Helen Ball Helen Ball ElementaryElementary

Raising Scientists: Raising Scientists: Science Fair ProjectsScience Fair Projects

Antonio GarciaAntonio GarciaAmanda AyalaAmanda Ayala

Science Fair CoordinatorsScience Fair CoordinatorsSeptember 21, 2010September 21, 2010

Parent Informational NightParent Informational Night

Why do we have our students Why do we have our students create Science Fair Projects?create Science Fair Projects?

Develops Higher Order Thinking Skills Develops Higher Order Thinking Skills in studentsin students

Allows children to work as a scientistAllows children to work as a scientist Allows children to work in-depth on a Allows children to work in-depth on a

topic of interesttopic of interest Provides children an opportunity to Provides children an opportunity to

combine many academic skills to combine many academic skills to produce an end productproduce an end product

Physical Science CategoryPhysical Science Category

These are projects that work with the These are projects that work with the natural sciences such as matter, energy, natural sciences such as matter, energy, physics, and chemistry. Physical science physics, and chemistry. Physical science is the study of non-living matter.is the study of non-living matter.

Life Science CategoryLife Science Category

The area of science that deals with The area of science that deals with living organisms, the life process, living organisms, the life process, biology, medicine, and ecology.biology, medicine, and ecology.

Earth Science CategoryEarth Science Category

These are projects that consist These are projects that consist and deal with the earth, its and deal with the earth, its composition or changing composition or changing aspects. This will include aspects. This will include geography, geology, geography, geology, meteorology, and meteorology, and oceanography.oceanography.

What science projects are NOT!What science projects are NOT!

DemonstrationsDemonstrations•VolcanoesVolcanoes•TornadosTornados•Model of Solar SystemModel of Solar System•How a light bulb worksHow a light bulb works

No new information is discovered No new information is discovered from these types of projectsfrom these types of projects

The outcome is already known The outcome is already known before the experiment begins before the experiment begins (ex. We already know that there (ex. We already know that there are 8 planets in the Solar are 8 planets in the Solar System)System)

What Science Fair projects areWhat Science Fair projects are

A test of at least two different itemsA test of at least two different items Involve the use of variables and controlsInvolve the use of variables and controls Involve students in an experiment where Involve students in an experiment where

the results can be guessed at but are not the results can be guessed at but are not known for sureknown for sure

The outcome may be different from what The outcome may be different from what the child thoughtthe child thought

Experiment IdeasExperiment Ideas

Move away from doing Move away from doing these types of projects – these types of projects – diaper absorbency, paper diaper absorbency, paper towel absorbency, creating towel absorbency, creating electricity with lemons, electricity with lemons, cleaning pennies with soda, cleaning pennies with soda, floating an egg, and best floating an egg, and best popcorn brand projects. popcorn brand projects. These are geared more These are geared more toward K-2toward K-2ndnd..

Experiment IdeasExperiment Ideas Are waterproof mascaras really waterproof? Are waterproof mascaras really waterproof? Do clothes take the same length of time to dry if you add a dryer Do clothes take the same length of time to dry if you add a dryer

sheet or fabric softener to the load? sheet or fabric softener to the load? Do all students in the class have the same size hands and feet as Do all students in the class have the same size hands and feet as

each other? each other? Do cockroaches have a preference for direction? Do cockroaches have a preference for direction? Do ants prefer different types of sugar? Do ants prefer different types of sugar? Can you taste the difference between foods that contain fat and fat-Can you taste the difference between foods that contain fat and fat-

free versions of the same product? free versions of the same product? Does storage temperature affect popcorn popping? Does storage temperature affect popcorn popping? Does rust change a magnet's power of attraction?Does rust change a magnet's power of attraction? Which has a greater effect on a plant, rain water or tap water? Which has a greater effect on a plant, rain water or tap water? Does organic material affect the absorbency of water in soil?Does organic material affect the absorbency of water in soil?

Experiment IdeasExperiment Ideas

http://www.ipl.org/div/projectguide/choosingatopic.htmlhttp://www.ipl.org/div/projectguide/choosingatopic.html http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/

project_ideas.shtml?From=Tab project_ideas.shtml?From=Tab http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scifair/index.htmlhttp://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scifair/index.html

Google students grade level and the Google students grade level and the words ”Science Fair Project Ideas” words ”Science Fair Project Ideas”

VariablesVariables

Manipulated variable- a factor or Manipulated variable- a factor or condition that is intentionally condition that is intentionally changed in an experimentchanged in an experiment

Responding variable- a factor or Responding variable- a factor or condition that might be affected as a condition that might be affected as a result of the changeresult of the change

Controlled variable- a variable that is Controlled variable- a variable that is not changednot changed

VariablesVariables A student wanted to test how the mass A student wanted to test how the mass

of a paper airplane affected the of a paper airplane affected the distance it would fly. Paper clips were distance it would fly. Paper clips were added before each test flight. The added before each test flight. The mass of the plane (number of paper mass of the plane (number of paper clips added) was the manipulated clips added) was the manipulated variable. The responding variable was variable. The responding variable was the distance flown. The controlled the distance flown. The controlled variable was the fact that the same variable was the fact that the same plane was used for each trial.plane was used for each trial.

Scientific ReportScientific Report All District Science Fair Projects will require a All District Science Fair Projects will require a

Research Paper / Report.Research Paper / Report. Reports are to include:Reports are to include:

IntroductionIntroduction BodyBody

• Related ResearchRelated Research ConclusionConclusion Resource PageResource Page

• 1 web resource1 web resource• 2 Book Resources2 Book Resources

Sweepstakes judging will be on the board and Sweepstakes judging will be on the board and report report only.only.

Judging SheetJudging Sheet

Don’t forget…Don’t forget…

Must have clearly stated variables and controls.Must have clearly stated variables and controls. Must have 3 trials – test the project 3 times Must have 3 trials – test the project 3 times

exactly the same way and record your data for exactly the same way and record your data for each trial/test.each trial/test.

Grade level vocabularyGrade level vocabulary When testing humans, must test 10 or more.When testing humans, must test 10 or more. Make a real life connection with your topicMake a real life connection with your topic Research Paper/ReportResearch Paper/Report

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method Question / Purpose / ProblemQuestion / Purpose / Problem HypothesisHypothesis MaterialsMaterials ProcedureProcedure ResultsResults ConclusionConclusion

SISD Science Fair RulesSISD Science Fair Rules Projects must be the work of the student. Teachers and parents Projects must be the work of the student. Teachers and parents

are only to provide guidance, encouragement, and constructive are only to provide guidance, encouragement, and constructive criticism.criticism.

Participants must be present at the time of judging for full point Participants must be present at the time of judging for full point opportunity.opportunity.

Exhibits must meet size specifications (48 inches by 48 inches) Exhibits must meet size specifications (48 inches by 48 inches) and all must stand on their own.and all must stand on their own.

Only the exhibit board, science report and the student are allowed Only the exhibit board, science report and the student are allowed to be present for judging.to be present for judging.

The following cannot be displayed for any categories: glass, The following cannot be displayed for any categories: glass, liquid, living organisms, electrical equipment, or hand held binders liquid, living organisms, electrical equipment, or hand held binders for data collection.for data collection.

Living organisms (animal, insects and humans) cannot be harmed Living organisms (animal, insects and humans) cannot be harmed in the process of the science experiment.in the process of the science experiment.

Bloody/bodily fluid or harmful bacteria (salmonella, e-coli, etc.) Bloody/bodily fluid or harmful bacteria (salmonella, e-coli, etc.) cannot be used in an experiment.cannot be used in an experiment.

The student and/or campus name will not appear on the board or The student and/or campus name will not appear on the board or on student clothing. Identification number labels will be issued to on student clothing. Identification number labels will be issued to participants prior to the district science fair.participants prior to the district science fair.

How To Display a ProjectHow To Display a Project

ProcedureProcedure

MaterialsMaterials

TitleTitle

Problem Problem

HypothesisHypothesis

Data (Graphs, Data (Graphs, pictures, etc.)pictures, etc.)

ResultsResults

ConclusionConclusion

Science Fair PacketScience Fair Packet

TimelineTimeline SISD Elementary Science Fair SISD Elementary Science Fair RulesRules SISD Judging FormSISD Judging Form Board DisplayBoard Display Scientific Method StepsScientific Method Steps Presentation RubricPresentation Rubric

Questions?Questions?

• E-mail Ms. Ayala or Mr.Garcia at E-mail Ms. Ayala or Mr.Garcia at

helenballscience@hotmail.comhelenballscience@hotmail.com• Call 937-8200 and leave a messageCall 937-8200 and leave a message• Visit the Helen Ball webpage for this power Visit the Helen Ball webpage for this power

point and web links.point and web links.

Don’t Forget to purchase your Don’t Forget to purchase your board for $5.00 in the front office!board for $5.00 in the front office!