Introduction to the Morningside Elementary School Science Fair 2015 Mr. Lovett and Mme. James 5 th Grade Dual Immersion Classes Presented by Toni Mehraban
Dec 15, 2015
Introduction to the Morningside Elementary School
Science Fair 2015
Mr. Lovett and Mme. James5th Grade Dual Immersion Classes
Presented by Toni Mehraban
Science Fair 2015 Overview
• Goal is for students to have fun with science by asking questions and discovering answers!
• Important dates:– Backboard and Logbook (do not bring actual
experiment to school) – January 26– Science Fair – January 27
• Display boards are provided in the office• Twenty 5th and 6th grade students will move on
to compete in the Granite District Science Fair
Problem
Research
Question
HypothesisExperiment
Results
Conclusions
The scientific method is a way to
ask and answer scientific questions
by making observations and
doing experiments.
What is the Scientific Method?
1. Identify a problem– Make observations of the world around you– Chose a topic that interests you and your peers– 5th grade curriculum includes :• Volcanoes, earthquakes, and landforms• Erosion/weathering• Magnets• Electricity• Chemical and physical changes• Genetics
Problem
Research
Question
HypothesisExperiment
Results
Conclusions
What is the Scientific Method?
2. Research– Who, what, when, where, why, how?– Use the school library, neighborhood library,
internet, experts (biologists, ecologists, engineers)– Become the expert on your topic!– What are some real world
problems that need attentionor haven’t been answered?
Problem
Research
Question
HypothesisExperiment
Results
Conclusions
What is the Scientific Method?
3. Ask a question– Interesting, creative, relevant to the world today!– To be answered by collecting data– Testable– Change ONE (independent variable)
thing to see the effect onANOTHER (dependent variable)thing.
Problem
Research
Question
HypothesisExperiment
Results
Conclusions
What is the Scientific Method?
• Independent variable– The ONE thing that will be changed by the
scientist during the experiment• Dependent variable– The thing(s) being measured in the experiment– Response to the change you make by changing the
independent variable
Independent Variable
Dependant Variable
Q:What is the affect of
adding rip rap to a hillside onthe amount of soil erosion and water
retention?
Independent Variable
Dependant Variable
4. Develop a hypothesis– A statement of what the scientist expects to
happen in the experiment– NOT a guess; use your research!
If rip rap is added to a hillside,then the amount of soil and waterwashed downstream will be reducedbecause the rip rap will protectthe soil from water erosion.
What is the Scientific Method?
Problem
Research
Question
Hypo-thesis
Experiment
Results
Conclusions
What is the Scientific Method?
5. Conduct an experiment– List all materials required and their quantities• 3 cups water, 4 cups sand, 3 cups pea gravel, 4 cups
1inch gravel, 3 foot section of gutter, measuring cups, etc.
– List procedures• Needs to be clear and detailed
enough that someone else couldperform your exact experiment toreplicate your results!
• Step by step instructions
Problem
Research
Question
Hypo-thesis
Experi-ment
Results
Conclusions
What is the Scientific Method?
6. Collect data and observations– Use tables to record your measurements– Design a table that includes what you will change
(independent variable) and what you will measure (dependent variable)
– Record your observations too!• Pictures and descriptions
7. Graph results– Bar or line graph?
Problem
Research
Question
Hypo-thesis
Experi-ment
Results
Conclusions
Table 1. Toni’s Results
TrialVolume of Water
Collected Downstream (cups)
Comments
Control 1 (sand only) 2.75Lots of sand washed down into measuring cup forming channels in sand
Control 2 (sand only)
Control 3 (sand only)
Sand and pea gravel, Trial 1 2.25
Sand and pea gravel, Trial 2
Sand and pea gravel, Trail 3
Sand, pea gravel, and 1-inch gravel, Trail 1 2.0No movement downstream of sand, pea gravel, or 1-inch gravel
Sand, pea gravel, and 1-inch gravel, Trail 2
Sand, pea gravel, and 1-inch gravel, Trail 3
Figure 1. Volume of Water Collected Downstream
Control Sand and Pea Gravel Sand, Pea Gravel and 1-inch Gravel
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
Trial 1Trial 2Trial 3
Volu
me
Wat
er (C
ups)
What is the Scientific Method?
8. Develop a conclusion– Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect?– Include results and observations to support what
you learned– Explain why your experiment turned
out like it did– More research might be needed
Problem
Research
Question
Hypo-thesisExperi-ment
Results
Con-clusions
Logbook Requirements
• Overview and timeline
• Topic brainstorm• Question• Background research• Hypothesis• Materials and
Procedures
• Data tables• Observations• Graphs• Conclusion
Display Board Requirements
• Back text with colored paper
• Proof read for spelling and grammar
• Use graphs and pictures to help tell the story
• Use pencil and ruler to draft and mark then erase after using pen/marker.
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_display_board.shtmlhttp://www.biologyjunction.com/diplay_board.htm