Unleash Your Inner Einstein

Science Fair

Cathcart Elementary

2009

“Unleash Your Inner Einstein”

Student Information packet

Cathcart Elementary – Science Fair 2009

Important Dates:

Wednesday, March 25– Entry forms due, to the office(lastpage inthispacket)

Tuesday, April 7– Set-up and Project Registration

3:30 to 5:30 p.m. – in the Gym

Wednesday, April 8– Science Fair Day!

8:30 to 10:00 a.m. – Project Judging / Assessment

10:00 to11:30 a.m. – Class Tours, viewing

1:00 to 2:30 p.m. – Class Tours, viewing, continued.

6:30 to 8:00 p.m. – Science Fair event open to family viewing, Student demonstrations

8:00 to 8:15 p.m. – Families take projects down, take home

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

We hope that this packet will be helpful as you plan your Science Fair project. In this packet you will find: important dates, requirements for projects including contentand specific guidelines for the size of the board, titles, and placement of information. Please pay close attention to these guidelines.

Also enclosed are the judging (assessment) criteria that we use to determine levels of student recognition. It might be helpful to have a friend or family member judge your project and make suggestions for improvement. Since assessment is criteria based on the rubric, any project which receives a score between 14 and 20points will either get a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place ribbon. There will also be “Special Recognition” awards given to projects that demonstrate exceptional effort by students. This award is voted upon by the judges.

Please note that individual students have two types of projects to consider creating. You also have the option to do a family / group project. Below is the description of each type of project.

Experiment – This project is centered on a question that needs to be answered. You design the experiment to help answer the question by exposing one group to a variable and leaving another group as the “control.” You should repeat your experiment several times to be sure that your observations and data are accurate. It is also important to control the variable(s), so your results are accurate. If the experiment is with plants, you should have three to six plants for both the experimental and the control groups. The experiment should include a log of your daily activities and any data that is important.Please see the page describing the Display Board for Experiments to get a clear understanding of what information is required. (p. 9 for more information)

Model / Demonstration – Some questions require a model or demonstration to answer them instead of an experiment. Maybe you are interested in how a water molecule looks or how a circuit works. Because a water molecule is very small, it is necessary to research the topic and design a model to present your findings. In the case of a circuit, a working demonstration would help answer the question. The model / demonstration should include a report on the subject you are investigating. Please see the page describing the Display Board for Models / Demonstrations.(p. 10 for more information)

Family / Group Project – If you have more than one student attending Cathcart or two or more students want to work together, you have the option to do a family / group project. You can choose to do an experiment or a model / demonstration. The only added feature to a family / group project is that each child does their own log or report according to their grade level expectations. The display board is a combined effort of the Cathcart students in your family.

Happy learning! Please call us if you have any question. We can’t wait to see your Scientific thinking.

Casey HowardChristine Coyle

360.563.7075425.344.6890

PrincipalCoordinator – Parent Volunteer 

Science Fair Student Worksheet

Begin planning your projectby thinking through these questions. Consider an assortment of resources to research and gain knowledge of your topic (i.e., books, magazines, encyclopedias, CD-ROMs, internet searches, etc.). Think of ways to apply the facts you learn to your project.

1.Question or Problem – What is the question you are trying to answer?
2.Hypothesis (3rd to 6th Experiment) – What do you think will happen?
3.Materials or These are the things that I will use – What things do you need to do the experiment?
4.Title (3rd to 6thgrade Experiment) – Give a simple name for your project. The title does not have to be in the form of a question. Example: “Water Waste”
5.Procedure or This is what I did – What are you going to do to find an answer to your question or test your hypothesis?
6.How will you present the data? Will you measure and record, make a graph, take photographs, make a chart, keep a journal, etc…? If you are doing a model / demonstration, what books are you using for your report?

Science Fair Judging Criteria

2009

Below is the list of criteria for judging (assessing) the Science Fair projects. Each question is worth one (1) point unless specified. The highest score a student can receive is 20 points. Ribbons will be awarded to all students meeting criteria levels. Special recognition ribbons will also be awarded to students whose projects show exceptional effort.

1st Place – Students scoring an average of 18-20 points.

2nd Place – Students scoring an average of 16-17 points.

3rd Place – Students scoring an average of 14-15 points.

Scientific Thought (10 points) – Demonstrate your knowledge of your topic by explaining what you learned in your own words. Your display should be scientifically accurate and easy for people to understand.

Does the “Conclusion” or “This is what I learned” answer the question? (2 points)
Are there accurate observations and experimental controls? (Experiment)

Does the model / demonstration present a better understanding of scientific ideas? (Model / Demonstration) (2 points)

Using the procedures listed, can the question be answered? (2 points)
Do graphs, charts, surveys, logs, or reports provide valuable information that help answer the question? (2 points)
With the information provided on the display panel and the materials listed, could the experiment or model / demonstration be repeated? (2 points)

Clarity and Dramatic Value (5 points) –Organize your facts and ideas in a systematic manner that makes sense to a reader. Revise your writing for word choice and fluency. Edit your work for conventions before making your final copy for display.

Is the display panel clear, concise and legible?
Are the charts and graphs labeled, legible, and understandable? (Experiment)

Does the report clearly relate to the question being asked? (Model / Demonstration)

Have efforts been made to use proper grammar and spelling?
Are materials displayed neatly?
Does the exhibit hold the attention of the spectator? Is it attractive?

FollowingDirections (5 points) –How well did you organize your project according to the expectations for Science Fair display?

Did the student follow directions for the size of board?
Did the student place the information on the correct panel? (see below)
Did the student place the information in the correct order? (see below)
Did the student use the correct titles according to the grade level and type of project? (see below, and on pages 9 and 10)

Experiments K to 2nd:Left side: Question. These are the things I used.

Middle: This is what I did.

Middle or Right Side: This is what happened.

Right: This is what I learned.

Experiments 3rd / 6th: Left side: Problem. Hypothesis. Materials.

Middle: Title. Procedure.

Middle or Right Side: Data.

Right: Conclusion.

Models / Demonstrations K to 6th:

Left side: Question. Materials.

Middle:Title of Model or Demonstration;Procedure.

Middle or Right Side: Background Information.

K to 2nd: 1 to 2 page report

3rd to 6th: 3 to 5 page report

Right: This is what I learned.

K to 2nd: 2 to 3 things learned

3rd to 6th: 4 to 6 things learned

5. Did the student glue a label to the back center panel with name, grade, teacher and type of project? (Experiment or Model / Demonstration) Label is provided in the Science Fair packet.

Directions for Science Fair

Display Board

The project will consist of a display board and materials used in the experiment. Parents are asked to help by supplying inexpensive materials and encourage their child to follow a timeline of activities.

As the base of your project or demonstration display – you will need a tri-panel display board. A display board can be purchased at most office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot, etc.) or craft stores such as Ben Franklin, JoAnn Fabrics, etc.

Open view of a tri-fold display board:

Left panel / Back panel / Right panel

Label for Back of

Display Board

Dear Students and Parents / Guardians:

Below is the label that needs to be filled out, cut out, and glued to the back of the display panel. It should be centered and glued on the top of the center panel.

Example:

Back view

Label (cut out and affix to the back of your project):

Name: /
Grade:
Teacher:
Check one: / ____ Model / Demonstration
____ Experiment
And…if____ Family Project?

Display Board for Experiments

Students in grades K to 2nd are required to supply the following information:

Question
These are the things that I used.
This is what I did.
This is what happened.
This is what I learned.

Example:

Question:
Do wheels make things move better?
These are the things that I used.
Lego
Yarn
1 cup
4 Lego wheels
2 large marbles
Small marbles / This is what I did.

I made a car without wheels and put two large marbles in it.
I tied a cup to the car.
I put the car on the table, so the cup hung over the edge.
I dropped marbles into the cup until the car moved to the edge. I did this three times.
I did the step #4 again with wheels.

/ This is what happened.
WithoutWith
WheelsWheels
Trial #18 marbles3 marbles
Trial #28 marbles3 marbles
Trial #39 marbles3 marbles
This is what I learned.

When there are no wheels, it takes more marbles to move the car.
When there are wheels, it takes less marbles to move the car.
Sliding takes more energy than rolling.

Students in grades 3rd through 6th are required to supply the following information:

Problem - the question you are trying to answer.
Hypothesis – what you think will happen. “I predict that…”
Materials – what you used to carry out the experiment.
Title –a simple name for your project.
Procedure – list steps that you took to complete the project.
Data – list what happened. Graph your results if appropriate.
Conclusion – what did you learn? “I found…” or “I decided…”

Example:

Problem:
Will vitamins help plants grow?
Hypothesis:
I think Vitamin C will help plants grow best.
Materials:
16 radish seeds
Vitamin A
Vitamin B
Vitamin C
Containers
Soil
Water / Title:How Does My Garden Grow?
Procedure:
Step 1: PlantingStep 2: Watering

Step 3: MeasuringStep 4: Keeping Records / Data:
5
4
3
2
1
NoneABCD
Week 1: ______
Week 2: ______
Week 3: ______
Conclusion:
I found that the plants watered with Vitamin C grew best. I think both Vitamin C and Vitamin A are good for plants.

Display Board for Models / Demonstrations

Example:

LeftMiddleRight

Question:
Materials: / Title: ______
Procedure:
Background Information: / This is What I learned:

Left Side:

Question:

Examples:How does electricity work?

How does a battery work?

What is a comet made of?

What does the Solar System look like?

How does a windmill work?

Materials:What was used to create the model / demonstration?

Middle:

Title:Demonstration of ______; or

Model of ______

Procedure:How did you make the model / demonstration?

Middle or Right Side:

Background Information: Tell about the background of your topic. Also tell why your question is important and why others might be interested in the results.

Grades K to 2nd: 2 to 3 paragraphs (Kindergarten report can be dictated to parent).

Grades 3rd to 6th: 3 to 5 paragraphs.

Right Side:

This is What I Learned:List important things you learned about the subject.

Grades K to 2nd: List 2 to 3 important things you learned (Kindergarten report can be dictated to parent).

Grades 3rd to 6th: List 4 to 6 important things you learned.

Some Science Fair Resources…just a few

Books

100 First Prize Make-It-Yourself Science Fair Projects by Glen Vecchione. Offers ideas and instructions for carrying out projects in eight categories-space, birds, insects, weather, food and nutrition, electricity, natural laws, plants, wind and water.

Janice VanCleave’s Guide to More of the Best Science Fair Projects by Janice Pratt Van Cleave. Offers 50 experiment ideas and instructions for each of them, along with presentation tips. Walks the reader through the project process-developing a topic, doing the research, assembling your data and display.

Web Sites

The Ultimate Science Fair Resource – A site designed for teachers and students as an all-purpose resource. The site’s “Idea Bank”, contains a list of questions, experiment ideas, and the Idea Board with postings from students across the country about their own science fair projects-what worked and what didn’t work.

Science Fair Central – Is supported by the Discovery Channel. It features tips and instructions for a successful and meaningful science-fair experience.

Cathcart Science Fair 2009

Registration Form

Please complete this form and return it to your teacher by Wednesday, March 25, 2009.

Student Name (print): / Phone:
Teacher: / Grade:
Parent/Guardian Signature:

What type of Science Fair Project are you planning?

Experiment
Model / Demonstration
Family / Group Project

If you are completing a Family or Group Project, please list other participants:

Name / Teacher / Grade

Please answer the following additional questions:

1.Do you need to reserve an electrical outlet for your project?Yes No

2.As a safety precaution, please list any chemicals to be used in your demonstration.

3.Would you like to perform an individual demonstration?YesNo

We will schedule a one-time demonstration. An announcement will be made during the Science fair to allow as many people as possible to see your demonstration.