SCIENCE FAIR Mini-Lesson #1 Choosing A Topic
Warm-Up: Science Fair Intro Answer the following questions on the notecard provided. List 4 favorite activities or hobbies List 3 news or science headlines that interest you List 2 recent inventions that caught your attention or you are fascinated by List 1 thing you would change about the world if you could.
Why is the Science Fair Important? It SHOULD require students to demonstrate their skills as a scientist It SHOULD involve an interesting problem students want to solve It SHOULD heighten student interest in science
A science fair project SHOULD NOT be a means to torture students
Websites To Help You: www.sciencebuddies.org www.googlesciencefair.com
Starting The Science Fair Journey…. Parent Letter (give to parents / guardians) Choosing a Topic
NOW….. Using the folder, read “The Steps of the Scientific Method” and “Your Question”. Copy and answer the 3 questions below. Title this Science Fair Topic in your composition book. You will have 15 minutes. Write the 6 steps you will take in your science fair project? What is a fair test and why is it important? What sort of topics should we avoid?
RULES FOR TOPICS NO to vertebrates YES to insects, worms, sow bugs NO to humans NO to models NO to bacteria & mold NO to tissues, DNA, hazardous substances, controlled chemicals NO to projects that are too simple (evaporating liquids / growing crystals)
What to look for in a topic? Are you interested in it? Is there a factor that can be changed? Can the changed factor be measured easily? Is it age appropriate?
TODAY YOU WILL WRITE YOUR PROPOSAL…. DO use the topic books to help DON’T think just because its in the topic book that I will approve it DO fill out the “Student Proposal Plan” for a topic you wish to perform DO FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS….NO MOLD, NO BACTERIA, NO HUMANS, ETC. DO find an alternate in case your first topic is not approved You must have your topic chosen submitted with a parent signature by: A = Thursday September 28, 2017 B = Friday September 29, 2017