Name ______Teacher ______

Gwynn Park Middle School

STEM Fair Packet

Timeline for GPMS STEM Fair Project

(In order to keep all documents together, please place assignments that are due in a 3-prong folder)

Date Due:

October 17, 2017 Signed Contract

October 16-19, 2017 Brainstorming

Date Due: October 19, 2017 3 Questions (Question MUST be approved before proceeding

to the next step)

Revise Question if necessary and conduct research on approved topic

Date Due: October 23, 2017 Testable Hypothesis

Date Due: October 24-27, 2017 Revise Hypothesis if necessary and design the investigation

Date Due: October 31, 2017 Variables AND Materials

Date Due: November 1-15, 2017 Revisions if necessary and actively work on the investigation (MUST have 5 Trials)

Date Due: November 17-21, 2017 Methods (Procedure)

Date Due: Nov. 21-28, 21017 Actively work on investigation

Date Due: November 28, 2017 Data (table AND graphs) and Analysis of Results

Date Due: November 29-Dec.8, 2017 Conclusion

Date Due: December 11-15, 2017 Work on Display Board and Research Paper

Date Due: December 18-22, 2017 Display Board (with pictures) and Research Paper

Classroom Oral Presentations Begin

GPMS Judging (Day)

GPMS Stem Fair Open House

1.  No testing of vertebrates will be allowed. A vertebrate is an animal that contains a backbone. PEOPLE are VERTEBRATES as well as amphibians, reptiles, birds, and other mammals. Projects that involve observations of vertebrates with no interaction between a vertebrate and the observer are acceptable for a STEM fair. However, these projects MUST be approved by your School Safety Review Board (see pages 4-5).

2.  Invertebrate projects are acceptable such as worms, insects and mollusks where no injury to the animal is involved.

3.  NO MODELS will be accepted such as solar systems or volcanoes.

4.  Projects that involve the growth of bacteria are not allowed at any time as a STEM fair project. Mold; the use of fire; or potentially dangerous materials will require adult supervision and safety protocols to be signed prior to approval of the project. Any project that falls into these areas MUST have the approval of your School Safety Review Board to ensure county policy and safety protocols are followed (see pages 4-5).

SELECTING A TOPIC

A good topic can be found in two basic ways. First, you can research topics using the library and Internet. There are many good books available at the school and public libraries, as well as websites found on the web. Second, you can brainstorm a topic by asking yourself the following questions:

1.  What do I already know about the topic?

Example: Vitamin C

Vitamin C is good for you

Some people take Vitamin C when they are sick.

You can buy Vitamin C in a tablet.

Orange juice has Vitamin C.

2.  What do I need to know to better understand the topic?

What is a vitamin?

What is Vitamin C?

How do I test for Vitamin C?

3.  What possible questions could I explore about the topic?

Which fruit juice has the most Vitamin C?

Do all citrus fruits have the same amount of Vitamin C?

Use page seven as you brainstorm your topic. Before deciding on your final topic and question, check the Pre-Approval Project Key to be sure your proposed topic is acceptable as an entry into your school’s STEM Fair. Also when selecting a topic, you must ask yourself, “What problem do I want to solve?” and “How can this investigation benefit society?”

Middle School PRE-APPROVAL Project Key

Do I need the School Safety Review Board’s pre-approval before I can begin my project?

No No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Middle School PRE-APPROVAL Project Form

School Safety Review Board

Fill in the information required for your project and submit to your teacher. Approval by the School Safety Review Board is required before experimentation. If chosen as a County STEM Fair participant, this pre-approval form must be submitted with your packet. The School Safety Review Board or school system’s Safety Review Committee reserves the right to deny any project due to safety concerns. For further questions about STEM Fair rules, see Appendix.

Student’s Name School

Title of Project Grade

1) Describe the purpose of your investigation and the reason you responded to a yes on the pre-approval key. If a survey or questionnaire (for vertebrate animals and human subjects) is being used, please attach.

2) Describe any potential risks or areas of concern that need to be addressed and approved before experimentation.

3)  Describe: the procedures that will be used to minimize risk; safety measures taken; disposal procedures that will be followed (when applicable); and sources of safety information.

The following section is to be completed by the School Safety Review Board prior to experimentation.

To be completed by Parent/Guardian:

(Prior to participation) print name

Yes No

I have read and understand the conditions and risks above and consent to the participation of my child.

Project testing/trials will be supervised by an adult at all times.

I have reviewed a copy of any survey or questionnaire used in my child’s research. (if applicable)

I consent to the use of visual images (photos, videos, etc.) involving my child in this research.

parent/guardian’s name (please print) parent/guardian’s name signature and date

Brainstorming
What do I already know about the topic?
What do I need to know about the topic?
What possible questions could I explore about the topic? (Write at least 3 questions)
Inquire / Topic
Problem/Question
Topics/Ideas to research during the investigation:
Inquire / The research shows….
Now that I have done research on my topic, my hypothesis is:
Name ______Section ______
Due: October 19, 2017
Inquire / Questions (Must have at least 3):
Date Turned in: ______
_____ Approved _____ Revise Teacher Signature: ______
Revision Date: ______Teacher Signature: ______
Name ______Section ______
Due: October 23, 2017
Inquire / Testable hypothesis in the “if….then….because” format:
Date Turned in: ______
_____ Approved _____ Revise Teacher Signature: ______
Revision Date: ______Teacher Signature: ______

Design / Variables:
Independent:
Dependent:
Controlled:
Data Collection Tool:
Design / Materials:
Design / Method (Procedure):
Name ______Section ______
Due: October 31, 2017
Design / Variables:
Independent:
Dependent:
Controlled:
Materials:
Name ______Section ______
Due: November 17-21, 2017
Design / Method (Procedure):
Date Turned in: ______
_____ Approved _____ Revise Teacher Signature: ______
Revision Date: ______Teacher Signature: ______
Process / Data Table:
Graph: (See next page) Remember DRY MIX…Dependent/Responding variable goes on the Y-axis and the Manipulated/Independent variable goes on the X-axis
Process / Analysis of Results:
Name ______Section ______
Due: November 28, 2017
Design / Data Table (You may insert/attach a computer generated table with data):
Graph (Attach your graph to this document. It may be computer generated):
Analysis of Results:
Date Turned in: ______
_____ Approved _____ Revise Teacher Signature: ______
Revision Date: ______Teacher Signature: ______
Evaluate / Conclusion: Restate the hypothesis. Was the hypothesis supported or not supported by the data?
What were sources of error? What could have gone wrong in the investigation?
What did you learn doing this investigation?
Extension: How could you improve the methods for future investigations?
Name ______Section ______
Due: November 29-December 8, 2017
Evaluate / Conclusion:
Date Turned in: ______
_____ Approved _____ Revise Teacher Signature: ______
Revision Date: ______Teacher Signature: ______

Rubrics for Each Component of the STEM Design

Focus: Problem/Question

NHI
(Not handed in) / Investigation not completed
0 / Has not reached standard of any descriptors below
5 / Problem/Question to be tested by scientific investigation is stated, with limited success
6-7 / Problem/Question to be tested by scientific investigation is stated
8-9 / Problem/Question to be tested by scientific investigation is outlined
10 / Problem/Question to be tested by scientific investigation is described

Focus: Hypothesis

NHI
(Not handed in) / Investigation not completed
0 / Has not reached standard of any descriptors below
5 / Testable hypothesis stated (Not in if/then/because statement)
6-7 / Testable hypothesis, variables are incorrect and/or lacks reasoning
8-9 / Testable hypothesis, variables properly identified without scientific reasoning
10 / Testable hypothesis variables properly identified using correct scientific reasoning

Focus: Variables and Data Collection

NHI
(Not handed in) / Investigation not completed
0 / Has not reached standard of any descriptors below
5 / The variables are stated
6-7 / Outlined how to manipulate the variables and stated how relevant data will be collected
8-9 / Outlined how to manipulate the variables and outline how sufficient, relevant data will be collected
10 / Described how to manipulate the variables, and described how sufficient, relevant data will be collected

Focus: Design-Method (Procedure)

NHI
(Not handed in) / Investigation not completed
0 / Has not reached standard of any descriptors below
5 / Designed a method with limited success
6-7 / Designed a safe method in which materials and equipment are selected
8-9 / Designed a complete and safe method in which appropriate materials and equipment are selected
10 / Designed a logical, complete and safe method in which appropriate materials and equipment are selected that include required number of trials, quantities, and proper units

Focus: Process-Data Table and Graph

NHI
(Not handed in) / Investigation not completed
0 / Has not reached standard of any descriptors below
1-2 / Data collected and presented in numerical and/or visual forms
3-4 / Data correctly collected and presented in numerical and/or visual forms
5-6 / Data correctly collected, organized and presented in numerical and/or visual forms
7-8 / Data correctly collected, organized, transformed and presented in numerical and/or visual forms

Focus: Results

NHI
(Not handed in) / Investigation not completed
0 / Has not reached standard of any descriptors below
5 / Data accurately interpreted
6-7 / Data accurately interpreted and results are described
8-9 / Data accurately interpreted and results are described using scientific reasoning
10 / Data accurately interpreted and results are described using correct scientific reasoning

Focus: Conclusion

NHI
(Not handed in) / Investigation not completed
0 / Has not reached standard of any descriptors below
5 / §  The validity of the hypothesis is stated with limited reference to a scientific investigation
§  The validity of the method is stated with limited reference to a scientific investigation
§  Limited improvements or extensions to the method are stated
6-7 / §  The validity of the hypothesis is based on the outcome of a scientific investigation is stated
§  The validity of the method is based on the outcome of a scientific investigation is stated
§  Improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the scientific investigation is stated
8-9 / §  The validity of the hypothesis is based on the outcome of a scientific investigation is outlined
§  The validity of the method is based on the outcome of a scientific investigation is outlined
§  Improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the scientific investigation is outlined
10 / §  The validity of the hypothesis is based on the outcome of a scientific investigation is discussed
§  The validity of the method is based on the outcome of a scientific investigation is discussed
§  Improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the scientific investigation is described

2

Gwynn Park Middle School