Science Fair Project

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Science Fair Project

• Kick-Off

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Rockledge Elementary Science Fair2007-2008

• March 5, 2008

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Science Fair Information

• Everyone participates in the school
• Grades K-2 complete class projects
• Grades 3-5 complete individual projects
• which is graded for the third quarter
• Majority of work is completed at home
• Grades 4-5 also must complete a brief research
  paper
• Grade 3 must complete a research fact sheet

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What is a Science Fair Project?

• An investigation?
• Construction of a kit or model?
• A demonstration of a scientific principle?
• It is all of these,
• HOWEVER

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What is a Science Fair Project?

• Our students will be conducting an investigation!

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I can do all kinds of things for my topic in

• Biology
• Physical Science
• Earth/Space Science
• Chemistry

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Guidelines for choosing a topic

• Only Third graders can do consumer projects
• No Projects involving VERTEBRATES
• No Models
• No Bacteria Projects
• Mold projects must have my approval for safety
  reasons

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Vertebrates are FISH
Dont experiment on me!
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Vertebrates are REPTILES

• Like
• Snakes
• Lizards
• Turtles

Dont Experiment on us!
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Vertebrates are AMPHIBIANS
Like FROGS and SALAMANDERS
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Vertebrates are BIRDS
Dont Experiment on us!
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Vertebrates are MAMMALS

• SUCH AS-
• Rabbits
• Dogs
• Cats
• Hamsters
• Gerbils
• AND ..

NO EXPERIMENTS ON US!
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PEOPLE ARE MAMMALS TOO!

• Do not do experiments on people like making them
  taste something, exercise and check heart rate or
  breathing or even asking survey questions

Dont experiment on us!
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Topics I can do- Invertebrates
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Models do not allow you to collect data

• Such as
• Volcanoes
• Or
• The Solar System

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CONSUMER SCIENCE IS FOR THIRD GRADE ONLY!

• What paper towel soaks up the most water?
• What diaper absorbs the most liquid?
• Which ketchup is thicker?

Consumer science is testing a product or
comparing it to another brand of the same product.
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Student Journal

• Each student receives a science fair project
  journal that takes the student step-by-step
  through the process
• It is the place to keep track of the project
  steps throughout the process
• Gives examples and explanations of each step
• Gives a place for teacher/parent communication
• Gives a place for teacher/student communication

Take A Look!
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Getting StartedChoosing a Topic

• Research some topics using the library and/or
  internet
• The topic should be something you have a question
  about that is related to science
• Can the question be answered through an
  experiment?

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What is a scientific investigation?

• It has a QUESTION What exactly are you trying to
  find out?
• It has a HYPOTHESIS - written as a PREDICTION
  Based on your research, and/or your own
  experiences, make an educated guess as to what
  you think will happen.
• Be sure to support your prediction with a reason!

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What is a scientific investigation?

• It has VARIABLES
• An independent variable is the thing you
  purposely change.
• A dependent variable is the thing thats being
  observed. Its what you hope will change during
  the experiment.
• The variables that do not change are controlled
  variables.

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What is a scientific investigation?

• It has MATERIALS
• Be specific!
• Give amounts and sizes
• For example 2 liters of water
• You must use METRIC measurements!

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What is a scientific investigation?

• It has Procedures
• The procedures are a detailed step-by- step set
  of directions of how to conduct the experiment.
• Procedures are numbered
• There should be at least 3 repeated trials

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What is a scientific investigation?

• It has an EXPERIMENT. This is your chance to
  test your prediction.
• Data should be collected throughout your
  investigation. Decide what data tool will most
  fit your needs.

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What is a scientific investigation?

• It has RESULTS. This is what actually happened
  in the investigation. This should include data,
  at least one graph, and a written explanation.
• It also has a CONCLUSION. Was your prediction
  supported? What did you learn? What things would
  you do to change the investigation? What will
  you do next? How does what you learned apply to
  the real world. The conclusion is written in
  paragraph form.

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Research Paper

• Title Page
• Acknowledgements
• Question
• Background research
• Sources/Bibliography

Two examples of research papers written by
students are included in the journal.
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What is a scientific investigation?

• Finally, it has a PRESENTATION. This includes
  the backboard and the oral report.
• Please see p.53 in journal

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Science Fair Projects are due in school by
Tuesday, March 4, 2008!
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Science Fair is on Wednesday, March 5, 2008!

• Each student will be interviewed and scored by a
  judge
• Students at each grade level will be awarded a
  grand, first, second, third place, and honorable
  mention
• Kids for Science county competition is being held
  at Eleanor Roosevelt High School - Friday, May 16
  and Saturday, May 17, 2008
• Deadline for Registration April 2, 2008
• For selected fourth and fifth grade winners only

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Any Questions
? ? ? ? ? ? ?
patricia.kerner_at_pgcps.org
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Thank you for all of your support!