STEP 1: ASKING A GOOD QUESTION. Your Child’s STEM Fair Project

HOW DOES ______________ AFFECT ________________? QUESTIONS DO NOT HAVE TO BE IN THIS FORMAT, BUT IT WILL GUIDE YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IF YOU TRY TO FORM YOUR QUESTION THIS WAY. Good Question Format

THE QUESTION SHOULD BE ONE THAT CAN LEAD TO AN EXPERIMENT OR INVESTIGATION, WHICH WILL YIELD DATA. Questions *Good questions do NOT lead to a report, a demonstration, or a model.

A GOOD QUESTION SHOULD BE ONE FROM WHICH YOU CAN COLLECT DATA (MEASUREMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS) AND NOT OPINIONS! SHOULD BE SPECIFIC RATHER THAN BROAD. IS ONE IN WHICH THE MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE EXPERIMENT ARE EASY TO FIND OR BUY. SHOULD NOT LEAD TO A SIMPLE YES OR NO ANSWER. Questions

INCLUDE ANY QUESTION THAT IS ANSWERED BY DOING AN EXPERIMENT OR INVESTIGATION AND INCLUDES THE CONTROL OF INDEPENDENT, DEPENDENT, AND CONTROLLED VARIABLES. Acceptable Examples of STEM Fair Questions

ANY QUESTION THAT INVOLVES….. THE GROWTH OF ANY MICROORGANISM FROM OUR ENVIRONMENT SUCH AS… Washed/unwashed hands, Cutting boards Kitchen sponges Or any microorganisms obtained from a commercial, research, or medical source. THE GROWTH OF MOLD. REASON: SAFETY CONCERNS Unacceptable Examples of STEM Fair Questions

ANY QUESTION THAT INVOLVES….. THE USE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SUCH AS DRUGS, ALCOHOL, OR DANGEROUS CHEMICALS. REASON: SAFETY CONCERNS MODELS OR DEMONSTRATIONS SUCH AS VOLCANOES OR SOLAR SYSTEMS Unacceptable Examples of STEM Fair Questions

ANY QUESTION THAT INVOLVES….. GIVING OR WITHHOLDING OF FOOD, WATER, EXERCISE, MEDICATION, OR LEARNING TO ANY VERTEBRATE ANIMAL (INCLUDING HUMANS). REASON: SAFETY CONCERNS NARRATIVE REPORTS BASED ON A COLLECTION OF FACTS NOT CENTERED ON A QUESTION. Unacceptable Examples of STEM Fair Questions

IS BASKETBALL OR TENNIS MORE ENJOYABLE FOR 5 TH GRADERS? Is it a good question? No

WHY IS THIS AN UNACCEPTABLE STEM FAIR QUESTION? USE OF INAPPROPRIATE RESOURCES (DRUGS, MICROORGANISMS, ANIMALS, WEAPONS, ETC) LEADS TO A SIMPLE YES OR NO ANSWER CANNOT BE MEASURED IS BROAD AND NOT SPECIFIC No

WOULD TYLENOL OR ADVIL WORK QUICKER FOR A HEADACHE? Is it a good question? No

WHY IS THIS AN UNACCEPTABLE STEM FAIR QUESTION? USE OF INAPPROPRIATE RESOURCES (DRUGS, MICROORGANISMS, ANIMALS, WEAPONS, ETC) LEADS TO A SIMPLE YES OR NO ANSWER CANNOT BE MEASURED IS BROAD AND NOT SPECIFIC No

HOW DOES THE AMOUNT OF RAIN AFFECT THE GROWTH OF A TOMATO PLANT? Is it a good question? Yes, this is a good question because it meets all of the requirements!

DOES CHOCOLATE MELT FAST IN THE SUNLIGHT? Is this a good question?

WHY IS THIS AN UNACCEPTABLE STEM FAIR QUESTION? LEADS TO A SIMPLE YES OR NO ANSWER CANNOT BE MEASURED IS BROAD AND NOT SPECIFIC No

DOES THE SIZE OF A MARBLE AFFECT HOW LONG IT TAKES TO ROLL DOWN A RAMP? Is this a good question? Yes, this is a good question because it meets all of the requirements!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER! THANK YOU!