Sugartown Science Fair 2009-2010. Science Fair What is Science Research? Where Can I Get My Research Project Idea ? How Do I Develop My Idea into an Experiment?

Sugartown

Science Fair

2009-2010

Science Fair• What is Science Research?• Where Can I Get My Research

Project Idea ?• How Do I Develop My Idea into

an Experiment?• Putting Your Thoughts into Action• Before You Start to Experiment• Experimentation• Data Collection• Sharing Your Results• Special Things to Remember• Great Projects• Is Entering the Science Fair All

About Winning?• Judging• Timeline• Good luck!!

What is Science Research?

• Science research is an opportunity for you to investigate an idea that you find interesting. Research involves gathering a lot of information about your question by observing, asking questions, reading books and exploring your topic on the Internet.

Where Can I Get My Research Project Idea?

• Observe the world around you.

• Libraries• Books

• Talk with a classmate, teacher or adult.

Where Can I Get My Research Project Idea?

• Internet sites• Look on Miss Claus’s Webpage

for the Science Fair Page

• Sometimes ideas to investigate come from adding a little “twist” to someone else’s idea.

• The very best ideas are yours and come from your built in super computer,

your brain!

How Do I Develop My Idea into an Experiment?

• After you have learned (researched) everything you can about your project idea, try to think of a way to express your question as a statement that describes what you think will happen. I believe…

• This is your hypothesis!

How Do I Develop My Idea into an Experiment?

• Your next task is to find a way to test your hypothesis.

• You can test your hypothesis by conducting an experiment and gathering data.

Experiments• Ideally your experiment is testing one

variable and every other variable is held constant.

• Try to run your experiment multiple times to verify results.

• For example, if you are testing different paper towels for absorption, run the experiment multiple times and calculate the average.

Putting Your Thoughts into Action!

• Your discussions with your teacher or adult sponsor will help you to decide if it is safe for you to conduct your experiment.

• Their job is very important so you want to be sure to listen to them very carefully.

• Safety should be your most important consideration.

Before You Start Your Experiment!

• You must now have your teacher or adult sponsor and your parents help you fill out your paperwork.

• You will need the following forms:

1. Student Checklist #1A2. Research Plan 3. Approval Form #1B

Before You Start Your Experiment!

• They are due to Miss Claus by Nov. 18th for all projects.

• This is 3 weeks fromnow. Don’t wait!

Paperwork Paperwork, Paperwork,!

Why, Why, Why?

• Our goal is to keep you and your test subjects safe.

• We want to make sure your experiment will yield valid data.

• Please be as thorough on these forms as you can.

Experimentation

• Once you have received approval from Miss Claus, you can begin your experiment.

Collecting Data

• Every project needs a log book. This should be a working journal, so it’s ok to have spelling mistakes, things spilled on it, etc. Write down any observations, notes, or questions that you have through this process.

• Take pictures.

• Be as accurate as you can when collecting data.

• Display your data in tables or graphs to share with others.

Collecting Data

• Think about what the data is telling you. Use this data to draw your conclusions.

• Maybe the data brings about more questions to test. If this is the case, talk to Miss Claus about how to continue your experiment.

Sharing Your Results• The science fair is a way

to show off your findings.

• Look at the Final Project Flier for more information about what the project board should look like and what it should have on it.

Special Things to Remember

• Find a roomy, quiet and safe place to do your project.

• Keep an accurate logbook detailing all the things you do each day of your project.

• Gather your data accurately.• Take pictures of your activities.• Think of a clear and concise

way for you to display your data.

• Design graphs and other visuals to show your results.

• Keep your work organized.• Remember: Neatness counts

How Does a Great Science Fair Project Look?

• An outstanding science fair project is neat and well organized.

• The display clearly shows the:– Title– Abstract– Hypothesis– Materials– Procedure– Results– Conclusion– Pictures, charts or

graphs• Special attention is given to

spelling and grammar.

More Great Projects

More Great Projects

More Great Projects

More Great Projects

More Great Projects

More Great Projects

Judging

• Judging Criteria• Creative Ability - 30 points• Scientific Thought – 30 points• Thoroughness – 15 points• Skill - 15 points• Clarity – 10 points

Judging

• The Chester County Science Fair has changed its participation requirements.

• They are now allowing a maximum of 5 projects from each grade level to be entered.

Judging

• The top five 5th grade projects and the top five 4th grade projects go on to the C.C. Fair on Wednesday, March 3rd.

• We will also name one alternate from each grade level.

Is Entering the Science Fair All about Winning?

• ABSOLUTELY NOT!• Everyone who enters the science fair

is a winner. • You have taken information learned in school,

developed an idea to explore and worked through a difficult process.

• You will have grown wiser as a student and as person.

• Sometimes your hypothesis turns out to be true, sometimes it does not.

• Remember, you sometimes learn more when your experiment doesn’t turn out just like you think it will.

Project Categories

• Team – no more than 3 people (highly recommend no more than 2)

• Once a team always a team

• Behavioral and Social Science• Biochemistry• Botany• Chemistry• Computer Science• Consumer Science

Project Categories

• Earth and Space Science

• Engineering

• Environmental Science

• Math

• Medicine and Health

• Microbiology

• Physics

• Zoology

Time Line

• By Nov. 18th turn in paperwork to Miss Claus

• Early December – Early January• Run your experiment

• Early January • Work on your project board

Time Line• January 27th Sugartown Science Fair in

the afternoon (starting in school, ending after school.

• January 27th, Time to be Announced Sugartown Science Fair Open House.

• Those projects going on to the County Fair will be announced at this time.

• Wednesday, March 3rd C.C. Science Fair

Good luck and happy experimenting.