Schwegler
Science Fair
in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club
March 26, 2015
6 pm – 7:30 pm
INFORMATION
and
PROJECT GUIDE
Thank you for your interest in participating in the Schwegler Science Fair!
Any student K-5 may do a project and should follow the guidelines presented in
this informational packet.
In the interest of encouraging the return of a Science Fair to Schwegler after a
pause of several years it was decided that students can participate either by
doing a traditional science experiment or by doing a research project (model,
demonstration, career, biography). There will also be optional weekly mentoring
sessions hosted by parent volunteers during Boy and Girls Club time for
participants that want help with their projects. Students may attend one or more
sessions. Participants in the mentoring sessions should fill out the attached
Boys and Girls club waiver form.
Participants may also work at home with parent supervision.
All participants will receive a ribbon and participation pack and there will be
special mention prizes in each category/grade level.
At the fair judges will review the exhibits in a closed session and provide written
feedback for each one.
This year there are no District or County Science fairs. There are two regional fairs geared to older students.
Additional information about the regional fairs can be found at the USD 497 site: http://www.usd497.org/Domain/5624
If you have questions or
If you would like to help as a mentor, judge, contributor or sponsor please contact:
Amy Shelhorn AShellho@usd497.org or Sienna Leon sienna.leon@outlook.com
Thank you for helping make the 2015 Schwegler Science Fair a success!
Schwegler 2015 Science Fair
Calendar of Events
Thursday 1/29
KICK OFF SCIENCE SESSION
4:30 -5:30 pm in Cafeteria
initial sign-up forms and instructions distributed
Thursday 2/5
MENTORING SESSION
4:30 -5:30 pm
initial sign-up forms due - entries will be accepted until 3/5 but early sign-up will ensure
awards for all
Thursday 2/12
MENTORING SESSION
4:30 -5:30 pm
Thursday 2/19
MENTORING SESSION
4:30 -5:30 pm
Thursday 2/26
no school
Thursday 3/5
MENTORING SESSION
4:30 -5:30 pm
FINAL sign-up forms due – last chance for entries
Thursday 3/12
MENTORING SESSION
4:30 -5:30 pm
-----------------
Spring Break -------------
SCIENCE FAIR and PARTY
Thursday 3/26
in cafeteria
Students should bring their project displays to school and set up during afternoon recess
Exhibits viewable by all students after school until 4:30 pm
4:30 pm closed door judging takes place
6:00 pm Science Fair and Party
7:00 pm Awards distributed
7:30 pm Take home exhibits
Schwegler 2015 Science Fair
Fair Rules
1.
Have fun!
2.
All students must submit an Entry Form for their project.
3.
All projects require parental approval.
4.
Students may work individually or with a partner.
5.
Students and their parents must provide all supplies; display boards will be
available at mentoring sessions.
6.
Each entry must have a display no larger than 32" deep and 30" wide.
7.
Commercial science kits should not be used.
8.
Each entry must have a written report as outlined in the informational packet.
9.
Each traditional science experiment needs to include a display of the title,
question, hypothesis, variables, constants, procedure, results, and conclusion as
outlined in the informational packet.
10.
The use of biological materials, combustible or hazardous materials or
controlled substances or procedures harming live animals are not allowed in
experiments or at the fair.
11.
Live animals will NOT be displayed at the fair.
12.
No open flames will be permitted.
13.
Any projects needing to use electricity must to conform to safe wiring practices
and be approved by the Principal.
14.
Remember, this is a children’s science fair. Parents can assist and support their
child, however, encourage your child to do as much as they can on their own.
15.
HAVE FUN!
Students may participate by completing either a:
 Traditional Science Experiment or
 Research Project (model/display, demonstration, career,
biography)
Following is a brief description of the two types:
A Traditional Science Experiment:
Lots of information is given, but it also has a project that shows testing done and the
gathering of data using scientific method. Some past Schwegler Science experiments
have included:
“Which hair scrunchie stays in place best during gym class” or “which liquid makes a
water rocket go the highest” or “a comparison of popped popcorn”.
You can tell you have an experiment if you are testing something several times and
changing a variable to see what will happen.
A Research Project:
Involves research and/or describes something or shows how something works but
doesn’t test anything.
Examples of model/display projects might be: “The Solar System”, “Types of
Dinosaurs”, “Types of Rocks, “The solar system”, “Tornado in a Bottle”.
Types of careers might be: “What does an electrical engineer do?”
A biography might be: “Who was Marie Curie?”
Here is a link to a guide for doing a Traditional Science Experiment using scientific
method:
http://www.utelementary.org/ourpages/auto/2013/1/9/54511288/ScienceFairGuide%
202013.pdf
Here is a link to a sample report form for 4th and 5th grade:
http://www.usd497.org/cms/lib8/KS01906981/Centricity/Domain/5624/SampleReport
Guideline.pdf
Information about preparing your display will be available at mentoring
sessions.
Science Experiment Ideas
for K-3 (or anyone really!) from USD 497
1. How much salt does it take to float an egg?
2. What kind of juice cleans pennies best?
3. Which dish soap makes the most bubbles?
4. Do watches keep time the same?
5. On which surface can a snail move faster dirt or cement?
6. What brand of raisin cereal has the most
raisins?
7. How can you measure the strength of a
magnet?
8. Do ants like cheese or sugar better?
9. Can the design of a paper airplane make
it fly farther?
10. Do the roots of a plant always grow
downward?
11. Can you tell what something is just by
touching it?
12. What kinds of things do magnets attract?
13. What foods do mealworms prefer?
14. How long will it take a teaspoon of food
dye to color a glass of still water?
15. Does a bath take less water than a shower?
16. Can you tell where sound comes from when
you are blindfolded?
17. Can plants grow without soil?
18. Does warm water freeze faster than cool
water?
19. In my class who is taller - the boys or the
girls?
20. Do different types of apples have the same
number of seeds?
21. Do bigger seeds produce bigger plants?
22. Which materials absorb the most water?
23. Do wheels reduce friction?
24. What materials dissolve in water?
25. What is the soil in my schoolyard made of?
26. Does holding a mirror in front of a fish
change what the fish does?
27. What color birdseed do birds like best?
28. What holds two boards together better - a
nail or a screw?
29. Will bananas brown faster on the counter
or in the refrigerator?
30. Does temperature affect the growth of
plants?
31. Do mint leaves repel ants?
32. Does a ball roll farther on grass or dirt?
33. Do all objects fall to the ground at the same
speed?
34. Does anyone in my class have the same
fingerprints?
35. Which travels faster - a snail or a worm?
36. Which paper towel is the strongest?
37. Can plants grow from leaves?
38. Which dissolves better in water salt
or baking soda?
39. Can things be identified by just their odor?
40. With which type of battery do toys run
longest?
Other cool ideas and useful information for your project can be found at the links below or by
searching online:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/?pID=fair
Schwegler 2015 Science Fair
Entry Form
Please return to the Schwegler School office by Thursday – February 5, 2014*
Child’s Name: ____________________________________
Parent’s Name / Signature: ________________________________
Teacher / Grade Level: __________________________________
Type of Project (circle one): Traditional Science Experiment / Research Project
Project Title (can be added later):__________________________________
Brief Description of Project (can be added later):______________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
*Entry forms are requested by February 5 for planning purposes.
Entries will be accepted until March 5!