August 21, 2014 Parent Information Night By: Ms. Morgan Curriculum Coach

 Develops Higher Order Thinking Skills in students  Allows children to work as a scientist  Allows children to work in-depth on a topic of interest  Students will be given several major grades for science these 9 weeks

Physical science is the study of non-living matter  Matter  Energy  Physics  Chemistry

 Problem: Will the “Energizer” battery last longer than the Dollar Tree” battery?  Manufacturers usually claim that their product will last longer. Students can test different brands of batteries and determine if price is a factor in how long they last.

 Living organisms  Life process  Biology  Medicine  Plants  Animals

 Which sugary drinks will affect sugar levels the most?  Student compared how coffee, tea, soda, fruit juice, Gatorade, and water raised blood sugar levels. She used 10 members of her family and a diabetes test kit to measure levels.

 Natural Pesticides: Which natural pesticides will work best to get rid of ants?  Does Temperature Affect the Chirping of Crickets?  Who has a better memory, boys or girls?

Projects that consist and deal with the earth, its composition or changing aspects.  Geography  Geology  Meteorology  Oceanography

 Composting: Does the type of soil in a compound mix affect decomposition rates?  Does indoor or outdoor air have more particles?

Good Board  Research provided explaining scientifically how their experiment worked  Reasonable hypothesis  Data collection in the form or graphs, charts, tables  Explains the results  Provides a conclusion  Has an application for how the experiment relates to the real world  Provides pictures of materials, procedure and execution of experiment either drawn or photographed  Cites sources  Bad Board  Cannot explain how experiment relates to science  Does not have a reasonable hypothesis  Is a model, demonstration or collection  Does not have data, graphs, tables or does not show trials attempted  No real world application  No pictures or illustrations describing the experiment  Does not cite sources

 Demonstrations Volcanoes Tornados Model of Solar System How a light bulb works What will sink or float? Observing Colors Why is the sky blue? Disappearing Egg Which popcorn pops the most kernels?, Detergent, Soil, Diaper  No new information is discovered from these types of projects  The outcome is already known before the experiment begins (ex. We already know that there are 8 planets in the Solar System)

 A test of at least two different items (comparison)  Involve the use of variables  Involve students in an experiment where the results can be guessed at but are not known for sure  The outcome may be different from what the child thought

 Keep it simple  Use the real world  Commercials are a goldmine!!  Which detergent cleans better?  Which batteries last longer?  Which brand of popcorn pops more kernels?  Which diaper is more absorbent?  ALWAYS USE VARIABLES (compare)!!!

 Independent variable- a factor or condition that is intentionally changed in an experiment  Dependent variable- a factor or condition that might be affected as a result of the change  Controlled variable- a variable that is not changed

A student wanted to test how the mass of a paper airplane affected the distance it would fly. Paper clips were added before each test flight. The mass of the plane (number of paper clips added) was the manipulated variable. The responding variable was the distance flown. The controlled variable was the fact that the same plane was used for each trial.

1. Question/Problem 2. Hypothesis 3. Procedure 4. Data/Photographs 5. Results 6. Conclusion

ProcedureMaterialsTitleProblemHypothesisData (Graphs, Photos) ResultsConclusion

1. Projects must be the work of the student. Teachers and parents are only to provide guidance, encouragement, and constructive criticism. 2. Participants must be present at the time of judging for full point opportunity. 3. Only the display board and the student are allowed to be present for judging.

Procedure 1. Gather all the materials 2. Have each person blow into a 12 inch balloon in one breath 3. Measure circumference of the balloon that was blown up 4. Record results Materials -10 adults, 18 years and older -10 kids, 18 years and younger , 12 inch balloons -1 measuring tape -1 piece of yarn, 1 meter long Title The Deepest Breath Problem Does age make a difference in lung capacity? Hypothesis I think that kids under 10 years old will have a greater lung capacity because they get more exercise than adults. Data (Graphs, Photos, Table) ResultsConclusion

Science Fair Project Due: Students will receive a Science Project Packet to go home and follow through the process of the Experiment they are conducting. All Science Projects are Due to Teacher for Judging no later than September 15, 2014

Thank you Hoot! Hoot! Hoot!