Science Fair
Projects
Young Scientists Search
the Unknown…
Oh No! What do I Do?
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What is a Science Project?
What do I do First?
How do I choose a topic?
What’s a experiment?
What do I do with all the
information?
Communication Tools
• Parent Resources:
• Science Fair Brochure – Updated 2011
• Parent Resource Guide
• Science Fair Parent Power point
Importance of
Science Projects?
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Allows for a variety of learning styles
Real world application
Hand-on approach to learning
Encourages higher order thinking
Allows students to investigate what they
are interested in
• Students are responsible for their own
learning
• Cross- curricular
Think of a
Science Project
as an
extended assignment,
with three distinct phases.
#1 – The Planning Phase
Most detailed part… includes:
Journal….journal….journal
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deciding what to do
Doing some research
Forming a hypothesis
Writing the experiment plan
KEY: Keep It Simple!
#2 - The
Experimentation Phase
The fun part…includes:
• Actually conducting the
experiment
• Collecting and recording
the data
• Seeing if the hypothesis
was correct
#3 – The Artistic Phase
The creative part…includes:
• Putting the information on
a showboard
• Having an organized plan
• Being artistic in creating an
attractive & interesting
presentation
Purpose
My Title
Graph
90
80
70
60
Hypothesis
East
West
North
50
40
30
20
10
0
1st Qtr
Data
Procedure:
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
90
80
70
60
East
West
North
50
Materials
40
30
20
10
0
1st Qtr
Variables
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
Results
Conclusion
Step-by-Step
Directions
Research Paper
Optional
Data Logbook
…In Search of
a Topic
http://paintcartoon.blogspot.com/2008_03_16_archive.html
Questions to Ponder…..
1. What is the temperature on
Venus?
2. How does a tree grow?
3. How many raisins are in the
most popular brands of
cereals?
4. When can I find the most
worms in my backyard?
5. How do airplanes fly?
Questions to Ponder…..
6. What is the fastest animal in
the world?
7. What plants grow best in the
shade?
8. Does air exert pressure?
9. How much can a caterpillar
eat in one day?
10. How big is the moon?
Purpose
 Tells why the investigation is
being done.
 It is written as a statement from
the topic question.
 Example:
The purpose of this project is to
find out…
Hypothesis
• Now we will research the topic and find out
some of the secrets under investigation!
• Once this has been conquered then and only
then can the Sizzling Scientist reveal what are
his/her possible answers to the question being
investigated.
• Don’t forget to give your reasons why the
results of the experiments will turn out the way
you have stated!
Procedure
(The Plan)
• Materials
- What materials will you need for your
secret experiment?
- Be sure to list all materials, the
type, and amount (in metric ).
Variables
• Manipulated (Independent )
What is being changed in the experiment on
purpose. (What you are testing)
• Responding (Dependent)
The measurable result of what is being changed in
the experiment. (What you are measuring)
• Held Constant
All the things that are kept the same or
controlled during the experiment.
Step by Step Directions
(The recipe)
• Write them clearly so someone else can
follow them.
• Be specific and not too lengthy.
• Remember to indicate how many trials are
necessary : Example
“Repeat steps 3-6 four more times
with each item being tested for a
total of five trials”.
Data
The Dirt-The evidence!
• The Data is kept in a chart or a table.
• All the trials of the experiment must be indicated.
(5 or more trials)
• We encourage data collection in Metric units for
grades 3-5 ; (K in non-standard, 1st-2nd in Standard units)
• All data must be collected according to the math
skills of each grade level
BRAND Trial 1
(l)
NAME
Bounty
Super
All
Natural
Clean
Sweep
Trial 2
(l)
Trial 3
(l)
Trial 4
(l)
Trial 5
(l)
2
3
3
3
2
3
4
1
3
2
3
2
3
1
3
4
2
3
4
4
Graphs
( a picture of the results)
• It is an organized way to display
the data collected during the
investigation.
• There are two main types of
graphs.
1. Bar Graphs- (most common type of graph)
Displays data that does not occur
in a continuous manner
Ex. (Number of burgers eaten)
2. Line Graphs- Displays data that occurs in a
continuous manner
Ex. (Growth of a plant over a controlled
period of time)
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Plant A
Plant B
Plant C
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Results
• Write paragraph or a short list of the results
from your experiments.
• You are not analyzing just yet-just listing!
Conclusion
(Summary)
• The analysis of the data as it relates
to the original hypothesis. It should
include:
- Whether or not your data supports
your hypothesis.
- A description of any problems.
- What would you do differently next
time?
Showboard
• Advertise your
project
using a Showboard!
• Make it colorful
• Use a creative titleIt
doesn’t have to be
a question.
• Make sure the
components are
placed in order-they
should flow (check
out the layout)
Requirements
• All projects must have a Data Log
- The log should be in the form of a notebook
or tablet showing evidence of student work
throughout investigation period.
- All entries in the log should have dates for
each part of the project.
- Logs may be hand-written or typed.
Example: 11/3/10 Today I chose my topic. My topic
is…The purpose of my project is…
11/8/10 I researched my topic and wrote my
hypothesis. My hypothesis is…
Extra! Extra!
‘Research’ All About It!
• A Research Paper may be
included and placed in a
separate Research Folder.
• Extra data, photos, and
information may be
included in the Research
Folder.
…Science is Everywhere!
http://www.pickinsplinters.com/2009/10/08/open-thread-thursday-october-8th-2009/#comment-7264
School Entries
Class Projects
Individual Projects
Small Group Projects
ENTRIES ALLOWED
PER SCHOOL
ENTRIES ALLOWED
PER SCHOOL
ENTRIES ALLOWED
PER SCHOOL
K - 2:
1 per grade
3 - 5:
2 per grade
3 - 5:
4 per school and 1
additional project*
from an exceptional
education group may
be included per school
For More Information Contact:
•Shana Tirado
•Elementary Science Supervisor
•Shana.Tirado@sdhc.k12.fl.us
•Barb Brightman
•Elementary Science DRT
•Barbara.Brightman@sdhc.k12.fl.us
•Jonathan Gerlach
•Elementary Science DRT for Title I Schools
•Jonathan.Gerlach@sdhc.k12.fl.us
Original presentation Created By: Yvonne Rotolo 2009
Adapted for use by Elementary Science Department, Fall 2010