Topsail Middle School STEM Expo

Successful STEM Projects A successful Science Technology Engineering and Math project do not have to be expensive or even terribly time-consuming. However, it does require some planning and careful thought. Projects become frustrating to students, parents and teachers when they are left to the last minute and thus don't have the chance to be as good as they possibly can. You can't rush good work!

1. Approval Forms / Idea due 09/26 Begin research 2. Design and Begin Experiment due 10/14 3. Turn in draft of research notes due 10/21 4. Experiments completed results due 11/04 5. Project completely finished 11/17 5. TMS STEM Expo 1 December TMS STEM Expo Important Tentative Dates:

Students must bring in at least photographs, drawings or approved samples of experiment or products. All students must write an abstract about their experiment. Abstract is a history of what you are studying. TMS STEM Expo

STEM Expo Project Display A STEM Expo Project display usually asks that you include certain sections. The STEM Expo may use slightly different words than in some science fair rules and guidelines in order to describe them, but be sure you address each of them as you go through your project and then again as you write it up.

Display 1. Graphs and Charts 2. Perhaps you can display photographs or the history behind your project 3. Equipment and your research paper can be placed on the table

Possible Ideas Does music have an affect on….. Does the color of food or drinks affect whether or not we like them? Does music have an affect on plant growth? Does the color of food or drinks affect whether or not we like them? Which paper towel is the strongest? What is the best way to keep an ice cube from melting? What level of salt works best to grow……. Can the food we eat affect our heart rate?

Possible Ideas Can people really read someone else's' thoughts? Which soda decays teeth the most? What light brightness makes plants grow the best? Does the color of birdseed affect how much birds will eat it? Do natural or chemical fertilizers work best? Can people tell artificial smells from real ones? Does age affect human reaction times? What is the effect of salt on the boiling temperature of water? Does shoe design affect an athlete's jumping height? What grass seed grows the fastest? Can animals see in the dark better than humans?

Possible Ideas How effective are child-proof containers and locks. Can noise levels affect how well we concentrate? Does acid rain affect the growth of aquatic plants? What is the best way to keep cut flower fresh the longest? Does the color of light used on plants affect how well they grow? What plant fertilizer works best? Do athletic students have better lung capacity? What brand of battery lasts the longest? What type of food molds the fastest? Does having worms in soil help plants grow faster? Does gravity affect how plants grow? Does the color of hair affect how much static electricity it can carry? (test with balloons) How much weight can the surface tension of water hold?

QUESTIONS? TMS STEM Expo