Transcript Science Fair Parent Night - Richland School District 400

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Agenda:
Overview of Science Projects
CMS Showcase
Mid Columbia Science Fair
Registration for MCSF
Forms, and Special Approval Projects
Deadlines
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Students are expected to: Generate a
question that can be answered through
scientific investigation. This may involve
refining or refocusing a broad and ill-defined
question.
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Students are expected to: Plan and conduct a
scientific investigation (e.g., field study,
systematic observation, controlled
experiment, model, or simulation) that is
appropriate for the question being asked.
Propose a hypothesis, give a reason for the
hypothesis, and explain how the planned
investigation will test the hypothesis. Work
collaboratively with other students to carry
out the investigations.
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Students are expected to: Communicate
results using pictures, tables, charts,
diagrams, graphic displays, and text that are
clear, accurate, and informative.*a Recognize
and interpret patterns — as well as variations
from previously learned or observed patterns
— in data, diagrams, symbols, and words.*a
Use statistical procedures (e.g., median,
mean, or mode) to analyze data and make
inferences about relationships.*b
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Students are expected to: Plan and conduct a
controlled experiment to test a hypothesis
about a relationship between two variables.
*c Determine which variables should be kept
the same (controlled), which (independent)
variable should be systematically
manipulated, and which responding
(dependent) variable is to be measured and
recorded. Report any variables not controlled
and explain how they might affect results.
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Students are expected to: Prepare a written
report of an investigation by clearly
describing the question being investigated,
what was done, and an objective summary of
results. The report should provide evidence
to accept or reject the hypothesis, explain the
relationship between two or more variables,
and identify limitations of the investigation.*c
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Students are expected to: Generate a
scientific conclusion from an investigation
using inferential logic, and clearly distinguish
between results (e.g., evidence) and
conclusions (e.g., explanation).
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The CMS Science
Showcase is a chance
for students to
conduct an
investigation and
celebrate science!
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A science fair project is when students
research a topic they find interesting,
design and conduct an investigation,
then communicate their investigation
by creating a display board.
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Pick a topic
Create a hypothesis
Design an experiment
Perform the experiments
Collect data
Write down observations
Draw conclusions from the results
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This is the hardest part!
It is best to choose a topic in an area that
your child is interested in. (Fishing)
Think of something that you can test. (Do
lures really biodegrade?)
Once you have chosen an area your are
interested in, narrow down your topic.
Always do a test run of the experiment.
Choose a topic that is testable and
produces numbers!!!
Area of interest: Plants
◦ Topic: What fertilizer causes
plants to grow the fastest?
Area of interest: Soccer
- Topic: How does the
amount of air in a soccer ball
alter the distance it travels?
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I think this is the easy part because all
you have to do is guess 
Write your hypothesis in an if…then
statement.
Example:
◦ If I test the growth of plants using nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers, then
the plant with potassium fertilizer will grow
the fastest because plants require minerals.
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Since you know what you want to
test, try to come up with an
experiment that will give you an
answer to your question.
Example:
-Summary of experiment:
I am going to grow four lima bean plants
and measure how tall it is every day (for
20 days). Every day I will also add 1/8
cup of fertilizer.
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Make a chart and write down your results.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Plant 1
2 cm
3 cm
2 cm
5 cm
Plant 2
2 cm
1 cm
1 cm
3 cm
Plant 3
5 cm
4 cm
5 cm
6 cm
Plant 4 1 cm
(Control)
0 cm
2 cm
1 cm
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Make sure you write down all you see.
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Color
Texture
Smell
Any problems you notice
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Answer the following questions when writing
your conclusion:
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What was the goal or purpose of this project?
Answer what happened.
Cite your High Average and Low Average data
Explain the difference in the data.
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Register online (www.mcsf.net)
Prior Approval Required for
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Animals (Vertebrates)
Human subjects (including surveys)
Human/animal tissue
Hazardous chemicals, bacteria
Parents need to fax paperwork to Mid Columbia SRC
prior to experimentation
If you have a question whether it should be
prior approved…DO IT!
Thank you for
coming tonight!!!