Mentor Training Meeting #1 Nov 1, 2012 Science Fair is just 6 months away

Meeting Agenda First Mentor-Buddy Meeting, Nov 5, 2012 Science Fair Project Overview Scientific Method Buddy’s Responsibilities Helpful resources Safety November Tasks Reminders Mentor Training Checklist #1

First Buddy Meeting Come to the commons immediately after school (no later than 3:15pm) Nov. 5, 2012. Check in and get 1) Mentor- Buddy worksheet, 2) your Buddy’s Contact Information Page & 2) photo. Wait for your buddy under his/her school sign.  Remember to bring a photo of yourself to give to the buddy. Greet your buddy as your NEW BEST FRIEND. MEET the Parent. Bond with them in this 1st meeting. Be professional! (Exchange emails & phone numbers) Go over the Safety Quiz and Contract, and obtain parent signature on necessary form. Look through experiment ideas in binder together, and narrow down a possible project area: biology, chemistry, physics, geology, botany, etc… Remember the photograph of yourself to share with the buddy! There will be tape and glue sticks around so they can tape/glue your photo on the contact information page. Likewise you glue/tape the buddy photo on this page. Parents…it is vital you make a good impression on the buddy and parent. Introduce yourself, shake hands, and tell them a little about yourself (interests, work,..) Ask the buddies bed time and the best time and days of the week to call and email.

What’s a Science Fair Project A science fair project is a unique way for students to pose their own question and answer it By using the scientific method, the science fair project will be an independent research of a science topic ~ all work and ideas are yours, giving you “ownership” of the research problem and results!

Science Fair Project Overview 1) Getting Started The Scientific Method Testable Question 2) Doing Background Research Finding Information Background Report Bibliography / Work Cited 3) Constructing a Hypothesis Variables Hypothesis 4) Testing Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Experimental Procedure Materials List Conducting an Experiment 5) Analyzing Your Data and Drawing a Conclusion Data Analysis & Graphs Conclusions 6) Communicating Your Results Final Report Display Board Science Fair Judging

The Scientific Method It is a process used to explore observations and answer questions Use the scientific method to search for cause and effect relationships Your buddy (with your help) will design an experiment so that when you change something on purpose, something else changes in response to that The scientific method will help you help the student to focus on ONE science fair project question, construct a hypothesis, design, execute, and evaluate the experiment (Note: if time is short, can skip this page)

The Scientific Method Don’t worry - We will have mentor training session specific to each phase of the scientific method and guide you through, as it relates to your 5th grade buddy project.

Buddy’s Tasks for Science Fair Form a Testable Question, devise an experiment to find a possible answer Conduct thorough Background Research on the topic Make a Hypothesis in the “If .... then ... because” format For example, if green tea extract is applied to a growing culture of E.coli, then the bacteria will not grow because green tea extract stops bacterial reproduction. REMEMBER: THIS IS NOT YOUR PROJECT - IT IS YOUR BUDDY'S.  You will help guide them along the way.

Buddy’s Tasks for Science Fair (cont.) Complete the experiment. Be safe, use multiple trials, and record data Analyze the data and form a conclusion Further research: Include a statement about any additional questions that arose during the experiment that could be used for future research Prepare the final written report & project board Safety: buddies are not allowed to use hazardous chemicals of any sort  or hazardous microbes.... other potential hazardous items must be approved by Mrs.B! Review the RULES in your Mentor Binder along with your buddy!

Safety Rules Review Safety Contract with Buddy and Buddy’s Parent Buddy must not use hazardous chemicals or microbes other than those approved by Mrs. B Refer to RULES in binder, and/or check with Mrs. B or your mentor trainer if unsure Buddy must wear proper protective gloves, aprons & goggles if using any approved chemicals If the project needs any special equipment, check with Mrs. B to borrow/check-out the necessary supplies from her lab

Helpful Resources Science Buddies ~ a really good information site about science projects : http://www.sciencebuddies.org/   Check out its “Topic Selection Wizard”! http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml#helpmefindaproject Other helpful sites: http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scifair/index.html http://www.tryscience.org/experiments/experiments_home.html Also, look in the Binder’s Project Ideas section for more idea sites. Not only are there more ideas, there are also procedures etc…at several of these websites.

November Tasks In the month of November (between Buddy Meetings 1 & 2), you will help your buddy: Set up a lab notebook Choose a project topic (get approval from Mrs. Bandrowski) Review Safety with buddy in the first meeting Create a Testable Question about the topic Do Background Research on the topic Create a Hypothesis~ an "If...then.. because" statement Point out the section of the binder for each one of these and work through it with an example. Practice writing testable questions from an observation such as something you may have read in the newspaper such as “Leftie’s have held the reins of power”. Go through process of getting background information for that testable question you just wrote about lefties. What is the first step? Google the question to see what is already known. Google the word “abstracts “ in front of the question or after the question so you know if someone has done actual research project on it before. Look for the key words: in this case they are left handed people and power or jobs Practice writing the hypothesis for that testable question being sure it is in an If…then format (the independent variable (the experimental variable) follows the IF and the dependent variable (the outcome/data you will expect) follows the THEN

Reminders Most of these students have never done a science fair project before, so be patient with them! Use consistent email protocol to communicate with them. Like a teacher, you are there to help GUIDE the student through the process from beginning to end. DO NOT DROP OUT ON YOUR BUDDY! Check your buddy’s school fair date, if applicable DON’T just give the answers… ASK your buddy questions that will make them think. You are there to help them.. not do it for them. Make it clear to the buddy’s parent that your role is not to conduct the experiment for the buddy. You are their mentor – not their partner! Do NOT procrastinate! Deadlines are firm! Remember the buddy may need more time to work on something than you would. Bring your mentor binder and photo of yourself to the Mentor-Buddy meeting next Monday, November 5 after school, 3:15 PM to 5:30 PM. Don’t forget!