Prettyboy Elementary STEM Fair Tips and Tools for helping your child complete a STEM Fair Project.

Prettyboy Prettyboy Elementary Elementary STEM FairSTEM Fair

Tips and Tools for helping Tips and Tools for helping your child complete a STEM your child complete a STEM

Fair ProjectFair Project

What is the STEM What is the STEM Fair? Fair?

Watch a news segment about Watch a news segment about Prettyboy Elementary’s STEM Fair. Prettyboy Elementary’s STEM Fair.

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The Scientific ProcessThe Scientific Process

Purpose/Question Purpose/Question Research NotesResearch Notes VariablesVariables Claim/HypothesisClaim/Hypothesis MaterialsMaterials ProcedureProcedure Evidence/ResultsEvidence/Results Reasoning/ConclusionReasoning/Conclusion

Purpose/QuestionPurpose/Question

The question should be one that The question should be one that can lead to an experiment or can lead to an experiment or observations, which will yield observations, which will yield data.data.

How does _____ affect _____How does _____ affect _____??

type of liquidtype of liquid affect affect plant growthplant growth?? independent variableindependent variable dependent variable dependent variable

width of a rubber bandwidth of a rubber band affect affect how far it can stretchhow far it can stretch?? independent variableindependent variable dependent variable dependent variable

the color of a roofthe color of a roof affect affect the temperature of the the temperature of the buildingbuilding??

independent variable dependent variableindependent variable dependent variable

containercontainer affect affect the temperature of the hot chocolatethe temperature of the hot chocolate??

independent variableindependent variable dependent variable dependent variable

Research NotesResearch Notes

After choosing a topic, students After choosing a topic, students should be guided to read at least should be guided to read at least three articles/ books about the topic. three articles/ books about the topic. The information will then be used to The information will then be used to make an informed hypothesis.make an informed hypothesis.

BibliographyBibliography Note Cards Note Cards OrganizerOrganizer

Claim/HypothesisClaim/Hypothesis

The hypothesis attempts to predict The hypothesis attempts to predict the outcome of the experiment and the outcome of the experiment and uses research to suggest a possible uses research to suggest a possible reason(s) for this outcome. reason(s) for this outcome.

A hypothesis is neither right nor A hypothesis is neither right nor wrong, but provides guidance to the wrong, but provides guidance to the development of the investigation.development of the investigation.

VariablesVariables

Variable – any factor in an experiment Variable – any factor in an experiment that can affect what happens in the that can affect what happens in the experiment. experiment.

VariablesVariables Independent VariableIndependent Variable (manipulated (manipulated

variable) – the factor that will be variable) – the factor that will be intentionally changed during the intentionally changed during the experiment. experiment.

Dependent VariableDependent Variable (responding (responding variable)- the factor that is observed and variable)- the factor that is observed and measured to see if it is affected by the measured to see if it is affected by the change in the independent variable.change in the independent variable.

Controlled Variables-Controlled Variables- the factors in the the factors in the experiment that must be kept exactly the experiment that must be kept exactly the same.same.

MaterialsMaterials

Materials used in the experiment need Materials used in the experiment need to be listed in specific amounts and to be listed in specific amounts and sizes. Metric measurements are sizes. Metric measurements are recommended.recommended.

ProceduresProcedures

The procedure used in an experiment The procedure used in an experiment must be written in a clear, sequential must be written in a clear, sequential manner in order to allow someone else manner in order to allow someone else to follow the same steps to replicate the to follow the same steps to replicate the experiment. experiment.

NumberingNumbering the steps is also required. the steps is also required. The procedures need to be The procedures need to be repeatedrepeated in in

order to complete at least order to complete at least fivefive trials. trials.

Evidence/ResultsEvidence/Results

The results of the experiment include The results of the experiment include the measurements taken and the measurements taken and observations made as well as a observations made as well as a written explanation of the outcome.written explanation of the outcome.

Reasoning/Conclusion- 4 Reasoning/Conclusion- 4 PartsParts

Reflect back on the claim/hypothesis and Reflect back on the claim/hypothesis and state whether it was right or wrong.state whether it was right or wrong.

Answer the original purpose/question and Answer the original purpose/question and include results used as the basis for the include results used as the basis for the conclusion.conclusion.

Include inferences that can be made from Include inferences that can be made from the results of the experiment.the results of the experiment.

Include any additional questions that Include any additional questions that could be investigated. In addition, any could be investigated. In addition, any problems that were experienced can be problems that were experienced can be discussed.discussed.

STEM Log BookSTEM Log Book

The logbook will include all the work The logbook will include all the work for the fair including charts with for the fair including charts with result measurements and drafts with result measurements and drafts with editing marks.  It shows the judges editing marks.  It shows the judges that students actually did the work that students actually did the work themselves.  Any type of booklet or themselves.  Any type of booklet or folder can be used (we have pre-folder can be used (we have pre-made books for students). made books for students).

STEM Fair Project STEM Fair Project TimelineTimeline

The timeline will help you and your child stay on target for this long term project. The timeline will help you and your child stay on target for this long term project.

Project Proposal Form-February 10Project Proposal Form-February 10thth

Purpose/QuestionPurpose/Question VariablesVariables Research Notes-February 19Research Notes-February 19thth Claim/Hypothesis – February 24Claim/Hypothesis – February 24thth Materials and Procedures– February 25thMaterials and Procedures– February 25th Conduct experiment by March 4Conduct experiment by March 4thth Evidence/Results – March 6Evidence/Results – March 6thth Reasoning/Conclusion – March 10Reasoning/Conclusion – March 10thth Backboard – March 17Backboard – March 17thth (completed projects (completed projects

turned in)turned in) Prettyboy STEM Fair- March 24Prettyboy STEM Fair- March 24thth judging of judging of

projects and viewing projects and viewing

Baltimore County Baltimore County GuidelinesGuidelines

UnacceptableUnacceptable examples of projects include: examples of projects include:

Reports based on a collection of facts not centered on a Reports based on a collection of facts not centered on a question.question.

Models, including, but not limited to volcanoes and the Models, including, but not limited to volcanoes and the solar system.solar system.

Cultures of microorganisms isolated from unwashed Cultures of microorganisms isolated from unwashed hands, sinks, cutting boards, sponges, fungi on food, etc hands, sinks, cutting boards, sponges, fungi on food, etc or obtained from any commercial, research, or medical or obtained from any commercial, research, or medical source. source.

Those that involve the use of controlled substances such Those that involve the use of controlled substances such as drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes.as drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes.

Those that involve the use of dangerous chemicals or Those that involve the use of dangerous chemicals or combustibles.combustibles.

Any project that uses vertebrate animals (including Any project that uses vertebrate animals (including humans) as test subjects.humans) as test subjects.

Any project that uses weapons. Any project that uses weapons.

Judging and GradingJudging and Grading

Projects will be graded by the Science Projects will be graded by the Science teachers, and this grade will be used teachers, and this grade will be used as a homework grade in Science.as a homework grade in Science.

Projects will be judged at the STEM Projects will be judged at the STEM Fair: 1Fair: 1stst, 2, 2ndnd, 3, 3rdrd place winner for each place winner for each grade.grade.

The first place winner from each The first place winner from each grade will represent our school at the grade will represent our school at the BCPS Fair on Saturday, May 9BCPS Fair on Saturday, May 9thth. .

We Need Judges!We Need Judges!

Do you know someone who Do you know someone who would be willing to volunteer would be willing to volunteer

the morning of the STEM the morning of the STEM Fair?Fair?

Working Together With Working Together With Your Child Your Child

Use the Grade 4 or Grade 5 Science Booklet Use the Grade 4 or Grade 5 Science Booklet for guidance.for guidance.

Help your child choose a question that he/she Help your child choose a question that he/she is interested in.is interested in.

Help your child by supporting them as Help your child by supporting them as needed, providing necessary supplies, and needed, providing necessary supplies, and encouraging them to continue to work on this encouraging them to continue to work on this long term project.long term project.

You may give suggestions, type, help with the You may give suggestions, type, help with the display, proofread, supervise for safety, etc.display, proofread, supervise for safety, etc.

Let your child do the majority of the work.Let your child do the majority of the work.

Need Help Need Help Deciding on a Deciding on a Project IdeaProject Ideawww.sciencebuddies.org

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