Cornerstone Elementary School Science Fair Night

CSE Expectations Fourth/ Fifth Grade: All students will have the opportunity to complete a project independently or with a partner from their class. Project completion will be at home.

Where do I begin… What interests you? Do you have a lot of knowledge about a certain topic? What makes you curious? Is there anything you would like to test?

Science Fair Investigation Students must design and implement (run) an investigation to test a hypothesis. Students must collect data while testing their hypothesis. Students will write a conclusion which states the results of their testing as well as the validity of their hypothesis.

Science Fair Investigation Sample Project Idea Students must choose a testable question to be answered: Ex: Which brand of battery operates a mini-fan the longest? A hypothesis must be formed. The Duracell battery will operate the mini-fan the longest. If I power the fan with a Duracell battery, then it will operate longer than with Brand X, Y, or Z.

Keeping Track: The Project Journal List of Materials Procedures Daily/Test Results (as recorded during experiment) Personal reflections/questions (optional)

Materials List: Duracell and Energizer brand batteries Recording Sheet Timer Mini-fan

Procedure Insert one brand of battery into the mini-fan. Turn the mini-fan on while starting the timer. Let the mini-fan run until the battery runs out. Stop the timer. Record the results on your recording sheet. Transfer the results on to graph paper for a visual display of the data. Test the next brand of battery following steps 1-6 8. Do 3 trials.

Data and Investigation Record what happens. Conduct the investigation several times for accuracy. The test should be run at least three times for each independent variable. (i.e. test three Duracell batteries) You may make an organized list, chart, or graph.

Draw a Conclusion Using the results of your investigation, write a conclusion. Which battery ran the longest? Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect? Why? Think about: What did you learn from the investigation? How is this information important or useful?

Design and Construct Display Prepare a presentation for the judges

Project Displays Display construction: cardboard, foam board, corkboard Maximum Size Restrictions: Front to Back – 30 inches Side to side – 48 inches Top to Bottom – 36 inches There is no minimum size restriction. Liquids may be simulated by using unflavored gelatin or blue plastic wrap, etc. Further restrictions are listed in the Student/Parent Information Packet. (p.4 & 5)

Items to Display on Science Board Title Statement of the Problem/Question Hypothesis Materials Procedure—including variable/control Data/Data Analysis (pictures, graphs, charts, etc.) Conclusion (What were the results; was your hypothesis correct?)

Sample Board Layout

CSE Science Fair February 2, 2018 CSE Science Fair February 2, 2018 **Projects will be due earlier that week as assigned by your child’s teacher. Special Recognition: 5th grade: 1st and 2nd place winners 4th grade: 1st place winner FBISD Science Fair Expo for campus winners is tentatively scheduled for sometime in February. (Project displays only- no judging)

Helpful Websites http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/ http://www.education.com/science-fair/all/

Questions?