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11Kern County Superintendent of Schools
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Kern County Regional Science Fair 2014
Coaches WorkshopEldred Marshall
(661) 636-4640
[email protected] of Christine Lizardi Frazier
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What makes a good project?
• An investigation• Begins with student interest in a subject• Needs a clear hypothesis – based on
research, reading, and/or observation• Procedure which tests the hypothesis• Appropriate apparatus• Execution of the experiment
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What makes a good project?
• Identify the independent variable (What I change)
• Identify the dependent variable (What I observe)
• Identify the controlled variables (What I keep the same)
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What makes a good project?Examples of Controls
Question Independent Variable (What I Change)
Dependent Variable (What I Observe)
Controlled Variable (What I Keep the Same)
Does heating a cup of water allow it to dissolve more sugar?
Temperature of the water measured in degrees Fahrenheit
Amount of sugar that dissolves completely measured in ounces
• Stirring• Type of sugar
Does fertilizer make a plant grow bigger?
Amount of fertilizer measured in grams
• Growth of the plant measured by its height
• Growth of plant measured by the number of leaves
• Same type of fertilizer
• Same size pot for each plant
• Same type of plant in each pot
• Same type and amount of soil in each pot
• Same amount of water and light
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What makes a good project?
• Repeat sufficient number of times to get reliable results• Record all results• Analyze data• Display the data using a table, chart, diagram, graph,
flowchart, and/or formula • Develop conclusions• Communicate all of the above clearly• Suggest further hypotheses and experiments
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Getting ideas for projects
• Lots of resources are available– some examples follow:
• CSSF website – www.usc.edu/cssf “Getting Started” and “Fair Resources by Subject”
• Some example sites:– Super Science Fair Projects
www.super-science-fair-projects.com
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Getting ideas for projects• Links to project ideas
http://www.All-Science-Fair-Projects.com• The Ultimate Science Fair Resource
http://www.scifair.org/ • Science Buddies http://www.sciencebuddies.org• The Science Club
http://scienceclub.org//kidproj1.html• Science Fair Projects World
www.sciencefair-projects.org• Science News for Kids www.sciencenewsforkids.org
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Abstracts
• Used to place projects in categories– Projects occasionally misplaced because
abstracts were unclear and/or incomplete– Projects are unlikely to be moved if they are not
in the correct category
• Judges read them to get preview of project• Can be critically important for entries in
CSSF
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What is a Restricted Project?
Any project which may require additional adult supervision due to potentially harmful materials, handling of non-human vertebrates, or topics sensitive to either the student or subject(s).
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Types of Restricted Projects• Hazardous/controlled substances
~ “Keep Out Of Reach Of Children”• Firearms• Non-human vertebrates • Human subjects, including surveys• Bacteria
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…and the forms that go with them
• Designated Supervisor• Qualified Scientist
~ may NOT be the student’s parent• Human Subjects Form• Informed Consent Form
~ use of a roster MAY be allowable; see sample• Humane Treatment of Live Animals Form• Human, Animal Tissue, Microorganisms Form
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For Clarification
• In general terms, the Designated Supervisor is the person who promises to provide additional supervision in the course of a project. That can include anything necessary to insure a student’s safety. Examples might be overseeing a student who is using bleach, lighting a match, or climbing a ladder. If a student is surveying strangers, the Designated Supervisor would remain nearby in order to guarantee that the student is in a safe environment.
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For Clarification• A project which requires a Qualified Scientist is
one which needs a higher level of scientific oversight. Examples might include supervision for a student handling chemicals or medications. Projects using animals would need a scientist willing to oversee the humane treatment of those animals.
• The County’s Scientific Review Committee will evaluate the risks associated with each project and determine if there is a need for either a Designated Supervisor or a Qualified Scientist. The decisions of the Committee are final.
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Speaking of Forms
• Science Fair application pages for all grades are now available in a Spanish translation.
• All forms will be posted on the website as PDF’s with fillable fields. They must be typed, then printed out and signed. Delivery may be via mail (1300 17th St. – City Centre, 93301), fax (661-636-4135) or in person, 1300 17th St. 5th floor.
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Website Infohttp://ci.kern.org/sciencefoundationChoose Science Fair linkTeachers, Students, Parents, Judges all have access
to the Rules and Entry Forms booksJudging HandbookParents handbookVideos about a winning science fair team and project*Forms will be posted in a separate link so they are
easy to find
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Judging Process – What are judges looking for?
• Clear display – shows intent and results of a real investigation; clear communication
• Clear presentation and answers to questions• Understanding of project and its scientific
basis• Good explanation of origin of project• Significant participation by all team (grades
6-12 only) members
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Important Dates
• School registration – Deadline: Friday, January 17, 2014
• Student registration– Restricted projects deadline:
Friday, January 24, 2014
– Science Fair entry deadline:
Thursday, February 6, 2014
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NEW THIS YEAR
NEW REGULATIONS REGARDING ELECTRONIC DEVICESREAD CAREFULLY
• Although electronic devices such as student cell phones are permitted at the Kern County Science Fair, the following guidelines will be enforced:
• All devices (phones, games etc.) should be set to silent or vibrate mode
• No talking on the phone• Disengage from all portable devices as judges approach your project –
first impressions are important!• Be respectful of your neighbors as they are being judged• We appreciate your support of these guidelines which will promote a
quiet and respectful environment for both judges and participants.• Students are not allowed to photograph, video, or record any other
science fair participant or official.• Failure to adhere to the above policies may result in devices being
removed by the floor coordinators.
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At The Science FairDO bring:
• Chairs for students• Snacks (for breaks only; not allowed on floor)• Water bottles• Lunch or lunch money• Something to keep students busy during judging intervals• Log book and 5 copies of abstract• Extension cord if electricity has been requested (6-12 only)
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Do NOT bring:
• Glass• Liquids• Live plants; dirt• Display photos depicting anyone other than
student• Anything the student cannot afford to lose
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More Important Dates
• Kern County Regional Science Fair – Project setup: Monday, March 17, 2014 2:00-7:00 ONLY– Judging and awards: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Doors open 8:00 a.m.
Speaker 9:00 a.m. Judging begins 10:00 a.m.
Awards 3:30 and 4:30
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California State Science Fair
• An award at the Kern County Science Fair does not automatically determine an invitation to the California State Science Fair
• Advisors will be notified of eligibility following the Kern County Science Fair
• CSSF: April 28-29, 2014• Prep Night at KCSOS on April 1, 2014• CSSF applications deadline TBA
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Questions, Clarifications, Concerns, Comments
• Call or email!
Eldred Marshall
661-636-4640
