Science Fair 2012 Family Night Science Committee: Ms. Bell, Mr. Poblete, Mrs. White, and Ms. Pickens

Purpose Understand why Science is so important Familiarize ourselves with Information Packet Review the Scientific Method Suggest ways to display captured data Understand the difference between model/diagram and experiment Gather ideas for a topic GET A FREE TRI-FOLD BOARD!!!

Science is IMPORTANT! Science teaches children about life. Scientist employees are needed. Science builds communication skills. Science develops patience and perseverance. Science can spark curiosity in children’s minds.

Information Packet The Science Fair will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2012. All students in grades 3-7 are required to complete a Science Fair project. Parents please offer assistance with the project. Information will be sent home periodically to help your student(s) complete his/her project correctly.

Information Packet Please keep all information in a safe place to use as a reference and a guideline as you work to complete the project. If you have questions or concerns please contact a Science Committee member at (410) 396-6443.

Information Packet- Rules The Science Fair Project has to be an experiment! It cannot be a display, diagram, survey, model or a demonstration. For example, a demonstration of “A Volcano” and a model of “The Solar System” are NOT experiments. The project has to be an experiment where you can see and record a cause and effect relationship over a period time.   X

Information Packet- Rules Anything considered “hazardous materials” is prohibited. This includes open flames, dangerous or combustible chemicals, illegal drugs, unshielded light bulbs, highly flammable materials, bacteria culture, poisonous animals, etc.  

Information Packet- Rules   Projects cannot involve vertebrates or poisonous animals. (i.e. mice, rats, hamsters, snakes, spiders, dogs etc.) It is acceptable to use invertebrates. (i.e. insects, worms, crustaceans)

The Scientific Method Select a Topic and ask a question- What are you trying to figure out about this topic? Do Background Research- gather information about your topic. Construct a Hypothesis- Based on your Research, what do you think you are going to find out? Predict what you think will happen.

The Scientific Method Materials- List the materials you will use to do your experiment. Test with an Experiment and record Procedure- Make a detailed list of the steps you completed to do your experiment. (While you are completing each step of the experiment, you will also be recording your observations.) Repeat Experiment at least twice!

The Scientific Method Analyze Data- What did you observe when you performed each experiment? (Data are the results of your experiment. They are written to show how you measured your results, either as a chart or graph. Keep a log of daily observations and/or changes that occurred during the experiment)

The Scientific Method Communicate Results and Make a Conclusion-From what you observed, how would you answer your original question? Was your hypothesis correct? What is your opinion and observations about the results and the data you collected?

Displaying Data The Results are the data that you collected.  The data must be objective and measurable.  The results are usually always numeric in nature. After collecting all of the data, you should present it in a way that is easy to visualize.  Graphs are a great way to do this, and they can really help you draw a conclusion from your results.  Nice looking graphs and charts are a key element of your science fair display. 

Chart Compare objects over a period of time Sample 1: Bread at 45 degrees Fahrenheit Sample 2: Bread at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Sample 3: Bread at 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Day 5 0% Mold 15% Molded Day 10 5% Molded 50% Molded Day 15 20% Molded 95% Molded Question: At what temperature does bred mold the fastest?

a line graph demonstrates change over time.

Bar Graph a bar/picture graph demonstrates a comparison between two or more things.

a circle/pie graph compares parts to the whole

What’s the Difference? Experiment Model/Diagram How do I build a volcano? How to make a replica of the Solar System? What materials block radio waves most effectively? Do detergents affect plant growth? Can you categorize different rocks?

Display Board design examples Write down any ideas that stand out to you while viewing each Science Fair display board

Do all colors fade at the same rate?

Does laundry water affect plant growth?

Do different conditions affect the speed at which bananas ripen?

Do sixth graders remember auditory or visual information?

How do mass and speed affect an object’s momentum?

Do nighttime activities affect your dreams?

Does the eye see color and shape at the same rate?

Can an eggshell dissolve in different liquids?

Does the type of bat affect how far a ball will go?

In which weather does static electricity work the best?

Does noise affect concentration?

Which gum taste lasts the longest?

Which brand of popcorn pops the most popcorn?

Does the amount of Ph. in a garden affect the growth of the plant?

Turn your topic in to your science teacher Date Activity January 4, 2012 Turn your topic in to your science teacher January 12– February 5, 2012 DATA PHASE -State your hypothesis -Gather your materials -Begin & complete your first experiment -Repeat the experiment -Keep a record of the results from each experiment

February 6 – March 2, 2012 March 5 – April 15, 2012 Date Activity February 6 – March 2, 2012 Writing Phase -Begin the written report Graph or chart your data Complete the written report March 5 – April 15, 2012 Display Board Phase -Collect decorations for your display board -Begin creating your display board -Finish your display board -Select items from experiment to display -Practice your presentation

Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Thursday, April 19, 2012 Date Activity Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Publication Phase Science Fair Project due at school Thursday, April 19, 2012 School Science Fair 5-7 p.m.

Helpful Science Fair Websites: www.sciencebuddies.org http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com www.sciencebob.com 4. http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scifair