Parent’s Survival Guide to Science Fair

Purpose of Science Fair To assess student understanding of the scientific method This is a summative assessment and is graded like a test. To demonstrate communication skills. To learn that there can be differing solutions to the same problems.

Dates to Remember November 23, 2015 December 16, 2015 January 23, 2016 Power Point Presentation due December 16, 2015 Washington Jr High & Academy Science Fair. January 23, 2016 District 86 Science Fair January 19, 2016 Research papers are due

Experimental Topics & Requirements All Washington Students are required to do a science fair project. Partners are will not be allowed Must include 3 trials & 3 variations of IV All science fair projects must be presented to the student’s science class as a Power Point Slide Presentation. Power points will be converted to a tri-fold display by student if chosen to participate in the district science fair.

Experimental Topics & Requirements Projects may NOT include animals of any kind (this include humans!) Explosives and/or hazardous materials Questions must show a Cause & Effect relationship Must be objectively measureable with clearly defined endpoints. Have only one Independent Variable and one Dependent variable.

Engineering Projects Students in 7th & 8th grade may chose to do an Engineering Design Project Students must have passed the variables test on the first try to use this option. Separate grading rubric Found on my website: mskehoe.weebly.com. Students will be required to build and test an actual prototype to meet design criteria.

Science Reference Guide Must be completed in its entirety Include parent initials as components are completed. Must Include a diagram Drawings or photographs are acceptable Students will only receive one copy: extras are not available!

Project Timeline Science fair components will be checked for completion using the following timeline. Component Due Date Question Oct 16 Research Note Cards Oct 26 Hypothesis Materials & Procedure Data Table & Graph Nov 9 Results & Conclusion Nov. 16

District Grading Rubric All students will be graded according to the Joliet 86 Junior High Scoring Sheet Students can print a copy from my website mskehoe.weebly.com Students will be chosen by science teacher to attend the Washington Science Fair Only 7th & 8th grade students will be eligible to move onto the Illinois Regional Science Fair.

Research Paper Should not be started until January Needs to be 3-5 pages Typed Double spaced/ 12 Font Times New Roman Must be in students own words Include a bibliography 5 sources: at least 2 must be from books. The rest can be reliable internet sources.

Parental Involvement Let them Shine! Let your kids be in charge. Ask if they need help and respect their wishes if they say no. Give them suggestions and understand if they don’t take them. Allow students to write things in their words Allow them to present their PowerPoint to you while you go through the rubric. Let them Shine!