Saturday, March 8 th 10:00 am noon Loca6on: All Purpose Room and Gymnasium Display Board Set Up: Friday, March 7 th 8:00 pm9:00 pm In case of inclement weather, the Fair will be postponed to Saturday, March 29 th 10 am noon Display Board Set Up: Friday, March 28 th 8:00 pm9:00 pm Make sure to visit our website hFp://florasinger.oursciencefair.com for updates, registraKon forms, permission slips, photo uploads, etc… QuesKons and Comments? Contact Sonia Rosenfield at fl[email protected]This event is sponsored by the PTA Flora Singer 2014 Science and Engineering Fair Handbook
Transcript
Saturday, March 8th 10:00 am-‐ noon Loca6on: All Purpose Room and Gymnasium
Display Board Set Up: Friday, March 7th 8:00 pm-‐9:00 pm
In case of inclement weather, the Fair will be postponed to Saturday, March 29th 10 am-‐ noon
Display Board Set Up: Friday, March 28th 8:00 pm-‐9:00 pm
Make sure to visit our website hFp://florasinger.oursciencefair.com
for updates, registraKon forms, permission slips, photo uploads, etc…
QuesKons and Comments? Contact Sonia Rosenfield at [email protected]
-‐This event is sponsored by the PTA-‐
Flora Singer 2014 Science and Engineering Fair Handbook
Science and Engineering Fair Important Info: 1. Each student chooses, organizes and completes one
project. All grades (K-‐5) are welcome and encouraged to
par6cipate.
2. Students may work on their project independently, or in a
small group (max 3-‐4 students).
3. Students should be prepared to discuss their project and
make a presentaKon of their research to an expert. A
schedule with presentaKon Kmes will be made available
on the day of the Fair.
4. A display is required for all projects, invenKons and
exploraKons. If you make a display board, it has to be less
than 36 inches wide and at least 8 1/2 by 11 inches.
Display boards (48” X 36” with header in white) can be
purchased from the PTA for $7.00 (see p.11). The money
will support the Fair.
5. Display boards should include name, teacher, grade, and
project 6tle.
6. Please make sure to include in your display a descripKon
of the experiment with results and conclusions.
Photographs and illustraKons are very helpful.
7. Following “The ScienKfic Method” (page 5-‐8) step by step
is recommended but not mandatory.
8. Parent parKcipaKon is encouraged! This is a wonderful
way for parents and children to share a fun acKvity.
9. It is not a problem if your experiment or invenKon doesn’t
turn out the way you thought it would! In scienKfic
studies, results are frequently different from
expectaKons. This leads to even more quesKons and more
refined procedures.
10. In order to par6cipate, Permission and Registra6on
forms need to filled out and signed by a parent and
returned to the child’s teacher by December 20th. Forms
can be returned via backpack to your child’s teacher or via
2. Inves6ga6ons involving living creatures (pets or wild animals) will not be approved.
3. No open flames, dangerous chemicals, or sharp objects are permiaed for safety reasons.
4. Please do not bring food samples or molds or yeasts to the fair for health reasons! Models that involve food,
including candies, are allowed only if not shared with the audience and stored in well-‐sealed containers not to be
opened.
5. If you are bringing a model we suggest that you also bring a "DO NOT TOUCH” sign. We expect a big crowd so we
don't want parKcipants to lose any of their wonderful project accessories.
6. If you need an electrical outlet, you will need to bring an extension cord and a surge protector and specify on the
RegistraKon Form that you will need an electrical outlet. Make sure that all electrical materials and wires are safe
and insulated if used.
7. If you are bringing a volcano or a boFle fountain model or any "possible messy" models, please bring some sort of
tarp or old towel to place on the floor or around the model. No solvents are allowed inside the school.
8. Videos and laptops presentaKons are accepted but not encouraged.
Science and Engineering Fair Rules:
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Example of Projects Presented in 2013 (k-‐4th) From the “Candy Corner” category: • How are different dyes used to make up the different
colors of the outsides of m&ms? • How does light and temperature affect the rate of rock
candy crystals? • RaKo of 49 Jelly beans flavors in 4 lb package
From the “It’s a snap!” category: • Making a baFery-‐powered light bulb • Snap circuits parts to build an electronic spinner • Is it a conductor? • Electrical city model From the ”Newton’ s Nook” category: • How do different environments affect the evaporaKon of
water? • Which objects float and which objects sink in different
liquids • How does the Solar System work?
From the “Brain Benders” category: • How old are some trees in the Forest Estates
neighborhood? • How does the behavior of a beta fish change when its
environment changes? • How did dinosaurs disappear?
• The circle of life: the African Savannah. • How is the rainbow made? • Which brand of bubble bath makes the most bubbles? • Does weather affect student behavior in the classroom?
From the “Rock and Roll” category: • How does a volcano erupt? • Fossils and how they are formed • How do waves build and erode the beach?
From the “It is alive!” category • How do different moisture levels affect the rate of
decomposiKon of animal flesh and bones? • How does light affect spring bulbs? • Does water make mold grow faster on bread? • What is the best thing to start seeds in? • DNA extracKon from an onion
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The Scien6fic Method: A useful guideline to do your project
Step 1: Ask a Ques6on Observe and ask quesKons such as “WHY” and “HOW.” Research for a possible answer (school library, web, books…)
Step 2: Hypothesis Predict and write down a possible answer to your quesKon or problem. Example: If I plant a bean seed in 100% po6ng soil then it will grow taller than a bean seed in 50% po6ng soil and 50% sand because po6ng soil has more nutrients.
Example: How does adding sand to po6ng soil affect the growth of a bean plant?
CongratulaKons! You came up with your HYPOTHESIS!
Step 3: Materials Make a list of the things you will need for your experiments: Example: • 4 cups of po6ng soil • 1 cups of sand
• 6 bean seeds • 6 clear plasDc 9 oz. cups • water • metric measuring cup • spoon
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Step 4-‐ Experiment: Have Fun! • Plan an experiment to test your
hypothesis. • Conduct the experiment. • Don’t forget to write down your
observaKons and results. • Confirm the results by repeaKng
the experiment.
Example:
1. Label three plasDc cups “Po6ng Soil 1,” “Po6ng Soil 2,” and “Po6ng Soil 3.”
2. Fill each cup labeled “Po6ng Soil” with 1 cup of po6ng soil.
3. Label the other three plasDc cups “Po6ng Soil and Sand 1,” “Po6ng Soil and Sand 2,” and “Po6ng Soil and Sand 3.”
4. Fill each cup labeled “Po6ng Soil and Sand” with ½ cup po6ng soil and ½ cup sand and mix them with the spoon.
5. Dig a hole in the center of each cup that is
1/2 inch deep. 6. Place a bean seed in each hole. 7. Spread the soil over the bean seed. 8. Water each seed with 25 ml of water. 9. Place the cups in a sunny window. 10. Repeat step 8 daily for three weeks
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Step 6: Conclusions What did you learn? Example: The bean seeds planted in 50% po6ng soil and 50% sand grew taller and had more leaves than the bean seeds planted in 100% po6ng soil. Was your hypothesis correct? What quesKons do you have now? Don’t get upset if your hypothesis was wrong. Be happy because you learned something new!
Step 5: Data Analysis Organize and communicate your results. You can include tables, graphs, photographs, movies… Example Table:
Example Graph:
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Have FUN decoraKng your board!
Examples of Display Boards
Step 7: Time to make your display board! • You can display your project on a board
(max 36 x 48 inches) or laptop to present your project.
• Tri-‐fold display boards are RECOMMENDED but not required. Boards can be purchased from the PTA for $7. The money will support the Fair.
• Students will have available a 3 feet by one foot space to display their project.
• Make sure to include the following on you presentaKon:
1. Title 2. Hypothesis 3. Methods and Materials 4. Procedure 5. Results (data charts, graphs,
photographs..) 6. Conclusion and recommendaKons for
further study and possible improvements to your hypothesis and procedure
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• The Flora M. Singer ES Media Center has a vast and comprehensive collecKon of books for all grades (K-‐5th) on Science and Engineering fair projects. Some of the books illustrate step-‐by-‐step instrucKons for how to conduct an experiment.
• The Media Center is opened to parents on Thursdays from 3:40 pm to 4:15 pm.
• Examples of science fair project book topics that you can find at the Media Center: Sports, Senses, Air, Energy, Propulsion, Dry Ice, Heat, Liquids, Weather Science , Plant and Animal Science, Cell and Microbe Science, Environmental Science, Light , Sound, and Waves, Forces and MoKon , Water Science, Earth Science, Planet Science, Electricity and MagneKsm, etc….
Need help finding a topic or conduc6ng the experiment?
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Helpful Science Fair Websites: hFp://www.scienceproject.com/ this is a membership/fee site hFp://www.sciencebuddies.org/ this site is geared toward older students hFp://www.all-‐science-‐fair-‐projects.com/resources.php this page has many resources available to link to for addiKonal ideas and informaKon hFp://www.sciencefaircenter.com/ this site has free ideas but also has supplies and experiment kits for sale hFp://www.homeworkspot.com/elementary/science/ another good general website with a variety of source links hFp://www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/index.html a site sponsored by the California Energy Commission; several ideas here cannot be done without direct parent involvement in the experiment hFp://www.internet4classrooms.com/science_elem.htm project ideas listed by general topic (lots of adverKsing appears on this site) hFp://sciencepage.org/scifair.htm another resource list of links developed by a teacher hFp://school.discoveryeducaKon.com/lessonplans/ a good resource from Discovery EducaKon sponsored by the Discovery Channel hFp://www.free-‐science-‐fair-‐projects.com/ it says free but they do have areas that will cost some money for ordering www.pbskids.org many of the children’s shows on PBS have a science focus and provide experiments/exploraKons that are easy for children to replicate at home
Student (First, Last Name):
Grade:
Teacher:
Display Board with Header Y or N If “Yes” is your selecKon, please include with this form $7 or a check wriFen to Flora Singer ES PTA
Parent (First, Last Name):
Phone Number(s):
E-‐Mail address (s):
Project Title:
Select a project category: “Candy Cane” “It’s a snap!” “Rock and Roll” “Newton’ s Nook” “Brain Benders” “It is alive! “Other”
RegistraKon Form due Friday December 20th
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Dear Singer Parents: In order to accommodate everyone and plan the logisKcs of the Fair, please reply to these quesKons by email to [email protected] or by returning this form via backpack. 1. Your child (ren) have your permission to parKcipate in the science fair. Y N 2. Will your child be presenKng in a small group or alone? Groups can sKll present even if all of the members cannot aFend. Y N 3. Any photos or videos of your student(s), taken by PTA or submiFed by you, may be included in science fair slide show and displayed during the fair. Photos can be uploaded over the website or emailed to this address for inclusion in the Fair slideshow. Please submit by March 5th.
Y N 4. You will ensure that appropriate safety precauKons are taken when performing experiments at home or elsewhere, and that no experiment causes harm to any person or animal. Flora Singer Elementary School and the PTA may not be held responsible for any loss or damages.
Y N The Fair will be held on Saturday, March 8th from 10 am-‐12 pm in the All Purpose Room and the Gym. Please make sure to arrive by 9:45 am. We ask that a parent remain at the display board with their child to assist. Set up Kme will be on Friday, March 7th, 8 -‐ 9 pm in the All Purpose Room. Please bring your display boards and other items to display and make sure to register and enter your child’s name for a classroom party. The Science and Engineering Fair ”Handbook” contains important info and guidelines for the Fair. The Handbook can be found at hFp://florasinger.oursciencefair.com or the school website. If you need a copy, please contact us at [email protected] We wish you luck with your exploraKon of the ScienKfic World! Sincerely, The Science and Engineering Fair CommiFee
