Welcome to 4th & 5th grade Parent Night Science Showcase

A step by step guide for Science Showcase Science Projects A step by step guide for Science Showcase Hold on, It’s a long fun ride!

Overview Students will choose their projects according to their interests The focus will be on the students’ use of inquiry skills (the seeking of information or knowledge) Teachers will serve as facilitators as students independently carry out their investigations Students will be asked to create a presentation board to display Teachers will evaluate each project using the Standards- Based Rubric Culminating in a school-wide “Science Showcase” Three 4th and 5th grade students will go to the County Showcase at Lakeland Square Mall on May 25th

A Standards-Based Science Showcase The Elementary Science Showcase for the 2011-2012 school year will have a new feel and a new name. Students will learn more about what they are interested in while they deepen their understandings of how science works and improve their inquiry skills, including their ability to communicate and share results. There will be no judges and, although there will be recognition, there will be no ribbons.

Rationale for Standards-Based Science Showcase Less emphasis on competition More emphasis on communication More accurately mirrors how science works Students compete against standards Meet demands of Common Core Standards/ National Science Standards/ Next Gen. Sunshine State Standards Student-centered projects

Select a genre of Science (Must be teacher approved ) Zoology: Zoology involves the pure study of animals as organisms. Behavioral: This science fair category covers the study of how people and animals behave and the process of our thinking as we interact with our environment. Chemistry: This science fair category covers the study of matter. Earth: This branch of science covers the study of sciences that are related to this planet; Earth. Engineering: This category covers the application of scientific and mathematical principles in order achieve practical outcomes. Energy: Covered in this science fair category is the study of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy. Environmental Management: This science fair category covers the study of the ways in which the interactions we humans have with our environment can be managed. Environmental Sciences: This science fair category covers the scientific study and analysis of the current condition that the environment is in. Physics and Astronomy: Physics covers the study of matter and energy and the interactions that take place between them. Astronomy covers the study of everything in the universe that is beyond the Earth. Botany: This category covers the study of plants and plant life.

Prohibited Projects for the Elementary Science Showcase Projects involving a controlled substance, such as cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, etc. are prohibited at the elementary level. Projects that involve harming or endangering humans or vertebrates are prohibited at the elementary level. Projects involving blood and pathogenic agents, such as bacteria, mold, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc. are prohibited at the elementary level.

Prohibited Projects for the Elementary Science Showcase Projects involving weapons (any kind of gun, arrows, knives, darts, paint guns, etc.) or (including rocketry engines) are prohibited at the elementary level.  Any objects that could cause bodily harm are prohibited. Projects for the Science Showcase are limited to the experimental type that use the Scientific Method with a testable question. This type of question has a variable that can be tested. Product comparison projects are not permitted at the District Level.

The “handwritten” Log You should begin your log when your project is assigned. This starts the process. Everything you do or think concerning your project must be entered into your log! This includes accurate dates & times Notes by writing down most important facts Highlight items and keep an accurate chart

Do the Research Find out as much as you can about your topic before you begin Sources of information may include Teachers Libraries-books, magazines, encyclopedias Family Professionals in the field (letters to companies or organizations) Internet Use a minimum of three sources of research

Internet Research Use search engines for student friendly websites Use the best websites with current information Accurately bookmark location and access Use only relevant information to your topic

Writing your Purpose Question There are several ways to phrase a question. Be sure to include the variables in the question. Remember: “affect” is a verb and effect is a “noun”. The Outcome Variable must be measureable. How does __________affect the _____________ of a _______________? Test variable Outcome variable Item you are testing (This is the one (This is the one you will you are changing.) measure and record.)   How does light intensity affect the growth height of a plant? How does the wing shape affect the flying distance of a paper airplane?

Writing your Purpose Question What is the effect of __________________ on the __________________ of _______________?   Test variable Outcome variable Item you are testing (This is the one (This is the one you will you are changing.) measure and record.) What is the effect of light intensity on the growth height of a plant? What is the effect of the wing shape on the flying distance of a paper airplane? There are several ways to phrase a question. Be sure to include the variables in the question. Remember: “affect” is a verb and effect is a “noun”. The Outcome Variable must be measureable.

Writing the Prediction or Hypothesis It is a possible answer to your purpose statement It is what you think might happen based on your research It is an educated prediction of the results State your Prediction/Hypothesis: Based on my research I predict ……

Procedure Identify the variables (before experiment) Identify the control and factors held constant Make a precise materials list (include safety materials) Giving step by step instructions (1st, 2nd, next, after that, finally)

Variables Identify the one factor that will be changed during the experiment. This is the Test Variable (also called the Manipulated or Independent variable). What is changed on purpose Identify how your results will be measured. This is called the Outcome Variable (also called the Responding or Dependent variable). Depends on what is changed What is measured may change

Variables Independent Variable You will change only one thing Temperature Slope of a ramp The amount of salt You would not change the temperature and the kind or amount of sugar. You would not change the slope and surface of the ramp You would not change the amount of salt and the kind of water

Variables Dependant Variable What is measured depends on what is changed Y axis D Dependent R Responding Y Y Axis X Axis Manipulated Independent x Axis M I X

Control Group Examples: Control Group This is the group that is treated in the “normal” way so it can be compared to the experimental group Examples: The plant that you don’t change The car you did not add mass to Not all experiments have a control; just state “no control” or “none”

Constants Identify the factors that will be held constant. These are the things that will not change All of these must be kept the same, or CONSTANT, in order for the experiment to be a fair test.

Materials List Make your materials list precise Include everything you need to do the project from start to finish Be specific in how many, what size, how much, what kind etc.

Materials Description Be specific on HOW MANY 1- wooden car Detail in size 13 cm long 4 cm wide Describe the kind Wooden car with two 7cm diameter wheels

Measurement Metric System measurement only is required Most common units to use: cm centimeters (Linear distance) (Height) ml milliliters (Volume) (Liquids) g grams (Weight) (Mass)

Step by Step Instructions Directions are written like a recipe Your directions should tell exactly how you will perform your experiment State how to repeat your experiment a minimum of 3 times Be precise, specific and detailed

The Experiment Observe, measure and record the data 1st trial 2nd 3rd Independent Variable 1st trial 2nd 3rd Mean X Y control

Results Measurement must be accurate and precise Keep data organized on a chart in your log Data should explain what happened in the experiment Display DATA as drawings, tables, charts, photos and graphs

Graphs Graphs show data or results Graphs are labeled X (mix) and Y (dry) axis Title Neatly done and easy to read Accurately matches data on chart Your data and graph must include the mean (average) of the three trials

The Conclusion The conclusion should be written in paragraph form. What was the outcome of the experiment? Did the data support the prediction? Students should not say the data “proves” or “disproves” their hypothesis because this one investigation is not enough data to “prove” or “disprove” anything. What they can say is that the data “supported” or “did not support” the prediction. Students should include the actual data that provided the evidence.

The Conclusion Describe any problems or unusual events that happened during the investigation. State what they would do differently next time the experiment is done. Think of additional experiments that can continue from this experiment. Who (or what industry) could benefit from this investigation?

Display Is the size appropriate? Is it NEAT and ORGANIZED? Does it have all of the necessary parts? Is it “Reader Friendly?” A suggested presentation board set up is included in the folder.

Helpful Hints Encourage your child to do his/her best Listen to ideas and provide guidance when needed Remind your child of the due dates Safety is important! Supervise when needed Contact the teacher if you have questions or concerns

Mandatory assignment officially begins on Monday, March 26th April 1– April 12 plan and experiment April 13 – 22 complete charts and graphs April 23 – 23 complete conclusion April 27 – May 3rd complete mini-board May 3rd PROJECTS DUE May 24th is out Science Showcase at Lakeland Square Mall Needed forms and information will follow those selected