DD ii ss cc oo vv ee rr yy - Shelby County · PDF fileIndependent Schools Contact: Thomasena Stuckett

Science Fair Guide

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Table of Contents

1. Schedule of Events 1

2. Introduction 2

3. What is a Science Fair Project? 3

4. How­To’s for the Successful Science Fair 6

5. Helping Students Select a Topic 8

6. Presentation Modes 9

7. Key to a Successful Project 12

8. Tips and Options for Science Fair Coordinators 14

9. Criteria for science fair judging 18

10. Online Science Fair Resources 19

11. Guidelines/awards 21

12. Sample School Registration Form 22

13. School Registration Form 23

29 th Annual Memphis/Shelby County Elementary

Science Fair

Grades K­6

February 26, 2007­ March 2, 2007

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Monday February 26, 2007 Project Set­Up* 12 p.m. (noon) – 7 p.m.

Tuesday February 27, 2007 Judging (Closed to the public) 8 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday February 28, 2007 Open House 9: 00 a.m. –12:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Thursday March 1, 2007 Project Pick­Up 7: 00 a.m.­ 12:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.­ 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday March 6, 2007 Awards Ceremony**

*Exhibits will be set up in the Charles Brakefield Building at the Mid­South Fairgrounds. **Awards Ceremony will be held at Christian Brothers University Theater

Deadline for school registration list is February 7, 2007

Memphis City Schools & Shelby County Schools Independent Schools Contact: Thomasena Stuckett Contact : Margaret Smith Phone: 321­2571 Phone : 416­7986 FAX 321­2500 FAX 416­3470 [email protected] [email protected]

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Introduction

Science Fairs can be exciting and magnificent affairs. They provide wonderful opportunities for children to examine and explore a host of scientific questions and a wealth of science topics.

Most students are enthusiastic and excited about pursuing a science fair project: yet, it is not unusual for that exhilaration to wane as the actual science fair approaches. In the end, parents are frequently “recruited” to complete the designated project. Insufficient planning by the students in concert with inadequate attention to details often results in projects quickly assembled on or two nights before the fair and hastily packed off to school. A proliferation of baking soda and vinegar volcanoes and Solar System models constructed with Styrofoam balls attests to the lack of creativity or forethought in many science fair projects.

The following pages are designed to provide ideas, strategies and techniques, which will make a planned science fair a pleasant and enjoyable part of the class and school program. The following suggestions, however, are not required. You are encouraged to modify and alter these ideas in conjunction with the resources and time available. Above all, the success of your science fair will be largely dependent upon partnerships you establish with your students.

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Tips and Options for Science Fair Coordinators • Post theme and schedule for Memphis/Shelby County Fair for teachers.

• Set for school level fair. Set date so school registration list can be submitted by February 7, 2007.

• Set guidelines for school fair.

• Distribute guidelines to students, parents and school staff.

• Decide if and what school level recognition will be given.

• Solicit judges from area high schools, the community and local organizations. Have a number of judges. Having too few judges is hard on the judges and not fair to the students. If your number of judges is limited, consider asking teachers to screen projects and select projects for further judging.

• Organize a judge’s packet • Criteria for judging projects • Explanation of criteria • Pencil • Clipboard

• Select projects for entry into the Memphis/Shelby County Fair to represent your school. THERE IS A MAXIMUM OF 15 PROJECTS PER SCHOOL.

• Group projects are limited to 3 students per project.

Note: every project should be displayed at the school fair, not just the good ones. Remember that this is a learning experience for all students.

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A Successful Science Project …

1. Represents your work­ not that of an expert or your parents.

2. Indicates an understanding of the science area chosen.

3. Shows careful planning that would eliminate a “rush” project.

4. Has a notebook showing a complete record of all your work.

5. Has a simple, well­stated title and neat lettering. Pencil

is not used for lettering.

6. Includes photographs, charts, pictures, graphs,etc. that

might be necessary to explain the work.

7. Have accurate, valid, and correct observations.

8. Tells a complete story­from problem to solution.

9. Is original in approach and presentation.

10. Is self­explanatory.

11. Is attractive and organized.

12. Does not have to cost much money.

13. Should be an experiment.

14. Is one that gives credit to those who gave help.

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A Science Fair Project is NOT:

1. Only a report.

2. Necessarily a new discovery or an original piece of research.

3. Constructing a plastic model from a kit.

4. An enlarged model or drawing

5. A week­end chore

6. One, two or even three posters.

7. Something done by your parents.

8. A volcano or model of the solar system.

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PROJECT # __________

TOTAL POINTS__________

Memphis/Shelby County Elementary Science Fair Judging Criteria CREATIVE THOUGHT § Original idea, question, thought § Unique approach § Ingenious use of materials, equipment § Overall, highly creative

Excellent Good Fair 30………….….…..…..25…….…………..….20…………..………..15…………….……..10

SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT § Question clearly stated and defined § Hypothesis clearly stated § Comprehensive background on topic clearly presented § Procedures for experiment clearly and comprehensively discussed,

including all variables § Analysis of results with sound conclusion presented § Practical implications of results discussed § Recommendations (new questions) for future research included

Excellent Good Fair 30………….….…..…..25…….…………..….20…………..………..15…………………...10

THOROUGHNESS AND ACCURACY § Repeated trials conducted to ensure results are not due to chance § Observational, math and/or design skills are accurate and detailed § Meticulous records kept § Overall, all aspects of study are exceptionally thorough

Excellent Good Fair 30………….….…..…..25…….…………..….20…………..………..15…………….……..10

DISPLAY § Project title and sub­titles clear and descriptive § Well­organized; logical flow of presentation § Charts and graphs correctly and clearly labeled § Correct spelling § Overall, visually attractive; exceptional clarity and neatness

Excellent Good Fair 30………….….…..…..25…….…………..….20…………..………..15…………………...10

TOTAL POINTS_________________

On­Line Science Fair Resources

Cyber Fair: Steps to Prepare a Science Fair Project

http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/steps.html

This site has one­sentence explanations for each part of the science fair project. One of the steps described is presenting to a judge. This may or may not be a part of your science fair. The site also has an explanation of what makes a good project and an explanation of how to come up with your science fair project.

Discovery Channel School: Science Fair Central

http://school.discovry .com/sciencefaircentral/

“Creative investigations into the real world”. This site provides a complete guide to science fair projects. Check out the ‘Handbook’ which features information from Janice VanCleave, a popular author who provides everything you need to know for success

Experimental Science Projects: An Introductory Level Guide.

http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/SciProjIntro.html

An excellent site for students doing and experiment­based science project.

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The Kids Guide to Science Projects

http://setmms.tusd.k12.az.us/~jtindell/

“So you’ve been assigned by your teacher to do a science project and you don’t know where to begin. Well, a science experiment is nothing more than a way to solve a problem. These pages have been created to give you some ideas and resources, show you how to start, and take you step by step through the scientific process.”

Science Fair Guidelines

http://atlas.ksc.nasa.gov/education/general/scifair.html

The scientists at the Kennedy Space Center have participated in judging local school science fairs for many years and have some great suggestions for student research.

Successful Science Fair Projects

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/fair/html

“Advice for a great science fair project.”

The Ultimate Science Fair Resource

http://www.scifair.org/

A variety of resources and advice.

Internet resources for the classroom

http://www.internet4classrooms.com

Numerous resources for the teacher and the student.

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Judging

• Judging is closed to the public. • Items of value that are part of projects should be removed at the conclusion of the judging (see Schedule of

Events). Fair officials are not responsible for loss or damage. • Judges’ decisions are final. • See rubric for judging criteria.

Registration Schools

• Upon registration, assigned numbers will be given to identify projects and they will be mailed to the school. • Multi­grade projects must enter in the category of the highest grade. • NOTE CHANGE; Group projects are limited to 3 students per project. Rule change as of September

2006.

Science Fair Site The following guidelines will expedite the process: • There will be no on­site registration. • Project reports must have assigned project numbers in a visible spot. • Displays and reports are to be free of names and identifiable pictures. • Project Identification Forms must be placed in a plain envelope and attached to the back of all project

boards with the following required information: student name(s), assigned project number, contact person, telephone and fax numbers.

Award Categories Grand Prize

Primary Division­ Grades K­3 $100.00, certificate, trophy, school trophy

Intermediate Division­ Grades 4­6 $100.00, certificate, trophy, school trophy

The following awards will be given to each grade level within each division:

First Place $50.00, trophy, certificate Second Place $40.00, trophy, certificate Third Place $30.00, trophy, certificate Fourth Place $20.00, trophy, certificate

*The Primary Division­ Grades K­3­ will receive a classroom set of ribbons in addition to the awards.

Special Awards The following organizations and corporate sponsors select projects for special recognition based on the project’s

focus:

American Heart Association Memphis Light Gas and Water American Institute of Architects Memphis Organization of Science Teachers

Buckeye Technologies Shelby County Environmental Commission Recycling Award

Delta Beverage The University of Memphis (C & I)

Hershey Environmental Award UT Certificate of Achievement Award

Memphis Archaeological and Geological Society Award

LifeBlood

Ellendale Electric

And others who chose to recognize quality work by students

River’s Edge Elementary Mrs. Kim 777­9311 777­9312 School Registration Form

School Science Fair Coordinator Phone# Fax#

E­mail_________________________

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PROJECTS PER SCHOOL IS 15(FIFTEEN) Grades K­3 – Class Projects ♦ Grades 4­6 – Group or Individual Projects

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

TITLE OF PROJECT STUDENTNAME(S) FOR GRADES 4­6 ONLY For group projects list no more than 3 names

TEACHER(S) GRADE LEVEL

CATEGORY Class(K­3), Group, or Individual

1. How Does Your Garden Grow?

Ms. Brown K C

2. Making Music Mr. Smith 3 C

Misty Mourning William Black

3. How Dirt Can Clean

Homer Pyle

Mrs. Johnson 4 G

Mary Person Jane Doe Mike Mann April Showers Ann Abel

4. Investigating Foods Ms. White 5 G

Principal’s Signature Date

Deadline for School Registration Form(s) is February 7, 2007

Please Return MCS and Independent forms to : Please return Shelby County forms to : Margaret Smith LOC. 805 Thomasena Stuckett Bond Building 160 S. Hollywood 2930 Airways Blvd FAX 416­3740 Memphis, TN 38112 Memphis, TN 38116 FAX 321­2500

RETURN REGISTRATION FORM MCS AND INDEPENDENT TO: RETURN SHELBY COUNTY TO:

Memphis/Shelby County Elementary Science Fair 2007 SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM

School Science Fair Coordinator Phone# Fax# E­MAIL______________________________

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PROJECTS PER SCHOOL IS 15(FIFTEEN) Grades K­3 – Class Projects ♦ Grades 4­6 – Group or Individual Projects

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

TITLE OF PROJECT STUDENTNAME(S) FOR GRADES 4­6 ONLY For group projects list no more than 3 names

TEACHER(S) GRADE LEVEL

CATEGORY Class(K­3), Group, or Individual

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Principal’s Signature Date

Deadline for School Registration Form(s) is February 7, 2007

Margaret Smith Bond Building Loc. 805 Thomasena Stuckett FAX 321­2500 2930 Airways Blvd. FAX 416­3470 160 S. Hollywood Memphis, TN 38116 Memphis, TN 38112