March 2-March 9, 2012

Science Fair Objectives To encourage the curiosity and creativity of DES students. To enable students to think and act like scientists by designing experiments which follow the Scientific Method. To have FUN!!

Science Fair Specifics Important Dates Title only due: Friday, January 13 th Form #1 due: January 20 th Project arrival: Friday, March 2, 8:00-9:00 am and 3:45-5 pm Project removal : Friday, March 9, 3:30-5 pm The Judging Monday, March 5, 8:30-11:30 am Awards and Photos March 5, 12:00 pm Science Fair Open House Monday, March 5, 6-8 pm

Getting Started Your child should choose an experiment that: Interests him/her Is something he/she can do Is an investigation that results in experimentation and collection of data Can be completed in the allotted time

Not Approved for Student Projects Bacteria or Mold Cigarettes, cigarette smoke, or other tobacco products Alcohol (including wine) Household bleach, dry ice, liquid nitrogen Medicine (over the counter & prescription) Science lab chemicals Fire Vertebrate Animalsthis includes pets.

Identify the good experiments. How does a volcano erupt? Does the amount of baking soda affect the eruption of my model volcano? Does the type of footwear affect the distance a soccer ball can be kicked? What is a water cycle? Do boys or girls like sports better? Does the amount of heat affect the rate of evaporation? Good experiments ask a question for which DATA can be collected.

A great website for graphing T.A.I.L.S. title-axis-increments-labels-spaces (for bar graphs)

Experimental Group vs Control Group Experimental Group Control Group The group or item being manipulated in the experiment. The group in which ALL the materials and conditions are not manipulated during the experiment.

Those Variables! Controlled Variables (or constants) The variables that remain constant during the experiment. (These would be listed in the control group.) Independent Variable The variable that is changed by the scientist; it should be measureable. There should be only one independent variabl e. Dependent Variables The variables in the experiment that change due to experimentationthis is the data you collect.

The Display Board

Tips for the display board Do not include photos of children. Hand shots are OK if needed for experiment demonstration shots. Dont forget to include a log/binder which shows the research compiled and the data collectedusually this is in the childs handwriting. No names on pages or binder. This is placed on the table next to the board. Please do not bring manipulatives to displayjust show the photos as applicable. There are many visitors to the Science Fair and we do not want to be responsible for missing or damaged parts.

Application and Other Forms Where do we find them? Lets go to the DES website under special features to find out.

Project Evaluation Form

Questions/Concerns Parent Coordinator: Mrs. Ritter DES Science Lead Teacher: Susan Madden County Science Resource: Laura Espinosa

Resource Guide Be sure to take one on your way out!

THANK YOU FOR COMING and... Let the fun begin!