1. Greenbelt Elementary School Parent Experiment Night 2012
Science Coordinator
Vanessa Zanin

2. What does STEM stand for?
S- science
T-technology
E-engineering
M-mathematics

3. STEM Fair Information Everyone participates in the school
Grades preK-3 complete class or group projects
Grades 4-6 complete individual projects
which is graded for the second and third quarter
you can not pass science if you do not turn in a project (mandatory)
Majority of work is completed at home
Grades 4-6 also must complete a brief research paper

4. STEM Fair will be held on March 6, 2012
We need judges for the Science Fair. Please sign up if you are interested in helping out!
Students participated in a Science Fair Kick-Off January 6, with Ms. Zizzle.

5. Resources and Support Available
Parent Experiment Night
Student Journals/ School Web Site
Teacher/Student Conferences
Make and Take Night
February 7
Media Center resource books
Public Library

6. Student Journal Take A Look!
Each student receives a science fair project journal that takes the student step-by-step through the process.
It is the place to keep track of the project steps throughout the process.
Gives examples and explanations of each step.
Gives a place for teacher/parent communication.
Gives a place for teacher/student communication.
Take A Look!

7. Display of the STEM Fair Project
Procedures
Title
Question
Written Explanation*
Hypothesis
Variables
Conclusion
Materials
Data Table*
Graph*
* All parts of the Results.

8. GES website http://www1.pgcps.org/greenbeltes/ STEM fair 2012 tab
Includes all important dates
Includes backboard format to type or print and hand write… the same as what is in the envelopes for tonight

9. Experiment Time
Tonight we will conduct a simple experiment and continue through the process of a successful project!

10. Find the Grey Envelopes
In each envelope are some supplies.
On the table in the front of the room are supplies you can use also.
Talk in your group and discuss an idea you can test.
We are going to try a new strategy the Four Question Strategy for the Scientific Method

11. The hardest part is getting started
We are going to use a Four Question Strategy
Step One- What materials are available for conducting experiments on the topic Magnetism?
Look in the grey envelope
Write a list of materials you see and others in the environment (you cannot see)

12. Step Two How does topic magnetism act?
For example: How do batteries act?- give energy to make things work
Example: How does soil act?- helps roots grow, feeds earthworms

13. Step Three
How can I measure or describe the response or action of the topic magnetism to change?
This is the data collection phase
Think…What can I measure?
(time, length, height, etc.)

14. Step Four Look back at Step One
How can I change the set of materials to affect the action or behavior?
create a list of possibilities with each material
(this is the possible variables)
You can only pick ONE difference
EVERYTHING Else is the SAME

15. Now… Pick ONE idea to test
Creating the Question
Use the material (variable in Step Four) and how the change will be measured (Step Three).
Question format: Does the (material) affect (magnetism ) (behavior)?
Write the Question on the question page

16. Hypothesis/ Prediction
Answers the Question
It is what you think is going to happen
To write the hypothesis-
(material or independent variable) does/does not affect the (what is measured- dependent variable) of topic (magnetism)

17. Materials List materials needed for YOUR experiment
Use amounts and units
Use metric measurements if possible

18. Variables
Identify manipulated (independent)- what you change on purpose
Identify responding (dependent)- what you think will change
Identify control (the same)- what you want to keep the same

19. Procedures Write step-by-step directions anyone can follow
Start with a VERB, a direct action
Include repeating trials
Follow your steps and conduct the experiment

20. Experiment time! Conduct your experiment
Follow the directions you wrote
Don’t forget to record your results in the data table

21. Step #6
Results
Collect measurable data -usually in numbers (length, height, time, etc…)
Keep a written log of observations
Take pictures
Draw charts, data tables, graphs

22. Step #7
Conclusion
Before you write look back at your data and ask questions
Was the hypothesis correct or incorrect?
What is the answer to my question?
Were there any problems? What would I like to investigate next?
How does it apply to the real world?
Answer these questions into several paragraphs.

23. Step #8 Research Use a variety of resources (at least 3)
Books, magazines, videos, Internet
Find information related to your topic and discover how your topic relates to the real world
Write in your own words about the information you found (include your sources)

24. Congratulations! You finished!

25. The day of the fair: March 6, 2012
Projects will be due into the school on February 27 so that there is time for oral reports and to get the fair set up
Volunteers come judge the projects by interviewing the students
That evening the fair will be open for families to view the projects

26. Thank you for all of your support!

27. Thank you for coming this evening.
Please put your supplies back
Backboards are available for students and parents that participated in this evenings activities and received a ticket for being on time!!
If you would like to purchase a backboard, the cost is $5.00.