Science

Lee School- School Wide Science Fair

Experiment vs. Demonstration SCIENCE EXPERIMENT SCIENCE DEMONSTRATION Usually more involved and in most real experiments you compare results. An example would be "What fertilizer works best on plants?" or "What is the strongest brand of paper towel?" In these examples, you ask a question and then perform experiments to get the answer. is a quick little science "show" that explains a science concept like building a model volcano and watching it erupt. It shows how something works, but it is not a true experiment.

Scientific Method Checklist ___ 1. Base your idea for an experiment on an observation ___ 2. State your purpose. Usually the purpose of an experiment is stated in the form of a research question ___ 3. Perform background research to find out what is already known about your topic ___ 4. State your hypothesis, a possible answer to a research question ___ 5. Design a detailed procedure, or list of steps

Scientific Method Checklist Cont. ____ 6. Carry out your experiment and collect data ____ 7. Record your results on a data table. Construct a graph of the data you collected (bar graph, line graph, pie graph, pictograph). ____ 8. Write about your results explaining your data. ____ 9. Draw a conclusion from your results. Discuss your data and what it means. Did your hypothesis prove true? What did you learn? Were there any possible errors? How could you improve this experiment next time or what could you do next?

Scientific Method: Words to Know Variables: Characteristics in an experiment that change or could be changed Independent Variable: Factor that you change on purpose; also called the manipulated variable Dependent Variable: Factor that you observe or measure in response to a change in the independent variable; also called the responding variable Hypothesis: Possible explanation for a set of observations or an answer to a scientific question; must be testable

Scientific Method: Words to Know Cont. Constants: Characteristics in an experiment that are kept unchanged in all trials Control: Standards to which you will compare your results Trials: Number of times an experiment is repeated for each level, or value, of the independent variable. The more trials, the more reliable your results

Key Points to Remember Students must measure something All measurements must be made using the metric system Meters, Liters, Grams, Time, Temp, Tally Minimum of Three Trials per experiment; the more trials you have the more reliable the data will be All Science Back Boards have been purchased and will be distributed at a later date

Display Back Board Image

Back Board Requirements Title Purpose Hypothesis Materials Procedure Data: table and graph Results Paragraph Conclusion Paragraph Pictures/ Art Work

Science Fair Grade by Grade Requirements Kindergarten 1st Grade Class Project with a completed backboard Class Project with a completed back board Students write their own hypothesis and conclusion of the class project

Science Fair Grade by Grade Requirements 2nd Grade 3rd-5th Grades Class Project with a completed back board Students will write their own hypothesis and conclusion of the class project Students will create a data table and graph and draw a picture of their experiment Individual or partner projects Students select project topic Students will follow all steps of the Scientific Method- including collecting data, creating data table and graphs Reflection Paper about their project- follow questions and rubric

Science Fair Grade by Grade Requirements 6th Grade 7th & 8th Grade Individual projects Students select project topic Students will follow all steps of the Scientific Method- including collecting data, creating data table and graphs 3 page Research paper about their project topic with 3-5 sources Individual projects Students select project topic Students will follow all steps of the Scientific Method- including collecting data, creating data table and graphs 7th grade-4-5 page Research paper about their project topic with 10 sources 8th grade- 6-7 page Research paper about their project topic with 13 sources

Science Fair Due Dates School wide Fair Dec 5th Classroom winners due Tuesday, Nov 26th to Mrs. Mulcrone Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd class project- display only Grades 3-5: 2 winners per room/ 1st and 2nd place Grades 6-8: 3 winners per room/ officially judged top 4 winners Daley College School wide Fair Dec 5th

SUGGESTED TIMELINE FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS Topic, Question, & Hypothesis 9/9 Materials and Procedure 9/23 Data: Data Table, Graph, Results Paragraph, Conclusion Paragraph 10/15 Grades 3-5, Reflection Paper 11/15 Grades 6-8, Research paper with sources 11/15 Grades 2-8, Class Presentations 11/18-11/22