Why Do Science Fair?

Skills Development

By planning and completing a research project Strengthen science and math skills Gain self satisfaction Improve skills the State of Texas tests each year on TAKS and EOC

Strengthens writing skills Students are forced to write and rewrite and then rewrite again. This forces them to improve this valuable skill.

Leadership qualities are developed As their self esteem improves, these students often become leaders in their school and community

Gains Self Esteem

Strengthens verbal skills and allows them to develop an interview style that makes them comfortable with peers and adults

Awards, Awards, Awards

Cash Awards Summer positions Listings for their college admissions

Students meet world renown scientists Develop friendships with people that they see at competition after competition

Watching students talk about their research and taking ownership in their research is really fun and refreshing

Mentorship

Develops a true mentor/student relationship Rewards not only to the student but to the teacher as well

How do I know what will work best at my campus?

Should this research project be required?

Community Involvement

It is important to involve your administrators, parents of your students, and community leaders in your program Remember to ask for help

Help Students Decide….. To TEAM or NOT to TEAM!

TEAMS…. Can you work well with your partner? Do you have a flexible after school schedule? Do you have transportation to each others houses, library, etc.? Do your parents know each other? Do you share the same interests? Organization? Do you really want to work with your best friend?

Individual: Do you have to be in control? Do you have your own idea? Do you want to share that idea with a friend? How busy of a life do you have outside of school? Organization?

Time to help students find a project idea! Otherwise known as…... HELP!

The best topic for you is one that you find “in your own backyard”

Biggest Mistake THINKING they need to have an idea (problem) already defined

Students and teachers try to make a problem appear by MAGIC.

The first thing to do is calm down and start thinking

Next, the topic should be something that the student REALLY LIKES!

Time to brainstorm. Jot down all the things that they like.

So, what do you like? animals people rocks music shopping clothing talking on the telephone television computers issues about the environment

Wait a minute, you could perform a thousand projects over EACH of those ideas

Now, go READ something about the new idea.

Then you come back with What makes a person be involved with “wrong crowd”? (people) How can I best train my dog? (animals)

What is the difference between music and noise? (music)

What TV shows do people watch? (television)

Good- we are almost there – now define it a little more!

Does the length of the training session with a dog have a marked difference in whether the animal retains the skill? (animals)

Does violence on television have a greater detrimental effect on children between the ages of 3 & 6 or 6 & 12? (television)

Does atmospheric temperature have an effect on the ability to tune an instrument? (music)

Now that they have an idea…..ask these questions. See the Research Project Plan Handout

Is the idea TESTABLE? What are the Variables? IV and DV

Is this topic too SIMPLE? Is this topic too HARD? Is this a research PROJECT or a research PAPER?

Where will I need to perform my research?

Next develop a hypothesis

This will tell you HOW to test the problem

Collect data and analyze!

Common Stumbling Blocks

Procrastination

Set deadlines for the students so that they stay on schedule Make sure that they MEET the deadlines Help them set reasonable and obtainable goals

Isn’t student success in not only high school, but in college and life enough of a reason to do this?

Then…. JUST DO IT!

Presented for the Fluor Teachers Workshop, SMU August 6, 2009 By Karen Shepherd Research Sponsor Plano Senior High School 2200 independence Parkway Plano, Texas

But….. Only those students that work in “real labs” are successful This is NOT TRUE!

Karen Shepherd PSHS Research Sponsor Since 1992, students attending ISEF from the Dallas Regional Science Fair