Dear Students and Parents: It S Time to Start Work on Our School S Science Fair! Enclosed

Dear Students and Parents:
It’s time to start work on our school’s Science Fair! Enclosed is a schedule outlining due dates and important information regarding your child’s project. Ample time has been scheduled and work has been spread out, so students can complete the work at a comfortable pace.
This is a major project and will represent a significant portion of your child’s grade for the 3rd 9 Weeks. The primary objective of this project is to have students approach a problem scientifically. This includes:

Asking questions and forming hypotheses
Creating experiments to test those hypotheses
Organizing data and drawing conclusions
Writing about scientific research

The project must be experimental in nature as opposed to research oriented. In other words, students must do a test, survey, or experiment to determine the answer to their question instead of just looking it up in a book. We encourage students to pick topics that they are genuinely interested in, since they will be working on these projects for the next several months. Topics must also be “original” - something students do not already know.
The three tasks are outlined as follows:

1. Notebook: This data must be entered into the project notebook on a regular basis.
2. Scientific Paper: The Scientific Paper chronicles how the project evolved, how the research was done, the results, and conclusion. This paper must be typed or word processed.
3. Display:Each student will be responsible for organizing a display of their project. This includes taking pictures or making sketches of the experimental process, gathering materials, building, and setting up the display for presentation and judging.

Project guidelines state that all work must be done by the students; however, assistance may be provided by teachers, parents, etc. It is very difficult to work alone without the exchange of ideas, so we encourage you to brainstorm with your child on different ideas and possible topics your child may want to pursue. Students have been given lists of Science Fair Categories and Guidelines and Project Ideas. Please take a moment to review these with your child in order to generate topic ideas. Science Fair Proposals are due on September 6, 2013.

I am looking forward to working with you to make this a valuable learning experience for your child. I appreciate your support on this important project. As acknowledgement and part of your child’s homework, please sign, date, and return the bottom portion of this letter by Friday, August 30, 2013.
(Date)
Sincerely,

------Cut along here ------

A.S. Staley Middle School

5th – 8th Grade Science Fair

Return this Homework Assignment by Friday, August 30, 2013.

I have reviewed the Science Fair information and calendar with my child, ______,

and we understand the requirements for a successful Science Fair Project.

______
(Parent Signature)(Date)

______
(Student Signature)(Date)

Student Science Fair Schedule/ Pacing Guide

Assignment / Assignment Description / Due Date
Topic Selection/ Proposal Form / Select three (3) possible topics or ideas you would like to investigate. / 9/10/13
Question / Develop the specific scientific question you will be investigating in the project. / 9/13/13
Research & Bibliography / Provide a detailed list of the sources that you will use for your experimental research.
Source Requirement: at least 3 sources including one encyclopedia. / 9/20/13
Hypothesis / Provide an explanation of your experiment and a hypothesis of the expected result. / 9/27/13
Materials and Procedures / Provide a detailed list of the materials that will be used to conduct your experiment and the detailed steps that will be followed while you conduct your experiment. / 10/4/13
Conduct Experiment / There should be a minimum of two weeks here to allow the students to do multiple runs of their experiments.
Minimum Trials: 3 runs of experiment. If students are working with plants, they should have 3 plants for each variable tested. / 10/18/13
Data Analysis and Graphs / Provide a summary of the findings of your experiment. The analysis of the experimental data. STUDENT DEADLINE ONLY - NOT TO BE TURNED IN. / 10/25/13
Conclusion / Provide an explanation of the results of the experiment.
STUDENT DEADLINE ONLY - NOT TO BE TURNED IN. / 10/29/13
Research Paper & Notebook / Research Paper: Turn in a research paper that provides a summary of the information you were able to collect during your investigation, plus a short abstract of the project.
Notebook: Your notebook should contain all of the assignments you turned in during the course of your investigation. / 11/8/13
DISPLAY BOARD / Students should turn in their final project display board that will be displayed at the science fair. / 11/13/13
Final Project / This is the last date that students can turn in their projects to the teacher. / 12/17/13
School Science Fair / Top four projects are selected for each grade level. / 1/9/14

*RESA SCIENCE FAIR – May 8-9*

The Process For An
Awesome Science Fair Project
This project involves the use of the scientific method in order to solve a problem. In solving the problem, you will conduct an experiment following the steps outlined below:
Step 1. Define the Problem or Question
 Select a topic that interests you! Look for a topic in books, magazines, experiment books, museums, newspapers, TV, etc.

Keep your topic narrow enough so that you can finish it and do a good job on it. Example:"Plants" is a poor topic. You will not be able to learn everything about plants. Be specific. Pick a particular plant and choose one variable to test. A better topic would be: How does the light from a fluorescent light source affect the growth rate of ivy plants?
Notice that the title is in the form of a question. Your problem MUST BE WRITTEN IN THE FORM OF A QUESTION.
Keep in mind that you want to develop a project idea that can be tested. Write down your problem. Make sure that there is a purpose to your experiment.
State the purpose of your project. What do you want to learn? Why did you want to do this project?

Example: The purpose of this experiment is to find the best distance from a fluorescent light for growing ivy cuttings. We have been growing ivy cuttings in water on the windowsill for many years. Now, I would like to try to grow them under our new fluorescent light. My mother will be able to use my results to grow ivy cuttings for her friends.
Step 2. Research

Find as much information as you can about your topic. This will help you to develop your hypothesis or educated guess about your problem.
Take notes about the information you find.
Do not forget to write down the sources of you used for your bibliography.
Use at least three different sources including books, magazines and Internet.

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Step 3. Hypothesis

Your hypothesis is the answer to your problem or question.
Your hypothesis should state what you expect to happen before you try your experiment. Example: Plants receiving an average amount of light from a fluorescent light source will have more growth than plants that do not have a fluorescent light source.

Step 4. Test and Experiment

Begin a daily diary recording the progress of your experiment.
Be sure to record numbers and observations for each day.
You should have step-by-step directions for your experiment. You should tell what you did, what you used, and the order you did it in.

Step 5. Record Your Data

Record your results in full (make charts, graphs, and diagrams).
Compare what you thought was going to happen to what did happen.
Write down all of your observations and results during the entire time you are conducting your experiment.
You must use either a TABLE, CHART OR GRAPH to display your data.

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Step 6. Conclusions

Your conclusion should tell exactly what happened during and after the experiment.
You should explain if your results support your hypothesis. (Remember! An incorrect hypothesis is just as valuable to scientists as a correct one because they still learn something from the process.
Explain what you learned from your experiment.
Explain the importance of your results.
Organize and complete the project.
Write comments about your project. Explain how you could have improved your project.
Example: My hypothesis was proven correct as plants grown with the fluorescent light source grew larger than plants that did not have a fluorescent light source.

Final Note:
Have fun with this process! Take little steps and do not wait until the last minute.
Completion of this project shows that you have learned how to conduct an experiment as a scientist would. This is a very important goal of the 6th grade. While some class time will be devoted to the science fair, most of the work of the science fair will need to be completed at home.

Science Fair Project Ideas/ Big Questions

Does the color of food or drinks affect whether or not we like them?
Where are the most germs in your school?
Does music have an affect on plant growth?
Which kind of food do dogs (or any animal) prefer best?
Which paper towel brand is the strongest?
What is the best way to keep an ice cube from melting?
What level of salt works best to hatch brine shrimp?
Can the food we eat affect our heart rate?
How effective are child-proof containers and locks.
Can background noise levels affect how well we concentrate?
Does acid rain affect the growth of aquatic plants?
What is the best way to keep cut flowers fresh the longest?
Does the color of light used on plants affect how well they grow?
What plant fertilizer works best?
Does the color of a room affect human behavior?
Do athletic students have better lung capacity?
What brand of battery lasts the longest?
Does the type of potting soil used in planting affect how fast the plant grows?
What type of food allow mold to grow the fastest?
Does having sugar in soil help plants grow faster?
Can plants grow in pots if they are sideways or upside down?
Does the color of hair affect how much static electricity it can carry? (test with balloons)
How much weight can the surface tension of water hold?
Can some people really read someone else's thoughts?
Which soda decays fallen out teeth the most?
What light brightness makes plants grow the best?
Do natural or chemical fertilizers work best?
Can people tell artificial smells from real ones?
What brands of bubble gum produce the biggest bubbles?
Does age affect human reaction times?
What is the effect of salt on the boiling temperature of water?
Does shoe design really affect an athlete's jumping height?
What type of grass seed grows the fastest?

Internet Resource

Author(s)
Title of Web Page
URL
Date of Publication
Date Retrieved

Notes/Quotes/Page(s) or Paragraph Number

______

Name______Class______Date______

Science Fair Project Proposal Form

This is the Science Fair Project Proposal Form. Do not begin to work on your project until you receive approval from your teacher. You are required to find three Science Fair ideas. Your project must be age appropriate. This form is due no later than ______.

Idea #l______

What is this project about? Give a brief description.

Idea #2______

What is this project about? Give a brief description.

Idea #3______

What is this project about? Give a brief description.

Science Fair Investigative Question

Name______/ Class:______Date: ______
THIS FORM IS DUE:______

1. What is your Investigative Question(s): Important: This must be stated in the form of a question!

2. What is the purpose of your investigation? Answer the following questions: What is the purpose of your experiment? What do you want to find out? What problems are you going to solve?

BIBLIOGRAPHY WORKSHEET

INTERNET:

1. Write the name of the website:______

2.Write the copyright date of the website: ______

3.Write the title of the article in quotation marks: “______”

4.Write the date you accessed it (day month year):______

5.Write the URL address: ______

EXAMPLE:Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development, Inc. (2010). “Make a Parachute”. Retrieved October 19, 2010 from

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BOOK:
1. Write the name of the author: ______

(last) , (first) (second or initial).
2. Write the title and underline it:______

3.Write the location where the book was published: ______

(city) , (state):

4.Write the name of the publisher:______

5.Write the copyright date:______

EXAMPLE:

Harris, Elizabeth Snoke. First Place Science Fair Projects for Inquisitive Kids.New York: Lark Books, 2005.

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ENCYCLOPEDIA:

1. Write the name of the author:______

(last) , (first) (second or initial)
2. Write the title of the article in quotation marks:"______”

3. Write the name of the encyclopedia and underline it: ______

4. Write the year of the edition with ed. after it______ed.

EXAMPLE:

Helms, Ronald. "Electric Light." World Book. 2007 ed.

(if no author, begin with the title in quotes)

MAGAZINE ARTICLE:

1. Write the name of the author: ______

(last) , (first) (second or initial)
2. Write the title of the article in quotation marks:"______“

3.Write the name of the magazine and underline it:______

4.Write the date on the cover of the magazine:______

5.Write the page numbers of the article:______

EXAMPLE:

Perry, Alex. "Eden for the Peaceful Apes.". Time. April 21, 2008. 52-55.

(if no author, begin with the title in quotes)

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NEWSPAPER ARTICLE:

1. Write the name of the author: ______

(last) , (first) (second or initial)
2. Write the title of the article in quotation marks:"______“

3. Write the name of the newspaper and underline it: ______

4.Write the day month and year published (no commas):______

5.Write the section and page numbers: ______

EXAMPLE:

Soergel, Matt. "Good Things in Small Packages. Florida Times Union. April 15. 2008. C1.

(if no author, begin with the title in quotes)

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PERSONAL INTERVIEW:

1. Write the name of the person you are interviewing:______

(last) , (first) (second or initial).

2.Write the type and topic of the interview:______

3.Write the place of the interview:______

(city) , (state).
4. Write the day month year (no commas) of interview: ______

EXAMPLE:

Hayes, Jim. An interview on the importance of exercise on younger children. Jacksonville, Florida. April 14, 2009.

Name______Class______Date______

Science Fair Project Bibliography

Provide the names of the sources you are using as you research your topic for the Science Fair.You should provide the names of at least (3) three sources, one of which should be a book or other printed publication. Use the correct format to record your sources. Deadline is ______.

Source #l______

Source#2______

Source#3______

Science Fair Project Bibliography

Provide the names of the sources you are using as you research your topic for the Science Fair. You should provide the names of at least (3) three sources, one of which should be a book or other printed publication. Use the correct format to record your sources. Deadline is ______.

Source #l Internet______

Source #2_Book______

Source #3____Encyclopedia______

Science Fair Hypothesis Proposal

Due Date: ______
Name______/ Class:______Date:______
PROJECT TITLE:______

1. Your Investigative Question(s): This should be the purpose of your experiments.
IMPORTANT: This must be stated as a question!

2. Your Hypothesis or Hypotheses: This should answer your Investigative Question(s).

Science Fair List of Materials

This form is Due ______.

Name______/ Class:______Date______

1. Provide a list of the materials you will use for your Science Fair experiment.

2. Describe how you plan to conduct your experiment. Outline the steps you intend to follow.

Science Fair Notebook Guidelines

1. Your Notebook should be kept in a separate folder. You may also keep your Notebook on a computer. Keep it organized and neat. When it is due for a Notebook Check on ______, you will put all your pages in some sort of folder with your name on the outside of the folder.

2. In your Notebook, keep ALL the papers that you have turned in to me regarding your project. You must include your Science Fair Proposal, Investigative Question, Hypothesis, and List of Materials. This will ensure that you pay attention to my questions and concerns.
3. Keep your papers in chronological order. The earliest papers should be closest to the front of your Notebook.
4. Every day that you do ANYTHING that relates to your project, write it down in your Notebook. This is your Daily Log. For example:

You go to the hardware store to buy some materials, and find that they don’t have exactly what you want. After discussing this with the person that helps you, you decide that some similar material may work.
Record a change in the weather, if that is a variable in your experiment.
Write in your Notebook any time you become inspired or discouraged by your project. Give reasons why.
Record any change in your stated procedure, and give reasons why you changed it.

5. Video may be a good source of data, but it is not recommended as a part of your display, because of the value of the display equipment (TV and DVD to show your video).
6. As you perform your experiments, record your data on the data sheets that you have designed. If you find that the data sheets that you have designed are not suitable, make adjustments, and record the changes in your Notebook.
7. Important Note - your Science Fair Notebook should be organized according to the Notebook Grade Sheet.

Science Fair Paper Guidelines

Your Scientific Paper must be written in the format outlined below. Any paper that does not follow these requirements will be returned immediately for rewriting. Scientific Papers are due on ______.
Your paper should be done on a word processor or typewriter. (I recommend a word processor, since it will make any revisions easier.) Please get help on spelling, punctuation, etc., if you have trouble with these. Even though this is science, writing counts!

REQUIRED FORMAT FOR THE SCIENTIFIC PAPER