Springdale Park STEM Project Fair Guidelines
STEM Project Fair FAQ’s
Do all students have to do a project?
Students in grades K-2 will do class projects with Ms. Mobley during their science enrichment time. Students in grades 3-5 are encouraged to do individual or group projects at home. Students can work with family members, siblings, or friends regardless of grade level.
Are projects graded?
Projects are not graded by the classroom teachers for content area subjects. However, projects are scored on a rubric by an outside group to determine which projects move on to the district level.
Does it have to be a science project?
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Projects can fall under any of the 4 academic areas. Students can create a piece of technology, build an engineering project, or do a probability and statistics mathematical project in addition to a traditional science experiment.
How does my student begin?
First, it should be of great interest to the student; something the student wants to inquire and find an answer to. All projects regardless of the academic STEM area are to follow the scientific method.
- Ask a question or inquire about a topic of interest.
- Do background research.
- Construct a hypothesis.
- Test the hypothesis by experiment, creation, or inquiry.
- Analyze the results and data.
- Construct a conclusion.
- Communicate your results.
How does my student communicate their results?
Students can communicate the results any way they choose. It can be a traditional display board, a presentation on the computer, a website, or a student created book are just a few ideas.
Does the topic have to be the current Common Core/GPS Standards?
No. It should be something the student wants to inquire and learn about. It certainly can be the current standards they are studying but the main criteria is interest and choice.
Do we have to fill out a large number of forms?
No, fill out and sign the attached form and return to the homeroom teacher. However, in order for projects to go to the district fair APS protocol forms must be filled out. The APS forms can be filled out after the announcement of the winners.
How do I know if my child won?
Judging will take place October 2nd during the school day by an outside panel using the APS rubric for scoring. Scoring sheets are confidential. Based on the score students will receive ribbons in the three categories and ribbons will be attached to the project. The announcement of the district winners will be announced at STEM family night.
STEM Project Form Proposal
Student(s) Name(s) ______
Grade(s) ______Homeroom Teacher(s) ______
Project Title ______
Project Category (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) ______
Adult Sponsor(s) ______
Email/Phone______
Brief Description of Project ______
Will Live Organisms Be Used? ______
Will There Be Human Participants? ______
If yes, describe who will participate. ______
______
By signing below all participants assume the risks in the proposed project and understand that plagiarism, forgery, fabrication of data, or presenting other researcher’s work as my (our) own will result in disqualification.
Supervising Adult Signature ______
Student (s) Signature ______
All Spark winners who move on to the district level will be required to complete the UGA pre-collegiate protocols.