1. FLO FALATKO: 5 TH GRADE TEACHER DANA NOVOTNY: RESOURCE TEACHER CROMWELL VALLEY REGIONAL MAGNET SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY BALTIMORE, MD Making STEM Fair Projects Manageable with Collaboration

2. Provide an overview of the logistics of using collaboration as the key to completing successful projects Share a sample classroom lesson on real-life data collection Share resources on facilitating STEM Fair projects Session Objectives

3. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-messina/that-fake-science-fair-poster-that- went-viral-i-made-it-heres-why_b_5053008.html

4. Why? STEM fair projects allow students to: Practice scientific thinking and creative problem-solving - Maryland Science Common Core Standard 1.A.1 – Constructing Knowledge Gather and question data from many different forms of scientific investigations which include reviewing appropriate print resources, observing what things are like or what is happening somewhere, collecting specimens for analysis, and doing experiments. Improvise when a procedure doesn’t work out as predicted, present science findings to others, and constructively critique each other’s work. - Maryland Science Common Core Standard 1.B.1 – Applying Evidence and Reasoning Seek better reasons for believing something than "Everybody knows that..." or "I just know" and discount such reasons when given by others.

5. Strengthens reading comprehension skills by doing background research; creative problem-solving skills throughout the process - Maryland Science Common Core Standard 1.A.1 – Constructing Knowledge Sharpen Communication Skills -Maryland Science Common Core Standard 1.C.1 – Communicating Scientific Information Recognize that clear communication is an essential part of doing science because it enables scientists to inform others about their work, expose their ideas to criticism by other scientists, and stay informed about scientific discoveries around the world. Strengthens math skills through analyzing and graphing data -Maryland Science Common Core Standard 1.C.1.a– Communicating Scientific Information Make use of and analyze models, such as tables and graphs to summarize and I interpret data. Why?

6. Students will learn the scientific method by actively participating in each step of their STEM fair projects Student projects will reflect their work Students will see subject integration throughout their day and make real world connections Students will develop a love for science STEM Project Goals for 2015

7. Student Reflections

10. 4 th & 5 th grade students Resource teacher STAT teacher 4 th & 5 th grade classroom teachers Library Media Specialists Parents Key Players & Their Roles

11. Parents Parent night Webpage portal CVE Parent Portal Emails Phone communication Students Meet weekly Keep STEM logs up to date Homework planners Teachers Emails Planning time Collaboration & Communication

13. Home School BCPS Parent Presentation Setting Clear Expectations

14. The Scientific Method Testable Question VariablesResearchHypothesisInvestigation Data Collection Conclusion

15. Materials Logistics Cost CHALLENGES Create an on going journal of the project for the student Students take ownership of their work and can extend creativity Enhance communication between students, teachers, and parents. Parent and classroom teachers can see where the student is in the process ADVANTAGES STEM Logs

16. Direct Instruction Independent work time Homework Communication with classroom teacher Assignments graded and recorded A Week in Review Worksheet adapted from resources from BCPS Science Office Prek-12

17.  Students collected and organized data on the basketball teams in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament (NCAA) using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.  Students were taught how to complete calculations using cells, copy formulas from one cell to another, sort data, and graph data. https://twitter.com/CromwellValleyE/status/57825650036536 1153/photo/1 Data Collection Project in the Classroom

18.  The data sheet shows one teams analysis  Groups then took the data and did an analysis of it in order to pick their top 16 and winning team. Example of Data Sheet

19. Students used Microsoft Excel in order to create bar graphs of their top 16 teams and the probability of winning – P(W). All of these math and data analysis skills are applicable to the scientific process. Graphing

20. PowerPoint with main steps in the scientific method Research Conclusion Data Pictures Purchasing Boards Board Assembly

21. Judging Projects Loch Raven High School Science Honor Society & LRHS Teachers CVE 4 th and 5 th grade teachers and administrators Sharing Project Round Robin Grading Projects Final Steps

22. Start earlier Research Note taking Writing Classroom teacher check in “requirements” timeline Lessons Learned/ Next Steps

25. Baltimore County Public Schools, Office of Science Prek-12 http://bcps.org/offices/science/STEM/index.htm The Common Core State Standards http://www.mdk12.org/instruction/commoncore/index.html Science Buddies http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ Minds in Bloom: Strategies & Activities to Promote Creative and Critical Thinking http://www.minds-in-bloom.com/2014/03/7-reasons-to-use-interactive- notebooks.html?m=1 References

26. Flo Falatko ffalatko@bcps.org Dana Novotny dnovotny@bcps.org Contact Information