Wow!! It’s Time for the Rivera Science and Engineering Fair !

Why do we do Science Fair Projects?

Science is all around us! Science is all around us! Science Fair projects give us a chance to explore Science Fair projects give us a chance to explore Opportunity for the use of multimedia technologies, written and oral presentations, exploration of various subject matter in science Opportunity for the use of multimedia technologies, written and oral presentations, exploration of various subject matter in science Opportunity for scholarship Opportunity for scholarship and recognition and recognition Opportunities to work Opportunities to work with scientists with scientists It’s just fun!! It’s just fun!!

Experiment Experiment Model Model Collection Collection Demonstration Demonstration Research Research Types of Projects

These are the projects most often presented in a science fair and follow the Scientific Method. These presentations allow student-scientist to pose a question, form a hypothesis, list the materials, follow a procedure, investigate, record the results, and make a conclusion. Experiments may be long-term, but they do not have to be. These are the projects most often presented in a science fair and follow the Scientific Method. These presentations allow student-scientist to pose a question, form a hypothesis, list the materials, follow a procedure, investigate, record the results, and make a conclusion. Experiments may be long-term, but they do not have to be. Experiment

Examples of Experiments

1. Question -What is being investigated? 2. Research –What info is out there? 3. Hypothesis –Your educated guess about what is going to happen, stated factually 4. Materials –What is needed to do the experiment 5. Procedure –The steps you’ll take to perform the experiment 6. Results –Record what you observe and find 7. Summary Conclusion –Does your experiment prove your hypothesis? Experiments follow the Scientific Process

A student-scientist chooses a topic of interest. He or she researches, studies, and creates a model and should be able to discuss it. The display board will have a title, the research information, possibly photos of the student building the model, the model with labeled parts, and a summary of what has been learned. A student-scientist chooses a topic of interest. He or she researches, studies, and creates a model and should be able to discuss it. The display board will have a title, the research information, possibly photos of the student building the model, the model with labeled parts, and a summary of what has been learned. Model

Examples of Models

This is an exhibit of a scientific collection. The student-scientist will need to research and collect many samples to put on display and should be able to discuss the collection. The display board will have a title, the research information, possibly photos of the student collecting and researching. They will include a summary of what has been learned. This is an exhibit of a scientific collection. The student-scientist will need to research and collect many samples to put on display and should be able to discuss the collection. The display board will have a title, the research information, possibly photos of the student collecting and researching. They will include a summary of what has been learned. Collection

Examples of Collections

The student-scientist demonstrates, on a display board, a particular science principle or fact, how something works, a scientific phenomenon, or how something is created naturally or in a lab. The display must be self-contained; that is, observers should be able to follow the demonstration and understand. It will include a title, the research information, possibly a series of photos to support the demonstration, and a summary of the findings. The student-scientist demonstrates, on a display board, a particular science principle or fact, how something works, a scientific phenomenon, or how something is created naturally or in a lab. The display must be self-contained; that is, observers should be able to follow the demonstration and understand. It will include a title, the research information, possibly a series of photos to support the demonstration, and a summary of the findings. Demonstration

Examples of Demonstrations

In a research project, the student-scientist investigates an area of science using primary and secondary sources. They should plan on visiting museums and interviewing experts to explore their scientific area in depth and detail. In a research project, the student-scientist investigates an area of science using primary and secondary sources. They should plan on visiting museums and interviewing experts to explore their scientific area in depth and detail. Research

Doing Research

Getting Started Select a topic Remember a time you noticed something and thought "I wonder what would happen if..." or "I wonder how that works?" then turn that into a project Talk to friends and family Go into the library and browse book titles Look through the newspaper for current events Look on line at sites such as

Keeping a Journal The student should begin a detailed journal of everything done. A diary format is fine. The student should begin a detailed journal of everything done. A diary format is fine. All entries should be substantial. If a procedure was tried, the journal should include or refer to the exact steps and methods used. All entries should be substantial. If a procedure was tried, the journal should include or refer to the exact steps and methods used. Data should be recorded accurately with dates and times, and any special notes of problems or successes. Data should be recorded accurately with dates and times, and any special notes of problems or successes. Journals may be computer entries or hand written. Journals may be computer entries or hand written. Any information, resources, graphs, tables, problems, and analysis should be included. Any information, resources, graphs, tables, problems, and analysis should be included. An abstract will be written from this document later. An abstract will be written from this document later.

Everyone does some Research Gather general information about your topic from books, magazines, the Internet, people and companies. Gather general information about your topic from books, magazines, the Internet, people and companies. Keep notes about where you got your info and begin to develop your bibliography. Keep notes about where you got your info and begin to develop your bibliography. The research portion of the project is an important component of writing standards and is an independently developed item. The research portion of the project is an important component of writing standards and is an independently developed item. Copied text is not acceptable…use your own words. Copied text is not acceptable…use your own words.

Displaying the Project Follow the guidelines in the packet

Awards and Recognition

So, why do we do Science and Engineering Fair Projects? “ Imagination is more important than knowledge” Albert Einstein