STEM Science Fair James Ryder Randall Elementary January 14, 2010

What is a STEM Science Fair Project? …Our students will be conducting an investigation relating to Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics!

Agreement of Understanding Everyone participates in the school. Everyone participates in the school. Grades Pre-K-3 complete class projects. Grades Pre-K-3 complete class projects. Grades 4-6 complete individual projects. Grades 4-6 complete individual projects. –You should complete a science fair project in order to successfully pass Science in the third quarter. –The research paper will be graded and part of your written communication grade. You must stick to the timeline set out by your teacher so you can finish on time. You must stick to the timeline set out by your teacher so you can finish on time. No late projects will be accepted into the fair! No late projects will be accepted into the fair! SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS ARE DUE JANUARY 12!

What you must include in your project? Display board with all parts of the scientific method. Research paper (4 – 6 grade) Journal

I can do all kinds of things for my topic in Biology Biology Physical Science Physical Science Earth/Space Science Earth/Space Science Chemistry Chemistry Mathematics Mathematics Engineering Engineering Technology Technology

Guidelines for choosing a topic Only primary grades can do consumer projects Only primary grades can do consumer projectsconsumer projectsconsumer projects No Projects involving VERTEBRATES No Projects involving VERTEBRATESVERTEBRATES No Models No ModelsModels No Bacteria Projects No Bacteria Projects No Mold Projects No Mold Projects Your teacher will provide you a with a list of possible topics to pick from. Your teacher will provide you a with a list of possible topics to pick from.

STEM Science Fair is on January 14, 2009 Some students will be interviewed and scored by a judge. Some students will be interviewed and scored by a judge. Students at each grade level will be awarded first, second and third place. Students at each grade level will be awarded first, second and third place. Kids for Science county competition for grades 4 – 6 winners. Kids for Science county competition for grades 4 – 6 winners.

Vertebrates are FISH Don’t experiment on me!

Vertebrates are REPTILES Like…… Snakes Snakes Lizards Lizards Turtles Turtles Don’t Experiment on us!

Vertebrates are AMPHIBIANS Like FROGS and SALAMANDERS Don’t Experiment on us!

Vertebrates are BIRDS Don’t Experiment on us!

Vertebrates are MAMMALS SUCH AS- Rabbits Rabbits Dogs Dogs Cats Cats Hamsters Hamsters Gerbils Gerbils AND ………….. AND ………….. NO EXPERIMENTS ON US!

PEOPLE ARE MAMMALS TOO! Do not do experiments on people like making them taste something, exercise and check heart rate or breathing or even asking survey questions Do not do experiments on people like making them taste something, exercise and check heart rate or breathing or even asking survey questions Don’t experiment on us!

Topics I can do- Invertebrates WORMS INSECTS MOLLUSKS

Models do not allow you to collect data Such as Volcanoes VolcanoesOr The Solar System The Solar System

CONSUMER SCIENCE IS FOR PRIMARY GRADES (Pre-K – 2) ONLY! What paper towel soaks up the most water? What paper towel soaks up the most water? What diaper absorbs the most liquid? What diaper absorbs the most liquid? Which ketchup is thicker? Which ketchup is thicker? Consumer science is testing a product or comparing it to another brand of the same product.

Student Journal Each student receives a science fair project journal that takes the student step-by-step through the process. Each student receives a science fair project journal that takes the student step-by-step through the process. It is the place to keep track of the project steps throughout the process. It is the place to keep track of the project steps throughout the process. Gives examples and explanations of each step. Gives examples and explanations of each step. Gives a place for teacher/parent communication. Gives a place for teacher/parent communication.

Getting Started Choosing a Topic Research some topics using the library and/or internet Research some topics using the library and/or internet The topic should be something you have a question about that is related to science The topic should be something you have a question about that is related to science Can the question be answered through an experiment? Can the question be answered through an experiment?

What is a scientific investigation? It has a QUESTION What exactly are you trying to find out? It has a QUESTION What exactly are you trying to find out? It has a HYPOTHESIS - written as a PREDICTION Based on your research, and/or your own experiences, make an educated guess as to what you think will happen. It has a HYPOTHESIS - written as a PREDICTION Based on your research, and/or your own experiences, make an educated guess as to what you think will happen. Be sure to support your prediction with a reason! Be sure to support your prediction with a reason!

What is a scientific investigation? It has VARIABLES An independent variable is the thing you purposely change. An independent variable is the thing you purposely change. A dependent variable is the thing that’s being observed. It’s what you hope will change during the experiment. A dependent variable is the thing that’s being observed. It’s what you hope will change during the experiment. The variables that do not change are controlled variables. The variables that do not change are controlled variables.

What is a scientific investigation? It has MATERIALS It has MATERIALS Be specific! Be specific! Give amounts and sizes Give amounts and sizes For example: 2 liters of water You must use METRIC measurements!

What is a scientific investigation? It has Procedures It has Procedures The procedures are a detailed step-by- step set of directions of how to conduct the experiment. The procedures are a detailed step-by- step set of directions of how to conduct the experiment. Procedures are numbered. Procedures are numbered. There should be at least 3 repeated trials. There should be at least 3 repeated trials.

What is a scientific investigation? It has an EXPERIMENT. This is your chance to test your prediction. It has an EXPERIMENT. This is your chance to test your prediction. Data should be collected throughout your investigation. Decide what data tool will most fit your needs. Data should be collected throughout your investigation. Decide what data tool will most fit your needs.

What is a scientific investigation? It has RESULTS. This is what actually happened in the investigation. This should include data, at least one graph, and a written explanation. It has RESULTS. This is what actually happened in the investigation. This should include data, at least one graph, and a written explanation. It also has a CONCLUSION. Was your prediction supported? What did you learn? What things would you do to change the investigation? What will you do next? How does what you learned apply to the real world. The conclusion is written in paragraph form. It also has a CONCLUSION. Was your prediction supported? What did you learn? What things would you do to change the investigation? What will you do next? How does what you learned apply to the real world. The conclusion is written in paragraph form.

Research Paper Title Page Title Page Acknowledgements Acknowledgements Question Question Background research Background research Sources/Bibliography Sources/Bibliography

What is a scientific investigation? Finally, it has a PRESENTATION. This includes the backboard and the oral report. Finally, it has a PRESENTATION. This includes the backboard and the oral report.

Display of the Science Fair Project Question Title Procedures Written Explanation* Conclusion Graph*Data Chart* Hypothesis Variables Materials *All parts of the results.

Thank you for all of your support!