1. RES Science Fair 2017

2. The purpose of the annual science fair is for every child to experience the joy and learning that comes from a scientific discovery.

3. Who may participate?
All students (K-5th) may participate in the Science Fair.
All 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students are required to do a project.
Only 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students projects are eligible for judging and advancing to the Austin Regional Science Fair.

4. Dates All Projects are due on Tuesday, January 17 2017
As the teachers grade the projects, they will choose several to be entered into the Ray Science Fair.
Students/Parents of the selected projects will receive notification and some forms to complete
The forms are due back by 7:40 a.m. Thursday, January 19
All Projects will be displayed on Thursday, January 19
Selected projects will be judged on Thursday, January 19
Open House is on Thursday, January 19 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Austin Regional Science Fair is on February 18, 2017

5. Kindergarten-2nd Grade
projects may be on any topic
may be completed individually or as a team or group
Following the “rules” are encouraged as practice for when they reach 3rd grade
3rd -5th Grades
All projects should be experiments
all projects are to follow the rules of the fair including size/space and use of approved items

6. Choosing a Project 1st think about what you enjoy:
Sports, music, books, games, etc.
2nd come up with a question:
Which ball is best, what causes the different sounds, could that have really happened?, what’s the chances of me winning every time, etc.
3rd think about what you could do to answer that question and you have your project idea!

7. Judging All projects 3rd -5th will be eligible to be judged.
Each teacher will choose a selection of qualified projects from their class
These students will receive an invitational packet to participate in the judging portion of the science fair.
Their packet must be completed and returned prior to the judging or their project will be moved to the display area of the fair.

8. Basics for every project:
Your name is not anywhere on the front of the board or on any display items. (put your name and your teacher’s name on the back of your project)
Photos are encouraged but should not have full face views of you. Profile, bent head, distance, etc. are ok.
Use a full-size tri-fold board.
The project, and accompanying items, should not be in excess of 15” deep, 48” wide, and 72” high.

9. Required steps to your project:
Title
Problem—ask a testable question or state a problem.
Definitions—include even if you think everyone knows them (example: dog—a domesticated 4-legged mammal)
Hypothesis—your prediction of what you think will happen and/or the goal of your experiment.
Background information—written research information (an abbreviated section should be on your board and a spiral or folder of more extensive information should be laid in front of your project)

10. Continued: Materials—list all the items used in the experiment
Procedure—describe the steps of the experiment
Results—what happened/how it turned out. Include tables and graphs.
Conclusion—answer the problem/question and was your hypothesis correct?
References and Acknowledgments:
References: credit all sources of your research (must include some besides the internet!)
Acknowledgements: thank everyone that assisted. (Examples: Thanks to mom for typing and helping me with organization. Thanks to Sue for helping me measure.)

11. Parents are encouraged to be involved:
Help the child think through what they enjoy and how an experiment could come from their interests.
Provide materials
Assist with organization, typing (exactly what the student has hand written!)
Encouragement and enthusiasm ☺

12. Bring a Display item
Check what’s allowed and it must fit within the size limits.
Make it neat and pretty!
Make it well organized and attractive so that it grabs the attention of who’s looking at it and is easily understood.
Bring your research!
Make a folder, notebook, or spiral of all the notes, data, results and ideas you had for your project

13. Do not bring or attach any of these items:
No organisms; living, dead or preserved (plants or animals)
No human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine, hair)
No human or animal food
No liquids – laboratory/household chemicals including water
No poisons, drugs, controlled or hazardous substances
No sharp items (for example: syringes, needles, pipettes, knives, tacks, nails)
No glass or glass objects unless encased or an integral and necessary part of a commercial product (for example, a computer screen)
No pressurized tanks or containers
No batteries with open top cells (so that battery acid can be seen)
No dirt, soil, gravel, rocks, sand, waste products, etc.

14. Do not do a project that involves any of these:
No project, device, activity or substance that may be deemed hazardous to student health or safety
No photographs or pictures of animals or people in surgical techniques, dissections or necropsies.
No project involving Bacteria or mold
No project causing pain or suffering to an animal.
No weapons of any type

16. Examples