Mentor Training Session #1 Thursday, October 31, 2013 Science Fair is in 6 months! Science Fair Project Overview

Buddy Meeting #1 Come to the commons immediately after school Monday, Nov. 4 to get your Buddy’s contact information and his/her photograph. Check in at the desks by 3:15pmCome to the commons immediately after school Monday, Nov. 4 to get your Buddy’s contact information and his/her photograph. Check in at the desks by 3:15pm You will wait for your buddy under his/her school sign. Bring a photograph of yourself to give to the buddy.You will wait for your buddy under his/her school sign. Bring a photograph of yourself to give to the buddy. At this first meeting bond with your buddy and the buddy’s parent!! Make a good impression!At this first meeting bond with your buddy and the buddy’s parent!! Make a good impression! The meeting will end at 5:30pmThe meeting will end at 5:30pm

Buddy Reminders: If your buddy's school requires a science fair project, and its date is before our Science Alliance's science fair, it is expected that the buddy enter both fairs.If your buddy's school requires a science fair project, and its date is before our Science Alliance's science fair, it is expected that the buddy enter both fairs. Remind your buddies to keep a research journal to take notes in (within their buddy binder), and bring it to each meetingRemind your buddies to keep a research journal to take notes in (within their buddy binder), and bring it to each meeting

s ALL s between mentor & buddy are CC'd to your mentor trainer, the parent, and s between mentor & buddy are CC'd to your mentor trainer, the parent, and and are in the following format for the subject line: Your last name, first name; Buddy’s last name, first name; key phrase (Ex: Hypothesis) Any specific project questions that you cannot answer should be cc'd to Mrs. BandrowskiAny specific project questions that you cannot answer should be cc'd to Mrs. Bandrowski

Between Nov. 4 and December 2 you will help your buddy: Set up a research notebook & choose a topic. NEEDS TO BE APPROVED BY Mrs. Bandrowski!! Create a testable question about the topic. Research background information on the topic, and state a hypothesis -- an "If...then.. because" statement. That’s as far as we expect you to get from November 4 – Dec 2. Tasks

Most of these students have never done a science fair project before- so be patient with them! If the buddies have done experiments, they were done under their teachers’ supervision- this project may be their very first project without teacher supervision. Your primary responsibility will be to help the students through the process from beginning to end. DO NOT DROP OUT ON YOUR BUDDY! You are like a teacher who GUIDES the student’s project. BE THERE TO HELP THEM! Things to Remember

DON’T give your buddies the answers… ask the buddy questions that will make them think. You are there to help them.. not do it for them. It is really important that you make it clear to the buddy’s parent that your role is not to conduct the experiment for the buddy. You are their Mentor – not their partner. Do NOT procrastinate! Deadlines are firm! Remember the buddy may need more time to work on something than you would.

REVIEW OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD The scientific method is a process used to explore observations and answer questions. Use the scientific method to search for cause and effect relationships Your buddy (with your help) will design an experiment so that when you change something on purpose, something else changes in response to that. The scientific method will help you help the student to focus on ONE science fair project question, construct a hypothesis, design, execute, and evaluate the experiment.

Scientific Method

1.Form a testable question, devise an experiment to find a possible answer 2.Conduct thorough background research on the topic 3.Make a hypothesis in the “If.... then... because” format 4.Example: If green tea extract is applied to a growing culture of E.coli, then the bacteria will not grow because green tea extract stops bacterial reproduction. 5.REMEMBER: THIS IS NOT YOUR PROJECT IT IS YOUR BUDDY'S. You will guide them along the way. General Overview of Buddy Responsibilities

1.Complete the experiment – be safe, use multiple trials, and record data 2.Analyze the data and form a conclusion 3.Include a statement about any additional questions that arose during the experiment that could be used for future research. 4.Buddies are not allowed to use hazardous chemicals of any sort or hazardous microbes.... other potential hazardous items must be approved by Mrs. Bandrowski!! 5.Refer to the RULES in your binder!

Buddies must wear proper protective gloves, aprons, and goggles if using any approved chemicals. Your buddy may borrow this equipment from Mrs. BandrowskiBuddies must wear proper protective gloves, aprons, and goggles if using any approved chemicals. Your buddy may borrow this equipment from Mrs. Bandrowski When you take pictures of your buddies, make sure they use protective equipment! (Your buddy and you must take pictures as proof of the project.)When you take pictures of your buddies, make sure they use protective equipment! (Your buddy and you must take pictures as proof of the project.) If the project requires any special equipment, check with Mrs. Bandrowski to borrow/check-out the necessary supplies from her lab.If the project requires any special equipment, check with Mrs. Bandrowski to borrow/check-out the necessary supplies from her lab.

A really good information site about science projects : It has a topic selection wizard!

s Please your buddies this week! Introduce yourself Remind them that the meeting is on Monday

Checklist Modification On the first bullet, the sign will correspond to your element, not the elementary school The detailed SA calendars are found in the back, not the front Buddy T-shirt and Binders will be passed out at check-in; they will not be announced On the checklist, on the fourth bullet from the bottom of the second page, change the date to DECEMBER 2 nd, not December 3 rd s should be sent to not

Please bring in a photo of yourself to give to your buddy Buddy Meeting next Monday, November 4, after school 3:15pm – 5:30pm Write it in your planner. Do not forget.