GKES Science Fair 2016

What is the GKES Science Fair?? This year, students will have a choice between two extra credit projects to be displayed at the Science Fair! Participation is OPTIONAL! Science Inquiry Project Scientist Research Project

What is a Science Project?  A project done to test something of interest from our observations in science.  Every project needs to have a testable question.  Projects are individual projects.  Will be judged and presented

What should I do for my project?  Students should choose a topic of interest to them. They will be spending about eight weeks on the project!  Select a project that will be FUN to do!  Be sure that your project tests something!  You should not know the results of your experiment before you conduct it!

What is NOT a Project??  A volcano  Anything that doesn’t test Mentos in soda  Something that does not include variables and is more of a demonstration

The MOST successful projects are: *fun and interesting to the students! *unique and different *useful to the public

Science Research Project Web Sites projects/project_ideas.shtml hp ircentral/ ive/science-fairs ml **Each website is available on your science teacher’s class page. Need Project Ideas???

What is a Scientist Research Project?  Students who choose to receive extra credit by completing the scientist research project must submit their posters and written report by Thursday, February 11 th.  Requirements for this option:  A poster that creatively represents the chosen scientist and his/her accomplishments  A 3-paragraph report that includes facts about the scientist’s life, scientific discoveries, and how his/her contributions are still relevant or have had an impact on today’s society.  The report should be typed in 12 pt. font in Times New Roman or Arial  These projects will also be displayed in the Science Fair, but will not be judged.

Advice  No matter your choice of project, stay ahead of schedule, create a timeline and stick to it – This will eliminate STRESS at the end.  DO NOT wait until the last minute to do your project!!  This is a 5 th Grade Science Project. Parents are not in fifth grade, so remember the students should be doing the work.

Observe Question Hypothesize Design Experiment Record Reflect

Observe  Observe: Look around. Discover. What interests you? What would you like to learn more about?  Pay attention to every day things. Something may just pop into your mind.

Question Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation. Example: How does the type of soil affect plant growth? Research your topic so you can come up with a logical hypothesis. Form a hypothesis using an “If, then, because …” statement.

Design  Use an Experimental Design Diagram (E.D.D.) to design an experiment to test your hypothesis.  You will have an independent (manipulated or changed) variable and a dependent (responding) variable.  You will set up your constants  Plan to do at least three trials. Why three?

Experimental Design Diagram Question: How does ________ affect ________? Hypothesis: If _________ then______________ because ________________. I.V.: Independent Variable. What “I” change. Experimental Group or Level of the I.V. Number of Repeated Trials Control Group Dependent Variable: ___________________________________________ How will the dependent variable be measured? Describe in detail including units. _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Constants: The parts of the experiment that remain the same to keep it fair._______________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

Variables  Independent - The independent variable is what is changed or manipulated for the experiment.  Examples: type of soil, temperature of water, amount of sugar, location of plant, etc. You can only have ONE independent variable per experiment!!  Dependent – The dependent variable is the variable that responds to the change that was made (independent variable) You don’t know what is going to happen, it is the reason for doing your experiment.  Examples: plant growth, boiling time, size of crystals, time to complete the course, etc.

Constants  Things to keep the same in an experiment in order to keep it fair.  IF you change more than one thing, you won’t know what the real cause was! Examples: time of day, amount of water, location of object, person doing an activity, etc.

Experiment Develop and follow a step by step procedure. Include a detailed materials list used for your experiment. Think of these as recipe. Your materials are the ingredients and the procedure is the steps to make your product. Be precise with your procedure. Assume the person doesn’t know what to do and they have to follow your directions. Repeat your experiment at least 3 times.

Record  Create a data table to collect your data. Display your data in a graph. Analyze your data and write a summary of the data trends on the graph.  Quantitative Data – data based on numbers and exact amounts or quantities  Qualitative Data – data based on general observations about what happened

Reflect  R.E.R.U.N. Conclusion Restate what you did in your experiment. Explain the purpose. Results – What happened? Uncertainty during your experiment? Unexpected results? New ideas for a new experiment. What did you learn? What could you test next time?

Bibliography  At least 3 references should be used for your project.  Resources need to be listed separately and formatted correctly.  Examples will be provided and can be found on your science teacher’s school fusion page.

Time to Give it a Try!! Be sure you have the following items: *Experiment Recording Sheet *Pencil *Penny *A 5 th Grade Student *An Adult

Examples  How does color of a candle affect burn rate?  How does the type of covering affect how quickly an apple turns brown?  Do some solutions conduct electricity better than others?  How does water temperature affect oil spreading rate?  Does what you eat affect your athletic performance?  Does the amount of people on the Internet affect the speed of it?  How does texting affect your ability to drive?  How do different liquids affect tooth decay?  How does the type of shampoo affect color treated hair?  How does smiling affect people's responses?  How do waves affect beach erosion?

Questions????