Carie Callan Lopatka

1
FCAT and Science Fair

• Carie Callan Lopatka
• Orange County Regional Science and Engineering
  Fair

2
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test

• Checks for knowledge of
• Understanding What You Read
• Analyzing Primary Source Information
• Comparing and Contrasting
• Main Idea, Details and Patterns of Organization
• Gathering, Analyzing and Evaluating Information
• Synthesizing Information and Drawing Conclusions
• Recognizing Cause-and-Effect Relationships
• Narrative Writing

3
Understanding What You Read Analyzing Primary
Source Information

• In the Science Fair process students must prepare
  a complete bibliographic search on their topic.
• It can be established that they understand what
  they read by providing a written summary of the
  article including knowledge gained and article
  authenticity.

4
Comparing and Contrasting
Science is always changing and through that
change discovery is made.

• Comparision and Contrast are key elements in any
  scientific experiment. Students observe
  similarities and differences between their
  control and experimental groups. In turn,
  correlating those changes with their variables.

5
Main Idea, Details and Patterns of Organization

• During an independent science research project
  students must select a main idea of study. As
  they read their selected references they can make
  notes of any supporting details, ie.
• Previously performed experiments on their topic
• Appropriate dates or people involved
• Results obtained
• Patterns of Organization come into play as
  students begin to realize the actual steps of
  their experimentation and through trial and error
  reassess their procedure.

6
Gathering, Analyzing and Evaluating
Informationthrough the Scientific Method
7
Recognizing Cause-and-Effect Relationships

• Through the careful analysis of data, students
  should be able to recognize the presence or
  absence of cause-and-effect relationships.

8
Synthesizing Information and Drawing Conclusions

• Throughout the entire scientific process students
  are required to assimilate information gained
  from various sources
• Their current experiment
• Related current articles
• Interviews with professionals
• Previous experiments
• Past experiences

• Students may then draw their own conclusions by
  considering the following
• Hypothesis
• Data
• Results
• Information
• Common sense

9
Participating Counties
For a complete list log on to http//www.fffs.ucf.
edu/
10
Why Science Fair?

• Science Fair is the real application of
  scientific principles and techniques, not just
  reading about what someone else did in a book.
• You, your school and your students deserve
  recognition for all your hard work and dedication
  to the promotion of science education in your
  community.

11
Why Science Fair?

• Science Fair brings FCAT to life (Reading,
  Writing, Math and Science) as well as integrates
  National Science Standards!
• Student research promotes skills that are
  essential in the job force
• Teamwork Honesty Time Management
• Responsibility Discipline Organization
  Skills

12
Valuable Resource

• The Ultimate Guide to Science Fair Projects
• Step by step student workbook
• Low cost guide for independent study
• Detailed instructions and glossary
• High School edition includes statistical analysis
• Middle and High School Editions
• Teacher Resource Edition
• www.awesomeguides.com