SCIENCE FAIR! What Parents Can Do to Help

AN OVERVIEW! An optional project (except 4 th & 5 th ) Done entirely at home Time frame: now and due Monday, Feb. 1, 2011 Teachers available for advice Process modeled for this evening

WHERE TO START! Explore your child’s natural interests Keep track of natural inquiry Search internet for suggested projects that relate to your child’s interests/questions Project is a way to “answer” those questions!

SCIENTIFIC METHOD Help your child follow the scientific method Asking a question is the first step The question must be about something that can be measured, preferably with a number

RESEARCH Help your child look for information that will provide background Will help the child learn more vocabulary and increase understanding of what is being tested Use 3 sources Help with reading and note taking where grade level appropriate

HYPOTHESIS An educated (following research) guess about what might happen. Usually stated in an “If…..then… way Should be stated in a way that can be measured

EXPERIMENT Test the hypothesis Help to isolate the tested variable Monitor safety Help journal Take pictures LET THEM DO IT!!!!!

VARIABLES Difficult for students to understand Example: If you are testing the efficacy of a certain fertilizer on plants, then an equal amount of plants would not have fertilizer as would have; same containers, same light, same amount of water, same seeds, planted same day. Only difference would be fertilizer!

ANALYZE/CONCLUDE Help understand how to measure Help understand how to analyze results Help create a graph or chart to display measured data Help write a narrative conclusion

DISPLAY BOARD Use trifold board (any store with a good amount of school supplies) Help with arrangement Help with neatness/color scheme Help with word processing

THE CONTEST Grade level winner 2 school winners: K-2, 3-5 Both display at SciWorks for county fair Only 3-5 entry will be judged at that fair for possible advancement

WHY DO THIS? Required for all 4 th & 5 th graders Helps teach problem solving skills that follow logic/steps Enriches learning College applications ask for academic experiences/highly regarded! It is FUN!

WHAT IS REQUIRED? If entering, 2 forms signed by parents/child as you BEGIN Get forms from teacher or school website Display board, journal, notes from research, pictures Don’t bring in foods, plants, soils, etc.

HELPFUL SITES sciencefaircentral/