CONNECTING WATERS SCIENCE FAIR MARCH 4, 2008

CONNECTING WATERS SCIENCE FAIR MARCH 4, 2008

AT THE OPEN HOUSE

The purpose of the Science Fair is to encourage students to develop a greater interest and awareness of science. Participation will also enhance skills in critical thinking, research, problem solving and the use of the scientific method.

SELECTING A TOPIC

Think of an area of science that you think you would like to learn more about. Below is a list of the divisions of science:

LIFE SCIENCES

Biology- the study of all living things

Zoology – the study of animals

Botany – the study of plants

Ecology – the study of how plants and animals interact with each other and the environment

EARTH SCIENCES

Astronomy – the study of stars, planets and all other objects found in the universe beyond out planet GEOLOGY – the study of land, its formations and its decomposition METEROLOGY – the study of weather OCEANOGRAPHY – the study of oceans SPELEOLOGY – the study of caves

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Chemistry – the study of composition, structure, properties and reactions of matter.

ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM – the study of the movement of electrons through different material and the principals of conduction, resistance and magnetism HYDRALICS – the study of fluids under pressure MECHANICS – the study of forces on matter, including the study of acceleration, friction, gravity, momentum, velocity and wave motion OPTICS – the study of light and its interaction with matter, including the principles of absorption, reflection and refraction THERMODYNAMICS – the study of the transfer of heat through gases, liquids and solids.

Projects may be entered in the following categories:

DISPLAY (K-3 only)

This is a visual display of a scientific topic and uses the skills of observation, communication, composition and organization. For example, rock collection, a model of the solar system or an animal habitat.

DEMONSTRATION (K-5 only)

A demonstration project is much like a display which includes a working morel to explain, scientifically, how something works

EXPERIMENT (all grades)

An experiment first asks a question about a particular scientific principle. Then it attempts to answer this question by performing a series of test and procedures while following The Scientific Method.

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. QUESTION: Ask a question about the subject you are interested in that can be answered by performing a series of systematic tests. Keep your question specific. A question that is too broad will lead to conclusions that don’t really teach anything new.

2. HYPOTHESIS: Make a guess to what the most likely answer to your question will be. Write down. Remember your topic to help you make an “educated” guess.

3. MATERIALS: Make a list of everything you will need to perform your experiment.

4. PROCEDURES: Write down the steps required to perform your experiment. Make sure your procedures attempt to prove your hypothesis. Have as many controls as possible. A control is anything you want to keep the same throughout your experiment. Record your data. As you experiment write down all your results and observations. Your data should be quantitative rather than qualitative. Leave nothing to memory. Write everything down. Your experiment should be designed so that another scientist could perform your procedures and get the same results.

5 RESULTS: Organize, review and analyze your data to summarize what happened during your procedures. Make tables, charts and graphs of your experiment.

6. CONCLUSION: The conclusion should answer the initial questions and compare your results with your hypothesis. Does your data prove or disprove your hypothesis? Your conclusion should be short sentences about patterns or changes that occurred during your procedures. Also include any new questions that may have arisen. Does you experiment have any practical applications? A “failed” experiment can be a successful project if you can understand and explain why it failed. Much has been learned from experiments that did not work out.

SAFETY RULES

- All experiments using animals or humans should cause no harm or undue stress o the subjects

- No live animals shall be exhibited for the fair. Models, stuffed animals or photos should be used instead.

- No human body parts should be displayed. Exceptions are teeth, hair and nails.

- Students should avoid experiments involving bacterial cultures. Bacterial cultures may not be exhibited.

- No controlled substances shall be exhibited.

- No dangerous or combustible chemicals should be displayed for the fair. Rockets or engines must not contain fuel.

- No open flames will be permitted.

- Student experimenters should wear safety goggles and follow standard safety practice when working with fire, hot liquids or caustic chemicals.

- All projects using household electricity must conform to standard wiring practices and safety.

- Expensive or fragile items should not be displayed. Valuable items essential to the project should be simulated of photographed.

- Collections can be protected with a covering of plastic wrap.

- Items to be displayed in from of backboard should be adequately secured.

- Carefully pack all materials when transporting to and from the fair.

PROJECT PRESENTATION

Free back boards are available at the learning centers and the Waterford office.

SCIENCE FAIR WORKSHEET (for experiments)

Name:________________________________________ Grade:_____________

Project Title: (Name of your topic) ____________________________________________

THE SCIENTIFIC MEHTOD

Step 1.

Question: Ask a question about the subject that can be answered by performing a series of systematic tests.

Step 2.

Hypothesis: Research your topic & make an educated guess as to what the most likely answer to your question will be. Write it down.

Step 3.

Materials: List everything that you will need to perform your experiment. Write down your list below:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 4.

Procedures: Write down the steps required to perform your experiment. Carry out multiple trails or tests (do at least 3 trials) to verify your results. Identify your controls & variables

1. First __________________________________________________________________

2. Second _________________________________________________________________

3. Third ___________________________________________________________________

4. Fourth __________________________________________________________________

5. Fifth ____________________________________________________________________

Now: Perform your experiment!

Step 5.

Results: Write down what happened when you did your experiment.

(Attach measurements, tables, charts or graphs to this sheet and/or your notebook. Review and organize your measurements to show what happened. Graphs help the average viewer quickly and easily to understand your results and should be included on your backboard.)

Step 6.

Conclusion: The conclusion should answer your initial question in step 1 above and may or may not support your hypothesis in step 2. Your conclusions should be short sentences about patterns or changes that occurred during your procedures. Include any new questions that may have arisen. (What further study might help clarify your results?) Does your experiment have any practical applications? (How could it be useful?)

Write your conclusions below.

Now you are ready to construct your Science Fair Display.

Science Fair Judging Standards

Creativity –The originality of the problems, the uniqueness of the approach and the handling and interpretation of data should be compatible with the grade level of the student. Ingenuity is valued about monetary expenditure.

Scientific Thought –The project must show an in-depth study and effort in using scientific methods in the solution of a clearly defined problem. This must include background study, organized procedures, appropriate sampling, orderly recording and analysis of data and formulation of logical conclusions.

Thoroughness –The study should be complete within the scope of the problem. Scientific literature needs to have been researched and the experiments repeated and data carefully recorded.

Skills – Credit is giving for the construction or use of equipment and for mathematical, computational and observational skills. The project must use the proper display format with the correct use of graphs and tables.

Clarity – The question, hypothesis, materials, results and conclusion must be clearly explained through the display. Discussion of any new questions that may arise or further study that may be indicated should also be included. The project notebook should be well organized, neat and accurate and should be submitted with the project. The sources of ideas, data and assistance should be identified in the source list/bibliography.

Interview –Students may be interviewed to assess knowledge of project.

Official Science Fair Project Form

(Attach to backside of project backboard)

Name:_________________________________ Grade:_________________

Category (circle appropriate category)

K-3 Experiment Demonstration Display

4-5 Experiment Demonstration

6-12 Experiment

This is a description of my project:

Title:___________________________________________________________________

Question:________________________________________________________________

Hypothesis: (If Experiment) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________