STEM Fair Projects

STEM FairProjects Young Scientists Search the Unknown…

Oh No! What do I Do? • What is a Science Project? • What do I do first? • How do I choose a topic? • What is an experiment? • What do I do with all the information?

Communication Tools • Parent Resources: • 2014 STEM Fair Brochure • Parent’s Guide for Science Projects • STEM Fair Parent PowerPoint

What is the importance of Science Projects? • Allows for a variety of learning styles • Real world application • Hands-on approach to learning • Encourages higher order thinking • Allows students to investigate what they are interested in • Students are responsible for their own learning • Curriculum connections

The Planning Phase • Most detailed part… includes: • Journal….journal….journal • deciding what to do • doing some research • forming a hypothesis • writing the experiment plan • KEY: Keep It Simple!

The Experimentation Phase • Conducting the experiment. • Collecting and recording the data. • Analyzing the evidence.

My Title Purpose Graph Hypothesis Data Procedure: Materials Variables Results Conclusion Step-by-Step Directions Research Paper Optional Data Logbook

…In Search of a Topic http://paintcartoon.blogspot.com/2008_03_16_archive.html

How to identify a good question A good science investigation question: Cannot be answered with one word such as; yes, no or purple. Tells you what you need to measure. Is something you can investigate yourself. Is answered with a fact, not an opinion.

Purpose • Tells why the investigation is being done. • It is written as a statement from the topic question. • Example: The purpose of this project is to find out…

Hypothesis • Research the topic and find out background information about your topic of investigation! • After researching your topic, reveal your possible answer to the question being investigated. • Don’t forget to state your reasons why your hypothesis results will occur.

Procedure(The Plan) • Materials - What materials will you need for your experiment? - Be sure to list all materials, the type, and amount.

Variables • Manipulated (Independent ) What is being changed in the experiment on purpose. (What you are testing) • Responding (Dependent) The measurable result of what is being changed in the experiment. (What you are measuring) • Held Constant All the things that are kept the same or controlled during the experiment.

Step by Step Directions(The recipe) • Write them clearly so someone else can follow them. • Be specific. • Remember to indicate how many trials are necessary. Example “Repeat steps 3-6 four more times with each item being tested for a total of five trials”.

Data • Keep the data in a chart or a table. • All the trials of the experiment must be indicated. (5 or more trials) • Data collection should match grade specific math benchmarks. How many milliliters of liquid is absorbed?

Graphs • It is an organized way to display the data collected during the experiment. • There are two main types of graphs.

1. Bar Graphs- (most common type of graph) Displays data that does not occur in a continuous manner Ex. (Number of burgers eaten)

2. Line Graphs- Displays data that occurs in a continuous manner Ex. (Growth of a plant over a controlled period of time) Plant Growth Plant Height (cm) Growth Period

Conclusion • The analysis of the data as it relates to the original hypothesis. It should include: - Whether or not your data supports your hypothesis. - A description of any problems. - What would you do differently next time? - Real world connections.

Showboard • Advertise your project using a Showboard! • Make it colorful • Use a creative title. • Make sure the components are placed so that there is a natural flow to the reader.

Requirements • All projects must have a Data Log • The log should be in the form of a notebook or tablet showing evidence of student work throughout investigation period. • All entries in the log should have dates for each part of the project. • Logs may be hand-written or typed. • Logs should be reflective of the student’s thoughts, questioning, and reasoning.

Sample Data Log Entry • 9/4/2012 My teacher said it is time for STEM fair. I don’t like it because it is a lot of work, but I get to work with a partner and I am really excited. I think it would be cool if I could come up with a topic. I kind of have 1 in mind. • 9/5/2012 I shared my ideas with my teacher. She loved my idea about experimenting with worms. • 9/6/2012 My teacher said I had to have a question that I want to try to answer about worms without harming the worms. I wonder if worms like the dark more than sunny places? I always see worms after it rains. I wonder if worms don’t like being wet? I wonder where I can get worms?

Extra! Extra! ‘Research’ All About It! • A Research Paper may be included and placed in a separate Research Folder. • Extra data, photos, and information may be included in the Research Folder.

…Science is Everywhere! http://www.pickinsplinters.com/2009/10/08/open-thread-thursday-october-8th-2009/#comment-7264

School Entries

For More Information Contact: • Shana Tirado • Elementary Science Supervisor • Shana.Tirado@sdhc.k12.fl.us • Barb Brightman • Elementary Science DRT • Barbara.Brightman@sdhc.k12.fl.us • Michele Wiehagen • Elementary Science DRT for Title I Schools • Michele.Wiehagen@sdhc.k12.fl.us • Christina Calve • Academic Coach • Christina.Calve@sdhc.k12.fl.us • Anita Ventura • Academic Coach • Anita.Ventura@sdhc.k12.fl.us Original presentation Created By: Yvonne Rotolo 2009 Adapted for use by Elementary Science Department, Fall 2010, updated in 2012

STEM Fair Projects