Transcript Slide 1
Welcome!
Thank you for
visiting tonight
and for your willingness to
support your child in
science.
Please turn off
all cell phones.
How will I know what is
happening?
What resources are available?
What role should I play in my
child’s science fair project?
Tonight’s News…
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Project Timeline
Parts of a STEM Fair Project
Science Fair Sites
STEM Fair Project Display Model
Project Timeline and Due Dates
Step 1- Due December 18, 2013
Choose a topic or problem to investigate.
Complete the summary and Approval Form and return to your teacher by the due date he or she
has given you.
Begin research to develop your understanding of your topic.
Step 2- Due January 3, 2014
Do a research report on the subject you have chosen. This should be written neatly or typed
and placed in a folder. It should include a list of books and authors you have read to find the
information. The research report must be done before you do your experiment. This will help
you form your hypothesis.
Steps 3-7 Due January 10, 2014
These should be included in a logbook!
Step 3- PURPOSE: What do you want to find out? This should be in the form of a question.
The answer to the question will be found by doing the experiment.
Step 4- HYPOTHESIS: What do you think will happen in your experiment? This is a
prediction of the outcome based on what you learned in the research report.
Step 5- MATERIALS: What do you need to complete the experiment? This should be in the
form of a list.
Step 6- PROCEDURE: What will you do, step-by-step, to complete the experiment? As you
develop your list of steps to take, write them down first on a separate piece of paper. Number
them in the order you will complete them. Then, write or type then in final form.
Step 7: If you are doing an experimental project, you will need to identify the independent
variables in your experiment. (These are the things that you can change that will affect the
results of your experiment.) You may choose only one independent variable. Identify the
dependent variable in your experiment. (This is the thing that changes because of the
independent variable you changed.) Identify the variables that need to stay the same
throughout all of your trials. These are the controlled variables.
Child’s
initials
Adult’s
initials
Project Timeline and Due Dates
Step 8– January 24, 2014
Conduct the experiment. Remember to do three or more trials. Record your results
in the form of a chart. Keep good records. It is a good idea to record your progress
using photographs.
Step 9- Due January 24, 2014
RESULTS: What happened? Display your data in the form of a chart or graph.
Write an explanation of your chart or graph using the data.
Step 10- Due January 24, 2014
CONCLUSION: What did you learn? The conclusion should be a paragraph that
explains the results. The paragraph should begin by stating whether or not your
hypothesis was correct or incorrect. The conclusion must be supported by details
and/or data from the investigation. The conclusion paragraph should conclude with
an idea for further investigation (i.e. If you could do another experiment to learn
more about this subject, what would you like to do?)
Step 11- Due January 27, 2014
Construct your backboard. Everything you have done in steps 2-10 will appear on the
backboard. The backboard should be neat and colorful, with a catchy title.
Remember, you may not bring anything to the STEM Fair except the backboard, your
logbook, and your report.
Complete Project is due to school on Monday, February 3, 2014
Be sure your name is clearly marked on the back of the backboard, and
the front of your logbook and report.
Adult’s
initials
Teacher’
initials
A good question:
• leads to an investigation not a report, a
demonstration or model.
• should be one from which you can
collect data (#s) rather than opinions.
• is one which the materials needed to
experiment with are easy to find.
How are craters
formed?
X – this is a research
question only, there is
no manipulation of
variables
How do plants drink
water?
X – this is a research
question only, there is
no manipulation of
variables
How can I make a cut
flower live longer?
X – this is better, but
there is still no clear
manipulation of
variables
How will adding sugar to
the water of a cut
flower affect how long
the flower will live?
√ – This is it!
The variable is the
sugar. A control can be created
with water that has no sugar
added.
Where to Go to Find
Information
• Riderwood web site – student activities
• Recommended sites
• BCPS Databases - www.bcps.org
Do NOT simply
search the Internet with
a question!
Bill Nye, the Science Guy http://www.billnye.com/
This site includes many investigations and
background information. Most of the
investigations can be completed with
everyday kitchen materials. One of the
investigations may lead you to a related
question that you can test in your
science fair project.
Edible/Inedible Experiments Archive http://www.madsci.org/experiments/
These fun investigations may spark an idea for your
own science fair project. If you find one that
interests you, think about what variable you could
change to impact the outcome. Some of these
investigations may be eaten before, during or after
the experiment, and some should not be eaten at
all. Each file lists an expected age-level to carry
out the experiment, as well as all safety measures
that should be undertaken. Many of the
experiments will require nothing more than a quick
rummaging through the kitchen cabinets. Have fun,
and remember, safety first.
How Stuff Works http://science.howstuffworks.com/
A great site for finding a topic that
interest you and beginning your
research.
Kidspace @ the Public Internet Library
http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/brows
e/mas3100/
This site includes LOTS of links to
other sites that answer science
questions and give ideas for projects.
Go to the Science Fair link Choosing
a Topic Science Buddies Topic
Selection Wizard
HOME ACCESS Go to www.bcps.org/offices/lis and use login protocols below:
America the Beautiful
User Name: bcps
Password: bcps
BrainPop
User Name: bcps
Password: brainpop
Brainpop Jr
NetTrekker
User Name:
bcpsjr
Password: brainpop
Gale Virtual Reference Library 82 e-Books Science, Math, and Professional
ID Code: bcps
Password:
gale
Literature Resource Center | Opposing Viewpoints | Opposing Viewpoints Critical |
User Name: bcps
thinking | Student Resource Center Gold | Science Resource Center
Password: gale
Professional Education Journals
User Name: bcps
Password:
bigchalk
SIRS Citizenship | SIRS Decades | SIRS Discoverer | SIRS Discoverer WebFind |
User Name: bcps
Research:
• uses at least 3 sources.
• includes appropriate citations.
• will result in written research
report.
• leads to an informed hypothesis.
Hypothesis:
• based upon research
• If I change __________________,
then the __________ will _______
because ____________ .
• Key words – increase, decrease, remain
constant, greatest, least, etc.
Materials:
• easy to locate, inexpensive, kidfriendly
• metric measuring tools
• specific, controlled
Procedure:
• design data collection first
• be specific and clear
• able to be completed in a 2
week span
Procedure:
– Manipulating Variable (independent
variable) – what I change
– Responding Variable (dependent
variable) – the data, what will be
measured
– Constant Variable (controlled
variables) – all other factors that are
kept the same
Results:
• include separate data table and
bar graph
• report mean
• simple
Conclusion
• Refers back to the hypothesis
• Refers to specific data
• Includes questions that could
extend investigation
Thank You for Coming Out Tonight!
Your support is very much appreciated!
Should you have any further questions,
please feel free to email either one of us
at:
5th grade [email protected]
Or
4th grade [email protected]