Stanton Elementary Science Fair 2016-2017 Introduction to Science Fair and Regional Science Fair

What is Science Fair? A competition of Scientific Minds- A place to show case what your minds are thinking- A time to have FUN and Experiment with things in our everyday world-

Paperwork…blah blah blah Rules for Participation.pdf Science Fair Project Research Form.pdf

Looking for the answer to a question! What is an Experiment? Looking for the answer to a question! Students always want to make a volcano or lava lamp, I hear this every time I mention Science Fair. But WHAT is the QUESTION for the volcano or lava lamp? Usually they cannot think of one- because it is hard to come up with a scientific question for these specific experiments.

Project Categories Behavioral/Social Science Chemistry Earth/Space Science Engineering Environmental Science Life Science Mathematics/Physics

Where do I start? Have a QUESTION! Step 1: Start with a question. This is why you have decided to do this experiment. (Example: Why do potatoes last longer in cool dry places, then hot wet places?, Does using water with aspirin effect the growth of plants over 4 weeks?, How many preservatives are in fast food hamburgers compared to home cooked hamburgers?) *Title of Project- Come up with something catchy! The title should reflect your Question! This must be written on your paperwork. Where do I start? Have a QUESTION!

Make your question BIG on the Board!

HYPOTHESIS It’s an Educated Guess! (It is not a DIRTY WORD) Step 2: Make a Hypothesis: Scary word, but it won’t bite you! A hypothesis is simply and educated guess. (Example: I believe that potatoes will last longer is cool dry places because it does not provide a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, like hot wet places.; I believe that the plants grown with aspirin will not grow as large as the plants watered with regular faucet water., I believe that fast food hamburgers have many more preservatives then a home cooked hamburger because the food at fast food restaurants must travel a long way and then be preserved until consumed.) HYPOTHESIS (It is not a DIRTY WORD) It’s an Educated Guess!

Hypothesis Example

My educated guess…. I believe that different chemical reactions occur when certain substances are mixed. From this I will predict which mixed substances (yeast and hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and vinegar, or baking soda and lemon juice) will produce the most explosive eruption in my volcano. 

Material List and Procedure BE Exact and Specific

Conduct the Experiment Step 4: Conduct the Experiment: Make sure that you provide yourself with adequate time to complete the experiment. If it takes 4 weeks, remember to do this during the Christmas Holidays. If it takes 2 days- don’t wait until the last minute. You live in Stanton, not a lot of places to run and get things the night before! TAKE PICTURES- the actual experiment will not be performed in front of the judges. If you have a model, it can be displayed but the actual experiment is done at home. Conduct the Experiment

Collect Data Step 5: Collect Data: When doing an experiment, you must collect data! Make charts, take notes, TAKE PICTURES ! (Bar graphs, line graphs, daily journals are fabulous)

No experiments will be done in front of the judges. Pictures will document each step and procedures that the student made.

Time is Everything! Don’t RUN OUT of IT!

Analyze Information, Report Results Step 6: Analyze Information, Report your Results: Look at what has happened, review your pictures, and check your notebook. Write out what your results are or what you observed over the whole process.

Step 7: Conclusion: Write whether or not your hypothesis was correct Step 7: Conclusion: Write whether or not your hypothesis was correct. (Example: My hypothesis that stated the plants would grow better with regular faucet water was incorrect. Threw my experiment I discovered that the plant watered with 1 cup faucet water and 1 crushed baby aspirin grew and additional 3 inches compared to the plant that only had 1 cup faucet water.) Conclusion

What to do with the BOARD!

Attach with Glue, Not Glue Sticks

Make sure all 7 Steps are included on the board.

Schedule Time to do the Project!

Prepare to Present the Project Dress Nicely and COMB YOUR HAIR!

Important Dates to Remember December 6th- Project Idea approval and Paperwork turn-in! January 20th- tenative Set-up Project by 3:45PM January 21st- tenative Dress to impress, Project Presentation March 3rd- UTPB Set-up March 4th- UTPB Regional Science Fair

HAVE FUN!