Welcome to Crestwood’s 2017 Science Fair Information Meeting bill.schelinski@yahoo.com Welcome to Crestwood’s 2017 Science Fair Information Meeting Presenter: Matthew Williams Parent PTO Coordinator: Bill Schelinski bill.schelinski@yahoo.com

Who We Are: Crestwood Elementary Science Fair Committee Parent volunteers who want the scientific experience to remain a large part of our children’s education at Crestwood Elementary School Want the students to have a strong early experience because they will have to continue doing Investigations in middle school and high school Crestwood is the last elementary school in the Lindbergh district that continues to support the science fair Would like to have more parent volunteers, for after school help and judging projects Decided to allow Group Projects for Grades K – 4th, this will give the opportunity for more students to get involved, share the workload while having the whole project experience

What is an Investigation? Testable Question Hypothesis (What will happen) Research Experiment (Test the hypotheses) Conclusion (What happened, Was your hypothesis correct, If incorrect, why) Relevance (What was learned and what is the scientific worth)

Investigation Will be the only type project accepted this year Consists of Investigations + Logbook An easy transition from Crestwood Elementary School science fair to the Greater St. Louis Science Fair at Queeny Park Judging will be more consistent

Suggested Exhibit Layout TITLE BOARD Title Board Background Info on facts, significance, history and procedure Problem The investigative question Hypothesis If true, then expected findings Procedure Drawing of set of photos showing the independent variables and the set-up when the data is taken This may include a series of photos or drawing to show sequence of investigative procedure This must clearly show the viewer the study design Judges use the problem and study design as a means of comprehending the intent of your work Results Graphic on the findings All findings on a single graphic Conclusion Relate results to hypothesis and background information Logbook

Judging Volunteer judges will not be judging the 5th grade projects. 5th grade teachers will judge using the same rubric used by the Academy of Science Judges will use the rubric from the Academy of Science to judge the science fair K – 2nd grade uses a different rubric than 3rd – 5th The only difference being the number of items required on the bibliography

Science Fair Timeline Wed, Dec 14 Project selection and Entry Form Help (in Library after School) Fri, Dec 16 Entry Form Due to Classroom Teacher Weds, Jan 11-Feb 22 Project Help In Library (None on 2-15 Early Release) TBD 5th Grade Projects Due Mon, Feb 26 All Projects Due (Delivered to Library) Tue, Feb 27 - Judging in Library (judges needed) Thu, Mar 2 (Times TBD by Availability of judges)

Science Fair Timeline Thu, Mar 2 Crestwood Science Fair Night 6:30- 7:30 in the GYM (Set-Up After School) April 2017 Greater St. Louis Science Fair at Queeny Park (Need to Check Academy of Science Website for 2017 Dates

Tools Planning Guidebook Rubrics Help after school E-mail Bill Schelinski for help at bill.schelinski@yahoo.com Project Samples Books List @ Crestwood Library and St. Louis County Libraries

Project Help Something new this year Weekly meetings after school on Wednesdays Help in the Library All questions welcomed Wed, Jan 11 – Wed, Feb 22 From members of the Science Fair Committee

Quick Note Duct tape works best to keep display assembled “3 Shake Test” No pictures of child on project No glass, stinky stuff, or biological matter

Websites www.sciencefairstl.org (Greater St. Louis Science Fair website) http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/graphing/ (graphing website) http://www.plotvar.com/ (graphing website) http://www.easybib.com (bibliography generator) http://www.education.com/science-fair (ideas) http://www.sciencebuddies.org (ideas)