Science & Invention Fair March 21-23, 2011 Start thinking about your topics and ideas NOW! Don’t wait until it’s too late!

What is the Scientific Process? The Scientific Process includes all of the following: PROBLEM / TITLE HYPOTHESIS PROCEDURE MATERIALS OBSERVATIONS / PICTURES TRIALS – AT LEAST THREE RESULTS (Graph/Table) CONCLUSIONS

This year students will have the option to “create” an invention or conduct a traditional Science Fair Experiment. What is an invention? A creation of something new or an improvement of an existing item. Some examples of inventions are: Paper Clip – Helps keep papers together Post-It Notes – Two products in one Toilet Paper – Tubeless toilet paper Look What’s New! INVENTIONS If you had the chance to improve or create something new, what would it be?

Steps for a Successful Invention A successful invention project includes the following: Brainstorm Ideas Keep a Journal Research Survey Design Construction Testing Analysis/Report

Does it make a Connection? A Science / Invention Fair project should make a CONNECTION to the real world in some way. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROJECT? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? It will answer the question…

What is Expected? Include all aspects of the Scientific/Invention Process Exhibit their project on a Display Board Present the Display Board on their desks Demonstrate an understanding of their projects through an oral presentation Complete a “Science Fair Summary Sheet” All students in Burr Intermediate School are expected to: *Teachers may have additional requirements.

Science Fair / Invention Presentations You will be invited over the course of two days to view the projects.

How can you find a project idea? Think about a topic that interests you. Observe the world around you. Think about current events. Search the internet with parents. Explore your local library. W h a t w o u l d b e a g o o d t o p i c ?

Observe the World Around You Are there any problems you see within your community that could be solved using science? An example of an invention: The raccoons knock over the garbage cans - create a project based on a non-tipping garbage pail. An example of an experiment: I must shovel the whole driveway when it snows - create a project on how to melt snow faster.

Think About Current Events Examples: The ozone hole over Antarctica is getting bigger -Create a project on non-aerosol ways to spray things. Oil spills contaminate oceans and threaten wildlife -Create a project on how to clean oil out of water. Read a newspaper or watch the news with a parent Watch the Discovery Channel & The Learning Channel Search the Internet with a parent Read Time for Kids or Scholastic News

Questions to Ask Yourself Is your project original? Is it interesting to you? Can you test the question you are asking? Can you collect data over time? Can the project be tested more than three times to prove your results?

Science Fair & Invention Display Boards

Science Experiment Display Board

Purpose To find out if geranium plants need light Hypothesis Geranium plants need light Materials Two 6” healthy geranium plants Water Sunlight Cardboard box (large enough to fit geranium) Dark Closet Procedure 1.I chose two 6” healthy geranium plants and labeled one plant A and the other plant B. 2.I put plant A near a sunny window for seven days. 3.I put plant B in a closet under a cardboard box for seven days. 4.I watered each plant 1/4 cup of tap water each day. 5.I observed and recorded changed of both plants on day one, four, and seven. Results DayPlant APlant B 1Healthy 4 Leave s turning yellow 7HealthyYellow leaves Conclusion Geranium plants need light to stay green. Acknowledgement(s) My mother helped me to get the materials and design the science board. DayPlant APlant B 1 4 7

Science Invention Display Board

Sample Display Boards

Awards Assembly Each grade level has its own Awards Assembly. Each student will receive a Participation Certificate. Honorable Mention Certificates are given to three students per class. Brookhaven National Lab winners are announced and awarded a certificate and a “Blue Ribbon”.

Elementary School Science Fair Video

Thank You

Created by: Burr Science Collegial Circle Ida Hartman Stephanie Ierano Jeanette LaMountain Jody Mazur George Morrish Sue Ohlinger Tricia Tappin