STEM Fair
Shana Tirado
Supervisor, Elementary Science
Scientific Method
Hillsborough County STEM Fair Expectations
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Ask a question and state a purpose
Research
Hypothesis
Procedures(variables, materials, step by step directions)
Collect data
Create a graph
Draw a conclusion
STEM Fair Log
Required for all projects
STEM Fair Log
• You will keep everything you do and think
about your STEM fair project in your log.
• Your log is like a diary or journal of your
progress in your investigation.
• Keep everything you write in your log even
if you change your mind or start over.
Day 1 Entry:
• Write today’s date on the first
page of your log.
• Write what you know, think, and
wonder about science fair.
Log Expectations
• Projects without logs will be disqualified.
• The log IS the project. The show board is
just a commercial for the project.
• Each entry should be dated.
• Research notes, measurements,
observations, and test results should be
included.
How to Select a
STEM Fair Topic
Restricted Topics
• Projects involving blood, bacteria, mold or
fungus.
• Projects using guns or explosives.
• Projects causing harm to animals.
Animals
• Permission must be given prior to the start.
– Human / Animal Form
• No surgery or dissection may take place
• Neither physiological or psychological harm to
the animal can result
• Must be supervised by an adult.
Brainstorming Topics
(Grades 3-5)
Help your child make a list of things they are
interested in or have questions about.
Brainstorm at least 10 to get started.
Help your child think of questions ….
Things I Like
Questions
Baseball
Does a baseball roll farther on artificial grass?
Paper Airplanes
How does the shape of the wing affect the glide?
Rocks
Do rocks erode more when exposed to acid rain?
Playing outside
What color shirt will keep me cooler outside in the sun?
Creating a testable
STEM Fair question
STEM Fair Questions
How does the type of water affect the
growth rate of a plant?
How does the species of the orange
affect the amount of juice it has?
How do shade trees affect temperature
of areas on our playground?
What is a Good Question?
A good science investigation question:
• Can not be answered with one word such as
yes or no.
• Tells you what you need to measure.
• Is something you can investigate yourself.
• Is answered with data that is collected.
Identifying the
Purpose
Research
Research
• Before the project begins, learn more about the
topic.
• Include the information learned in the STEM fair
log.
• This information will be used to develop the
hypothesis.
Hypothesis
Procedure
Materials
Variables
Directions
Example of Materials List
Materials
•
•
•
•
2 – 16oz Office Depot clear plastic cups
130ml tap water
1 Thermometer
16 oz of ice from cafeteria ice maker
• *Include how and when materials were obtained
Examples of Directions
Gather Materials
2. Fill cup to ½ way mark with ice.
3. Add 130 ml of tap water
4. Swirl cup for 1 minute. (hold by top
edges of the cup)
5. Record water temperature. (Keep
thermometer in water, look at eye level)
6. Add 2 more ice cubes.
7. Repeat steps 4 and 5
1.
DATA
DATA
•Data refers to the information gathered in
the investigation
•This is in the form of tables and charts.
•You can also use photographs or drawings
to show the information you gathered but
pictures do not replace the data.
DATA
The more trials you do the more accurate
the results of your experiment will be.
The minimum for STEM fair is five trials.
Scientists often repeat experiments
thousands of times.
Distance a toy car will Roll in Meters
Trial
Tile Floor
Carpet
Sidewalk
Trial 1
4.3
2.4
2
Trial 2
4.4
2.7
2
Trial 3
3.5
1.8
1.8
Trial 4
4.5
2.8
2.5
Trial 5
4.8
2.5
1.6
Graph
Graph
Use a bar graph or line graph to display data.
This is the same information
gathered and already
recorded on your data chart.
Distance Toy Car Travels When Rolled Down
Ramp Onto Various Surfaces
Meters
Key
Trials
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
My hypothesis was supported (or not
supported) by the data. (Explain)
I found out that…
If I were to do this project again, I would
change…because…..
The way this is connected to the real world
is…
CONCLUSION
A problem I had or unusual event was….
Describe your data in detail. What does your data
mean?
Compare the results with you background
information.
Explain why the experiment is important.
Purpose
My Title
Graph
Hypothesis
Procedure:
Data
Materials
Variables
Conclusion
Step-by-Step
Directions
Optional
Research Paper
Data Log
Judging Criteria
•
•
•
•
•
Scientific Investigation – 40 pts
Thoroughness – 20 pts
Skill – 15 pts
Creative Ability/Originality – 15 pts
Clarity/Neatness – 10 pts
Questions?
Shana Tirado, Supervisor
Elementary Science
Shana.Tirado@sdhc.k12.fl.us
Developed by Hillsborough County
Schools Elementary Science