SCIENCETECHNOLOGYENGINEERINGMATH ROSARYVILLE ES STEM PROJECT 2012 INFORMATION SESSION

All completed projects will be due on February 6, 2012 in order to be presented and graded in class. ROSARYVILLE’S STEM FAIR WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 16, 2012

General Project Information  Grades PreK-2 –completion of class project  Grades 3-6 complete individual projects each component worth a homework grade final project worth an assessment/project grade Project Journals can be downloaded from online this year. No hardcopies will be distributed. all project due dates should be adhered to in order to receive full credit  Grades 4-6 must complete a brief research paper as part of their project

Project Must Haves  Display board with all parts of the scientific method represented OR PowerPoint Presentation  Research Paper (4-6 grades ONLY)

All the details to complete a Grade A Investigation

STEP #1: Choosing a TOPIC/QUESTION Your topic/question should be:  Of Interest  Related to science, technology, engineering, or math  One that can only be answered through an investigation in which numerical data is collected Example: Which soil type will grass grow best in? DUE: 11/14

Where do I get ideas for a topic?  Student Project Journal Online (already approved topics/questions in Appendix C)  Science textbook  School library  Public library  Internet  Observing the world around us

Guidelines for choosing a topic  Only THIRD graders can do consumer projectsconsumer projects  No Projects involving VERTEBRATESVERTEBRATES  No ModelsModels  No Bacteria Projects  Mold projects must be pre-approved for safety reasons

CONSUMER SCIENCE IS FOR THIRD GRADE ONLY  What paper towel soaks up the most water?  What diaper absorbs the most liquid?  Which ketchup is thicker? Consumer science is testing a product or comparing it to another brand of the same product.

STEP #2: Making a HYPOTHESIS (Prediction) The hypothesis is…  A response to the question to be investigated  Should follow this format: I believe ______________ because ______________. Example: I believe that clay soil will grow grass best because it sticks together and can hold water for a long time. DUE: 11/21

STEP #3: Gather & List Project MATERIALS List all materials to be used in the investigation AND include:  quantities  sizes/amounts (in metric units) Example:3 6 oz. plastic cups, 30 grams of each soil type (clay, loam, sand), 9 Kentucky bluegrass seeds, 40 milliliters of water (daily) DUE: 12/5

STEP #4: Write down the step-by- step PROCEDURES of the investigation  Procedures should be listed in step format: Example:1. Label each cup with the different soil type. 2. Place 20 mL of each soil type in a separate cup. 3. Put 3 grass seeds in each cup of soil, pressing them about 5 cm below the soil. DUE: 12/5

STEP #5: Identify Investigation VARIABLES  Independent Variable The one thing that’s changed on purpose  Dependent Variable The one thing that should change based on the independent variable  Controlled Variables The things that remain the same (or constant) throughout the investigation Example: Soil type Example: Rate of grass growth Example: cup size, amount of soil, type of grass seed, amount of water DUE: 12/16

STEP #6: Perform the INVESTIGATION

STEP #7: Document RESULTS of investigation Results need to include: - At least 1 data table - At least 1 graph - A written explanation DUE: 1/30

STEP #8: Write CONCLUSIONS  Invesitgation conclusions should be written in paragraph format and include: ○ A statement about proving or disproving the hypothesis ○ A statement of what was learned by completing the investigation ○ A statement about anything that could have or might have been done differently to make the investigation better ○ A statement of how the investigation connects to real- world concerns and applications DUE: 1/30

Research Paper  Title Page  Acknowledgements  Project Question  Background research Write down questions that you want to know about your topic that can be answered by looking in a book.  Sources/Bibliography At least 3 An example of a research paper is included in the Student Project Journal Online. DUE: 1/9

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

Paperless STEM Projects NEW THIS YEAR (required for Grades 5 and 6; optional for Grades 3 and 4) Those backboards are out and technology is in!! Title Slide (including Project title and student name) Question and Hypothesis Materials Used Procedures Variables (independent, dependent, controlled) Results (data table and graph) Written explanation of results Conclusion * Incorporation of pictures depicting the progress of the project is suggested. * Suggested website for graphing support: A minimum of 8 slides is required.

Project Display Board Tips  Don’t be afraid to use color BUT not too much – no more than 2-3 different colors  Type or write neatly – NO scratch-outs or sloppiness  Make sure the font size isn’t too small (no smaller than 14 pt)  Make sure to include a title  The display should be neat and attractive

Additional items to keep in mind:  All project components are to be turned in for teacher review on the due dates provided  Pictures should be taken throughout the investigation and placed on the final display board  Any pictures used should include captions  No additional material (actual investigation materials) should be brought to school

Useful STEM Resources  www1.pgcps.org/rosaryville/ - go to Student Page  And contact me, Miss Bartlow, Science Department Coordinator

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Thank you for all of your support!