Third Grade STEM Fair
Lessons Power Point
The following slides are an integral
part of each weekly lesson.
Scientific Method
Please click on the clipboard below to introduce the student to the
Scientific Method.
Scientific Method
Scientists do not always follow these steps in this
order or even go through all of them every time,
but for STEM Fair we will.
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.
Week 1
Introduction to STEM
Fair:
Logs, Questions and
Topics
Essential Question
• What is a STEM Fair Project?
• What is a STEM Fair Log?
• What is a testable STEM Fair
Question?
Log
• 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.
Log
• The first thing you need to do to begin a
STEM Fair project is to begin writing in a
log.
• It is a record of everything you think and do
as you work on your STEM Fair project.
Log
• You should record in your log every time
you do anything related to your project.
• 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.
Example of log entry for question:
August 20, 2011
I saw a picture of icebergs floating. They look really cool and
pretty. Ice floats in a glass of water too. I wonder if ice is
lighter than water.
My question is: Does the mass of water change when it goes
from a liquid to a solid. No, How does going from a liquid
to a solid affect the mass of ice? is better.
The boat in the picture floats too. Is the boat wood or metal? I
think metal sinks, but metal boats float. I know wood will
float..
You can investigate the
question yourself.
• Good: How do shade trees affect temperature
of areas on our playground?
• Bad: What are the temperatures on Venus?
(though you can look it up, you cannot build a
rocket, go to Venus and study this on your
own and get back before the due date)
A good question is testable.
• Good: How does changing the height of the
roller coaster affect the distance of the marble?
• Bad: Who invented roller coasters?
A good question cannot be
answered yes or no.
(There are exceptions to this rule)
• Good: How does the type of water
affect the growth rate of a plant?
• Bad: Can plants grow in water?
A good question tells you
what you need to measure.
• Good: How does the species of
the orange affect the amount of
juice it has?
• Bad: Are oranges juicy?
The answer is a fact,
not an opinion.
• Good: How does the brand of soap affect
the amount of bubbles produced?
• Bad: What kind of soap smells the best?
Brainstorming Topics
(Grades 3-5)
• Task:
In your STEM fair log, create a list of
as many testable questions that you may
want use to design an experiment.
Think of as many questions as you
can in a list. A list of questions
might look like this one:
Questions:
• How does the shape of the wing affect how far a paper
airplane glides?
• Does a baseball roll farther on artificial grass?
• Do most rocks erode in the rain? Can some rocks float?
• What are good ways to cool off when you are hot?
What is a Good Question?
A good science investigation question:
• Can not be answered with one word such as
yes, no, or purple.
• Tells you what you need to measure.
• Is something you can investigate yourself.
• Is answered with a fact, not an opinion.
Choosing a Topic
In your STEM fair log, choose a
topic that you would like as your
STEM fair project. Explain why
you are choosing that question.
Choosing a Topic
Task:
In your notebook
record in your log
what you did today.
Research Involving
Animals
• Human/Animal Research form
MUST be filled out prior to the
beginning of the project.
• No surgery or dissection may
take place
• Neither physiological or
psychological harm to the
animal can result
• Must be supervised by an adult.
Week 2
How to Write Your
Purpose & Conduct
Research
Essential Question
• What is a STEM Fair Purpose?
• Where do scientists look to find
information?
Purpose
The purpose of the project should tell what you want to
find out.
“The purpose of my project is to find out…”
It is really just restating the
question.
Purpose
So, let’s practice writing a
purpose.
Purpose
Task:
Use your question to write
your purpose in your STEM
fair log.
Research
• Before you can begin your project, you need to
learn more about the topic.
• Write down questions that you would need to
know in order to help build knowledge about
your topic.
• You will write the information that you learned
in your STEM Fair log.
• You will use this information to make your
hypothesis.
Research
Task:
• After you have recorded the
information that you learned, take
the opportunity to record in your log
what you did today.
• Don’t forget the date!!!
Week 3
Hypothesis
Essential Question
How do you use research to
form a hypothesis?
Hypothesis
•The hypothesis is what you predict will happen when
you perform the experiment based on your research.
•It doesn’t matter whether you are right or wrong; in
your conclusion, you will tell if your hypothesis was
correct or not.
•It is what you think the results of your experiment
will be and WHY you think that.
Hypothesis
In your log write what you think the results of your
experiment will be and WHY you think that.
Based on my research, I think… will
happen because ...
Remember to use the information from your research
to explain why you think this will happen!
Hypothesis
Task:
In your notebook record in
your log what you did today.
Week 4
.
Materials
Essential Question
How do you find and formulate a
materials list?
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
Materials
 This is a list of ALL the materials you
need to perform your experiment.
 You must also include how much.
.
Materials
HOW, WHEN, and WHERE
will you get you materials?
Explain in your log.
Materials
Task:
In your notebook record
in your log what you did
today.
Lesson 5
Variables
Essential Question
•What is a Manipulated
variable?
•What is a Responding
variable?
•What is a Constant variable?
Variables
There are 3 kinds of variables. You will list
the variables for your STEM Fair project
today.
1. Manipulated
What you are changing on purpose.
2. Responding
The changes are you measuring.
3. Held Constant
Everything that stays the same.
Examples of VARIABLES:
Question
?
Do all
brands of
paper
towels
absorb the
same
amount of
Manipulated
Variable
Responding
Variables
(what You
Change)
(What You
Will Measure)
Brands of
paper
towels
Constants
(What you
keep the same)
Size of paper towel
Amount of
water that is
absorbed by
each towel
Amount of water poured
on each paper towel
Temperature of the water
used
Container towels are
placed in
List your VARIABLES:
Question
?
Manipulated
Variable
Responding
Variables
(what You
Change)
(What You
Will Measure)
Constants
(What you
keep the same)
Variables
Task:
In your log, list your
variables . Remember to label
each variable.
Week 6
Step by Step Directions
Essential Question
What are Step by Step directions and
how are they used in a STEM Fair
project?
Step by Step
Directions
What are Step by Step directions and
how are they used in a STEM Fair
project?
Step by Step Directions –
•Step-by-step directions are like
a recipe.
•Anyone who reads them will be
able to duplicate the
investigation and get the same
results.
Step by Step Directions –
•Direction steps need to be
numbered.
•The experiment needs to be done
5 or more times so they will have
sufficient data to make an accurate
conclusion.
•Step number one is always, “Gather
materials.”
Examples of Directions
1.
2.
3.
4.
Gather Materials
Fill cup to ½ way mark with ice.
Add 130 ml of tap water
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
When you write your directions there are a
few things to remember:
 Write them clearly so someone else may
follow them and get the same (or similar)
results.
 Be very specific and to the point.
 Remember to indicate how many trials
are necessary.
For Example:
“Repeat steps 2-5 four more times for a
total of five trials”
 Make sure to indicate when data should
be collected and what kind of data.
Step-by-step Directions
Task:
In your log, record what
you did today.
Week 7
DATA
Essential Question
What is the difference between quantitative
and qualitative data?
What is a data table?
What is a graph and how does a line graph
differ from a bar graph?
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
•To collect your data you will follow your
step by step directions exactly.
•You will complete at least 5 trials and
record the information in your log.
•You will use the data to create a data chart.
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.
Quantitative and
Qualitative data
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
Data Collection
Task:
In your STEM fair
log, create your
data table.
Data
Task:
In your log, record what
you did today.
Week 8
Data Collection&
Graphing
Essential Questions
What is the difference between quantitative
and qualitative data?
What is a data table?
What is a graph and how does a line graph
differ from a bar graph?
Data Collection
& Graphing
Use a bar graph or line graph to display data.
This is the same information gathered and
already recorded on your data chart.
Graph
•A bar graph – shows comparative data
•A line graph – shows data over time. (such as
growing plants)
•Horizontal Axis: The manipulated variable (what you
changed on purpose) is displayed on the horizontal
axis.
•Vertical Axis: The responding variable (what
happened as a result of what you changed) is
displayed on the vertical axis.
Example of a graph:
Distance Toy Car Travels When Rolled Down
Ramp Onto Various Surfaces
Meters
Key
Trials
Week 9
CONCLUSION
Essential Question
How do you analyze the data
in a graph and share your
results?
What is a conclusion and what
should be included?
Analyzing Data
*Look at the graph.
*Identify 3 statements
about your data
The Example Graph:
• The cars travel the farthest on
the tile floor.
• The cars traveled the least
distance on the Sidewalk.
• In trial 3, I noticed that the car
travel less than all the others.
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.
Task:
Look at your data and graph, write a
conclusion using the format you learned.
Task:
In you log record
what happened
today.
Week 10
Display
Essential Question
How do you display all of
the components of a
STEM Fair Project?
Purpose
My Title
Graph
Hypothesis
Procedure:
Data
Materials
Variables
Conclusion
Step-by-Step
Directions
Optional
Research Paper
Data Log
DRAWINGS OR PHOTOGRAPHS
– Photographs and drawings are an excellent idea.
Show what you
have learned…
Displays
• Must be durable and self-supporting
• No student or school name can be on the front of the
display, or on/in the log/research paper.
• Photos are great, but there should not be school shirts
in photos.
• Dead animals, plants, and food may NOT be part of
display.
• Projects involving human blood, mold or fungus are
prohibited
• Glass items and plastic “baggies” are not to be
displayed
• Straight pins, tacks, or staples are not to be used to
secure materials onto display boards
Requirements
ALL projects must have a separate DATA
LOG that is clearly marked.
Group project members must each have their
own log.
Projects without LOGS will be disqualified
A research paper is not required.