Mentor Training Meeting (#6) March 21st, 2013 Science Fair (April 20) in less than a month!

Meeting Agenda  Putting The Written Report (ie, Binder) Together  Acknowledgements  Work Cited  Creating the Project Board  Interacting with Judges  More Tips  Reminders Mentor Training Checklist #6

The Written Report (AKA: The Binder)  Typed  Font size: (14 recommended)  Font: Times New Roman  Put the report into a 1 or ½ inch 3-ring binder  Include a Title Page (usually the Question)  Number the pages  Create a Table of Contents  Buddy SHOULD NOT put their name on any pages of the binder or content to avoid any prejudicial judging !!!

The Written Report Suggested Order: Title page (usually a simplified testable question with some graphics) Table of Contents Abstract (optional, not required for 5 th grade project) Testable Question (on a page by itself ) Hypothesis and Null Hypothesis Background Report Variables: Control, Independent/Dependent/Control Variables Procedure and Materials Data tables Data Analysis (show math work) Graphs Discussion of Results Conclusion Photographs Acknowledgements Work Cited / Bibliography

Acknowledgements  Your buddy should thank all of the people who contributed to the project in some way  Tell your buddy to include a short sentence about HOW the person helped  Do not edit unless there is some catastrophic flaw

Work Cited / Bibliography  Include at least 3 cited sources  Given this is just a 5 th grade project, no specific format is required ~ links (URLs) alone is sufficient  For advanced students, APA style formatting is recommended (optional). To learn more: o workscited4u.com/apaformat.html o (automatically generate citations)  Important to remind your buddy that for any part of the written report, don’t plagiarize other people’s work by simply “copy & paste” Make sure they understand and put ideas into their own words

Creating the Project Board  Use a tri-fold display board  Focus on content and style  Fun and colorful, but remember to present information in a clear and pleasant fashion  Include: Question, Hypothesis, Procedure, Materials, Results, and Conclusions  Label charts/graphs/tables (with title & units of measurement)  Caption Photos & illustrations

 Attach the written report and the lab notebook to the board with pieces of string  Any extra props should be able to fit in front of the board Creating the Project Board (cont.)

 Greet the judges with a handshake and a smile.  Make sure to face the judges when answering a question. Make Eye Contact!!!  Be enthusiastic! Interacting With Judges

What should Buddies wear to the Science Fair? They don’t have to dress up this much… Don’t under dress either Just wear their White Science Alliance Buddy T-Shirt!

Final Tips for Mentors…  If you SHOW ENTHUSIASM for your buddy’s project, he or she will be even more excited for the Science Fair  Arrange a time to help your buddy set up their project (setup time 9:30-10:30am)  Wear your MENTOR T-Shirt & SHOW UP at the Science Fair to support your buddy

Reminders LAST Mentor-Buddy Meeting April 1st, 2013 (This is not a joke!) 3:15pm – 5:30pm Write it in your planner! Science Fair ~ April 20, 2013 Award Ceremony ~ 2:30-3:15pm