January 7, 2016
Dear School Community,
Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies is pleased to announce that this year’s K-8 science
fair will be held on Thursday, March 3 and Friday, March 4, 2016. We hope that your child
will participate and support our goal of record participation this year.
The science fair is a great way to generate student interest and excitement around science.
Through their projects, students learn to:
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THINK like scientists by developing and testing their hypotheses and gathering and
interpreting data;
DEVELOP their organizational skills by planning and executing their experiments; and
ENHANCE their writing and oral presentation skills by explaining their methods and
process to others.
A science fair project challenges a student to solve a question using the scientific method.
Students may choose any science-related topic of interest to them. Some examples from
previous years include:
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Does the shape of a parachute affect how fast it will drop?
What liquid will have the biggest explosion when Mentos are added to it?
Can static electricity make a balloon stick?
Which liquids conduct electricity?
How far does a paper airplane fly with different folding designs?
Will a plant grow fastest and biggest with water, water and eggshells, or orange juice?
Students are encouraged to brainstorm science fair project ideas with teachers, parents,
friends and others. The internet and library are also great resources for science fair topic
suggestions. Please see our school’s science fair webpage, district65.net/sciencefair, for
links to science fair project ideas and for additional resources to assist your child in doing
his/her project.
Science fair proposals should be submitted online no later than January 21, 2016 at the
following link: tinyurl.com/hqeewff; hard copies are also available at the front office. Students
may work on projects individually or in groups of two. Please keep in mind that projects are to
be done by the children themselves, with adult support only where necessary. Unless your
child’s teacher indicates otherwise, all science fair projects are to be done outside of class.
To support students who need additional assistance or guidance on their projects, this year
we will be offering two drop-in workshops, which will be staffed by scientist volunteers from
the community. The first workshop will focus on topic selection and experimentation and is
scheduled for Thursday, January 14 and Friday, January 15 from 11am-1pm in the library;
the second workshop will focus on analysis and presentation boards and is scheduled for
Wednesday, February 8 and Friday, February 10 from 11am-1pm in the library. Sign-up
sheets for the workshops will be posted outside the library; interested students will need a
hall pass to participate and should therefore sign up ahead of time.
The science fair will be open to parents, families, friends and other community members on
Thursday, March 3 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. On Friday, March 4, student scientists will present
their projects to volunteer judges; students will also have an opportunity to view their peers’
projects during the school day.
A copy of the online proposal form, a list of frequently asked questions, and a timeline are
attached to this letter. Should you have additional questions, please contact Hillary Coustan
at education@rhodespta.net.
We hope to see you and your child at the Science Fair next month!
Lauren Norwood, Principal
Science Fair Committee
Proposal Form
Please submit your child's science fair proposal ONLINE, by Thursday, January 21, at
tinyurl.com/hqeewff; hard copies are also available at the front office. Only one submission
per project, please. All proposals will be reviewed by Ms. Fusinatto and parent volunteers,
and they will contact you by February 1st if they have any questions or suggestions regarding
your proposal. To that end, please ensure that all contact information provided in the form is
accurate; failure to provide accurate contact information may affect a student's participation in
the science fair.
* Required
• Participant's First Name *
• Participant's Last Name *
• Participant's Grade *
Kindergarten
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth
Seventh
Eighth
• Participant's Teacher's Last Name *
• Participant's Parent/Guardian Name *
• Participant's Parent/Guardian Email Address *
• Participant's Parent/Guardian Phone Number *
• Students may have one partner. Do you have a partner? *
• If yes, please enter his/her information below, INCLUDING CONTACT INFORMATION.
Yes
No
• Partner's First Name • Partner's Last Name • Partner's Grade Kindergarten
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth
Seventh
Eighth
• Partner's Teacher's Last Name • Partner's Parent/Guardian Name • Partner's Parent/Guardian Email Address • Partner's Parent/Guardian Phone Number
• Science Fair Project Title *
Please note that titles should be in the form of a
question.
• Description of Science Fair Project *
What will you do?
• What materials will you need to do your project? *
Please note that flammable
materials, including bleach, are not permitted.
• At the science fair, I expect that my project set-up will require the following *
Liquid
Electrical outlet
None of the above
• I agree that I have gone over the Science Packet information with my child and
will support the project and work with them to get the project to school on the
afternoon of March 3rd and pick up March 4th. • Parent/guardian: Please indicate your agreement by typing your name below.
2016 Science Fair
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
My child really wants to participate, but I don’t know how to support him/her. What
should I do?
Please encourage your child to attend one of our drop-in workshops. The first
workshop will focus on topic selection and experimentation and is scheduled for
Thursday, January 14 and Friday, January 15 from 11am-1pm in the library; the
second workshop will focus on analysis and presentation boards and is scheduled for
Wednesday, February 8 and Friday, February 10 from 11am-1pm in the library. Signup sheets will be posted outside the library.
Are all proposals accepted? If there is a problem with my child’s proposal, how will we
know ahead of time?
All proposals will be reviewed by Ms. Fusinatto, Bessie Rhodes’ middle school science
teacher, as well as a parent volunteer. If they have any questions or concerns about a
proposal, they will reach out to the student and parent directly.
Q.
A.
When and where is set-up for science fair?
Set-up will take place after school on Thursday, from 2:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the
gymnasium. Please note that all participating students must set up their projects by
5:30 pm on Thursday or they will not be permitted to take part in judging or display
their projects.
Q.
A.
During the science fair, can students do demonstrations involving food or liquids?
Students are explicitly prohibited from using materials that pose a potential safety
hazard, such as bleach or ammonia. If you have questions regarding the safety of a
particular material, please consult with Ms. Fusinatto, the middle school science
teacher.
Q.
A.
When can parents, grandparents, and other community members view the science
fair?
The science fair will be open to the public on Thursday, March 3 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Q.
A.
Will there be babysitting available on Thursday night?
Yes! There will be complimentary babysitting from 5pm to 6:30pm.
Q.
A.
Will other students who didn't participate be able to view the science fair?
Yes, each classroom will visit the science fair at some point during the school day on
Friday, March 4.
Q.
A.
When is the judging taking place?
Judging will take place on Friday morning between 9am and 12pm. Teachers will
direct participating students to the gym at specified times to discuss their projects in
small groups.
Q.
Can parents observe the judging portion of the science fair?
A.
No. Parents are not permitted to be present during their children's presentation(s) on
Friday morning. Only school staff, participating students, and volunteers may be
present during judging.
Q.
A.
Is the judging going to be very competitive or intense?
No, the judging is intended to give the students an opportunity to discuss their projects
and obtain feedback, and to hear about some of their fellow students' projects.
Q.
A.
Who are the judges?
Professors, graduate students, former teachers, and science professionals from the
Evanston/Skokie community.
Q.
A.
What will happen during judging?
Each student will present his/her project to a group of 3-4 fellow students and 3
judges. Each presentation should cover the following: question, hypothesis,
experiment/methods, data, and conclusions. There will also be an opportunity for
judges and fellow students to ask questions. Students in grades K-2 will receive oral
feedback, but will not be scored; students in grades 3-8 will be scored according to the
rubrics (which are attached to this packet).
Q.
A.
What criteria will be used for scoring students in grades 3-8?
A student's final score is a combination of the display (70%) and the presentation
(30%). The judging rubric is attached. Judges will further be instructed to adjust their
expectations according to grade level.
Q.
A.
What awards will be distributed?
All students who participate in science fair will attend a lunch party and receive a
certificate of participation and a science-oriented gift. In addition, we will distribute
"outstanding project" ribbons to the top 3 students per grade in grades 3-8, as well as
medals to the top student in grades 3-5 and 6-8; the recipients of those awards will be
announced over the loudspeaker at the end of the school day on Friday afternoon.
Q.
A.
When is the lunch party? Should my child still attend lunch with his/her class?
The lunch party will be from 12:00-12:25 for grades K-2, and from 12:35-1:00 for
grades 3-8. We will serve pizza, carrots and apples. Aside from when they are in the
gymnasium for judging or at the lunch party, students should follow their regular class
schedule (including lunch). Parents will need to decide ahead of time whether their
child(ren) should eat with their class and/or wait to eat at the lunch party. We will not
be providing snacks during the science fair.
Q.
A.
How can I volunteer?
If you are interested in volunteering on either Thursday or Friday, please email
education@rhodespta.net as soon as possible and specify your availability.
Q.
A.
When do we take home the displays?
Students should remove their displays after school on Friday, March 4th, between 2:45
and 4:15 p.m.
2016 Science Fair Timeline
Thursday, January 14 and Friday, January 15, 2016
11am-1pm: Workshop #1 - Figuring out what I want to do, how and why?
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Proposals Due. Submit at _______.
Wednesday, February 8 and Friday, February 10, 2016
11am-1pm: Workshop #2 – Analysis and Presentation Boards.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
2:45-5:30: Science Fair Set up
5:30-6:30: Science Fair Open to Public
Friday, March 4, 2016
9:00-12:00: Judging
12:00-12:25: Pizza party for participants in grades K-2
12:35-1:00: Pizza party for participants in grades 3-8
2:45-4:15: Pick-up Presentation Boards
NAME
GRADE
HOMEROOM
Science Fair Project Display
CATEGORY
Clarity
4
Project display is
very neat,
attractive and
sequential
Project is
presented
uniquely and
imaginatively.
3
Project display is
mostly neat and
the project is self
-explanatory.
Project is
presented in a
standard manner
with a few
unique features.
2
Project display is
partially neat but
elements are
indiscernible.
Project is
presented in a
standard
manner.
1
Project display is
messy, illegible,
and illogical.
Project
represents an
extraordinary
amount of time
and effort
resulting in a
complete data
set and
conclusion.
Project appears
to have been
produced 100%
by the student.
Project
represents an
adequate
amount of time
and effort to
result in a
suitable
conclusion.
Project
represents little
effort resulting in
conclusion.
Project has
incomplete data
and lacks a
conclusion.
Project shows
signs of parental
guidance but is
mostly produced
by student.
Project shows
signs of student
input but is
mostly produced
by parent.
Scientific Thought
Procedures were
designed to
result in an
effective
experiment.
Procedures were
related to an
experiment but
were not
connected to the
original
investigation.
Safety
Project was
conducted and
presented safely
or under proper
adult
supervision.
Procedures were
designed to
result in an
investigation that
was partially
related the
project
investigation.
Project is safe
but could have
resulted in a
dangerous
outcome.
Project appears
to have been
produced
completely by
parent or
guardian.
Procedures did
not relate to a
scientific pursuit.
Materials in
display are
potentially
unsafe if
unsupervised.
Project and
materials used
are unsafe and
harmful.
Understanding
Project is age
appropriate and
the student
displays and
understanding of
all elements.
Student displays
understanding of
some elements
of the project but
lacks on certain
concepts.
Student displays
very limited
understanding of
the project
elements.
Project is not
age appropriate
and the student
does not
illustrate
understanding.
Creativity
Thoroughness
Skill
TOTAL (out of 28 possible points)
Project is
presented in a
bland and
uninspired
manner.
SCORE
NAME
CATEGORY
Content
Comprehension
Preparedness
Stays on Topic
Speaks Clearly
Posture and Eye
Contact
Listens to Other
Presentations
GRADE
HOMEROOM
Science Fair Oral Presentation
4
3
2
Shows a full
Shows a good
Shows a good
understanding of understanding of understanding of
the topic.
the topic.
parts of the
topic.
Student is able
Student is able
Student is able
to accurately
to accurately
to accurately
answer almost
answer most
answer a few
all questions
questions posed questions posed
posed by
by
by
teacher/classma teacher/classma teacher/classma
tes about the
tes about the
tes about the
topic.
topic.
topic.
Student is
Student seems
Student is
completely
very prepared.
somewhat
prepared.
prepared.
Stays on topic
100% of the
time.
Speaks clearly
and distinctly all
of the time.
Stays on topic
90-99% of the
time.
Speaks clearly
and distinctly
most of the time.
Stands up
straight and
looks relaxed
and confident.
Establishes eye
contact with
people in the
room during the
presentation.
Listens intently.
Does not make
distracting
noises or
movements.
Stands up
straight and
establishes eye
contact with
people in the
room during the
presentation.
Listens intently.
But make one
distracting noise
or movement.
Stays on topic
75-89% of the
time.
Speaks clearly
and distinctly
some of the
time.
Sometimes
stands up
straight and
establishes eye
contact.
Sometimes does
not appear to be
listening but is
not distracting.
1
Does not seem
to understand
the topic very
well.
Student is
unable to
answer
questions posed
by
teacher/classma
tes about the
topic.
Student does
not seem at all
prepared to
present.
It was hard to
tell what the
topic was.
Often mumbles
or can not be
understood.
SCORE
Slouches and/or
does not look at
people during
the presentation.
Sometimes does
not appear to be
listening and
has some
distracting
noises or
movements.
TOTAL (out of 28 possible points)
Comments:
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