STEM Fair Information Night September 15, 2011

Agenda What is a STEM Fair? What does a STEM Fair Project look like? Where do I Get Ideas? Allowable Topics Timeline and Cost Examples of STEM Projects Questions??

What is a STEM Fair? Science, Technology, Engineering and Math A hands-on opportunity for students to explore science An integration of all academic disciplines – Writing, mathematics, critical thinking A reflection of student’s personal interest in science

What is a STEM Fair? A competition within grade levels judged by members of the community and scientists – Town Council, Greenbelt Park Rangers – NASA – USDA – UMCP A major project graded by teachers A requirement for students in grades 3, 4, 5, and 6

What Does a STEM Project Look Like?

Variables – What did you change on purpose? Results – Data Chart – Graph – Written explanation Conclusion What Does a STEM Project Look Like? Question – Something you can test Hypothesis/Prediction – Your best guess about the outcome Materials – A list in metric units Procedures – All the steps to complete the project

Where Do I Get Ideas? School library Public library Internet Observing the world around me

Topics You Cannot Do Anything involving VERTEBRATESVERTEBRATES Models Bacteria Projects

Topics You Can Do- Invertebrates WORMS INSECTS MOLLUSKS

Topics You Can Do- All Disciplines Biology Physical Science Earth/Space Science Chemistry

Time Line and Cost Question is due by the end of September – Students cannot continue until topic has been approved by the teacher – Due dates are determined by the teacher The actual investigation should be done by early November Completed projects must be in the school by December 1 The school sells backboards ~$2-3

STEM Fair - December 6, 2011 Each student will be interviewed and scored by a judge Students at each grade level will be awarded first, second, third and honorable mention places Kids for Science County competition for grades 4-6 winners

Any Questions ? ? ? ? ? ? ? me at

Vertebrates are FISH Don’t experiment on me!

Vertebrates are REPTILES Like…… Snakes Lizards Turtles Don’t Experiment on us!

Vertebrates are AMPHIBIANS Like FROGS and SALAMANDERS Don’t Experiment on us!

Vertebrates are BIRDS Don’t Experiment on us!

Vertebrates are MAMMALS SUCH AS- Rabbits Dogs Cats Hamsters Gerbils AND ………….. NO EXPERIMENTS ON US!

People are MAMMALS too! Do not do experiments on people like making them taste something, exercise and check heart rate or breathing or even asking survey questions Don’t experiment on us!

Models do not allow you to collect data Such as Volcanoes The Solar System