Download Hazel Dell Elementary Science Fair Project Guidelines and more Exercises Construction in PDF only on Docsity!
SCIENCE FAIR PARTICIPATION PACKET
HAZEL DELL ELEMENTARY
A Science Fair for students in Kindergarten through 5th^ grade will be held Thursday, November 21, 2019, at Hazel Dell Elementary. Students participating in the Science Fair will be able to set up their projects at the school on Wednesday, November 19 between 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. or Thursday, November 21 from 7:00 – 7:45 a.m. Set up time will NOT be for public viewing. All Hazel Dell students will view projects on Thursday, November 21 in the afternoon. Judging of the projects will tentatively take place between 7:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 21. Public viewing of projects will tentatively be between 5:30 and 7: p.m. during the Hazel Dell Spectacular. After the Spaghetti Dinner, all students are welcome to take their projects home. The students going on to the Regional Science Fair should see a member of the Science Fair Team for further information. Regional qualifiers should note that Regionals will take place Saturday, March 14, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. this year. (PLEASE NOTE: Only students in grades 4 – 5 are eligible to go to the Regional Science Fair this year. This is a new stipulation for the last two years from CIRSEF. Students will be honored across all grades by our Science Fair Team.) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……
Science Fair Guidelines:
- Science Fair projects will be entered in a category according to their grade level.
- Students may work individually or in pairs. If working with another person, both students must be in the same grade. No more than 2 students may work on a project.
- The Participation Contract must be completed and returned to school by Monday, October 28 to indicate your interest and commitment.
- All students in grades 4 & 5 MUST complete a report to be eligible for Regionals. This is called an Abstract.
- The display board can be purchased, or you may make one. (Regulations for the MAXIMUM size of your project are: depth (front to back) of 30 inches, width (side to side) of 48 inches, and height (floor to top) of 108 inches.) All displays are limited to the surface of the display board and the allotted space on the table.
- A Special Note For Our 4th & 5th Grade Regional Hopefuls... Prohibited Materials: No Exceptions Per CIRSEF ● Radioactive substances or equipment that emits any form of ionizing radiation. ● Hazardous chemicals or reagents, controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs, firearms, or explosives. ● Biological agents or projects that use or study microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, prions, fungi and parasites. ● Vertebrate animal research involving pain or withholding of food or water. All vertebrate animal projects should be reviewed by a licensed veterinarian. ● All projects using class IV lasers must be under the direct supervision of a qualified adult. ● Some research may be possible if conducted in the school under the supervision of a properly trained teacher: Refer to official rules above. ● Common violations: glass (typically containers and lights bulbs), liquids (including water, vinegar, oil, and "slime"), food (lots of eggs, human, and even animal food), plants and flowers, and sharps , soil, and rocks. These items are NOT allowed to be part of any project display.
Example: I have always wondered if the commercial saying that the ‘X’ brand of batteries last longer than any other batteries is true. My purpose is to test whether the ‘X’ battery really can outlast several of the other kinds of batteries. Step 3: Problem/Question Now you need to come up with a testable question. In scientific terms, we call this the problem. Remember that Science Fair projects are investigations. When you are thinking of a problem, try to start your question with the word ‘Which’, ‘Does’, or ‘What’. Then, you can set up an investigation because you are testing something. Even when using the words which, does, or what to start your question, you need to be as specific as possible. Of the following two examples, the second one is the best question because it is more specific. Examples: A. Which paper towel is the best? B. Which paper towel absorbs the most water? Step 4: Hypothesis A hypothesis is your best guess of what you think your investigation will show. Example: The “X” type of fabric has the most waterproof capabilities. Step 5: Variable Now, you need to decide what will be the one thing ( variable ) you will change in your investigation. Everything else will remain the same (controls) in your investigating. Example: You want to see if a sweet potato plant grows better in direct sunlight or indirect. Variable = light source Controls = same shape & size of sweet potato (as possible) same amount & kind of soil same type of flower pot same room & general location same amount of water Step 6: Materials Materials are anything you use to do your investigation. Make sure you are specific in listing each item. Say ‘6 medium size navy bean seeds’, not just ‘6 seeds’.
Step 7: Procedures Procedures are the ‘recipe’ of how you did your investigation. This should list each step you did and be clear enough that anyone could duplicate your same investigation by following your ‘recipe’. One step in your sweet potato investigation would be: I will measure the length of the vines on each plant on Fridays at 2:00 P.M. for seven weeks. Step 8: Results/Data The results are what happens or the outcome in your investigation. If you display a table and/or a graph of your findings, it helps to show your results. In the sweet potato investigation, your observations could drive your results. You could display your findings in a table like the one below. Graphs are easy ways to see and understand your results. You can also use charts, diagrams, drawings, pictures, etc. to show your results/observations. Example: Weeks Plant in Direct Sunlight Plant in Indirect Sunlight 1 1/8 inch 0 inches 2 1 1/4 inches 1/2 inch 3 3 inches 3/4 inch 4 5 inches 1 1/2 inches 5 6 inches 2 inches 6 7 inches 3 inches 7 10 inches 4 inches Step 9: Conclusion A conclusion is a statement of your findings and refers back to your hypothesis. Your conclusion does not have to prove your hypothesis. Your investigation has not ‘failed’ if your conclusion and hypothesis are not alike. You have simply discovered that what you thought would happen didn’t happen. Don’t change your hypothesis. Step 10: Title We have found that it is best to wait to choose your title until you have at least begun your investigation. Then, you will have a better understanding of what you are doing and can come up with a more creative title. (Your question can be your title!)
Journal : A journal is a day-to-day record of how and what you did for your project. Abstract: An abstract is a one-page summary of your project. Internet Resources There are lots of websites for science fair ideas. Remember that your project is an investigation, not a report (how does a volcano work or how to make rock crystals). There are some websites (and books) that give ideas for reports, but they will call them a project. If in doubt, remember to use the words ‘which’, ‘does’, or ‘what’ in your question. If you need help deciding if you have a true investigation, please contact a Science Fair Team member. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/projects.html https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/science-fair-project-ideas/ http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/category0.html http://www.101science.com/science_experiments.htm http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/ http://www.sciencebob.com/sciencefair/ideas.php http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ Video Resources Some videos on the scientific method and the science fair, which may prove helpful, are available at… https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtQSfI6Wfo1R5ohXSPSAg6huhJ1ocQa4q&spfrel oad= Final Words of Wisdom Please remember that Science Fair projects are investigations. They are not reports (i.e. How does a volcano work?). When you are thinking of a project, try to start your question with the words, ‘Which’, ‘Does’, or ‘What’. Project Ideas Does temperature change the rate of reaction? (1st^ grade) Which cleans a penny best? (1st^ grade) Which paper airplane flies the farthest? (2nd^ grade) Which playground surface is the safest in fall? (2nd^ grade) Does temperature affect how far a football can be kicked? (2nd^ grade) Does arm movement during exercise increase your heart rate? (3rd^ grade) Which type of Maple tree gives the most syrup? (3rd^ grade) H2O: What’s in your water? (4th^ grade) Which catapult angle will shoot the farthest? (4th^ grade) Which bathing suit drags the most? (4th^ grade) Which diaper holds the most liquid? (5th^ grade) Eggcellent Fall: Which falls faster, a raw or hard-boiled egg? (5th^ grade)
What kind of wood produces the most heat energy when burned? (5th^ grade) What type of fabric is more flame retardant? (5th^ grade) The school library and our local city library has many books on science project ideas. Often these books will list experiments (How does a volcano work?), please make sure the idea you select is really an investigation where you are trying to find out something and not merely a report. (TIP: If you could look it up in a science reference book and find the answer, it is a report, not an investigation.) If your child is one of the eligible winners, please see a member of the Science Fair Team for Regional information.
