Wow!! It’s Time for the Rivera Science and Engineering Fair !

Why do we create Science Fair Projects?

Science is all around us! Science Fair projects give us a chance to explore curiosities Opportunity for the use of multimedia technologies, written and oral presentations, exploration of various subject matter in science Opportunity for scholarship and recognition Opportunities to work with scientists It’s just fun!!

Getting Started Select a topic Remember a time you noticed something and thought "I wonder what would happen if..." or "I wonder how that works?" then turn that into a project Look at the list of topic suggestions in the packet Go into the library and browse book titles Look through the newspaper for current events Look on line at sites such as:

Keeping a Journal From the very start- KEEP A JOURNAL no matter what kind of project you are going to do! From the very start- KEEP A JOURNAL no matter what kind of project you are going to do! All entries should be substantial. If a procedure was tried, the journal should include or refer to the exact steps and methods used. All entries should be substantial. If a procedure was tried, the journal should include or refer to the exact steps and methods used. Data should be recorded accurately with dates and times, and any special notes of problems or successes. Data should be recorded accurately with dates and times, and any special notes of problems or successes. Journals may be computer entries or hand written. Journals may be computer entries or hand written. Record all research and CITE YOUR SOURCE Record all research and CITE YOUR SOURCE Any information, resources, graphs, tables, problems, and analysis should be included. Any information, resources, graphs, tables, problems, and analysis should be included.

Everyone does RESEARCH The research portion of the project is an important component of writing standards and is an independently developed item. The research portion of the project is an important component of writing standards and is an independently developed item. Gather general information about your topic from books, magazines, the Internet, people and companies. Gather general information about your topic from books, magazines, the Internet, people and companies. Keep notes about where you got your info and begin to develop your bibliography. Keep notes about where you got your info and begin to develop your bibliography. Copied text is not acceptable…use your own words. Copied text is not acceptable…use your own words.

Experiment Experiment Model Model Collection Collection Demonstration Demonstration Research Research Types of Projects

*Most often presented in a science fair *Follows the Scientific Method *Experiments may be long-term, but they do not have to be. *The student-scientist should be knowledgeable enough to discuss and field questions about the project. Experiment

Examples of Experiments

1. Question -What is being investigated? 2. Purpose/Hypothesis –Your educated guess about what is going to happen, stated factually 3. Research –What info is out there? 4. Materials –What is needed to do the experiment 5. Procedure –The steps you’ll take to perform the experiment 6. Results –Record what you observe and find 7. Summary Conclusion –Does your experiment prove your hypothesis? Experiments follow the Scientific Process

*Student-scientist chooses a topic of high interest. *A short research report is written. *A model is created. *If a display board is included, it should have a title, the research, possibly photos of the student building the model, the model with labeled parts, and a summary of what has been learned. *The student-scientist should be knowledgeable enough to discuss and field questions about the project. Model

Examples of Models

*This is an exhibit of a scientific collection. *Research is conducted and a short report written to enhance the significance of the collection. *If a display board is included, it should have a title, the research, possibly photos of the student working on the collection, labels, and a summary of what has been learned. *The student-scientist should be knowledgeable enough to discuss and field questions about the project. Collection

Examples of Collections

*The student-scientist demonstrates, on a display board, a particular science principle or fact, how something works, a scientific phenomenon, or how something is created naturally or in a lab. *The student-scientist demonstrates, on a display board, a particular science principle or fact, how something works, a scientific phenomenon, or how something is created naturally or in a lab. *The display must be self-contained; that is, observers should be able to follow the demonstration and understand. It will include a title, the research information, possibly a series of photos to support the demonstration, and a summary of the findings. *The student-scientist should be knowledgeable enough to discuss and field questions about the project. Demonstration

Examples of Demonstrations

*In a research paper, the student-scientist investigates an area of science using primary and secondary sources. *Student-scientists will conduct research and conduct primary information gathering such as visiting a college, museum, or interviewing experts to explore their scientific area in depth and detail. *A grade-level appropriate research paper is written. *The student-scientist should be knowledgeable enough to discuss and field questions about the project. Research Paper

Doing Research

Displaying the Project Follow the guidelines in the packet

TIMELINE Wednesday, October 7th: Classroom teachers share this presentation and pass out Science Fair Packets Monday, November 30th: Projects due to Rivera (unless teacher has chosen a different date – but no later than December 2nd) Thursday, December 3rd: Rivera Science and Engineering Fair – –Judging takes place – –Friends and Family viewing from 5:30PM – 6:30PM – –Friday, December 4th: Student Viewing and Project pick-up

Awards and Recognition

So, why do we do Science and Engineering Fair Projects? “The important thing is not to stop questioning.” Albert Einstein