“ The formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution.” -- Albert Einstein

An Introduction to Cobb County School’s Standards- Based Science Fair!

Mark the date: The Cobb County School District Elementary Science Fair Deadline: All entries MUST be registered by Wed., January 24, 2012 Saturday, February 4, 2011 Wheeler High School

-Grades: 3-5 -No more than 3 entries per grade level per school -Group entries are allowed -Science notebooks or journals are encouraged Important Details:

Projects should: Follow scientific method Answer question(s) Support results with data

Follow the Scientific Method Define the question Form a hypothesis Perform the experiment and collect data Analyze data Interpret data and communicate conclusions

What Makes a Project Great? Students come up with their own question based on their own interests Students design an investigation to answer their question(s)

Great projects use… Best Practices… Student initiated and completed Experiment-based Data-driven results analyzed and written No thanks: Models (Volcano, Robot, etc.) “Research only” projects

What Kind of Questions? Do coffee grounds affect the growth of plants? Which type of surface can an insect walk on best? Which sunscreen blocks sunlight the best? What food do mealworms like best? How long does it take a candle to go out? Examples:

The biggest problem… is choosing a problem! Scientific Challenge

How do I display my results? Quantitative data includes numbers and/or units of measure Measurements: height, weight, voltage, time, distance, quantity Data presentation: graph, matrix, table, etc. Comparative data that validates (proves) conclusions

Display Board Pictures Procedure Data Notebook or Journal How do I display my results?

Select entries from your School Science Fair

Photos by Jennifer A. Gates

Judges use a standards-based rubric to assess all entries. Each grade level is assessed individually.

Entries are set-up the morning of the fair. The fair is open to the public and students can view all other entries.

Cobb District Science Blog! pepad.com/es/

Wheeler Fairs (Elementary, Middle & High) Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 Deadline for submissions and applications: Wednesday, January 24, 2012

A standards- based rubric is used to judge all entries (3-5). Use it to judge your school fair and give students exposure prior to the District Fair.

An information page is available for download. Share it with parents, PTSA, and post to your school blog.

More info or list? Contact Jennifer A. Gates District Fair Coordinator Norton Park ES

Want to Help? Volunteer Contacts Jennifer A. Gates – Fair Coordinator Norton Park ES Elizabeth Jefferson – Austell Intermediate Sally Creel – District Science Supervisor K-5