1

_________________ __, 20__

Dear Parents,

United Independent School District is pleased to announce our upcoming 1st Annual District Elementary Science

Fair. We believe that a Science Fair will help children develop problem-solving skills with a scientific approach.

As parents, you play one of the most important roles in your child’s education. The encouragement, guidance,

and support that you give your child will not only help him or her develop valuable thinking skills, but the time

you and your child work together on this project will deepen your child-parent relationship that will last a

lifetime.

Your child is required to submit a Science Fair Project which will be graded based on visual and oral

presentation. The project will be judged on the following criteria:

1. Creative Ability/Originality 10 pts.

2. Scientific Thought 40 pts.

3. Thoroughness 20 pts.

4. Skills 20 pts.

5. Clarity 10 pts.

First round of judging will take place at a campus-level on _________________. Judges will be selected by

campus. There will be 2 winners per campus (1 Primary/1 Intermediate). All judges will use the same criteria to

determine campus winners. Winners will receive more information at a later date.

THE FINAL PROJECT IS DUE ON _____________________________.

Please review contents of this packet which includes:

Parent Acknowledgement Form due on ____________________________

Timeline of Events

Science Project Checklist

Judging Criteria

Grade-Appropriate Topics

We would like to remind you that the real prize of a Science Fair Project is the development of your child’s skills,

not the blue ribbon presented by the science fair judge. Thank you for your support and we look forward to a

memorable and successful Science Fair.

Yours in education,

_________________________________

2

Parent Acknowledgement Form

I, ___________________________, understand that my

child, __________________________is required to

complete and turn in a Science Fair Project due on

____________. I acknowledge that I have received all

information on UISD Elementary Science Fair.

__________________________

Student Name

__________________________

Teacher/Grade

__________________________

Parent Signature

3

UISD~1st Annual Elementary Science Fair

Kinder-2nd Grade

3rd-5th Grade

Preliminary Timeline Due Dates Item Due

Project parent information packet sent home

Teacher approval of topic with Scientific Method Plan

Students work on projects at home

Campus Wide Science Fair 1 winner K-2, 1 winner 3-5

January 22, 2014 Campus STMs submit names of winner to Science Coordinators

February 4, 2014 Project setup in the afternoon—STMs deliver projects to SAC Room #2

February 5, 2015 UISD 2nd Annual Elementary Science Fair

***STMs must verify that winning projects follow appropriate grade-level

TEK. Projects can be disqualified at district level.

Campus

dates may

vary

4

SCIENCE PROJECT CHECKLIST

o 1. Choose a topic that is interesting to you.

o 2. Write a Big Question that you can investigate by yourself.

o 3. Research your topic using books, encyclopedias, magazines and

information from professionals, such as doctors, engineers, researchers,

teachers, veterinarians and librarians.

o 4. Form a hypothesis, a good guess about what the outcome of the

experiment will be.

o 5. Write a step-by-step procedure to test your hypothesis.

o 6. Make a list of materials that will be needed for your investigation.

o 7. Make a chart that will help you when collecting and organizing data.

o 8. Carefully conduct the experiment, be sure to follow the science safety

rules. Keep written records of the results in a notebook or spiral.

o 9. Draw a conclusion and organize the results of your experiment on easy-to-

read charts and graphs.

o 10. Construct a display, using charts, graphs, photos, illustrations, signs,

and/or models.

o 11. Prepare an oral presentation to explain your project to the class.

5

1ST Annual UISD Elementary Science Fair

JUDGING CRITERIA

I. CREATIVE ABILITY…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…Total 10 pts.

There was an original question asked.

The creativity of the study was within the student’s ability.

The student used the scientific method.

II. SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT…………………………………………………………………………………………………..Total 40 pts.

The question was testable.

The design of the experiment tests the hypothesis.

The experiment demonstrates a procedural plan (materials, step-by-step procedure)

There was sufficient data collected to support conclusion.

III. THOROUGHNESS……………………………………………………………………………………………………...…Total 20 pts.

The student collected available data for each trial performed.

The student conducted several experiments, not just one.

Conclusion was based on data.

IV. SKILL………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Total 20 pts.

The data measurements were done accurately.

The experiment was student created.

V. CLARITY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....Total 10 pts.

The tri-fold display is organized appropriately.

Grammar and spelling is correct and legible at a glance.

6

Science Fair Project Ideas

Intermediate (3-5)

Reporting Category 1 – Matter & Energy

Physical Properties: size, temperature, mass, (4th grade ONLY – volume), magnetism, sink or float, (5th grade ONLY –

relative density), states of matter: solids, liquids, & gases; Changes in States of Matter: caused by heating & cooling;

Mixtures; (4th grade & 5th grade - Solutions); (5th grade ONLY - Solubility in Water); (4th grade & 5th grade – Conductors

and Insulators of Thermal & Electrical Energy); (5th grade ONLY – Boiling, Freezing/Melting Points of water)

How does a thermometer work? What kind of liquid works best to show changes in temperature?

What is more accurate, a digital thermometer or an alcohol thermometer?

Does water expand or contract when it freezes?

Which temperature of water will freeze the quickest, hot water, cold water, or tap water?

Which temperature of water will reach room temperature the quickest, hot water or cold water?

Do different kinds of cups (paper, Styrofoam, ceramic, etc.) affect the amount of time it takes a liquid to

reach room temperature?

Does temperature affect the taste of ________ (apple cider/apple juice)?

Does it take longer for cool water to warm up or hot water to cool down?

How can you make an ice cube stay frozen for an extended period of time?

Design a method to quickly dry a wet shirt without using any electrical tools.

How do the poles of a magnet behave?

How can you make a magnet?

7

What happens to the strength of a magnet when it becomes rusty? Will it lose some of its strength, or

will it be just as strong as when it was bright and shiny?

Can you make a compass?

Does magnetism travel through all materials? Put different materials such as cardboard, paper, plastic,

wood, glass, Styrofoam etc. between the magnet and the metal object. Do they affect how strongly the

magnet is attracted to the metal?

Through how many sheets of paper will a magnet attract a paper clip?

What will happen if you drop unpopped popcorn kernels or raisins into plain and carbonated water (add

seltzer tablets to the water)?

Will the following objects (marble, plastic spoon, cork, paper clip, popsicle stick, golf ball, pencil, and

coil) sink or float in water?

How can we make a fresh egg float in water?

What type of material will keep the most paperclips afloat in water?

What happens to water, oil, corn syrup, and salt water when poured into a glass jar?

How will solids such as a paper clip, cork, dime, pencil eraser, washer, button etc. and liquids such as

colored water, corn syrup, oil, glycerin etc. arrange themselves when combined?

What can you find out about the densities of unpeeled and peeled oranges/bananas?

Do different types of oil mix or stack?

How can the ingredients of different mixtures be separated?

How is a solution like a mixture?

Experiment with polymers by using milk proteins to make homemade glue. How does homemade glue

compare with glue from the store?

What affects the solubility of a cube of bouillon in water?

8

Do all dishwashing detergents solutions produce the same amount of bubbles? Clean the same

number of dishes?

Can a saturated solution of sodium chloride (table salt) still dissolve Epsom salts?

How well does water dissolve salt or sugar compared to other liquids such as oil, corn syrup, or

vinegar?

How permanent are permanent markers? What solvents (such as water, alcohol, vinegar, detergent

solution) will remove the ink? Do different brands/types of markers produce the same results?

How do crystals grown from iodized salt compare with those grown from salt without iodine?

How can you use your sense of touch to determine which materials are good heat conductors and

which ones are good heat insulators?

Do different containers hold heat better?

What can you use to make a jar of hot/warm water to retain its heat as long as possible?

Which type of container keeps ice water the coldest?

How do the boiling points of water and salt water compare?

How do the freezing points of water and salt water compare?

Do different concentrations of salt (such as ¼, ½, & 1 cup) affect the boiling point of salt water?

Which type of salt melts ice the fastest, table salt, kosher salt, rock salt or sea salt?

Does adding gelatin to a homemade popsicle, slow down or speed up the melting point?

9

Reporting Category 2 – Force, Motion, & Energy

Forms of Energy: mechanical, light, sound, thermal, (4th & 5th grade ONLY–electrical); Forces Cause Changes: pushing

& pulling, magnetism, gravity (4th & 5th grade ONLY – friction); (4th & 5th grade ONLY–Conductors & Insulators of

Thermal Energy & Electrical Energy, Electrical Circuits, Electromagnetic Fields); (5th grade ONLY–Reflection &

Refraction)

How does height affect the amount of gravitational potential energy stored in an object?

What happens to the momentum of a moving object when you change the mass?

How does light travel?

If you wanted to build a shade for a window that would block out the most light from the sun, what

would you use and why?

How does the color of an object affect the absorption of thermal energy from the sun?

Do some colors create more thermal energy than others?

Does fresh water hold heat longer than salt water?

Does sound travel faster through solids or gases (air)?

How do different amounts of water affect the sound made by tapping the bottles?

Does music help or distract classroom learning?

What does a magnetic force field look like and how does it change?

Which materials conduct heat best?

Which household items are good conductors of electricity?

Construct a simple circuit and explain how it works.

How can you make a light bulb light up using only a dry cell (battery), wire, and a flashlight bulb?

What is the difference between a complete circuit and an incomplete circuit?

What is the difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit?

10

Design a simple electromagnet and explain how it works.

Do some batteries last longer than others?

Which battery is the best buy?

Chemical energy can produce power! Construct a battery from food items. Which type of citrus fruit

works best?

What kind of bat will make a baseball travel farther, a bat made of wood or a bat made of metal?

How many washers does it take to move a block of wood?

What makes a pendulum swing fast or slow?

What type of paper airplane flies the farthest?

How does friction affect moving objects? (object - marble or toy car, friction piece – sand paper, carpet

mat, laminated poster)

What type of material will cause the least amount of friction, waxed paper, sand paper, or construction

paper?

Does the weight of an object affect friction?

How can magnetism defy the force of gravity?

What material (foam, wood, metal, or plastic) would work best as a coat to keep you warm?

What special properties cause mirrors to reflect an image?

Design an experiment that demonstrates that light travels in a straight line.

How does the shape of a mirror affect the image you see?

What effect does the color of a reflecting surface have on the light reflected?

What happens when light travels from one transparent material to another such as a clear cup and

water?

Do other liquids other than water refract light?

11

Reporting Category 3 – Earth & Space

(3rd grade ONLY - Formation of Soil: weathering & decomposition); (4th grade ONLY – Properties of Soil: color, texture,

retention of water, supports plant growth); (3rd grade ONLY - Rapid Changes to Earth Surface: volcanoes, earthquakes,

landslides); (4th grade ONLY – Slow Changes to Earth’s Surface: weathering, erosion, & deposition); (3rd grade ONLY -

Landforms: mountains, hills, valleys, and plains), (5th grade ONLY – Landforms: deltas, canyons, & sand dunes); Natural

Resources: usefulness; (4th grade ONLY – Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources: coal, oil, & natural gas); (5th grade

ONLY – Formation of Sedimentary Rock & Fossil Fuels); (5th grade ONLY – Alternative Resources: wind, solar,

hydroelectric, geothermal, & biofuels); (5th grade ONLY – Fossils)

How is soil formed?

What are the physical properties of soil?

What holds more water, sand, potting soil, or Laredo soil? How does this affect what kinds of plants can

grow in each type of soil?

Which retains more water, sand or potting soil?

Does wet soil hold more water than dry soil?

Would a mixture of sand and potting soil hold more or less water than potting soil only? Why?

How can you change soil that doesn’t soak up water well into soil that absorbs (retains) water more

readily?

What can you learn about soil by shaking it up in a jar of water?

If you dig a deep hole, is the soil the same all through it? Are there any layers?

How does the type of soil and its location affect the rate and depth of water penetration?

Which soils are good for growing plants?

Which soil mixture grows the healthiest plants, using the following combinations: peat moss, sand, local

soil free from rocks or large pieces of organic matter?

Which natural element (wind, water, or ice) causes the greatest amount of erosion of an object?

Design a model that prevents rain from eroding all of the soil from a hillside.

12

How does water change the Earth’s surface? How does water change rocks?

Grow stalagmites and stalactites to learn how natural cave structures are formed due to weathering,

erosion, and deposition.

How do sedimentary rocks form?

Demonstrate how a volcano, earthquake, or landslide causes rapid changes to Earth’s surface.

Build an earthquake model. Describe what happens to Earth and structures when it quakes. Create a

poster explaining how to keep safe during the earthquake.

Demonstrate how weathering, erosion, and deposition carves out a canyon (by running water), creates

cave formations (by dripping water), forms a valley (by moving ice), or creates sand dunes (by moving

wind).

Create a model of a landform such as, a mountain, hill, valley, delta, canyon, or sand dune (before &

after) that demonstrates how the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition created it.

Which natural resources are renewable and nonrenewable? Explain why it is important to protect our

resources.

What information can fossils give us about things that lived in the past?

What parts of a plant would leave the best fossil impression?

How are coal, oil, and natural gas formed? Why are they considered a nonrenewable resource? How

can we reduce our use of them?

Select an alternative resource and create a model describing how it works.

In what areas of the United States is it windy enough to consider developing wind farms? Where would

wind farms not be a reasonable choice?

Are there wind farms in the state of Texas? If so, where are they located?

13

Reporting Category 3 – Earth & Space

Weather: air temperature, wind direction, & precipitation (4th grade ONLY – weather maps, & weather symbols); Water

Cycle; (3rd grade ONLY - Sun, Earth, & Moon Models: orbits & positions; (3rd grade ONLY - Planets in the Solar System;

(4th grade ONLY – Shadows, Ocean Tides, Seasons, & Moon Phases); (5th grade ONLY – Day & Night Cycle, Movement

of the Sun); (5th grade ONLY – Characteristics of the Sun, Earth, & Moon)

Construct a wind vane/wind sock and a thermometer. Observe and record wind patterns and the

temperature for 2 weeks. How does the wind affect the temperature?

Construct a wind vane and a wind sock. Observe and record wind patterns and every 2 hours. How

might wind speed and direction change hour by hour?

How does the temperature change during the day? What time is usually the warmest?

Track the high and low temperatures for the city of Laredo for a week and observe temperature

patterns. What is the difference between the highest and lowest reported temperatures? What are the

average temperature readings during the day and evening?

Create a weather map and describe weather patterns over a period of 5 days.

Construct a weather station with a rain gauge, thermometer, barometer, and wind vane/wind sock.

Observe and record the weather patterns for the next 2 weeks on a chart. Based on your observations,

predict the weather for the next 3 days.

What are the three basic types of clouds? Observe and record cloud and weather patterns such as

cirrus clouds/fair weather or stratus clouds/rainy weather, for a week. How are clouds and weather

related?

Construct and observe a closed water cycle system. Describe the processes involved in the water

cycle. What would happen if you left your mini water cycle in a warm place for one month?

Construct a Sun, Earth, & Moon scaled model. Explain how the Sun, Earth, & Moon system work

together in our solar system, include positions and orbits.

Construct a Sun and Earth Model to explain the phenomena of day and night.

14

Construct a scaled model of our solar system including the eight planets and the Sun. Make sure the

model depicts the correct position of the eight planets from the Sun. Include three interesting facts

about each planet.

Design and conduct an investigation to study how shadows change during the course of a day? What

do you observe about shadow lengths? How does the Sun’s position in relation to the Earth affect

shadows?

Construct an Earth and Moon model. Explain the Earth-Moon relationship during the phases of the

Moon.

Construct an Earth and Moon model. Explain how the Moon’s gravity affects the ocean tides. (2 high

tides & 2 low tides = DAILY)

15

Reporting Category 4 – Organisms & Environments

[NO LIVING ANIMALS OR MOLD CULTURES ALLOWED FOR PRESENTATION]

Ecosystems; Food Chains; (4th & 5th grade ONLY – Food Webs); (4th & 5th grade ONLY – Consumers & Producers) (5th

grade ONLY – Decomposers); Environmental Changes: floods & droughts; Structures & Functions of Plants & Animals;

(4th & 5th grade ONLY – Adaptations); Inherited Traits; (4th & 5th grade ONLY – Learned Behaviors); (3rd grade ONLY –

Life Cycles: tomato plant, frog, & lady bugs); (4th grade ONLY – Life Cycles: butterflies, beetles, radishes, lima beans);

(5th grade ONLY – Life Cycles: complete & incomplete metamorphosis of insects); (5th grade ONLY – Carbon Dioxide-

Oxygen Cycle)

Create a land ecosystem and a water ecosystem in two different 2 liter plastic bottles. Observe and

compare how changes (natural or man-made) in each environment affect the living organisms.

How does fur help some mammals adapt to cold environments?

How do seasons affect animal adaptations?

How do desert animals stay cool in the scorching heat?

What special adaptations do leaves have?

Compare the similarities in fingerprints between siblings and non-related people.

Track eye color and hair color in three generations of a family.

Does the amount of sunlight affect a bean’s sprouting time?

Do different types of beans germinate at different rates?

Can you create a solution that will cause a bean to sprout faster?

Under what conditions does a potato sprout the fastest?

Do pre-packaged seeds grow at the same rate as seeds taken directly from the fruit or vegetable?

Does magnetizing seeds before planting affect the growth?

What effect does music have on plant growth?

Does the color of light affect the growth of plants?

16

Does the depth a seed is planted affect its ability to sprout?

Do plants prefer tap water or distilled water?

Will a plant survive if it’s “watered” with juice, soda, or milk?

17

Science Fair Project Ideas

Primary (K-2)

Reporting Category 1 – Matter & Energy

Physical Properties: the five senses, size, shape, color, texture, mass, temperature states of matter: solids & liquids;

Changes Caused by Heating & Cooling

Can you predict what an object is by using only your sense of touch?

Are two ears better than one?

Are two eyes better than one?

Can you guess the correct scent, when blindfolded?

Do soft drinks really taste different from each other?

Can you identify flavors of Kool-Aid, when blindfolded?

Do large apples have more seeds than small apples?

How long does it take water to freeze?

How long does it take ice to melt?

What will melt faster a solid ice cube or an ice cube crushed up?

Does the shape of an ice cube affect how quickly it melts?

Does cold affect solids and liquids the same way?

Can a solid change its shape?

Do all people have the same body temperature?

18

Reporting Category 2 – Force, Motion, & Energy

Forms of Energy: light, heat, & sound; Magnets; Forces Cause Changes in Motion: (K - 1st ONLY - in a straight line,

zigzag, up & down, back & forth, round & round, fast & slow; (2nd grade ONLY - sliding, rolling, & spinning of objects)

Do you need light to see?

What things can light go through?

How does a shadow change throughout the day?

Do puddles disappear (evaporate) faster in the Sun or in the shade?

Do some colors of M&Ms melt faster than others?

Which jar of water will heat up the most, a white covered jar/shoebox or a black covered jar/shoebox?

How does sound travel?

Does sound travel through solids?

Do rubber bands of different widths produce different sounds?

How do the vibrations in your throat change between a shout and a whisper?

What will a magnet pick up (attract)?

How many paper clips do you think your magnet will pick up (attract)?

Which type of magnet is strongest, a bar magnet, horseshoe magnet, or ceramic magnet?

Which path (all measured 3 meters) will get you from point A to point B the fastest: a straight path, a

zigzag path, or a round and round path?

What happens when you push a moving object such as, a toy car, ball, or marble?

Does it take more or fewer pushes to move a paper clip, penny, and a block eraser, from point A to

point B?

*2nd Grade only – Will a ball/cup roll or spin longer?

*2nd Grade only – Which toy car rolled the furthest down the ramp?

19

Reporting Category 3 – Earth & Space

Rocks & Soil: size, shape, color, texture, usefulness; Water: color, clarity, usefulness, freshwater vs.

saltwater; (2nd grade ONLY - Natural vs. Manmade Resources)

How can rocks be sorted out? (rough & smooth, dull & shiny, large & small, colorful & not colorful,

speckled & not speckled, heavy & light)

How are soils different? (use potting soil, sand, & Laredo soil)

Do all soil samples have the same materials? (use: potting soil, sand, & Laredo soil)

How do soil samples from north, east, south, and west Laredo compare? (observe size of particles,

color, texture, and any additional materials such as bones, rocks, or bugs)

Which object will soak up water the fastest, a paper towel or a sponge?

What will happen to a glass of water when you freeze it overnight?

What happens to salt when you mix it with water?

Which freezes faster freshwater or saltwater?

What will happen to a raw egg when placed in freshwater vs. saltwater?

How many different ways does your family use water? (create a chart)

*2nd Grade only – Do you prefer natural or manmade products? [Conduct a taste test such as, Kool-Aid

made with sugar cane verses Kool-Aid made with an artificial sweetener, fresh squeezed orange juice

verses orange juice from concentrate, or waffles with real maple syrup verses pancake syrup containing

high fructose corn syrup.]

20

Reporting Category 3 – Earth & Space

Weather Patterns: temperature, wind conditions, & rainfall; Patterns & Characteristics of the 4 Seasons and Day & Night;

Objects in the Sky: clouds, Moon, stars, & Sun; (2nd grade ONLY - Water Cycle)

Observe and record day-to-day weather changes such as hot or cold, clear or cloudy, calm or windy,

and rain or no rain for two weeks. What was the weather like during the two weeks? Was the weather

the same each day? Were the clouds the same each day? How do clouds tell us about the weather?

Can you predict the weather based on the type of clouds in the sky?

Create a pinwheel. Does the pinwheel always spin at the same speed?

What types of clouds do you see over a period of a week? Were the clouds the same each day? What

kind of weather happened with each type of cloud?

How does the weather change from season to season?

How do plants change throughout the seasons?

How do the seasons change how animals act?

What type of activities do we engage in from season to season?

Why do we have darkness at night?

What activities do you do during the daytime verses the nighttime?

Why does the Moon’s shape seem to change? (create a monthly chart)

What stars can you see from your house? Can you see the same stars every night?

Why do stars appear to move across the sky?

How does the position of the Sun change your shadow?

What is the difference between the Sun and the Moon?

*2nd Grade only – How fast does water evaporate?

*2nd Grade only - How does a cloud form?

21

Reporting Category 4 – Organisms & Environments

Living & Nonliving Things, Basic Needs of plants & animals, External Physical Characteristics of Plants & Animals: color,

size, body coverings, & leaf shapes; Resemblance: of young & parent plant and of young & parent animal; Life Cycles:

(Kinder ONLY - plants), (1st grade ONLY-chicken, frog, & fish) (2nd grade ONLY-insects); (1st and 2nd grade ONLY-FOOD

Chains); (2nd grade ONLY-migration, hibernation & dormancy)

What are living and nonliving things?

Are seeds living or nonliving things?

What do plants need to live? (purchase a small plant) What part of a plant helps it get food and water?

What do animals need to live? (purchase a goldfish) How does a fish’s body help it get food? How does

a fish’s body help it get air?

Do bean plants grow better with or without light?

In what weather do seeds grow best? (warm place – window sill or cool place – refrigerator)

Do plants need sunlight and air?

Do plants grow best with or without leaves?

How does water travel through a plant? (use celery & food coloring)

How does water get into a plant? (use a potato & toothpicks)

Why are a bird’s feathers important?

Why can ducks swim but chickens can’t?

How do an animal’s feet help it survive it its environment? (claws, hooves, webbed feet, sticky pads,

paws, etc.)

How do different animal coverings help an animal survive? (rabbit – fur, snake & fish - scales,

hummingbird – feathers)

22

Reporting Category 4 – Organisms & Environments

Living & Nonliving Things, Basic Needs of plants & animals, External Physical Characteristics of Plants & Animals: color,

size, body coverings, & leaf shapes; Resemblance: of young & parent plant and of young & parent animal; Life Cycles:

(Kinder ONLY - plants), (1st grade ONLY - chicken, frog, & fish) (2nd grade ONLY – insects); (1st and 2nd grade ONLY -

FOOD Chains); (2nd grade ONLY - migration, hibernation & dormancy)

Why are your thumbs important? (Tape your child’s thumb to the palm of his/her writing hand, and have

them perform several tasks such as, picking up a paper clip, drawing a square, filling in a circle, paper

clipping a set of papers etc.)

What are the basic parts of a plant? How do they help the plant live?

Using a set of parent and baby animal pictures, can you match the correct parent to its young?

*Kinder only – What is the life cycle of a plant?

*1st Grade only – Compare the life cycle of a chicken to a frog or frog to a fish.

*2nd Grade only – Do grasshoppers and ants have the same type of life cycle?