1. Managing Science Projects Phase 1 – Creating Science Fair ideas Phase 2 – Planning Phase 3 – Collecting Data and Analyzing Results Phase 4 – Creating the Display

2. Managing Science Projects Phase 1 – Creating Science Fair Ideas 1. Teacher should create a timeline of student due dates. 2. Teacher should schedule time (3 days) to take the class to the library to view science fair books or Internet sites. Students should generate a list of three possible science fair questions. 3. Student should consult with teacher to determine suitable and testable science fair question from a list of possibilities (control and an experimental group). 4. Student should create a science fair poster to celebrate choosing a topic. Poster will include the testable question and pictures, from magazine or sketches, related to science fair question. 5. Teacher should set a time to organize log books. Students can use composition books, spiral folders or even unlined paper stapled together in a folder as a log book. Meigs 5 th graders use three-ring binders. 6.. OPTIONAL: Schedule time in the library to research topics related to science fair project. Students can create a research reports. 7. Student creates a hypothesis based on research and background knowledge.

3. Managing Science Projects Phase 2 – Planning Teacher should set a date for students to create a list of materials. Materials can be organized in a list or in written in a paragraph format. Set a date to review the detailed science fair procedure. Each student should consult with teacher to make sure the appropriate type of (quantitative) data is collected.

4. Managing Science Projects Phase 3 – Collecting Data and Analyzing Results 1.Students conduct the experiment with at least three trials. It’s recommended that students take pictures (without faces!) of data collection and setup. 2.Students should place all of the data in charts with labels and units (metric) of measurement. If means or averages are calculated, they should be included in the chart. 3.Organize data from chart in graphs (bar, line, circle, etc.). 4.Students should analyze or describe data in charts and graphs by writing results in a paragraph. 5.Students should describe trends in data in the conclusion section of the project. Then determine if the data supports the hypothesis.

5. Managing Science Projects Phase 4 – Creating the display 1.Students should make a sketch of the display board in the log book. 2.FINALLY! Students should create a display of the project using the correct format

6. Embedding Science Fair into the Science Curriculum Teach our students how to conduct an independent by providing examples of questions that extend from the science labs that we teach in class

7. Embedding Science Fair into the Science Curriculum Practice Makes Perfect!

8. Examples Is salt more soluble in water than sugar? Does the solubility of salt change when the temperature of water changes? Does the solubility of salt change when dissolved in alcohol? Does rock salt and table salt have the similar solubility?

9. Work Smarter not Harder! Embedding science fair into the middle school curriculum allows you to meet the grade level standards and also teach students the skills they need to create their own projects

10. To what extent does the distance from a light source (5, 10, 15 cm) affect the rate of photosynthesis in Elodea water plants?

11. Create a Hypothesis

12. Content Standards: GLE 0707.3.1 Distinguish between the basic features of photosynthesis and respiration. GLE 0707.3.2 Investigate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between living things and the environment.

13. Embedded Standard GLE 0707.Inq.2 Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, organize, analyze, and interpret data. GLE 0707.Inq.3 Synthesize information to determine cause and effect relationships between evidence and explanations. GLE 0707.Inq.4 Recognize possible sources of bias and error, alternative explanations, and questions for further exploration. GLE 0707.Inq.5 Communicate scientific understanding using descriptions, explanations, and models.

14. Science Fair Objectives: Creating a testable question Experimental variable and Controlled variable Analyzing data Hypothesis Results Conclusion Multiple trials

15. Research/Prelab questions 1) What is the equation for photosynthesis? 2) Where do plant get the CO2 for this process (what organisms release this gas)? 3) What organelle in plants is responsible for photosynthesis (producing food)? 4) What is the pigment found in this organelle that absorbs light to power photosynthesis? 5) If a plant were under water and was photosynthesizing, what gas would be visibly bubbling from the plant?

16. Setting Up the Experiment 1. Obtain a green sprig of Elodea. Remove several leaves from around the cut end of the stem. Slice off a portion of the stem at an angle and lightly crush the cut end of the stem. 2. Place a small pinch of sodium bicarbonate into a test tube (this increases carbon dioxide in the water). 3. Place the plant into the test tube, stem end up. 4. Filled the test with distilled water so that the stem is completely submersed.

17. Running the Experiment Place a source of light about 5 cm from the plant. 2. Wait five minute 3. After five minute, count and record the number of oxygen bubbles rising from the cut end of the stem for 3 minutes. Repeat same experiment 2 additional times Using the different distances 10 and 15 cm, repeat the experiment

18. Data Table: Graph # bubbles / 3 min distance from light source (cm)

19. Conclusion 1) Did your data support your hypothesis? Explain. 2) What went well with the experiment? 3) What went wrong with the experiment? 4) What new problems (questions for study) arose as you did this experiment? 5) What did you learn from this experiment?

20. Possible science fair questions How does the color of light affect the rate of photosynthesis? 2. How does the type of aquatic plant affect the rate of photosynthesis? 3. How does the intensity of light affect the rate of photosynthesis? (use different wattages of light) 4. How does the amount of CO2 available affect the rate of photosynthesis? 5. How does the temperature of the water affect the rate of photosynthesis?

21. Wrap Up Resources wikispace Recruit help from language, math, and art teacher Send a letter to parents before starting science fair projects Grade sections of the science fair display before you proceed to another section