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Science Fair Mission Get kids talking about and interested in science Encourage critical thinking and develop the scientific thinking process (question and test) (Main Focus of NGSS and Part of CCSS) Prepare students to participate in county and state level science fairs

Academic Benefits of participating in a Science Fair Reading Comprehension and Writing: Doing background research and writing a research paper Math: Creating graphs and performing data analysis Time Management: Planning a multi-step project Communication: Presenting and explaining the science fair project Ethics Understanding: Learning about plagiarism and the importance of credit and citations

Tonight’s agenda Important Dates General rules and judging Getting started Scientific method

Important Dates Dates for are in the La Madera Office Registration Deadline: __________ La Madera Science Fair __________ Drop-off 7:45 – 8:30AM Judging will be 9:00 – 12:00AM Science Fair Family Night __________ Viewing: __________PM, awards:_____PM Viewing of science fair projects by classes ____ All projects must be picked up by 3:00 PM on Wednesday, __________

Rules overview To be eligible for judging, you must: perform an experiment to test a hypothesis. (You may not enter a display, informational report or collection) fit in space provided, free standing and self supporting 4 feet wide x 2.5 feet deep x 6.5 feet tall (table) or 9 feet tall (floor)

Rules overview cont. Electricity may be available, first come first served, you must register for it ahead of time and have your own extension cord All displays and materials are displayed at entrants own risk, the school and/or science fair committee will not be responsible for displays

General Judging Criteria Scientific thought: understanding and use of the scientific method Understanding, thoroughness and clarity: comprehensible and concise story about the experiment Technical skill: quality of display and attention to detail in writing conventions Creative ability and dramatic value: practical and attractive use of materials for display

Judging Cont. Group and family projects will be allowed this year, they will be judged separately from individual projects

Getting started 1. start a notebook 2. observe, observe, observe 3. research your ideas 4. pick a topic

Keep in mind…. You are performing an experiment, not just sharing knowledge Don’t: just explain what crystals are and show your favorite collection DO: compare the size and shape of crystals grown in three different temperature conditions: room temperature, in the refrigerator, and in an ice bath.

Don’t just explain how mold grows on rotting fruit DO: investigate which types of wrappings keep sliced apples the freshest in the refrigerator: foil, wax paper, plastic wrap, or baggies

Definition of science Science is a process that scientists follow to answer questions about and explain our natural world.

Step :1 Ask a question? Observe the world around you, watch things as they happen, and wonder: Why? How? When? Then ask: What if?

Questions that need work Can I grow crystals? What environment is best for growing crystals? Will food spoil in the refrigerator? What wrap will prevent food from spoiling?

Good questions: Which growing conditions will form the largest salt crystal, room temperature or in the refrigerator? Which form of food wrap will preserve a half an apple the longest, foil, saran or a ziploc baggie?

Step 2: Form a Hypothesis A hypothesis is a testable, educated prediction If I do _________, then ________ will happen because _____. Research, research, research! Scientists always know what they think should happen before they start the experiment

Good hypotheses: If I grow crystals in the refrigerator, then they will grow bigger than room temperature because the water evaporated more slowly and they had more time to form. If I wrap food in foil then it will last the longest in the refrigerator because foil blocks out light and air.

Step 3: Design an experiment. Make sure your results are BECAUSE of your procedure, not DESPITE it. Eliminate all factors that could effect your results except the ONE you are testing.

Parts of an experiment: Independent variable – what you are testing Dependent variable – what you hope changes ( the best ones can be measured) Controls: everything else! Materials list Detailed procedures

Step 4: Collect and Analyze Data WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN Organize your data into tables, label your numbers Use graphs or charts – a picture is worth a thousand data points

Step 5: Write a Conclusion Your conclusion should: Restate your hypothesis Summarize your results Explain your data – *Did it support your hypothesis or not? *Did something unexpected happen? Explore the next step in your research process,- * should your retry your experiment or revise your hypothesis and try again?

Writing counts! Make sure you proofread your entries carefully. Write neatly or type. Have someone not familiar with your research read your write up to make sure it make sense

Step 6 Share your results That’s what your display at the Science Fair is for!

Display dimensions Must fit in space provided, free standing and self supporting 4 feet wide 2.5 feet deep 6.5 feet tall (table) or 9 feet tall (floor) Table top displays are preferred.

Display should include What you did What you learned Clear headings Easy to read text (16 point) Original science notebook, securely tethered or brought for judging

Display may include… La Madera entries may include living organisms Plants Sealed petri dishes No live animals

Does your display include???? Title Question or Problem Background research Hypothesis Materials list Experimental procedure including variables and controls Data analysis and discussion including appropriate data table and/or graphs – label your data with proper units Conclusions Ideas for future research Acknowledgements Bibliography

Sample Layout

Ideas for Success Organize your display to tell a story, like a newspaper Title should be big enough to see from across the room Headings should be clear Use photos and color to help, not distract

Your project may be moved during the science fair. Please be sure all materials are securely fastened to the display board or a base.

Meeting with the Judges You will prepare a 1-2 minute speech to present your experiment to the judge You will not be performing or demonstrating your experiment Be sure to include your original inspiration, your hypothesis, an overview of your procedures and results, and what you learned.

Keys to a good “talk” Make it understandable to someone who is not familiar with your research Be prepared… practice makes perfect Speak from your heart Dress “professionally”

Questions judges might ask. Judges may ask about any part of your project They will want to know more about what you did and what you learned Be sure you understand the science behind your experiment Be prepared to answer questions about what you did and why. It is important to answer honestly… “I don’t know” is better than making something up.

Sample Questions How much help did you receive from others? What does your data tell you? Why is this research important to you? What do your graphs represent? What does your data tell you? What problems did you run into while doing your experiment and how did you fix them? What are the three most interesting things you learned when doing this science fair project? What further research do you plan on doing, or would do, to this science fair project?

Judging Judges will score projects according to a set rubric. Group/family projects will be judged separately from individual projects Judges decisions will be final. Rubrics will not be returned. 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd place prizes will be awarded. Grade levels may be combined depending on final number of entries Winners will be announced at the evening award ceremony.