SC SCIENCE FAIR IENCE FAIR Calallen Independent School District - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

SC SCIENCE FAIR IENCE FAIR Calallen Independent School District

SCI SCIENCE ENCE FAIR FAIR Calallen Independent School District This year, all GT identified students in grades 1 – 3, Navigation students in Grades 4 & 5, and Navigation students being served in a GT Navigation Science Class in grades 6 - 8 are REQUIRED to participate in the local district science fair. They are NOT required to participate in the Coastal Bend Science Fair – unless they so desire. The new GT State plan requires that:

Why Do Science Fair? Shree Bose, Grand Prize winner of Google Science Fair 2011

Science Experiment Topic Areas – Projects are grouped into TWO Divisions - • Physical Science Area of science which focuses on the study of fundamental behavior of matter, energy electricity, magnetism, chemistry, light, sound, and other elements related to the physical world.

Science Experiment Topic Areas – Projects are grouped into TWO Divisions - • Life Science / Health Science Area of science, which will focus on the phenomenon of life and the preservation of health in all organisms. Emphasis is placed on interactions between plants and animals, function of cells and the genetic mechanism, relationships of the human body systems and the influence of injury, disease, and drugs on these systems.

Types of Investigations • Types of Investigations (based on the Science TEKS)

EX EXPE PERI RIMENT MENT VS. DEMONSTRATION • EXPERIMENT – compares two or more things. An experiment has manipulated variables and one or more controls. • DEMONSTRATION – illustrates a known scientific principle. It does not have a manipulated variable. Its purpose is not to compare, but to demonstrate how something works.

Investigation Type for Coastal Bend There are four types of projects that students may enter. These are based (in part) on the Science TEKS:  Descriptive investigations involve describing and/or quantifying parts of a natural or man-made system.  Experimental investigations involve designing a fair test in which variables are actively manipulated, controlled, and measured in an effort to gather evidence to support or not support a causal relationship.  Comparative investigations involve collecting data on different organisms, object, or features, or collecting under different conditions (e.g., times of year, temperatures, locations) to make a comparison.  Technology or engineering investigations start with identifying a problem or need and tend to have an objective of creating technology or engineering design that improves upon existing tools. Example: Which bridge type can hold the most mass? Can I build a more efficient battery by changing the wiring patterns?

Investigation Type

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD • PROBLEM – The question you are trying to answer. Always state the problem as a question. • HYPOTHESIS – A statement of what is being investigated. The hypothesis is a “best guess” or “educated guess”.

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD • MATERIALS – A complete listing of all materials and equipment used to perform the experiment. The exact amount of each material to be used should be listed. Example: 6 rubber bands (number) 90 ml of water (capacity) 1 kilogram (mass/weight) 1 metric ruler (length)

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD • PROCEDURE – List the steps followed during the investigation. List all details used when performing the experiment so that someone else could perform the same experiment and gather the same data. The experiment should be done using metric measurement . The science experiment should be performed at least three times and the three sets of data averaged together .

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD • OBSERVATIONS – Make clear and careful observations. Carefully collect the experimental data and keep it in your journal. Record the data on charts, tables, and graphs.

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD • CONCLUSION – State the outcome of the experiment. If the hypothesis was not supported – then state so – it is okay for the experiment not to support the hypothesis. Include additional information that would explain why the hypothesis was or was not supported.

VARIABLES AND CONTROLS VARIABLES –  Manipulated – The factor in the experiment that is deliberately changed.  Responding – The factor in the experiment that reacts or is caused to change as a result of the manipulated variable. CONTROLS – The factors that do not change. An experiment may contain numerous controls.

EXAMPLES OF VARIABLES Things that can be changed • Temperature • Water • Air • Light • Soil • Weight • Density • Friction • Motion • Pressure

CHARTS, GRAPHS, AND TABLES • All Science Fair entries must contain charts, graphs, AND tables. (all three required on project) • The charts, graphs, and tables may be computer generated by the student with parental help. • The charts, graphs, and tables may be done independently by the student on graph paper using map pencils or crayons.

CHARTS, GRAPHS, AND TABLES • Chart Provides Information Graph Bar graph, pie graph, line graph, picture graph Table (can take information to turn into a graph)

Display Backboard • The purpose of the BACKBOARD is to illustrate the experiment and conclusions derived from the project. For example, a person viewing the backboard should be able to grasp the general idea of the project and conclusions without talking to the student. • The BACKBOARD can be constructed from poster board, cardboard, Masonite, plywood or other material that will STAND UPRIGHT, and can be 3 ‐ sided or 2 ‐ sided. These are available at local craft and office supply stores. • Size of display boards (inclusive of all materials, headers, decorations, and supports) may not exceed 48" wide, 30" deep, or 72" in height. Due to space limitations, displays that exceed these measurements cannot be accepted. Written material, drawings, and pictures should be securely attached to the display board. Projects will be displayed on tables 36 inches high.

Display Experiment Data: Tables Charts Graphs Neatly

Display Experiment • Items Not Allowed • No organisms; living, dead or preserved (plants or animals) • No human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine) • No human or animal food • No bacteria or mold cultures • No liquids - laboratory/household chemicals including water (Exceptions: water integral to an enclosed apparatus or machine) • No poisons, drugs, controlled or hazardous substances • No sharp items (for example: syringes, needles, pipettes, knives, tacks, nails) • No glass or glass objects unless encased or an integral and necessary part of a commercial product (for example, a computer screen) • No pressurized tanks or containers • No batteries with open top cells (so that battery acid can be seen) • No dirt, soil, gravel, rocks, sand, waste product, etc. • No project, device, activity, or substance that may be deemed hazardous to student health or safety • No photographs or pictures of animals or people in surgical techniques, dissections, or necropsies

Bibliography and Acknowledgements A bibliography and acknowledgements are required for Grades 6 ‐ 8, recommended for grades K ‐ 5.

Investigation Journal • Required for grades 6 – 8 • See http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ for suggested contents and organization • A good time to introduce the habit of documentation and organization of ideas

IMPORTANT INFORMATION • No animal projects will be allowed. • No projects that involve human or animal body fluids are allowed. • Human Participant Studies – Must have a committee approve if – – Physical activities (exertion, ingestion, medical procedures) – Surveys/Questionnaires (must see ahead of time) – Participant testing a student-design invention or concept – Researcher is the subject – Data/reviews of subjects that have identifiables – Behavioral observations with interactions, changing setting, non-public setting

IMPORTANT INFORMATION • Human Participant Studies – That do not have to be approved by a committee – Student designed intervention, prototype, computer applications (testing by student only is not a hazard) – Preexisting data/records reviews (statistics – no interaction with humans) – Behavioral/observations at unrestricted public settings (malls, parks) – no interaction nor manipulation of environment and identifiables – Use of preexisting de-identifiable of humans provided by a professional • Avoid personal pronouns (I, we, you) when writing information on the display board.

DATES AND CONTACTS

East Wood River Elementary Elementary • Grade K - 3 • Grade K - 3 December 2 – December 2 – Projects Due Projects Due Dec. 4 – Judging Dec. 4 – Judging Brenda Wright & Vanessa Chenault Anna Rodriguez * The top 2 entries from each grade level will proceed ahead to the Coastal Bend Science Fair

MAGEE INTERMEDIATE • Grade 4 & 5 December 2 – Projects Due December 4 – Judging Leslie Startz & Tiffany Galley * The top 4 entries from each grade level will proceed ahead to the Coastal Bend Science Fair