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Instructional Strategies

Inquiry Based LearningTechnology Integration Research, Journal Keeping and Writing
Information Sources, Resources and Assessment Science Fair and Other Programs Differentiation

Science Fair and Other Programs

THE IMPORTANCE OF A SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Steps in a Scientific Method to be used for Science Fair

  1. Purpose: Write a specific problem statement that can be clearly understood.
  2. Research: Investigate the topic in library materials, technology, sources, from experts and other available, reliable resources.
  3. Hypothesis: Predict the expected results of this scientific study based on consistent conditions, exact measurements and thorough research.
  4. Experiment: Test the hypothesis for correctness by measuring, observing, and replicating the experiment always under the same conditions.
  5. Analysis: Able to answer: What happened? What steps were most important? How do the outcomes compare to the hypothesis? What observations during the experiment were expected or unexpected? What are the tentative conclusions? Can the information be graphed?
  6. Conclusion: Summarize the process by asking questions like: Did the results confirm or conflict with the hypothesis? What was learned from the experiment? Are there any suggestions or new questions to investigate? In what ways was this investigation important?

Objectives:

  1. To give students ideas as to how to begin a science fair project.
  2. To work through a step-by-step scientific method and explain what is involved in each area.
  3. To give students direction as they prepare their project presentation.
  4. To give students an insight as to what judges are looking for in science projects.
  5. To encourage students to explore science and understand that winning awards is not the only goal of science fairs.

 

STUDENT MATERIALS

PREPARING A SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT

Area of Interest:

To begin, you need to pick an area of science you are interested in. The areas of interest are Earth Science, Life Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Physical Science, Consumer Science, and Product Testing.

Scientific Problem Solving Process:

After deciding an area of interest, use the following scientific problem solving process that will prepare you and guide you through your experiment and writing a conclusion. Be sure to log into a journal everything you do, discover and conclude about your project.

Purpose:
The purpose shows that the project intends to solve some problem that others can learn or benefit from. Write a specific problem statement that can be clearly understood.

Research:
Once the purpose has been stated, begin researching. Be thorough and record all information in a journal. Check out library sources such as science books and magazines. Learn from past studies of some experiments already done. Seek out experts and technology sources on the subject to which your project pertains.

Hypothesis:
The hypothesis is your prediction as to what will happen as a result of the
experiment. Predicting the expected results of this scientific study is based on consistent conditions, exact measurement and thorough research.

Experiment:
The experiment is to test the hypothesis for correctness. There are four parts to the experiment.

  • Write a materials’ and equipment list you will need.
  • Write a step-by-step process you are going to follow.
  • Identify the experimental variable that is going to change.
  • Identify the controlled variables that will be kept the same.
  • When you have completed the steps, it is time to do your experiment. As you do the experiment, collect the data you observe happening or have happened by writing them in your log. Pay attention to correctness in measuring and observations. Do the experiment at least three (3) times, always keeping the conditions of the experiments the same. Be sure you have gathered enough data for your conclusion.

Analysis:
The analysis is deciding what the data means you logged in your journal. Ask questions such as:

  • What happened?
  • What steps were most important?
  • How do the outcomes compare to the hypothesis?
  • What observations during the experiment were expected or unexpected?
  • What does the data mean?
  • What are the first-thought conclusions?

The best way to display the data is to put it as a graph. A graph is like a “picture” of your results. In a science investigation, the experimental variable is always written at the bottom of the graph (horizontal axis). The information you collected by
measuring, weighing, or timing is recorded up and down on the left side of the graph (vertical axis).

Conclusion:
The conclusion is the summary of your experiment. It would answer questions such as:

  • Did the results confirm or conflict with the hypothesis?
  • What was learned from the experiment?
  • Are there any suggestions or new questions to investigate?
  • In what way was this investigation important?
  • Is there anything that could be changed to make it a better experiment next time?

Display Board:
When you are finished with a scientific problem solving process you need to create a display for your project so your ideas can be shown at a classroom, grade, or school science fair. The display should have these things or qualities:

  • It should be physically sound and durably constructed, able to stand by itself.
  • It should show all the steps of the problem solving process.
  • It should be neat, edited and easy to follow.
  • Your journal is to be in front of the display.
  • The items you used and the results of the experiment may be placed in front of the board as long as they follow the fair guidelines.

Oral Presentation

Since it is likely that you will be discussing your project with a judge, practice a short oral presentation before going to the fair. Know these things:

  • Scientific information you learned in your research.
  • What you did at each step to the scientific problem solving process.
  • What you learned from your project.
  • What are questions you have now that need to be answered?
  • What would you change if you did the experiment again?

Try to answer the questions the best you can, but don’t dwell on answers you don’t know.

Thoroughness

These are the things that judges look for as they look and listen:

  • Goals met in your project
  • Creativity in your purpose and approach
  • Clarity
  • Appropriate methods used
  • Appropriate equipment used
  • Appropriate for grade level
  • Knowledge of the subject
  • Enthusiasm
  • Individual effort shown
  • Complete journal

 

Science Fair Committee Guidelines

Two months before the fair

  1. Meet as a committee to review guidelines and timeline
  2. Give teachers the science fair packet and timeline.
  3. Generate enthusiasm.
  4. Contact judges.

One month before the fair

  1. Purchase awards, certificates, etc.
  2. Confirm judges.
  3. Get tentative list of participants.

Two weeks prior to the fair

  1. Get final list of projects.
  2. Reconfirm the judges.
  3. Invite parents to the fair.

The day before the fair

  1. Set up the projects.
  2. Make sure all materials are available for the judges.
  3. Have the display open to parents.

After the fair

  1. Clean up.
  2. Send thank you notes to the judges etc.
  3. Meet with your committee to review the fair and record helpful hints for next year.

* Remember to make arrangements to have projects “saved” for upcoming fairs!

 

Teacher Timeline

Several months before the science fair

  1. Set up a discovery science center in your classroom.
  2. Work through several class projects and experiments with your class. Emphasize the scientific process.
  3. Encourage your media specialist to locate books and other reference materials that relate to science topics.
  4. Make sure the school custodian is notified of the date and told what furniture is needed.

Six to eight weeks before the fair

  1. Inform your students of the fair.
  2. Generate interest by talking about last year’s fair (if possible).
  3. Generate ideas for science projects.
  4. Send home a note to make parents aware of what is to be expected from students.
  5. Set up “help sessions” for the students who are participating.

Two weeks before the fair

  1. Send home a confirmation letter to parents restating the schedule of events.
  2. Check with students about their projects. Work in “mini-classes” on aspects of project.
  3. Make a class list of participants and project titles/topics.

Prior to the fair

  1. Help students display their projects.
  2. Make sure all information is available for the judges.

Fair day(s)

  1. Be supportive and encouraging.
  2. Visit the fair with your class. Discuss the projects.

* You might want to photograph the projects for later discussion and an “attention-getter” for next year.

 

SCIENCE FAIR JUDGING SHEET

5th & 6th Grade (Sample)

I. JOURNAL/LOG (Scientific Thought)
All sections of the scientific process with their observations, data, and measurements need to be recorded with dates on numbered pages in the journal/log. Below are the sections that are needed in the journal.

  1. Title Page
    *All components of title page (i.e. title, subject, student, grade, date, school) included.
  2. Table of Contents
    *All sections of scientific process and a bibliography listed with page numbers.
  3. Scientific Method

    Purpose:
    * Problem stated as a question.
    Research:
    * Information gathered from at least two different sources.
    * Research notes taken in student’s own words.
    Hypothesis:
    * Clear statement with prediction.
    Experiment:
    * Detailed list of materials.
    * Step by step format of procedure.
    * Experimental variable identified.
    * Controlled variable identified.
    * Replicated at least 3 times.
    * Data recorded.
    * Sufficient data taken for completion of project.
    Analysis:
    * Graph accurately made.
    * Graph reflected collected data.
    * Graph showed comparison.
    Conclusion:
    * Reasonable.
    * Based on data.
    * Revealed evidence of student learning.

  4. Bibliography
    * Listed sources used to get information about project.

* Scoring Guide (for this page) 2 = Complete 1 = Partial 0 = No Attempt

II. INTERVIEW

Able to explain:
* Scientific information in field studied.
* Use of scientific process.
* Other approaches and theories.
* Answers to interview questions.

III. THE DISPLAY

* Neat and edited.
* Scientific process outlined.
* Easy to follow.
* All components of project self-explanatory.
* Physically sound and durably constructed.

IV. CREATIVITY AND ORIGINALITY

Creativity and originality were shown in:
* Research question asked.
* Approach to solving problem.
* Analysis of data.
* Interpretation of data.

VI. SKILLS

* Appropriate for grade level.
* Demonstrated knowledge and skills for grade level.
* Appropriate equipment used.
* Appropriate methods used to solve problem.

VII. INDIVIDUAL EFFORT

* Student was well rehearsed during the interview.
* Display was creative in design.
* Journal and display showed a close relationship.
Or

VII. TEAMWORK

* Tasks and contributions of members were listed in journal.
* Evidence of each member’s equal participation was shown.
* Each member was familiar with all aspects of project.

* Scoring Guide (for this page): 3 = Complete 2 = Partial 1= Attempted 0 = No Attempt