Supporting your Student with STEM Fair

O District Vision: Preparing Students for life. O District Mission: To provide an education and the supports which enable each student to excel as a successful and responsible citizen.

What is STEM Fair? STEM stands for: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. STEM Fair projects are: O highly motivating tool for helping our students learn to use a scientific method O a way to explore the practice of science, the characteristics of science, and the role of theories, laws, hypotheses, and models.

Why are STEM Fair Projects so Important? O Learning styles O Real world application O Hands-on O Higher order thinking O Student interest O Student Centered O Curriculum connections O Basis of discovery, understanding, and problem solving skills. O STEM related professions are an increasing part of our workforce.

STEM Fair Components Scientific Method - Scientists do not always follow these steps in this order or even go through all of them every time, but for STEM fair we will. 1. Ask a question and state a purpose 2. Research 3. Hypothesis 4. Procedures(materials, variables, step by step directions.) 5. Collect data 6. Create a graph 7. Draw a conclusion STEM Fair Log

O Create a log using paper and label the front cover: My STEM Fair Log by…

Sample STEM Fair Log Entry O 9/4/2015 My teacher said it is time for STEM fair. I think it would be cool if I could come up with a topic. I kind of have 3 in mind. O 9/5/2015 I shared my ideas with my teacher. She loved my idea about experimenting with worms. O 9/6/2015 My teacher said I had to have a question that I want to try to answer about worms without harming the worms. I wonder if worms like the dark more than sunny places? I always see worms after it rains. I wonder if worms don’t like being wet? I wonder where I can get worms? O 10/8/2015 I have noticed that the slugs are more present after rain in my backyard. I am going to collect data on how many slugs are present after rain instead of worms. O 10/12/15 It rained today! I was able to count 5 slugs on my back patio. Specific Dates Keep Everything Include data & observations

Create STEM Fair Foldable

A good STEM Fair question: O Cannot be answered with one word O Measurable O Investigable O Supported with evidence, not an opinion The Purpose: O Tells why the investigation is being done. O It is written as a statement from the topic question. Example: The purpose of this project is to find out… How to identify a good Question & Purpose

Research & Hypothesis O Before students begin their project, they need to learn more about the topic. O Students will use this information to make their hypothesis. O The hypothesis is what students predict will happen when they perform the experiment based on their research. Based on my research, I think… will happen because...

Procedure(The Plan) O Materials O Variables O Manipulated (Independent ) What is being changed in the experiment on purpose. (What you are testing) O Responding (Dependent) The measurable result of what is being changed in the experiment. (What you are measuring) O Held Constant (Control) All the things that are kept the same or controlled during the experiment. O Step by Step Directions Direction Activity: How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

Data O Chart or a Table O 5 or more trials Graphs O Graphs are an organized way to display the data collected during the experiment Data & Graphs BRAND NAME Trial 1 (ml) Trial 2 (ml) Trial 3 (ml) Trial 4 (m) Trial 5 (ml) Bounty Super All Natural Clean Sweep 42344

Conclusion The analysis of the data as it relates to the original hypothesis. It should: O Reference their Hypothesis O Be Data Focused O Be Comparative O Be Reflective O Have Implications

Data Materials Research Paper Optional Data Logbook My Title Purpose Hypothesis Procedure: Variables Step-by-Step Directions Graph Conclusion Results

School Entries Class Projects ENTRIES ALLOWED PER SCHOOL K - 2: 1 per grade Individual Projects ENTRIES ALLOWED PER SCHOOL 3 - 5: 2 per grade Small Group Projects ENTRIES ALLOWED PER SCHOOL 3 - 5: 2 per grade and 1 additional project* from an exceptional education group may be included per school

Judging Criteria Is the scientific method / engineering design process evident? Does the STEM Fair Log include a chronology and anecdotal notes of the project? Is data communicated correctly and clearly? Did the student effectively communicate his/her project findings to the judges?

How Can You Help? O Let your students do the project. O Assist them in gathering the materials they need. O Assist them in experimentation and/or data collection. O Ask them about their project nightly. O Be supportive and encourage them to do their best.

STEM Fair Dates for O 3 rd – 5 th Mondays Sept. 14 th – Dec. 7 th & the entire week of Nov. 16 th. O KG-2 nd Two weeks from Nov. 30 th – Dec. 11 th. O Our school judging will be __________ O District Early Bird Check-In: February 8, 2016 O District STEM Fair Judging: February 9, 2016 O District STEM Fair Awards Ceremony: February 10, 2016

Science Support For additional help, ideas, and information please contact your student’s teacher. For information regarding Hillsborough County Public Schools Elementary Science events and policies, please contact Shana Tirado, Elementary Science Supervisor Thank you for your continued support of science!