THE KING-MURPHY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR IS IN JANUARY! Do you want something fun to do during the school breaks? Why not consider a science project to enter into the King Murphy Science Fair? It’s not too early to begin working on that cool project you’ve been thinking about… The rules are the same as the Mountain Area Science Fair (MASF), which will be available to us in early December. The KMSF is scheduled for January 20, 2017 in the KM gym. Winners of the Division II and III categories will advance to the MASF scheduled for February 4, 2017 at Evergreen Country Day School. The divisions are: Division I – Kindergarten and 1 st grade Division II – 2 nd and 3 rd grades Division III – 4 th – 6 th grades The categories are (based on the Mountain Area Science Fair topic categories): Aerodynamics/Fluid Mechanics Botany Chemistry Earth/Environmental Electricity and Magnetism Human Body/Health Material Science Microbiology Physics Structures Zoology Computer Science/Engineering (Division III only) We need volunteers for the King Murphy Science Fair. If you would like to help with the KMSF, please contact Heidi Lupinacci or Carly Allen ([email protected]or [email protected]). Volunteers are needed to help with set-up of tables, organizing displays, assisting entrants and other volunteers, clean-up/take-down, and in particular, judging. If you have expertise in any of the categories, we would appreciate your willingness to volunteer as a judge!
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THE KING-MURPHY ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR IS IN JANUARY!
Do you want something fun to do during
the school breaks? Why not consider a
science project to enter into the King
Murphy Science Fair? It’s not too early to
begin working on that cool project you’ve
been thinking about…
The rules are the same as the Mountain Area Science Fair (MASF),
which will be available to us in early December. The KMSF is scheduled
for January 20, 2017 in the KM gym. Winners of the Division II and III
categories will advance to the MASF scheduled for February 4, 2017 at
Evergreen Country Day School.
The divisions are:
Division I – Kindergarten and 1st grade
Division II – 2nd and 3rd grades
Division III – 4th – 6th grades
The categories are (based on the Mountain Area Science Fair topic categories):
Aerodynamics/Fluid Mechanics Botany
Chemistry Earth/Environmental
Electricity and Magnetism Human Body/Health
Material Science Microbiology
Physics Structures
Zoology Computer Science/Engineering (Division III only)
We need volunteers for the King Murphy Science Fair.
If you would like to help with the KMSF, please contact Heidi Lupinacci or Carly Allen
STUDENT AND VOLUNTEER PACKET For the 2016-2017 Academic Year
KING-MURPHY SCIENCE FAIR COMMITTEE
Page 1 of 17
The King Murphy Science Fair (KMSF) is an opportunity for students to enter a project of their choosing
in a specific topic category. The KMSF follows the same rules and judging as does the Mountain Area
Science Fair (MASF) with the exception that grades K-3rd have the option to enter a research project
which is a project that does not involve the testing of a hypothesis (please note that research projects
do not advance to the MASF). Division I (Kindergarten and 1st grade) winners do NOT advance to the
Mountain Area Science Fair, though they will be recognized at their school science fair as winners for
their respective topic category. For Division II and III, only the first place winners of a testable question
project in their respective category topic will be invited to advance to the MASF. The rules of the KMSF
are contained here. The rules of the MASF are available in the front office or electronically by request
to the chair or co-chair.
The Divisions are:
Division I = Kindergarten and 1st grade (research project or testable question projects)
Division II = 2nd and 3rd grades (research projects or testable question projects)
Division III = 4th, 5th, and 6th grades (testable question projects only)
The Topic Categories are:
Aerodynamics/Fluid Mechanics Botany
Chemistry Earth/Environmental
Electricity and Magnetism Human Body/Health
Material Science Microbiology
Physics Structures
Zoology Computer Science/Engineering (Division III only)
Table of Contents Entrant Form ..............................................................................................................................................................2
Volunteer Form ..........................................................................................................................................................3
King Murphy Science Fair Rules ..................................................................................................................................4
Research Project Progression .....................................................................................................................................9
KMSF Judging Score Sheet for Testable Question Projects (non-CS&E, for K-6) ..................................................... 14
KMSF Judging Score Sheet for Testable Question Projects (For CS&E, for K-6) ...................................................... 15
KMSF Judging Score Sheet for Research Projects (For K-4 grades) ......................................................................... 16
Student/Adult Involvement Form ........................................................................................................................... 17
Page 2 of 17
Entrant Form
RETURN THIS FORM NO LATER THAN December 9, 2016 to the King Murphy School
Front Office
Name of entrant: ____________________________________Grade: ___________ (Division I, II, or III)
Testable Question Project Progression THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD: 1. Asking a question.
2. Forming a hypothesis.
3. Designing an experiment.
a. Identifying variables
b. Developing procedures
c. Gathering materials and equipment
4. Collecting data.
5. Analyzing the data.
6. Forming a conclusion.
Step 1 – Choose a Topic, learn about the topic, and determine a question to test Begin by exploring a scientific concept that you are interested in. Go to the library or internet to learn more about your topic. Write a brief summary of the background information you gather for your science fair topic. Keep a record of where the background information came from.
At this point, your brain will start asking "What if...." questions. One of these questions is what you will use to design your experiment. It is called the "TESTABLE QUESTION”. This will become your problem statement. Make sure that this has been approved by your teacher.
Anything to do with your project should be recorded in your notebook.
It's important to cite your sources for a science fair project. Put your bibliography in your notebook with information you learned. Here are some examples of how to cite books, online references, and conversations.
1. Here is an example for a book or magazine -- Jones, Jenny R., "Science Experiments to Try" Science Time, New York: Sterling Pub. Co., May 2004, Vol. 3:12-15.
2. Here is an example for a Web site -- Helmenstine, Anne, About Chemistry Website, http://chemistry.about.com, Oct. 4, 2005.
3. Here is an example for a conversation -- Smith, John, Telephone Conversation, Mar.5, 2013. Step 2 – Form a Hypothesis
Think about what might happen in your experiment, and based on the research you did earlier decide what you think is going to happen. This is called a HYPOTHESIS. Write in your notebook what you think will happen BEFORE actually doing the experiment.
Be specific.
Step 3 – Experimental Design
The experimental design is a plan to test your hypothesis. This is not a specific item on your display board; but it is determined by what your hypothesis is, the variables (test or independent, outcome or dependent, and control) and the materials that you need and the procedures that you will carry out. How many times you will
Page 7 of 17
perform a measurement or how many repetitions of the test are conducted is part of your design. Safety must be considered when planning this step! What safety equipment will be needed: goggles, gloves, apron? Only using “chemicals” that are available at the grocery store should be considered.
1. Procedure
Write a detailed description of how to do your experiment. As you work through it, you may find that you have to change it. Make notes and change your procedure afterwards, to show the changes. Remember, any scientist should be able to take your procedure and repeat your experiment following your instructions.
It is easier to use a numbered list, like in a cookbook rather than write a paragraph.
Start each sentence with an action verb: mix, stir, get, measure, etc.
Include quantities or amounts that you will measure using metric units. 2. Materials/Equipment
List in your notebook all equipment and materials and the amounts that you will be using each time the experiment is conducted. Then gather all the materials you will need to do the experiment.
Include safety measures needed: personal protective equipment, location experiment will be conducted, adult supervision at which steps in procedure.
3. Variables and Control Group
Identify the test variable (independent/manipulated). This is the variable that you are changing on purpose in your experiment to observe what will happen. For example; the temperature of the water or the battery strength.
Identify the outcome variable (dependent/responding variable), this is the one that reacts or changes in response to the test or independent/manipulated variable, i.e., amount of salt that dissolves or number of paper clips held by a magnet.
Identify the constant variables in your experiment. These are the variables in your experiment that you do not change so that you can compare the effects from only one test (independent/manipulated) variable. Constant variables are quantities that a scientist wants to remain the same or be held constant. Most experiments have more than one constant variable. Some people refer to controlled variables as "constant variables."
Use a control group if applicable in your experiment. A control group is the group that does not receive the experimental variable. Both it and the experimental group have what is usually considered normal conditions, i.e., room temperature, normal amount of water, normal amount of sunlight (constants). A control group helps you to be sure that what YOU DO in your experiment is what is affecting the test results.
Step 4 – Perform Experiment
Design a data table in your notebook to keep track of your results.
Carry out your experiment following your written procedures.
Observe and record the results in the data table in your notebook at the time you perform the experiment.
Use photographs whenever possible to record observations. (NO FACES IN PHOTOS). These can be shown on the display board.
Page 8 of 17
REPEAT THE EXPERIMENT at least two more times. Record your results in your notebook as carefully as you did the first time. ALL scientists repeat their experiments; we INSIST you repeat yours as well. All experiments must have a minimum of three trials. Step 5 – Results
When you have all of your results, you need to compile the data.
Many students use graphs, charts and written summaries of what happened in the experiment.
Determine averages or the mean when appropriate.
Use photographs whenever possible to show changes (NO FACES IN PHOTOS).
Display your data in charts, graphs, and/or pictures even if it does not match what you thought was going to happen.
Explain your results in words.
Step 6 – Compare your results with your Hypothesis Look again at your HYPOTHESIS and at the results of your experiment. Think about what happened and why it happened that way. Determine if your hypothesis was supported or not supported. You will use your observations to help you write your Conclusion in the next step.
Step 7 – Draw Conclusions Answer the following questions to summarize what you have learned from the experiment.
What was the purpose of the investigation?
Was your hypothesis supported by the data? (Indicate evidence and reasoning that supports your
conclusion.
What were the major findings? What are possible reasons for the results?
Step 8 – Reflect on the Project
Consider the process and results. What problems arose? What changes would you make if you did it again?
What new questions do you have?
Step 9 – Construct your Display You already have everything you need in your notebook, so now you just have to present it clearly on the display board. Be creative, neat, clear and include the information noted on the page titled “Science Fair Display” or use pages with the appropriate sections as you develop your display so you can arrange photos, materials, and written sections in a visually appealing manner.
Page 9 of 17
Research Project Progression (Reminder: Research projects do not progress to the MASF.)
Step 1 – Choose a Topic, something that interests you Step 2 - Learn about the topic Begin by exploring a scientific concept that you are interested in. Go to the library or internet to learn more about your topic. Write a brief summary of the background information you gather for your science fair topic. Keep a record of where the background information came from. Step 3 -Determine a specific question to research
As you learn about the topic you have chosen start asking “How is…? Why does…? What about…” questions.
Step 4 – Record the information gathered and the source of the information
In your lab notebook.
It's important to cite your sources for a science fair project. Put your bibliography in your notebook with information you learned. Here are some examples of how to cite books, online references, and conversations.
1. Here is an example for a book or magazine -- Jones, Jenny R., "Science Experiments to Try" Science Time, New York: Sterling Pub. Co., May 2004, Vol. 3:12-15.
2. Here is an example for a Web site -- Helmenstine, Anne, About Chemistry Website, http://chemistry.about.com, Oct. 4, 2005.
3. Here is an example for a conversation -- Smith, John, Telephone Conversation, Mar.5, 2013.
Step 5 – Reflect on the Project
Consider the process and results. What surprised you? What new questions do you have? What else about the
topic would you like to find out about?
Step 6 – Construct your Display You already have everything you need in your notebook, so now you just have to present it clearly on the display board. Be creative, neat, clear and include the information noted on the page titled “Science Fair Display”
Page 10 of 17
KMSF Judges Scoring Guide
Judging elementary student science fair projects is a big responsibility. Your scoring must be fair and within the
realm of your education and/or expertise. It is important to keep in mind that the expectations for the upper
division is greater than the lower divisions. The expectations vary from judge to judge, though this guide should
be referred to during the scoring process. Scoring sheets for the student projects will be available at the KMSF
during the date and time scheduled for judging.
Appearance: The display should be attractive. It should be evident the student considered the layout
and that the content clearly and accurately exhibits their work. Correct spelling, attention to contrast
and color-scheme, and workmanship are other appearance criteria to be considered. If appropriate for
the project, equipment and items used in the project can be included with the project display. Make
sure that the display conforms to the science fair rules.
Communication/Display Board: Generally expected sections present on the board are those in bold.
Researchers present their work in different ways so the section and subsection titles should reflect the
way the student felt the project should be presented. The Mountain Area Science Fair rules state “limit
the size of the project to a base area of 3 feet deep, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet high. It may sit on a table or
the floor. It should stand alone.” REMEMBER – these are dimensional specifications, and creative
participants may not always present their project in a way that is usually expected. As long as it meets
the rules, no points should be deducted simply because the display is not in the expected configuration.
Sections present on display board (lower score if sections are missing and higher score if sections follow
the generally expected formats described – keep in mind the grade-level and type of project may result
in different terminology for these sections)
1. Title
2. Question
3. Research Information - Bibliography, References, Acknowledgements
Student/Adult Involvement Form (Note: This is a GREEN form that will be provided to entrants prior to the KMSF.)
Student/Adult Involvement Form
This form MUST accompany your display at the fair Directions: On the line for each stage of the project, mark the appropriate percentage that indicates how much work was done by the student. Examples: if all the work was done by the student, mark 100%. If most of the work was done by the student, mark 80%. If there was a more equal sharing of effort between adult and child, mark 60% or 40%. If most of the work was done by an adult, mark 20%. If all of the work was done by an adult, mark 0%. If something was not done at all, mark Not Done. Stages of Project Percentage of Student Involvement
100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Not Done
Thought of a Problem
Formed a Question
Conducted Background Research
Talked with Experts
Kept a Lab Notebook During Project
Designed an Experiment (n/a for Research Project only category)
Performed the Experiment (n/a for Research Project only category)
Wrote about Results
Made Graphs or Tables
Designed the Display
Made the Display
Used the Computer During Project
Learned to Use Applicable Software
Used the Computer to Make Display
Learned Something
Had Fun
How did YOU, the student, choose your project/subject? Adult initials: Adult/parental short comments on involvement- NO NAMES PLEASE