1. Where to begin & How to Stay on Track
Science Fair Help
Where to begin & How to Stay on Track

2. The Big Rocks Project boards will be supplied at no cost
Project board will be given to students when he/she demonstrates to the teacher they are prepared
Project are due no later than WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7th . No exceptions.
Family STEM Night & Fair will be Thursday, December 8th from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Project Boards will be displayed in grade level hallways.

3. TRADITIONAL STEM EXPERIMENT
*Student works through the scientific method/process*
Ask a Question
Research
Develop a hypothesis (an educated guess based upon research)
Materials & Procedures (must be very detailed, clear, and well-written so that the experiment can be replicated)
Conduct the experiment (there must be a MINIMUM OF 6TRIALS, the more the better)
Results (tables, graphs, charts, photographs, illustrations)
Conclusions

4. TRADITIONAL EXPERIMENT
REQUIREMENTS: (1) 1-2 page research paper (a Thinking Map for brainstorming/prewriting must be attached) and (2) There must be a MINIMUM of 6TRIALS.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
What mixture makes the best bubble solution?
Does (wing design) (size) (type of paper) affect the flight (time) (distance) of a paper airplane?
Does (ramp height) (car weight) affect model car (speed) (distance) [select one]?
*Consumer product experiments are not suggested*
Which brand of paper towel is most absorbent?
Which brand of popcorn pops the most kernels?
Which brand of laundry detergent removes food stains the best?

5. STEM PROJECT SAMPLE STEM EXPERIMENT: Build an Electromagnet
Materials: a large iron nail (about 3 inches), about 3 feet of THIN COATED copper wire, a fresh D size battery, small paper clips or other small magnetic objects
Make it an experiment- You can try to answer one of these questions:
Does the number of times you wrap the wire around the nail affect the strength of the nail as a magnet?
Does the thickness or length of the nail affect the electromagnets strength?
Does the thickness of the wire affect the power of the electromagnet?

6. Electromagnet

7. INVENTION
*Student creates an original STEM invention and tests its usefulness/application*
Write a 1 page research paper about an inventor (a Thinking Map for brainstorming/prewriting must be attached)
Brainstorm problems & solutions
Choose the solution you are most interested in turning into an invention then draw a diagram of that invention
CREATE YOUR INVENTION AT HOME!
Test its usefulness/application a MINIMUM OF 3 TIMES.
Develop a marketing plan.

8. INVENTION
Some of our greatest inventions and ideas have come from someone thinking about how to do something different or better than it's been done before!
A lunch-box alarm that goes off when an unauthorized person opens it
A dog collar that lights up at night
A newspaper launcher
A new type of rake that allows you to pick up leaves without bending over
A robot that distributes and collects student papers
A glove with a light for signaling turns when riding a bike at night

9. INVENTION
Automatic Milk Dispenser

10. INVENTION
Automatic Dog Washer

11. Traditional STEM Projects
Resources
Traditional STEM Projects

12. Resources
Invention

13. Questions, Comments, or Concerns