Liberty Pines Academy
Fifth Grade S.T.E.M. Fair
General Information
What is the STEM Fair? The Elementary STEM Fair is a student-centered educational experience with the primary goal of promoting student use of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to solve real world problems. Related project objectives include helping students understand the difference between an experiment and other types of scientific investigation, learning how to set up an experiment using controls and variables, interpreting data, recognizing the need for repetition and replication, and learning how to use appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding and defend conclusions.
What does a STEM project look like? Students are encouraged to be creative and to design, build, and experiment with topics that interest them. Ideally projects should be geared toward the use of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to solve real world problems.
Examples
Two student project stories that model the project process can be found at the web addresses below (also shown to students in class).
Wi-Fi Router:
EZ Baby Saver:
The Scientific Method applies to all STEM projects
During an investigation, the student starts with a question based on a scientific problem; develops a hypothesis (or educated guess) as to the answer; designs and conducts an experiment to test the hypothesis; measures and collects data; documents and analyzes the results; and draws a conclusion.
Inventionsare encouraged and apply to projects where the student builds or creates something to solve a real-world problem.(The 3 projects from LPA that will be chosen for the district STEM Fair must have this element present.)
An invention is an original design that serves a purpose and solves a real problem. It can also be something that improves an object previously invented by someone else or takes it in a completely different direction.Students who are good problem solvers and especially students who like to think “outside the box” are good candidates to invent something for their science fair project. All students can become better at engineering, but for some, it is the most interesting way to apply their science skills.Just as with an experiment, it is important to recognize that the process of invention is just as important as the final product—which means mistakes and problems should be treated as valuable steps and should be documented along with other notes and sketches in a record-keeping journal. Engineering uses a scientific approach and both inventions and investigations depend on good questions, planning, using appropriate materials, collecting data, making sense of the data to verify the results, and presenting the results to others for review.
Three fifth grade representatives from LPA will be chosen to share their projects at the St. Johns County STEM Fair on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Although students chosen to attend the county STEM Fair will not have their projects judged, they will have opportunities to share their projects, meet professional scientists, and compete in a STEM challenge.
IDEAS
If you are not sure where to start ...
Try filling in the blanks:
Which ______makes the best ______?
What is the effect of ______on ______?
How does ______affect ______?
Look for ideas in these suggested websites.
***Do not copy entire projects from the Internet. Be original!
2014-15 Timeline
STEM Fair Step: / Due Date:STEM Fair Project Proposal (this sheet) completed and signed
(Once the project is approved, you will receive your Project Planner.) / Friday, 1/23
Background research notes and key words due (quiz grade) / Friday, 2/6
Rewritten hypothesis in STEM Fair Project Planner / Friday, 2/13
1st Project Planner check / Friday 2/27
2nd Project Planner check / Thursday, 3/12
ALL display board paperwork due (to be checked before finalizing board) / Thursday, 4/2
Display board DUE (summative grade) / Project DUE
Wednesday, 4/8
LPA Fifth Grade STEM Fair / Wednesday, 4/22
STEM Fair Project 2014-2015
The question I plan to investigate in my experiment:
STEM Fair Project Question Checklist
I have discussed the project idea and the checklist with my parent(s) and I am willing to commit to following through on this project.
Student Signature ______
Date ______
I have discussed the project idea and the checklist with my child and I believe he/she can follow through with this project.
Parent Signature ______
Date ______