Science Fair
Success
A Five Step Guide To Making
Science Fair An Enjoyable Experience
For Teachers, Students, and Families
Purpose of Science Fair
Problem Solving
Student use the
scientific method to
make predictions,
then experiment to
collect and record
qualitative and
quantitative data
observations.
Critical Thinking
Student compare,
contrast and
analyze their data
citing the evidence
that justifies their
claims, explanations
and conclusions.
Math and Science Fair
3-5 Benchmarks
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Five Steps to
Science Fair
Success
1. Model The Process
Present the scientific method of inquiry as
the process for elementary math or science fair
investigation.
Focus on the steps involved in completing a
math or science fair project board.
Give students and parents a sample of what a
completed science fair project should look like.
Unite all participants in the same situations
with the same expectations.
Sink or Float School Model
3-5 Surf and Sand TE
3-5 Surf and Sand PE
3-5 Surf and Sand
3-5 Surf and Sand TE
K-2 Surf and Sand
2. Parent Involvement
Explain the purpose, expectations, and
student’s responsibilities in the school fair.
Give families a calendar with assignments, due
dates, and a schedule of fair events.
Outline the limits of family involvement.
Provide families with instruction and
guidelines to help their children.
Give families the project board criteria and
explain how students qualify for the District
fair.
3. Help Your Students
1) Take time to complete Inquiry Think Sheets after
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
every class investigation.
Help the students select a “testable” project ideas
and discuss project topics.
Have students write a draft of their procedure.
Check project procedures for safety.
Teach students the process and critical thinking
skills they need to complete their projects.
Provide instructional and material support to
students as needed and monitor their progress.
Use Words Properly
Effect (noun) – describes a result, as in “the cause and the
effect in an investigation or experiment.
Affect (verb) – describes an influence on or action, such as
“How greenhouse gases affects global warming.”
Investigation - a procedure carried out to gather data about
and object or event.
Experiment – a procedure carried out under controlled
conditions to test a hypothesis.
variable – any factor that changes condition in an experiment
(like size -large or small, or temperature, hot or cold)
control – a factor stays the same or is keep the same
throughout all the experimental trials.
4. Keep It Safe, Simple
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Predict what you think will happen (hypothesis).
Identify the experimental variables and controls.
Get your procedure approved before starting.
Use science tools, take measurements, make careful
qualitative and quantitative observations.
Use your notebook to record all data.
Repeat your entire experiment 3 times.
Graph any data to compare and contrast results.
Use claims and evidence to write your conclusions.
Write your project up on a presentation board.
5. Celebrate Your Success!
Hold a school fair.
Invite judges from the community.
Use the handbook judging form.
Reward the best projects with ribbons.
Acknowledge all participants with
certificates.
Register school winners in the District Fair.
Plan a field trip to the District Science Fair.
Sponsor an Activity Table at the Fair.
DON’T FORGET!
Plan ahead and schedule your School Science
Fair before March 30, 2012, so your winning
students can participate in the District Fair.
Read the Handbook, Rules and Regulations
carefully and use the same judging criteria in
your School Fair that is used in the District Fair.
Complete your “Intent to Participate” online
survey to register your school by January 30,
2012 - host an Activity Table, or plan a Field
Trip to the District Fair.
The Palm Beach
County School
District’s
Elementary
Mathematics and
Science Fair
Talk About The Fair
HISTORY
The first Elementary Math Fair in Palm
Beach County began in November, 1988 at the Old
Wellington Commons Mall. 7 Elementary schools
participated from the western area schools. Every year the
number of participating schools increased.
In 1997, the Fair out grew the Wellington Mall and
moved to the South Florida Fairgrounds and became the
District Mathematics Fair.
In 2001, both the math and the science curriculum
program planners united to include science in the District
Elementary Fair Competition.
Special Awards
1. Aviation Award sponsored by Flight Safety International, WPB,
offering a first, second and third pace award ribbon for the best project
about flight or flight safety. The first place winner receives instruction in
a flight simulator at Flight Safety, International.
2. Green Earth Award, sponsored by the Palm Beach County
Science Educators’ Association, WPB, offering a first, second and third
place award ribbon for projects about reducing, reusing or recycling
materials. All winners will also receive an Environmental Children’s
Literature books.
3. Physical Science Award, sponsored by Up-N-Running
Machinery, Performance Industries, Inc. Offering a first, second and
third place award ribbon for project about simple machines, electrical
or mechanical engineering. All winners also receive a cash award.
Bibliography
Science Fair Handbook by Anthony D. Fredericks and Isaac Asimov. Old Year
Books, Glenview, IL. ISBN 0-673-38800-X
Science Fair Handbook by Stephen C. Blume. Merrill Publishing, Columbus,
OH. ISBN 0-675-035211-X
Science Fair Workshop by Marcia J. Daab. Fearon Teachers Aids, Simon &
Schuster Supplemental Education Group. ISBN 0-8224-6374-1
Science Fairs Plus an NSTA Press Journals Collection. NSTA Press, Arlington,
VAISBN 0-87355-219-9
Researched and Complied by Tom Medcalf, K-5
Science Resource Teacher Curriculum Development
and School Improvement, of the Palm Beach County
School District. West Palm Beach, FL.
thomas.medcalf@palmbeachschools .org