1. Prettyboy Elementary STEM Fair Tips and Tools for helping your child complete a STEM Fair Project

2. What is the STEM Fair? Watch a news segment about Prettyboy Elementary’s STEM Fair. http://vimeo.com/116669245 Open Hyperlink

3. The Scientific Process Purpose/Question Purpose/Question Research Notes Research Notes Variables Variables Claim/Hypothesis Claim/Hypothesis Materials Materials Procedure Procedure Evidence/Results Evidence/Results Reasoning/Conclusion Reasoning/Conclusion

4. Purpose/Question The question should be one that can lead to an experiment or observations, which will yield data.

5. How does _____ affect _____ ? type of liquid affect plant growth? type of liquid affect plant growth? independent variable dependent variable independent variable dependent variable width of a rubber band affect how far it can stretch? width of a rubber band affect how far it can stretch? independent variable dependent variable independent variable dependent variable the color of a roof affect the temperature of the building? the color of a roof affect the temperature of the building? independent variable dependent variable independent variable dependent variable container affect the temperature of the hot chocolate? container affect the temperature of the hot chocolate? independent variable dependent variable

6. Research Notes After choosing a topic, students should be guided to read at least three articles/ books about the topic. The information will then be used to make an informed hypothesis. Bibliography Bibliography Note Cards Note Cards Organizer Organizer

7. Claim/Hypothesis The hypothesis attempts to predict the outcome of the experiment and uses research to suggest a possible reason(s) for this outcome. The hypothesis attempts to predict the outcome of the experiment and uses research to suggest a possible reason(s) for this outcome. A hypothesis is neither right nor wrong, but provides guidance to the development of the investigation. A hypothesis is neither right nor wrong, but provides guidance to the development of the investigation.

8. Variables Variable – any factor in an experiment that can affect what happens in the experiment.

9. Variables Independent Variable (manipulated variable) – the factor that will be intentionally changed during the experiment. Independent Variable (manipulated variable) – the factor that will be intentionally changed during the experiment. Dependent Variable (responding variable)- the factor that is observed and measured to see if it is affected by the change in the independent variable. Dependent Variable (responding variable)- the factor that is observed and measured to see if it is affected by the change in the independent variable. Controlled Variables- the factors in the experiment that must be kept exactly the same. Controlled Variables- the factors in the experiment that must be kept exactly the same.

10. Materials Materials used in the experiment need to be listed in specific amounts and sizes. Metric measurements are recommended.

11. Procedures The procedure used in an experiment must be written in a clear, sequential manner in order to allow someone else to follow the same steps to replicate the experiment. The procedure used in an experiment must be written in a clear, sequential manner in order to allow someone else to follow the same steps to replicate the experiment. Numbering the steps is also required. Numbering the steps is also required. The procedures need to be repeated in order to complete at least five trials. The procedures need to be repeated in order to complete at least five trials.

12. Evidence/Results The results of the experiment include the measurements taken and observations made as well as a written explanation of the outcome.

13. Reasoning/Conclusion- 4 Parts Reflect back on the claim/hypothesis and state whether it was right or wrong. Reflect back on the claim/hypothesis and state whether it was right or wrong. Answer the original purpose/question and include results used as the basis for the conclusion. Answer the original purpose/question and include results used as the basis for the conclusion. Include inferences that can be made from the results of the experiment. Include inferences that can be made from the results of the experiment. Include any additional questions that could be investigated. In addition, any problems that were experienced can be discussed. Include any additional questions that could be investigated. In addition, any problems that were experienced can be discussed.

14. STEM Log Book The logbook will include all the work for the fair including charts with result measurements and drafts with editing marks. It shows the judges that students actually did the work themselves. Any type of booklet or folder can be used (we have pre-made books for students).

15. STEM Fair Project Timeline The timeline will help you and your child stay on target for this long term project. Project Proposal Form-February 10 th Project Proposal Form-February 10 th Purpose/QuestionVariables Purpose/QuestionVariables Research Notes-February 19 th Research Notes-February 19 th Claim/Hypothesis – February 24 th Claim/Hypothesis – February 24 th Materials and Procedures– February 25th Materials and Procedures– February 25th Conduct experiment by March 4 th Conduct experiment by March 4 th Evidence/Results – March 6 th Evidence/Results – March 6 th Reasoning/Conclusion – March 10 th Reasoning/Conclusion – March 10 th Backboard – March 17 th (completed projects turned in) Backboard – March 17 th (completed projects turned in) Prettyboy STEM Fair- March 24 th judging of projects and viewing Prettyboy STEM Fair- March 24 th judging of projects and viewing

17. Baltimore County Guidelines Unacceptable examples of projects include: Reports based on a collection of facts not centered on a question. Reports based on a collection of facts not centered on a question. Models, including, but not limited to volcanoes and the solar system. Models, including, but not limited to volcanoes and the solar system. Cultures of microorganisms isolated from unwashed hands, sinks, cutting boards, sponges, fungi on food, etc or obtained from any commercial, research, or medical source. Cultures of microorganisms isolated from unwashed hands, sinks, cutting boards, sponges, fungi on food, etc or obtained from any commercial, research, or medical source. Those that involve the use of controlled substances such as drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. Those that involve the use of controlled substances such as drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. Those that involve the use of dangerous chemicals or combustibles. Those that involve the use of dangerous chemicals or combustibles. Any project that uses vertebrate animals (including humans) as test subjects. Any project that uses vertebrate animals (including humans) as test subjects. Any project that uses weapons. Any project that uses weapons.

18. Judging and Grading Projects will be graded by the Science teachers, and this grade will be used as a homework grade in Science. Projects will be graded by the Science teachers, and this grade will be used as a homework grade in Science. Projects will be judged at the STEM Fair: 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd place winner for each grade. Projects will be judged at the STEM Fair: 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd place winner for each grade. The first place winner from each grade will represent our school at the BCPS Fair on Saturday, May 9 th. The first place winner from each grade will represent our school at the BCPS Fair on Saturday, May 9 th.

19. We Need Judges! Do you know someone who would be willing to volunteer the morning of the STEM Fair?

20. Working Together With Your Child Use the Grade 4 or Grade 5 Science Booklet for guidance. Use the Grade 4 or Grade 5 Science Booklet for guidance. Help your child choose a question that he/she is interested in. Help your child choose a question that he/she is interested in. Help your child by supporting them as needed, providing necessary supplies, and encouraging them to continue to work on this long term project. Help your child by supporting them as needed, providing necessary supplies, and encouraging them to continue to work on this long term project. You may give suggestions, type, help with the display, proofread, supervise for safety, etc. You may give suggestions, type, help with the display, proofread, supervise for safety, etc. Let your child do the majority of the work. Let your child do the majority of the work.

21. Need Help Deciding on a Project Idea www.sciencebuddies.org Open Hyperlink