1. Welcome to 4th & 5th grade Parent Night
Science Showcase

2. A step by step guide for Science Showcase
Science Projects
A step by step guide for Science Showcase
Hold on, It’s a long fun ride!

3. Overview
Students will choose their projects according to their interests
The focus will be on the students’ use of inquiry skills (the seeking of information or knowledge)
Teachers will serve as facilitators as students independently carry out their investigations
Students will be asked to create a presentation board to display
Teachers will evaluate each project using the Standards- Based Rubric
Culminating in a school-wide “Science Showcase”
Three 4th and 5th grade students will go to the County Showcase at Lakeland Square Mall on May 25th

4. A Standards-Based Science Showcase
The Elementary Science Showcase for the school year will have a new feel and a new name. Students will learn more about what they are interested in while they deepen their understandings of how science works and improve their inquiry skills, including their ability to communicate and share results. There will be no judges and, although there will be recognition, there will be no ribbons.

5. Rationale for Standards-Based Science Showcase
Less emphasis on competition
More emphasis on communication
More accurately mirrors how science works
Students compete against standards
Meet demands of Common Core Standards/ National Science Standards/ Next Gen. Sunshine State Standards
Student-centered projects

6. Select a genre of Science (Must be teacher approved )
Zoology: Zoology involves the pure study of animals as organisms.
Behavioral: This science fair category covers the study of how people and animals behave and the process of our thinking as we interact with our environment.
Chemistry: This science fair category covers the study of matter.
Earth: This branch of science covers the study of sciences that are related to this planet; Earth.
Engineering: This category covers the application of scientific and mathematical principles in order achieve practical outcomes.
Energy: Covered in this science fair category is the study of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy.
Environmental Management: This science fair category covers the study of the ways in which the interactions we humans have with our environment can be managed.
Environmental Sciences: This science fair category covers the scientific study and analysis of the current condition that the environment is in.
Physics and Astronomy: Physics covers the study of matter and energy and the interactions that take place between them. Astronomy covers the study of everything in the universe that is beyond the Earth.
Botany: This category covers the study of plants and plant life.

7. Prohibited Projects for the Elementary Science Showcase
Projects involving a controlled substance, such as cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, etc. are prohibited at the elementary level.
Projects that involve harming or endangering humans or vertebrates are prohibited at the elementary level.
Projects involving blood and pathogenic agents, such as bacteria, mold, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc. are prohibited at the elementary level.

8. Prohibited Projects for the Elementary Science Showcase
Projects involving weapons (any kind of gun, arrows, knives, darts, paint guns, etc.) or (including rocketry engines) are prohibited at the elementary level.  Any objects that could cause bodily harm are prohibited.
Projects for the Science Showcase are limited to the experimental type that use the Scientific Method with a testable question. This type of question has a variable that can be tested. Product comparison projects are not permitted at the District Level.

9. The “handwritten” Log
You should begin your log when your project is assigned. This starts the process.
Everything you do or think concerning your project must be entered into your log!
This includes accurate dates & times
Notes by writing down most important facts
Highlight items and keep an accurate chart

10. Do the Research
Find out as much as you can about your topic before you begin
Sources of information may include
Teachers
Libraries-books, magazines, encyclopedias
Family
Professionals in the field (letters to companies or organizations)
Internet
Use a minimum of three sources of research

11. Internet Research Use search engines for student friendly websites
Use the best websites with current information
Accurately bookmark location and access
Use only relevant information to your topic

12. Writing your Purpose Question
There are several ways to phrase a question. Be sure to include the variables in the question. Remember: “affect” is a verb and effect is a “noun”. The Outcome Variable must be measureable.
How does __________affect the _____________ of a _______________?
Test variable Outcome variable Item you are testing (This is the one (This is the one you will
you are changing.) measure and record.)
How does light intensity affect the growth height of a plant?
How does the wing shape affect the flying distance of a paper airplane?

13. Writing your Purpose Question
What is the effect of __________________ on the __________________ of _______________?
Test variable Outcome variable Item you are testing
(This is the one (This is the one you will
you are changing.) measure and record.)
What is the effect of light intensity on the growth height of a plant?
What is the effect of the wing shape on the flying distance of a paper airplane?
There are several ways to phrase a question. Be sure to include the variables in the question. Remember: “affect” is a verb and effect is a “noun”. The Outcome Variable must be measureable.

14. Writing the Prediction or Hypothesis
It is a possible answer to your purpose statement
It is what you think might happen based on your research
It is an educated prediction of the results
State your Prediction/Hypothesis: Based on my research I predict ……

15. Procedure Identify the variables (before experiment)
Identify the control and factors held constant
Make a precise materials list (include safety materials)
Giving step by step instructions (1st, 2nd, next, after that, finally)

16. Variables
Identify the one factor that will be changed during the experiment. This is the Test Variable (also called the Manipulated or Independent variable).
What is changed on purpose
Identify how your results will be measured. This is called the Outcome Variable (also called the Responding or Dependent variable).
Depends on what is changed
What is measured may change

17. Variables Independent Variable You will change only one thing
Temperature
Slope of a ramp
The amount of salt
You would not change the temperature and the kind or amount of sugar.
You would not change the slope and surface of the ramp
You would not change the amount of salt and the kind of water

18. Variables Dependant Variable
What is measured depends on what is changed
Y axis D Dependent R Responding Y Y Axis X Axis Manipulated Independent x Axis M I X

19. Control Group Examples:
Control Group This is the group that is treated in the “normal” way so it can be compared to the experimental group
Examples:
The plant that you don’t change
The car you did not add mass to
Not all experiments have a control; just state “no control” or “none”

20. Constants Identify the factors that will be held constant.
These are the things that will not change
All of these must be kept the same, or CONSTANT, in order for the experiment to be a fair test.

21. Materials List Make your materials list precise
Include everything you need to do the project from start to finish
Be specific in how many, what size, how much, what kind etc.

22. Materials Description
Be specific on HOW MANY
1- wooden car
Detail in size
13 cm long cm wide
Describe the kind
Wooden car with two 7cm diameter wheels

23. Measurement Metric System measurement only is required
Most common units to use:
cm centimeters (Linear distance) (Height)
ml milliliters (Volume) (Liquids)
g grams (Weight) (Mass)

24. Step by Step Instructions
Directions are written like a recipe
Your directions should tell exactly how you will perform your experiment
State how to repeat your experiment a minimum of 3 times
Be precise, specific and detailed

25. The Experiment Observe, measure and record the data 1st trial 2nd 3rd
Independent Variable
1st
trial
2nd
3rd
Mean X Y
control

26. Results Measurement must be accurate and precise
Keep data organized on a chart in your log
Data should explain what happened in the experiment
Display DATA as drawings, tables, charts, photos and graphs

27. Graphs Graphs show data or results Graphs are labeled
X (mix) and Y (dry) axis
Title
Neatly done and easy to read
Accurately matches data on chart
Your data and graph must include the mean (average) of the three trials

28. The Conclusion The conclusion should be written in paragraph form.
What was the outcome of the experiment?
Did the data support the prediction? Students should not say the data “proves” or “disproves” their hypothesis because this one investigation is not enough data to “prove” or “disprove” anything. What they can say is that the data “supported” or “did not support” the prediction.
Students should include the actual data that provided the evidence.

29. The Conclusion
Describe any problems or unusual events that happened during the investigation.
State what they would do differently next time the experiment is done.
Think of additional experiments that can continue from this experiment.
Who (or what industry) could benefit from this investigation?

30. Display Is the size appropriate? Is it NEAT and ORGANIZED?
Does it have all of the necessary parts?
Is it “Reader Friendly?”
A suggested presentation board set up is included in the folder.

31. Helpful Hints Encourage your child to do his/her best
Listen to ideas and provide guidance when needed
Remind your child of the due dates
Safety is important! Supervise when needed
Contact the teacher if you have questions or concerns

32. Mandatory assignment officially begins on Monday, March 26th
April 1– April 12 plan and experiment
April 13 – 22 complete charts and graphs
April 23 – 23 complete conclusion
April 27 – May 3rd complete mini-board
May 3rd PROJECTS DUE
May 24th is out Science Showcase at Lakeland Square Mall
Needed forms and information will follow those selected