Three).
• Question format: Does the (material) affect
(magnetism ) (behavior)?
• Write the Question on the question page
Hypothesis/ Prediction
• Answers the Question
• It is what you think is going to happen
• To write the hypothesis• (material or independent variable)
does/does not affect the (what is measureddependent variable) of topic (magnetism)
Materials
• List materials needed for YOUR experiment
• Use amounts and units
• Use metric measurements if possible
Variables
• Identify manipulated (independent)- what
you change on purpose
• Identify responding (dependent)- what you
think will change
• Identify control (the same)- what you want
to keep the same
Procedures
• Write step-by-step directions anyone can
follow
• Start with a VERB, a direct action
• Include repeating trials
• Follow your steps and conduct the
experiment
Experiment time!
• Conduct your experiment
• Follow the directions you wrote
• Don’t forget to record your results in the
data table
Step #6
Results
• Collect measurable data -usually in numbers
(length, height, time, etc…)
• Keep a written log of observations
• Take pictures
• Draw charts, data tables, graphs
Step #7
Conclusion
• Before you write look back at your data and ask
questions
• Was the hypothesis correct or incorrect?
• What is the answer to my question?
• Were there any problems? What would I like to
investigate next?
• How does it apply to the real world?
Answer these questions into several paragraphs.
Step #8
Research
• Use a variety of resources (at least 3)
• Books, magazines, videos, Internet
• Find information related to your topic and
discover how your topic relates to the real world
• Write in your own words about the information
you found (include your sources)
Congratulations! You finished!
The day of the fair: March 6, 2012
• Projects will be due into
the school on February
27 so that there is time
for oral reports and to
get the fair set up
• Volunteers come judge the
projects by interviewing
the students
• That evening the fair will
be open for families to
view the projects
Thank you for all of your
support!
Thank you for coming this
evening.
• Please put your supplies back
• Backboards are available for students and
parents that participated in this evenings
activities and received a ticket for being on
time!!
• If you would like to purchase a backboard,
the cost is $5.00.