Science Fair Overview

• 1. Introduction, Requirements,& Timeline Presentation Created By: Ms. Paula Trapani-Wiener, LRMS Librarian Science Fair

2. Who will participate?

• ALL 6 th , 7 th , and 8 thgrade students at LR

3. When will it be held?

• March , 24 2011

• • • Only a few short months away!

4. Sound scary?

• Try not to get overwhelmed.

• Follow the timelinedont fall behind!

• Use a variety of resources

• • • books, websites, teachers, librarians

5. Whats due? see your science fair packet for exact due dates

• Topic Approval

• Background/ Research

• Hypothesis

• Materials/ Procedure

• Data/ Observations

• Results

• Conclusion

• Abstract

• In-class presentation

6. How do I begin?

• Choose a topic that interests you

• Narrow it down/ make it specific

• Develop an idea for an actual project

7. A Few Off-Limit Topics

• No models!

• • Examples:

• • Model of a volcano

• • Model of the solar system

8. Sample Topics

• People

• Animals

• Plants

• Rocks

• Electricity

• Friction

9. Narrowed-down topics

• People:Success in school

• Animals:Pet training

• Plants:Rate of growth

• Rocks:Erosion

• Electricity:Conductors

• Friction:Speed

10. Sample project titles

• People:Does eating nutritious food make you more successful in school?

• Animals:Does the length of an animal training session make a difference?

• Plants:Will soil conditions affect the rate

• of growth of a bean plant?

• Rocks:Which factors change the rate of erosion of rocks?

• Electricity:Can vegetables conduct electricity?

• Friction:Does surface affect speed?

11. Where can I get some project ideas?

• Library Books

• Websites posted on Science Fair Project Page

• http://lrmslibrary.wikispaces.com/Science+Fair

12. BOOKS

• Both the LR Library and our public libraries have plenty of books describing various projects

13. Online Resource

• Go to the Science Fair Project Page for links to websites and online databases to help you choose a project and gather background info. on the topic.

• Click Library from our homepage, click Class Project Pages, click Science Fair, and scroll to the bottom for online resources.

14. 15. 16. 17. 18. So, youve picked a topic.Next

• Get your topic approved by your teacher.

19. Then

• Begin preliminary research

• • • Use books, encyclopedias, and websites to gather background information

• • • Use note cards or notetaking sheets

20. Then

• Cite your sources using proper bibliography format

• • See Ms. Ts Bibliography Cheat Sheet on LR Library website under Research Tips

21. Then

• Begin your project or experiment using the Scientific Method

• • • Youll learn more about this in Science class.

22. Finallyyoull be ready to prepare your display boards!

• Include illustrations, digital photos, charts, graphs, etc. AND typed up summaries in the following areas:

23.

• Title

• Background/ Research

• Hypothesis

• Materials/ Procedures

• Data/ Observations

• Results

• Conclusion

24. Example of a BADDisplay 25. Example of a GOODDisplay 26. Final Note

• One of the 8 headings for your display board is Abstract.

27. What IS an Abstract?

• It is a brief summary of your entire project.

• Not more than one page.

28. The Abstract Includes:

• Project title

• Statement of the purpose

• Hypothesis

• Brief description of the procedure

• Results

29. GOOD LUCK!

• Stay focused

• Follow the timeline

• Ask questions!

30. PresentationCreated By: Paula Trapani-Wiener Librarian Lawrence Road Middle School