MBVM 7th Grade Science Fair 6th Grade Planning for

Experiment Choice The Science TOPIC is not as important as the KNOWLEDGE GAINED from the experiment

Regional Website The experimentation behind a science project is what is significant. It is not the choice of the topic that is important, but WHAT IS LEARNED BY THE STUDENT! Choose something that interests you! There is nothing worse than working on something you do not enjoy. Be realistic about the amount of time needed and available. Remember that all projects must answer a definite scientific question or solve a problem. Start early; Do not wait until the last minute.

SCIENCE FAIR REPORT (Illinois Junior Academy of Science) IJAS REQUIREMENTS 1) Formal SCIENCE REPORT 1) Formal SCIENCE REPORT ABSTRACT – Summarizes their Project SAFETY SAFETY ENDORSEMENTS (HUMAN/NON-HUMAN TESTING) TITLE PAGE TITLE PAGE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS BACKGROUND RESEARCH BACKGROUND RESEARCH EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE-metric measurements EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE-metric measurements EXPERIMENT RESULTS – TABLES, GRAPHS EXPERIMENT RESULTS – TABLES, GRAPHS ANALYSIS ANALYSIS CONCLUSION CONCLUSION REFERENCE PAGE REFERENCE PAGE PICTURES PICTURES 2) POWER POINT AND ORAL PRESENTATION (NOTECARDS) 2) POWER POINT AND ORAL PRESENTATION (NOTECARDS)

What is the Purpose? Purpose – Scientific method, Project Design Expectations – Parental Support Students understand science Students understand science How can we accomplish this …..

Science Fair Spring Schedule: 6 th Grade Goal: Learn and use Scientific Method Learn Research and Writing Skills Learn Research and Writing Skills March: Choose Science Fair Topic Design Experiment Procedure Design Experiment Procedure April: Complete Trial #1 at home Research to understand science concepts May: 7 References (2 books, 5 internet) May: 7 References (2 books, 5 internet) Write “Research Background” paper Use APA Citation format Write “Research Background” paper Use APA Citation format

Summer/Fall Schedule Optional - Experiments CAN BE completed during the summer if it works for your family schedule June – September: Experiment Testing 15 Trials, Metric 15 Trials, Metric September – October: Experiment Results Final Report Final Report November: Power point Notecards November: Power point Notecards December: Report Printing Presentation Practice December: Report Printing Presentation Practice

6 th Grade Science Fair Report 1) Experiments completed INDIVIDUALLY AT HOME Measurements must be metric (mm, cm, mL, s, etc.) Measurements must be metric (mm, cm, mL, s, etc.) 2) Research completed as homework with parental help 3) Science Fair Goals by May: a.Experiment procedure, materials gathered, and Experiment Trial #1 completed at home b.Organize Research Topics c.Gather references materials by 4/25 ( Copyright ) d.Write “Background Research” paper with citations e.Complete APA Reference page

EXPERIMENT ORGANIZE EXPERIMENT Safety Procedure Essential Parent Supervision FOR ALL TRIALS GATHER MATERIALS Borrow equipment before purchasing supplies

Research Skills – 7 References 1)SCIENCE BOOK from school (1) 2)Additional Science Book or Journal (1) 3)Internet References (5) 4)Students will learn to: a. Research – Website Reliability b. Note taking/Summarizing skills b. Note taking/Summarizing skills c. Understand Summarizing vs. Plagiarism c. Understand Summarizing vs. Plagiarism PARENT REVIEW NEEDED FOR ALL WORK BEFORE STUDENT TURNS ANY SCIENCE FAIR HOMEWORK IN TO A TEACHER FOR GRADING!!

References from Libraries Limited Resources at local libraries (Can use INTERLIBRARY Loans - plan time) Books – If purchasing books, donations to our Science Fair Library are appreciated! *Student responsible for bringing 1 BOOK to school by April 25, 3014*

Background Research Formal Report Organization: a. Topic Research Organization List b. Gathering Research References b. Gathering Research References c Note taking/Summarizing/Writing Skills c Note taking/Summarizing/Writing Skills Formal Sentence structure (NO “you, I, we”) Double spaced, Size 12 font (Times New Roman) Diagrams/Pictures (Need Titles/Reference Information) 4-5 pages (1200+ words) 7 References (2 books, 5 internet resources) APA format (Citations listed for each paragraph) APA Reference page(APA e-book, Bedford Bibliographer on Mrs Gaca’s and Mrs. Darling’s website) Mrs Gaca’s and Mrs. Darling’s website)

Parental Guidance REVIEW REQUIREMENTS HELP THEM TO STAY ORGANIZED MEET DEADLINES MEET DEADLINES REVIEW PAPERS REVIEW PAPERS TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION WORK COMPLETED BY THE STUDENT with TEACHER AND PARENTAL SUPPORT TEACHER AND PARENTAL SUPPORT Goal: Promoting college and career readiness by fostering independent inquiry, by fostering independent inquiry, research, and writing skills research, and writing skills

Parent Support – Communication is Key to Success Your role is essential for their success with this project! 1) Help organize a schedule that works for your family 2) Help with research (books and internet research) 3) Review their work and help with corrections 3) Review their work and help with corrections Offer support and encouragement, help them learn to overcome problems Praise their good efforts. If in doubt, we encourage you and your child to MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE TEACHER

HELP IS A “CLICK” AWAY! School website: ww wwww wwww.... mmmm bbbb vvvv mmmm.... oooo rrrr ggggMrs. Smith’s Website (Experiment/Final Report) Mrs. Gaca’s Website (Background Research) Mrs. Darling’s Website (Background Research) Regional Science Fair Website: wwww wwww wwww.... jjjj dddd ssss tttt aaaa rrrr eeee gggg iiii oooo nnnn ssss cccc iiii eeee nnnn cccc eeee ffff aaaa iiii rrrr.... oooo rrrr gggg