Agenda: Introductions Important Dates Science Fair Overview Project Guidelines Science Fair Project Example Helpful Websites to get you started.

Agenda: ◦ Introductions◦ Important Dates◦ Science Fair Overview◦ Project Guidelines◦ Science Fair Project Example◦ Helpful Websites to get you started

Ms. Simone, Science Fair Coordinator, simonec@citrus.k12.fl.us or by phone, 795-2211

Mrs. Bond, Mrs. Glenn, Mrs. Luce, Mr. Mitchell, and Mrs. Spikes

Mrs. Bockiaro, Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Dixon, and Mrs. Lewis

Mrs. Hackey

Project Proposal to Teacher due by October 3, 2012 (the sooner you get it in to be approved, the sooner you can start)

Science Fair Projects Due to School: November 26, 2012

School Science Fair Date: November 29, 2012

Regional Science and Engineering Fair Date: January 30, 2013 at Citrus County Auditorium

RSEF Awards Ceremony Date: February 1, 2013 at Curtis Peterson Auditorium

The Steps for a Successful Science Fair Project

A successful scientist uses the scientific process in order to conduct investigations.

Pieces of the scientific process include forming a question to investigate and then a hypothesis, designing and implementing a procedure, collecting data, and forming a conclusion based on your data.

Selected Topic

A. Student

What is my interest?

B. Parent

Will I be able to help?

C. Teacher

Is the project on level?

What are my interests? What would I like to learn about? Do I have a question about something?

Where to look for topics? Science Fair books

InternetTeacher

Does my project meet the rule requirements?

Should I help with the selected topic? Does the selected project meet the rule

requirements? Do we have the needed materials for the project

or know where to purchase or borrow? Do we have a timeline for the experiment to be

done on time? Is my child meeting the deadlines of the teacher? How should I help to put the research paper and

display board together?

Your child’s teacher will review the project proposal and make sure that it meets the requirements.

Your child’s teacher will also ask: Is the project at the student’s ability level? Is there parent approval?

Your child’s teacher will provide you with a timeline of due dates for particular pieces of the science fair project.

The log starts on the date you start your investigation

Each new entry must be dated This log is HANDWRITTEN – not typed- in a

notebook ALL observations and measurements are to

be recorded Remember all measurements are metric

This is a sentence or question about the problem.

Example: What type of container will keep my soda cooler longer?

Or I would like to compare the temperature of a glass bottle of soda to a can of soda.

RESEARCH about Project Media Center

Minimum of 5 references

BOOKS: Encyclopedias

Topic Books Magazines/Newspapers

INTERNET: Websites Search by Topic

CD ROM: Grolier

Compton

Must be written in your own words. Do not just print the pages from the computer.

◦ Research your topic in books and online◦ Make notes as you do the research◦ Paraphrase what you read in your OWN words◦ Research may be typed or handwritten ◦ You are to have a minimum of five sources◦ Must list your sources in the bibliography in the

correct format (on the materials list)

A hypothesis is a statement of what you believe will happen in the experiment. This statement is based on the research you have done.

Do not start with “I think.”

Examples: “The can will keep the soda cooler longer than the plastic or glass bottle.” OR

“If soda is placed in can, then the soda will stay cooler longer than in plastic or glass.”

Materials List: All materials

needed to conduct the experiment:

Paper PencilRulerMeasuring cupEtc.

Procedure: The procedure is

a step by step set of directions on how to do the experiment. Remember to use are metrics.

Step 1 – gather all materials

Step 2 – explain how to set up experiment

Etc.

During the

Experiment

Observe: Watch

Look

Record: Notes

Journal/Log Results

Analyze Data: What have I

learned from the results?

The experiment is to be repeated at least 3 times. This is part of the rubric.

This is done in order to prove the results as true.

This is a sentence or sentences that state what did happen during the experiment. What did you learn from the experiment?

You can also use the conclusion to compare and contrast your results with your hypothesis, and compare and contrast your different trials.

What could the results be used for? How could I use the knowledge I have

gained from the experiment? How will I use what I have learned? How could others use the information

I have gained from the experiment? Use your research in this step!!!

The Display Board

Title/Question

Graphs

Charts

Pictures

Hypothesis

Procedure

*Abstract

Optional

Data/

Results

Conclusion

Application

Notebook Log Required

1)      Science Fair Center - www.sciencefaircenter.com/science_fair_planning.tpl?cart=11249928173913392#12)      Science Fair Center for nonscientist parents – www.sciencefaircenter.com/science_fair_basics.tpl?cart=112499281739133923)      What Makes a Good Science Fair Project? www.usc.edu/CSSF/Resources/Good_Project.html 4)      Discovery School .com – http://.school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/5)      Elementary Projects (Grades 4 - 6) - http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/elem.html6)      Science Projects 13.01 - http://members.ozemail.com.au/%7Emacinnis/scifun/projects.htm#N427)      IPL – Science Fair Resource Guide - www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide/8)      Successful Science Fair Projects - http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/fair.html9)  Science Fair Prep - www.cyberbee.com/science/prep.html10)  Steps To Prepare A Science Fair Project(Cyber Fair) - www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/steps.html11)  Science Fair Ideas – USGS – www.earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids/sciencefair.html12)  Yahoo – Ask Earl - http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/content/ask_earl/20020123.html13)  Agricultural Ideas for Science Fair Projects - http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/fair/ideasframe.htm14)  Lycos Search - http://search.lycos.com/?src=sf&loc=sem&query=science+fair+project+ideas&nlubid=115)  Science Fair Resource Center - http://www.hallbar.com/sciencecenter.html16)  Science Fair Links - http://www.rcs.k12.va.us/csjh/sciencefair.htm 

You are able to be successful!