Science Fair Information Mark the dates Proposal form due: Monday, December 8 th, 2014 Main projects due: Tuesday, January 20 th, 2015 Primary projects due: Monday, January 26 th, 2015

A Recipe for Science Success Key Ingredients for a Successful Science Fair Project

Ingredient #1 A healthy dose of student interest

Ingredient #2 Add one wonderful topic! When it comes to choosing a science fair topic, let the scientist (your student) be the guide.

Ingredient #3 Don’t forget the QUESTION! Without it your science fair “recipe” will be incomplete!

When it comes to deciding on the question that will direct your experiment, remember the “3-S” rule. Short Simple Student-led

Examples of “3-S” Questions In what color light will plants grow best? Which paper towel is the strongest? Which type of gum keeps its flavor the longest? Which type of paper fades the slowest in the sun? Use Pinterest for ideas

Ingredient #4 A HYPOTHESIS. Don’t let the sound of that word scare your student off. When you state your hypothesis you are simply writing down what you think will happen when you do the experiment. No experiment is official without one!

Examples of Hypotheses In what color light will plants grow best? – I think plants will grow best in artificial light. Which paper towel is the strongest? – I think Bounty paper towel will be the strongest.

It is important to state your hypothesis BEFORE starting your experiment.

Ingredient #5 The list of materials you will need to complete the experiment. Be specific – include the sizes and quantities of the items you will need for your investigation.

Ingredient #6 The experimental procedure. This is where you record the steps you need to take to complete your experiment.

Ingredient #7 Data - This is the information you collect from your experiment. Measure the results from your experiment in time, distance, weight, temperature change, or counting.

Ingredient #8 The conclusion/concluding statement. This is where the scientist reports if the experiment supported or did not support the hypothesis (what he or she thought would happen).

Ingredient #9 The final and perhaps most important ingredient to a successful science experiment is a lab assistant who supports the scientist but lets the scientist take the lead. Have fun being a lab assistant, and your child will have fun being the scientist!

Voila! Your Project is Complete! Once you have completed your project, you have one of two choices about how it is presented.

Project Submission Option 1 - Submitting your project for display only. Projects submitted only for display will not be judged for the Teasley science fair competition.

Project Submission Option 2 – Submitting your project for the district science fair competition. (3-5 only) Projects submitted for the district science fair competition must be presented to the judges.

Projects will be judged on the following criteria: Scientific approach Detail Originality Scientific Method Visual Clarity of Display Student Understanding Student Knowledge of Project Data (Remember – scientists use the metric system)

1st place projects in grades 3-5 will be asked to attend the district science fair on March 7 th, 2015