Northport-East Northport Science Fair 2017 Presentation

Supporting Your Child and Having Fun Through the Process! ...and tips for creating a winning project! David Storch-District Chairperson of Science & Technology Education Lori Beekman-Principal Bellerose Ave School Chris Spiros-Pulaski Road School Science Fair Coordinator Matt Comiskey-Dickinson Avenue School Science Fair Coordinator Andrea Ferrari-Fifth Avenue School Science Fair Coordinator Sue Cucchiara-Bellerose Avenue School Science Fair Coordinator Amy Laverty-Ocean Avenue School Science Fair Coordinator Lindsey Andersen-Norwood Avenue School Science Fair Coordinator

Congratulations on your decision to participate in the Science Fair! Follow these tips to help your child along the way. Have fun and enjoy this special time learning with your child!

Getting Started What if I'm not sure what kind of experiment my child should do? How can I help him or her with project ideas? One place to help you get started is at: www.sciencebuddies.org Your school website has many good resources (including this powerpoint!)

Project ideas that come from your Winning Tip #1 Project ideas that come from your child's natural sense of wonder GET NOTICED!

Conducting an Investigation A Science Model vs. A Science Investigation ...there's an important difference!

The best projects are investigations, not models or displays. Winning Tip #2 The best projects are investigations, not models or displays.

Steve Spangler website provides some great information! Experiments and Investigations * An experiment is a test or trial done for the purpose of discovering something unknown or validating a theoretical principle. * Experiments follow a pattern of discovery...based on the idea of the scientific method. * Experiments are much more interesting because your child will gain meaningful insights and make important connections along the way. * Experiments use the steps of the Scientific Method as a framework to guide your child through the process. Steve Spangler website provides some great information!

Winning Tip #3 Judges look for projects that are based on the Scientific Method. The process of thinking scientifically is key!

Use the Scientific Method as a Guide Projects should be based on the Scientific Method (that's where the learning happens!)

Develop a Good Question! Find experiments that can be tested! Now that you have your project idea, it's time to think about a good question. Take a look at the handout to take a step-by-step approach to doing your project! Find experiments that can be tested! http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/Getting-Started/Investigation.html#simple

Consider experiments that can be tested and measured! Keep it simple. Winning Tip #4 Consider experiments that can be tested and measured! Keep it simple.

Develop a Hypothesis! A hypothesis is an educated guess. It's what you think will happen even before you start your project. It should be an if/then statement. For example: If I add more mentos to a soda bottle, then the stream of the soda will rise higher.

Winning Tip #5 It is VERY important to display your QUESTION and your HYPOTHESIS on your project board. Don't forget your Project Title! Labeling all parts of your project is important!

Begin Your Experiment: Be sure you have the right tools on hand to take careful measurements, like rulers, tape measure, thermometer, graduated cylinder, etc. Keep good records of everything you do in your Science Journal! Scientists generally use the metric system, so if you keep your measurements in Liters, Centimeters, Celsius, Grams, etc, you are on your way to a great job!

Winning Tip #6 Use a Science Journal to record your data. You can show your work here and record important information. A composition notebook works just fine! Remember to bring it on the day of the science fair! Use the metric system to express data.

Help your child to repeat the experiment at least three times! Gather and Record Data Your child is on his or her way! Guide them as they collect and record data along the way. In real life applications, science experiments are always repeated more than once in order for them to be valid. Help your child to repeat the experiment at least three times! Using graphs helps readers visualize what happened during the investigation.

Winning Tip #7 The best projects are tested several times. The results of testing is shown through graphs. This helps build a stronger case for your conclusion.

Gather Information Doing a science fair project is a great way to encourage your child to read and gather information. Take a trip to the library and guide them to use the Internet for sites that help them learn more about their topic. Use the opportunity to speak with people who are experts to find out even more.

Winning Tip #8 Doing research about your topic can greatly enhance a child's understanding and add to the project!

Add Pictures! Photographs not only add interest to your project, but are a helpful way for anyone who learns from your project to understand your experiment. Include pictures as you progress along the way!

Winning Tip #9 Help your child by taking photographs as they progress through their project. Keep faces out of the pictures!

Develop a Conclusion. As your child follows the steps of the Scientific Method, don't forget to include a conclusion. What did you learn? Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect? Tell how you know! Consider including a section called "For Next Time."

Winning Tip #10 The most successful projects include a conclusion that answers the question and addresses the hypothesis!

Enjoy the experience of scientific investigation with your child!

Bonus Winning Tip Have fun with your child as you support him or her. The benefits of doing a science project will last a lifetime!

In summary... * Get started! * Conduct an Investigation/Do an Experiment * Use the Scientific Method * Develop a Good Question that can be Tested * Develop a Hypothesis * Begin the Experiment * Gather and Record Data Along the Way * Gather Information from Outside Sources * Add Pictures for Interest * Develop a Conclusion * ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR CHILD!

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THANKS! Any questions?