Encouraging Students to Learn

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Encouraging Students to Learn Think Like
Scientists.The Positive Science FairExperience

• Presenter
• David W. Helm, Science Specialist
• david.helm_at_fayette.kyschools.us
• 859-699-1437

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Project Selection

• Work with your child to select a topic
  interesting to them (e.g., paper airplanes)
• Ask, What does the topic do?
• Q What do paper airplanes do?
• A They fly!!!

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Project Selection

• Q How do I change what paper airplanes do?
• A Perhaps I can change the mass of the plane?
• So now you have your experimental question!
• Does changing the mass of a paper airplane
  effect how far it flies?

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Variable Identification

• Independent Variable The variable changed by
  the experimenter.
• Mass of the paper airplane
• Dependent Variable The variable that changes as
  a result of IV change (the change which is
  measured)
• The distance the plane flies

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Variable Identification

• Controlled Variables things that might change
  but shouldnt because they might effect the
  results sometimes referred to as constants.
• Type of paper
• Airplane shape
• Launch style
• Winds aloft
• Others?

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Hypothesis

• An Educated Prediction
• If . then
• If (independent variable changes this way), then
  (the dependent variable changes this way)
• If the mass of the paper airplane is increased,
  then the distance the plane flies will decrease

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Materials and Procedure

• Use things you have already
• Be creative with existing materials
• Procedures should be clear and concise
• Perform multiple trials
• Repeatable by others

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Data Collection / Results

• Multiple Trials Performed
• Averages determined where appropriate
• Record in an organized fashion
• Tables, charts, spreadsheets, etc.
• Graph line, bar, histogram, etc.

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Conclusion

• Summarize results
• Conclusions reached are justified, based on the
  experimental data
• Identify new questions for investigation
• Possible application of the work

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Display Boards

• Title
• Purpose
• Hypothesis
• Procedures
• Data
• Graph(s)
• Conclusion

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Science Fair Projects -A Successful Science
Fair Project

• Represents student work
• Shows careful planning
• Includes a complete record i.e., journal
• Includes photos, charts, pictures, etc.
• Has accurate, valid, and correct observations
• Is attractive and organized

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- Science Fair Projects -A Successful Science
Fair Project

• Does NOT have to cost much
• Gives credit to those who helped
• Is an experiment!

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Science Fair Projects are not.

• Just a report
• A plastic model made from a kit
• A weekend chore
• A poster
• Something done only by Mom or Dad
• (or that loving sibling)

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Helping Your Child

• Give support, encouragement, and guidance
  always be POSITIVE!
• Help your child plan mutually
• Help your child to develop appropriate process
  skills
• Assist with good record keeping
• Help your child develop a safe project!

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Helping Your Child

• Feel a sense of pride and satisfaction when the
  project and science fair are finished
• ENJOY AND HAVE FUN WITH THIS!!!

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Questions???

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Encouraging Students to Learn Think Like
Scientists.The Positive Science
FairExperience
Presenter David W. Helm, Science
Specialist david.helm_at_fayette.kyschools.us 859-699
-1437