SCIENCE FAIR 2011

PARENT PRESENTATION

Purpose of Tonight

• To give you information concerning what constitutes a science fair project

• To make you aware of the timelines connected to the Science Fair

• Answer any questions you may have about the Science Fair or the projects.

Dates Due

• This helps keep the project going forward so it is well designed and the project actually produces data that is accurate.

• Students are going to be held accountable for meeting these deadlines as this develops a life long job skill.

Question – Due October 8th

• This is the KEY to a good science fair project.

• If our question is good, then our we seriously can develop a good experiment.

• They give you some examples in the packet concerning questions.

Hypothesis Due October 14th

• This is the prediction you make of what you think is going to happen.

• An important aspect of this part is to give a REASON as to why you think your prediction is going to happen.

Variables Due October 22nd

• We have two types of variables: Controlled Variable and Independent or Manipulated Variable.

• The controlled variable is the one thing that I keep the same.

• The Manipulated or Independent Variable is what changes i.e. the weight of my airplane.

Materials Due October 29th

• This is a list of all the items you will need to conduct your experiment.

• Make sure you are specific and give amounts and sizes.

Procedures Due November 5th

• These are DETAILED step-by-step directions for doing the experiment.

• You must be exact in explaining the steps you are going to use so anyone can replicate your experiment.

• You need to do this experiment at least 5 times to make it valid.

Data Due November 11th

• You must first design a data collection system such as a graph, chart, journal entry. How are you going to record your data each day or for each trial?

• Make sure your system is capable of showing repeated trials.

• Neatness, neatness, neatness is the key to this section of your project.

Results Due November 19th

• This part of the project includes three parts:– Data Chart where you have collected your

raw data.– Graph (line, bar, or pie)

• Line shows continuous data• Bar shoes distinctive data• Pie when the data is a percentage of a whole

– Written Explanation of the chart and graph.

Conclusion Due December 3rd

• The conclusion tells what you learned from your experiment.

• You will need to answer the questions on page 27 and 28 completely and accurately.

Research Due December 17th

• Made up of many parts:– Title Page– Acknowledgements– Background Research– Sources and Bibliography

Display Checklist Due December 20th

• This can be found on page 55 of your booklet.

• It is your self and parent checklist to determine the quality of your project.

Completed Projects Due January 5th

• Please look at page 57 of your packet to see how the Science Boards must be set-up.

• Boards can be purchased at Staples, Walmart, Office Depot

• Projects must be in the classrooms by 8:00 am.

Judging will take place on January 12th

• No parents or visitors may be present during the judging and scoring time.

• A scoring sheet can be found on page 59 of the packet.

• Students will be interviewed and will have to be able to explain their projects thoroughly to the judges.

GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY EXPERIMENTING!