Heard Elementary 2017- 2018 Science Fair Guide
Final Project due the week of February 5th, 2018.
Parents and students, this guide is designed to help you break your Science fair project into simple steps that can be completed once a week. This guide, along with your teacher’s instruction and your hard work, will help you design and conduct a science experiment that will make you proud. Learning the steps of the Scientific Method can help you throughout your life, as you continue to solve problems that you face.
Please take note of the following helpful information:
- Students are expected to complete this project with only guidance from their parents. Parents should refrain from excessive helping such as constructing, researching, or typing their students’ work. We expect to see elementary level work, which is sometime a bit misspelled and sloppy. That is OK! All work that is complete and turned in on time will earn a good grade. Not all projects have to be designed with ‘winning’ the fair in mind. Don’t stress over perfection. If students DO want to compete, students should be competing in this fair vs. other students. Student completed projects vs. parent completed projects is simply not fair.
- Students must complete an experiment, not a demonstration. A question should be tested during the course of this project. A scientific test should be run at least three times so measurements can be used to prove a pattern.
- Teachers will award up to 20 points on each due date, if work is turned in incomplete, or late, points will be deducted. Parents, please communicate any problems with the teacher so we can help your student be successful. This project will count as 2 test grades; one for quarter 2 and one for quarter3!
- Work may be done within the Dive account, but your final project must be printed. Your daily log, summary and any other research/data for your project have to be in a journal or a folder with pronged paper holders. You will need to have six dividers labeled:
- Experiment Question
- Research notes. (Include bibliography here.)
- Materials & Procedures
- Daily Log
- Data Chart
- Written results/conclusion
- Summary
NO LOOSE PAPERS will be accepted!
- This guide can be completed and shared electronically in your student’s sccpss google drive or printed so it can travel back and forth between home and school for grading once a week. It can be inserted in the logbook: a 3-pronged Science Fair folder, binder, or if a student is using a notebook, a business envelope can be taped or glued into the back of the notebook to keep this guide safe.
- As you work, take pictures (without your child’s face in them) to show the progress of your project and experiment. Pictures may be glued on your trifold board and/or put in your folder with your log and summary.
- As you finish your work each week, have students type and save their work on a computer to avoid having to type it all for their trifold display board when their project is due. If you don’t have access to a computer, the students can write a final copy on loose-leaf, as neatly as you can.
- ALL measurements have to be in metric units.
Have fun with your project!
Please contact your teacher if you have any questions. This information is also posted on Heard’s school web site under “STEAM.” ( and in your student’s google account that can be accessed at
then click on the google drive/email link. Your student’s credentials are as follows:
account/username: ______
password: ______
A website that is helpful for the selection of a topic can be googled using key words:
“science fair central”:
QUESTION & TITLE (DUE: October 16-20, 2017)
Revised questions due Oct. 23rd
The purpose of this Science Fair Experiment is to try and find the answer to a question you have. Think about how answering this question can help people- this is your PURPOSE. Type a copy of your QUESTION and PURPOSE for your Triptych.
Example 1:
Bad Question: How is one brand of battery different from another?
Good Question: Which lasts longer: a brand-name battery or a store-brand battery?
Example 2:
Bad Question: Which brand of popcorn is best?
Good Question: Which brand of microwave popcorn leaves the fewest unpopped kernels?
My Experiment Question:type or write here______
______
The title of your project may be the same as your experiment question above. However, having a more “catchy” title will grab the judges’ attention to your display board and might keep their interest on your project longer.
My Catchy Science Fair Title:type or write here______
______
Parents, if you are using a paper copy,please sign below to acknowledge that your child has shown you the documents regarding their science fair project and that they have discussed their topic with you. If you are using an electronic copy, please email your child’s homeroom teacher (which can be found here on Heard’s website) from your personal email address.
Parent Signature Required: ______
Date Submitted: ______
Teacher Input: ___Good As is ___Turned in late ___Needs work, see comments
Comments:______
______
Points Earned: _____/20
BACKGROUND INFORMATION – RESEARCH (DUE: Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13 2017)
The classroom teacher will check each Monday to see if progress is being made. Each week, at least one source should have been read and notes equivalent to one paragraph of information taken by the student. Students should not be copying directly from any written work, they should write what they have learned in their own words.The computer lab teacher will allow students 2 work periods in computer lab to conduct research.
All students should use at least 3 sources to find information about their research question. At least one source should be from a written text.
Information may be written directly into the Science Fair notebook, or on notebook paper and placed in your Research Notes section of your folder.
Make sure you write down all of the book’s information (title, author, date/city published, etc. ) to include in your bibliography (see provided sheet.) The bibliography is also due on Nov. 27th.
Oct. 30thresearch: Source citation:
type here, use as much space as necessary
Date Submitted:
Teacher Initials:
Points Earned: /10
Nov. 6thresearch: Source citation:
type here, use as much space as necessary
Date Submitted:
Teacher Initials:
Points Earned: /10
Nov. 13thresearch: Source citation:
type here, use as much space as necessary
Date Submitted:
Teacher Initials:
Points Earned: /10
BIBLIOGRAPHY – (DUE: November 27, 2017)
(Next step due as well, see next page)
The sources cited on the previous page ARE your bibliography, you get points for completing them correctly this week!(See attached example for correct format, but please don’t stress over perfect placement of periods and commas. We just need enough info to be able to find the source for ourselves, but also want to expose the children to the ‘correct’ format for citation.)
Date Submitted:
Teacher Input: ___Good As is ___Turned in late ___Needs work, see comments
Comments:______
______
Points Earned: ____/10
BIBLIOGRAPHY EXAMPLE
This is an alphabetical listing of all books, articles, people, interviews, websites, etc. used as resources during the investigation. Take note of the formats for each specific source below (ALL punctuation is an important part of the bibliography!)
Book by single author
Day, R.A. (1994). How to write and publish a scientific paper. (Fourth Edition). Phoenix, AZ: The Oryx Press.
Book by more than one author
Cothron, J.H., Giese, R.N., & Rezba, R.J. (1993). Students and research. (Second Edition). Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.
Computer Program
Dombeck, R.A. (1991). Theoretical prediction of interference loading on aircraft stores. (Computer Program).
Ponoma, CA: General Dynamics, Electro Dynamics Division.
Encyclopedia
Photosynthesis and plants. (1987). Encylopedia Americana (Volume 22). New York: Americana Corporation.
Interview
Borski, S.A.M. ((1985, October, 23). Arlington Heights, IL: Northwest Community Hospital. (Interview).
Journal/Magazine/Newspaper
Bonkalski, J. (1991, February). My view of the land fill. Better Homes and Gardens. Pp. 52-53.
Journal/Magazine/Newspaper – no author
Study finds free care used more. (1989, May). APA Monitor. P. 14.
Internet Source with author:
Author’s last name, first name. “Title of Work”. Address (day month year).
Ogawa, Roann. “Great Lakes Science Center”. (25 Sept. 1997).
Internet Source without author:
“Electricity and Magnetism”. (11 July 1996).
HYPOTHESIS (DUE: November 27th2017)
Your hypothesis in an educated guess as to what will happen by the end of your investigation. This hypothesis should be based on research! You should have background information to support your predicted answer. Your hypothesis should be written in an “If I…., I think….” Statement.
For example:
“If I do…. (Tell what you are going to do or test in your project), then I think….. (What you think will happen) because…. (Tell a reason you think this will happen based on your research.)
“If I plant three marigold plans and water one with tap water, one with distilled water, and one with well water, then I think the one with well water will grow the tallest because of all the minerals in well water.”
You would not just say, “I think that plans grow better in the light.” You must explain why you think so. Did you read a book about plants? Search the internet for some background information on plants? You need to give a reason for how you came up with your hypothesis.
Remember, your hypothesis does not change once it is made!!! Type a copy for your Triptych (Trifold display).
My Hypothesis: (type or write here)______
______
______
Date Submitted:
Teacher Input: ___Good as is ___Turned in late ___Needs work, see comments
Comments:______
______
Points Earned: ______/10
LIST OF NEEDED MATERIALS (DUE: November 27th,2017)
A detailed list of ALL materials that you will need or use during this project must be given. Be very specific about what you used in your investigation. All supplies and measuring tools must be listed in metric units. Type a copy for your Triptych.
Example of Good ListExample of Poor List
500 mL of potting soilDirt
5 clay potsPots
A ruler (in mm)Water
Materials Needed: (Type or write here):______
______
Date Submitted:
Teacher Input: ___Good As is ___Turned in late ___Needs work, see comments
Comments:______
______
Points Earned: ____/10
PROCEDURES/STEPS TO BE FOLLOWED (DUE: December 4, 2017)
This experiment is like a recipe. How did you do your investigation? What did you do first, next, after that? Make it clear enough so the judges will know exactly what you did. List everything you did in steps. Put down the amounts, time involved, and measurements (in metric units) you used. Include even the smallest details.
It is important that you complete your experiment with ONLY ONE VARIABLE (same seeds, water, and soil…just changed the type of light/dark) and with repeated trials (at least 3) to be sure your results are valid and accurate for back up in case one try does not work.
Independent Variable: This is the variable you are “messing with.”
My independent variable is ______.
Dependent Variable: This is the variable that you will record and measure. The changes “depend” on the independent variable.
My dependent variable is ______.
Control Variable: All aspects of this variable must remain constant.
My control variable is ______.
“How does aspirin affect the growth rate of roses?”
independent dependent control
“What is the effect of Coke on the decay of teeth?
independent dependent control
Type the steps you are taking to complete your project here and print a copy to include in the log section of your notebook or folder. Later you can use what you type on your Triptych.
Date Submitted:
Teacher Input: ___Good As is ___Turned in late ___Needs work, see comments
Comments:______
______
Points Earned: ______/20
Now it’s time for you to conduct your experiment! Read the next page for help!
DAILY LOG & OBSERVATIONS (Due JANUARY 8, 2017)
This packet can serve as part of your daily log. Any other observations, tests, data and pictures can be kept in a folder or journal and recorded as though it were a “science fair diary.” Your daily log should begin from the very 1st day of your project. It will include all of the information (question, title, materials, procedures, data tables, graphs, results, conclusion, and any pictures you want to include) from the beginning to the end of your project. Remember to date each entry. This part of the project should be several pages and include many details. It will be displayed in your folder with the final project, so be neat! Your log does not have to be typed. Record all data (measurements) and observations so you can use this for graphs, tables or charts. You may choose to use a composition book or include it in your three prong folder. Remember all papers must be secured. Loose papers will not be graded!
You are responsible for daily entries. Some projects can be tested and retested several times in one or two days. The term “daily log” may not apply. However, your log should include all parts of your project in detail.
Bring your measured data to computer lab so Mrs. Gallagher can help you make a graph!
Date Submitted:
Teacher Input: ___Good As is ___Turned in late ___Needs work, see comments
Comments:______
______
Points Earned:____/ 20
DATA CHARTS OR TABLES AND GRAPHS (DUE: JANUARY 16, 2017)
In your Daily Log, you have collected information that was measurable with rulers, stop watches, counted totals, or some other means. This information now must be put into a form which others can easily understand. Mrs. Gallagher will help you in computer lab to create a line, circle, or bar graph that will explain the data you have collected. You may use tables also. Remember to give it labels and make it clear and neat. Place it inside your binder. Make a copy for your Triptych. Students should have handwritten tables or charts in their log to accompany any computer generated graphs. It is important that students learn how to create their own graphs and data tables.
Here is a well labeled example that was created using Microsoft Excel
Height of Plants Grown around My House in Millimeters
Plants
Students: save a separate google spread sheet to your drive account and share it with your teacher.
Date Submitted:
Teacher Input: ___Good As is ___Turned in late ___Needs work, see comments
Comments:______
______
Points Earned: ____ / 20
WRITTEN RESULTS (DUE: JANUARY 22, 2017)
Your data that you collected has been put into a chart or graph that can be easily understood. Now you need to write to explain what your graph means. Use specific terms and details in a paragraph. A Results include both data and observations, but they DO NOT EXPLAIN WHY the data changed.
- Look at measurements recorded in the Daily Log and on your graph.
- Think about the data and observations and decide what those results mean.re there patterns? Are there trends over time? Is one group stronger than another? Faster? Better in some way?
- Try to use mathematical calculations such as mean, median, mode, and range.
- Your written results should be typed here and included in the Log Section of your foler. You can use what you type on your Triptych.
(Type in another document)
Date Submitted:
Teacher Input: ___Good As is ___Turned in late ___Needs work, see comments
Comments:______
______
Points Earned: /20
CONCLUSION (DUE: January 29, 2017)
Do not worry about negative results. These are results that come out differently than expected. Explain why you think you got the results. If the results turned out exactly as you expected, explain why you think it turned out that way. The conclusion should be included in the Log section of your folder.
Answer these questions in a paragraph:
- Did the data you collected support or refute your hypothesis? Use data you collected to PROVE it.
- What could be done differently next time to get more accurate results?
(Type in another document)
Date Submitted:
Teacher Input: ___Good As is ___Turned in late ___Needs work, see comments
Comments:______
______
Points Earned: /20
PROJECT TRIPTYCH (DUE WEEK OF February 5th, 2017)
Displaying a Science Fair Project
This is an example of how to set up your display board. Use colorful paper, borders, fancy letters, pictures, etc. to make your board visually appealing. Be creative and have fun!
Teacher comments may be listed here or on the project rubric.
Points Earned: / 20