Waters Landing
Elementary School
Science Fair Guide
Waters Landing Elementary School PTA acknowledges that much of the
information in this Science Fair Guide has been taken (with permission) from
the Science Fair Guide used at Randolph Elementary School in Lincoln, NE. We
greatly appreciate the guidance that they provided for the Waters Landing
Elementary School Science Fair.
These five steps are called the scientific method:
1. Ask a question.
2. Gather information about the question.
3. Form a hypothesis. (That’s a prediction.)
4. Test the hypothesis. (Test your prediction.)
5. Tell others what you found.
Montgomery County Public School
Science Curriculum Framework Topics
Science Units by Grade
Kindergarten:
Balls and ramps
Living things
Myself and others
Grade 1:
Constructions
Rocks, Sand and Soil
Weather
Grade 2:
Balancing and Weighing
The Lifecycle of Butterflies
Liquids
Grade 3:
Crime Lab Chemistry
Plant Growth and Development
Sound
Grade 4:
Earth Materials
Ecosystems
Electric Circuits
Grade 5:
Magnets and Motors
Solar Energy
Structures
This information was obtained from the MCPS website. For information detailing the science
curriculum framework, please visit the MCPS website.
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/curriculum/studentlearn.html
What are the steps in doing an EXPERIMENT?
To conduct an experiment as a family…..Use the “Scientific
Method”
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Decide upon a science TOPIC.
What do you want to find out? Write a QUESTION to be answered.
Try to find out as much as you can on your topic.
Guess the answer to your question…..Make a HYPOTHESIS.
PLAN your experiment from beginning to end.
Follow your plan and write down what happens. RESULTS.
Write a CONCLUSION that tells what you have learned.
If you want to do a DEMONSTRATION. . . .
a. Choose a TOPIC (i.e. volcano, parts of a plant or flower, animal).
b. READ and LEARN about your topic. Keep a record of what books or other references
you used.
c. Decide how you will display your information. Maybe you will build a model, or draw
pictures, or put together a collection of items.
d. Use a display board to help tell your story at the fair.
Have fun!
Enjoy the Experience!
Experiments
SCIENCE FAIR CHECKLIST
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Choose a topic of interest.
Think of a question to answer.
Complete registration form.
Research topic.
Record sources of information.
Write hypothesis.
Plan procedure.
Gather your materials.
Conduct experiment as planned.
Record results.
Review results.
State conclusion.
Prepare display.
Prepare oral presentation.
Bring display to the fair
DISPLAY BOARD ORGANIZATION—EXPERIMENT
Title
Procedure
(Student Name)
Results
Question
Hypothesis
Sources of
information
<<< photos of project>>>
Conclusion
EXAMPLE EXPERIMENTAL QUESTIONS
PHYSICAL SCIENCES:
1.
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10.
11.
12.
Which type of water evaporates the quickest: salt, tap, or fresh?
Can more drops of water be placed on top of a penny or a dime?
Which type of cloth will dry faster: cotton or polyester?
What kind (shape) of sail will make a boat go the fastest?
Does a wax paper airplane fly farther than a paper airplane?
Through what surfaces will a magnet attract?
Which materials are conductors of electricity?
How does temperature affect the rate of evaporation?
How does the size of a sponge affect the amount of water absorbed?
Does the size of a ball affect the rate of the fall?
How does wetting the paper affect its strength?
Which paper has the fastest capillary action?
EARTH SCIENCES
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Which will develop faster, salt crystals or sugar crystals?
Which soil has the best water retention?
Which solids decompose faster?
How do plants affect erosion?
How does temperature affect the speed of molecules?
Which rocks are attracted by a magnet?
What factors affect water erosion?
Which rocks conduct electricity?
How does adding coils of a wire to an electromagnet increase its strength?
How is the distance a rock rolls in a stream related to the rounding of its edges?
LIFE SCIENCES
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How much salt will a plant be able to tolerate and still grow?
Which kind of seed will sprout more quickly?
What is the best surface for lifting fingerprints?
How does the sprouting time for a seed change with planting depth?
Which packaging method best reduces the growth of mold or fungus?
How does gravity affect the directions that a seed grows?
How does caffeine affect plant growth?
Which materials are the best filters for water?
How does the size of a fruit affect the number of seeds it contains?
How does an individual’s foot length relate to his/her height?
How does exercise affect blood pressure?
12. How does human weight change with time of day?
DEMONSTRATIONS
SCIENCE FAIR CHECKLIST
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Choose a topic of interest.
Think of a question to answer.
Ask teacher for approval
Complete registration form.
Locate and record your sources of information.
Research topic.
Plan how to share information.
Prepare charts, tables, or other visual aids.
Prepare display.
Prepare oral presentation.
Bring display to the fair
DISPLAY BOARD ORGANIZATION—DEMONSTRATIONS
Title
Information
(Student Name)
Information
Question
Photos, charts,
or diagrams
Sources of information
Photos, charts,
or diagrams
EXAMPLE DEMONSTRATION QUESTIONS
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
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What things make sound?
How does sound travel?
What kinds of materials can carry sound?
How does light travel?
How does a camera work?
How does the human eye work?
Why do things fall?
What are the various forms of energy?
What is magnetism?
How does a compass work?
What are insulators and conductors of electricity?
What is an electric circuit?
LIFE SCIENCES
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Why do living things need air, food, and water?
How do plant cells differ from animal cells?
Why are roots, stems, and leaves important to plants?
How do light, air, water, and temperature affect germination?
What are food chains?
How do insects develop?
What are the special adaptations of plants and animals?
How does the human ear work?
How does the tongue taste foods?
What foods contain high amounts of acids?
What kinds of bacteria are helpful? Harmful?
What is a virus?
EARTH SCIENCES
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What are the four layers of the earth?
How are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks formed?
How are crystals formed?
What causes earthquakes?
What causes a volcano to erupt?
What factors affect weathering?
What are fossils and how are they formed?
What is the water cycle?
What are the different kinds of clouds?
What are the constellations?
Which planet has an atmosphere most capable of supporting life?
How does a magnet work?
Web Resources
The following websites contain information and project ideas to help students
and parents find a topic and/or project ideas:
Science Buddies http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/areas_of_science.shtml
All Science Fair Projects http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/category0.html
Science Fair Project Resource Guide http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/sciencefairs.shtml?gclid=COGLmKfnza0CFUPd4AodPkufCg
Science Project http://www.scienceproject.com/
Cool Science Projects http://cool-science-projects.com/science-projects-for-kids.html