McAllen Independent School District

Transcription

1 McAllen Independent School District rd 5 th Grade Science Fair Booklet It is the policy of McAllen I.S.D. not to discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color or national origin in its educational or career and technology program activities or employment as required by Title IX, Section 504 and Title VI. The district will take steps to insure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation in any educational or career and technology program 1

2 Table of Contents Parent Letter...3 Science Fair Timeline and Entry Blank...4 Experimental Design.5 Tri-fold Set Up Experimental Design...6 Evaluation of Experimental Design.7 Lab sheet for Experimental Design...8 Tri-fold Set Up Inventions.9 Evaluation of Inventions..10 Lab sheet for Inventions...11 Ideas List..12 Websites / Forming Good Questions/Problems General Information & Rules/Steps to a Good Science Fair Project Headers for the Steps of the Science Fair Project

3 Dear Parents, Elementary Science Fair will be held on: (Name of School) (date) Students in grades 3 rd 5 th will be required to complete a science fair project according to the guidelines indicated in this booklet. A campus meeting will be held to assist the students and parents from 3 rd 5 th grade during our Science Night. The staff will be able to answer any questions you may have about creating a Science Fair Project for your child(ren). If your child needs accommodations/modifications for instructional purposes to enable him/her to be successful in creating a science fair project, the campus staff will provide appropriate recommendations according to student need. The teachers from 3 rd to 5 th grade will be modeling an Experimental Design experiment that will help outline the steps they will need to complete during their own science fair project. The 3 rd -5 th graders will have a choice of Experimental Design, or an Invention. The teachers will follow their specific lessons in science by grade level. Each classroom for each grade level will have a specific lab sheet according to what category they are participating in for the Science Fair. Categories are as follows: Grade Level Category Requirements for Project 3 rd 5 th Grade Choice of one of the Categories Experimental Design OR Invention 3 rd Grade 4 th Grade 5 th Grade Reflection Paragraph on what was learned 3 3 graphic representations Day to Day Journal One Page Reflection Paper on what was learned from research and experiment, citing from the 3 sources. The teachers will help facilitate with the research and selection of the project, the writing of each of the parts of the Experimental Design according to what is assigned in class as homework. The parents can go over the Experimental Design parts when assigned for homework, provide the materials that are needed for the project, and supervise over the project at home when it is assigned. At the campus science fair we will select one project that demonstrates the greatest amount of knowledge a student expresses from what they learned from their project for each grade level. There will be one entry from each campus from PK-2 nd grade in the Show Case, one entry from 3 rd to 5 th Grade for Experimental Design and Invention advancing to the District Science Fair. The eleventh annual District Science Fair will be held at Blanca Sanchez Elementary School located at 2901 Incarnate Word Street, McAllen, Texas on Saturday, December 10, I am looking forward in seeing all of your creative ideas for your science fair projects! Go Science!! Sincerely, Principal s Name It is the policy of McAllen I.S.D. not to discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color or national origin in its educational or career and technology program activities or employment as required by Title IX, Section 504 and Title VI. The district will take steps to insure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation in any educational or career and technology program.

4 Science Fair Timeline Due Dates will be determined by the date of your Campus Science Fair. Below you will find a suggested Timeline if you are having it on November 18, DUE DATES ITEMS CONTACT PERSON Anytime between October 3 November 4 each campus can host September 12 - October 7, 2016 October 11-21, 2016 October 24 28, 2016 October 31 November 10, 2016 November 11, 2016 Two Science Nights to assist parents and students working on Science Fair Projects by: 1. Science Night for Pre-K to 2 nd grade 2. Science Night for 3 rd to 5 th grades Teacher models example of an: Experimental Design Start Research and Selection of a Project Teacher modeling Science Fair Project to students: Purpose Materials Procedure Teacher modeling Science Fair Project to students: Results/Graphs/Data Teacher modeling Science Fair Project to students: Conclusions Classroom Judging before the Campus Science Fair and give TOP 2 winners to Campus Staff Classroom Teacher Classroom Teacher Given to: Classroom Teacher Given to: Classroom Teacher Campus Science Fair Coordinator November 14-18, 2016 Possible date for Campus Science Fair Principal November 28 December 2, 2016 Possible date for Campus Science Fair Principal December 9 & 10, 2016 District Science Fair at Blanca Sanchez Elementary Elementary 2901 Incarnate Word Street, McAllen, TX Science Coordinator *(1 st Place Winners from PK-2 nd for Show Case and 1 st Place Winners from 3 rd - 5 th, and Invention that will advance to the District Science Fair.)* (CUT AND RETURN LOWER SECTION BY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016 for Campus Science Fair) Classroom Entry Form Student Name: Grade: Teacher: 3 rd Grade Name of Experimental Design Name of Invention 4 th Grade Name of Experimental Design Name of Invention 5 th Grade: Name of Experimental Design Name of Invention 4

5 Experimental Design: The purpose of a controlled science experiment is to find out what happens to something if you change something else while you keep all other things unchanged. Say you want to test the effect of a certain fertilizer on radish plants growth. For this you need to create two groups of radishes: the control group and the experimental group. The two groups are treated the same (irrigation, light, etc.) besides only one factor, the fertilizer in question which is applied only to the radishes belonging to the experimental group. The fertilizer applied is called the independent variable (independent of any experiment factor and is decided only by your free choice) whereas the result, the growth rate of the radishes in the experimental group, is called the dependent variable (the outcome depends on the independent variable). In a controlled experiment you can test only one independent variable. That means that you can only change one condition in your experiment. If there's more than one independent variable in an experiment it becomes flawed. If you want to test another independent variable, you'll have to conduct another experiment. For example, if in our experiment, in the experimental group, besides the fertilizer also the amount of light is not the same as in the control group then it's impossible to deduce which condition affects the radish plants growth - the fertilizer or maybe the light intensity. 3 rd Grade 5 th Grade Experimental Design: Fair test Scientific Investigation. Variables are directly manipulated, controlled and measurable in an effort to support or not support a causable relationship. 5

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7 Title: Project Number: EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN (3 rd 5 th Grades) Circle One: INDIVIDUAL Projects only I. Scientific Method: Points III. Oral and Written Communication: Points Does the project follow the scientific method? (Question, Hypothesis, Materials, Results, Conclusion) Is the question / problem clearly stated? Are the procedures appropriate, organized, and thorough? Is the information collected accurate and complete? Are the variables and controls clearly recognized and defined? Are the conclusions accurate and based upon results? Did the student clearly communicate the nature of the problem, how the problem was solved, and the conclusions? Are the problems, procedures, data, and conclusions presented clearly, and in a logical order? Did the student clearly and accurately articulate in writing what was accomplished? Is the objective of the project likely to be understood by one not trained in the subject area? Is attention sustained by the project and focused on the objective? III. Sub total Does the project show the child is familiar with the topic? IV. Skill Points Is a list of references or bibliography available? (Multiple Sources cited?) How well did the student design and construct the exhibit? Does the project show effort and good craftsmanship by the I. Sub Total student? II. Creative Ability Points Has the student acknowledged help received from others? Does the exhibit show original thinking or a unique method or approach? IV. Sub Total Is it significant and unusual for the age of the student? V. Thoroughness Points II. Sub Total Problem is sufficiently addressed & work is complete. All Sub Totals: Final Score Is data precise and summarized in more than one graphic form? Variables controlled? Comments: V. Sub Total 7

8 Name: Date: Comparative and Experimental Design: Problem or Question: Observation and Research: Prediction: (Hypothesis) Materials: Procedures of Experiment: Results: Data Collection and Data Graphics Conclusion: 8

9 Invention 9

10 Title: Project Number: Circle One: INDIVIDUAL Projects only INVENTION (3 rd 5 th Grades) I. Scientific Method: Points III. Oral and Written Communication: Points Does the invention follow the scientific method? (Problem, Solution, Procedure, Materials, Results, Conclusion) How well was the problem stated? How well does the solution address the stated problem? Is the procedure included on the tri-fold? Does the procedure give you enough information of how the invention was done? Are the conclusions accurate and based upon results? Schematic Diagram: How effective was the diagram in the illustration of the idea? Tri-fold Display: Is the display well organized. Anything missing? (Problem, Solution, Procedure, Results, Conclusion?) Inventor Report: Is there evidence that research was done? Is a list of references or bibliography available? (Multiple Sources cited?) Does the project show the child is familiar with the topic? III. Sub total I. Sub Total IV. Skill Points II. Creative Ability Points How well did the student design and construct the exhibit? Creativity: Does the invention show imagination in problem solving? Originality: Does the invention provide a novel solution? Complexity: Does the invention show significant depth and attention to detail? Innovation: Is this a pioneering invention or an incremental improvement? Is it significant and unusual for the age of the student? Does the project show effort and good craftsmanship by the student? Has the student acknowledged help received from others? IV. Sub Total V. Invention Relevance Points Impact: How significant is the problem being solved? II. Sub Total Practicality: Could this invention be made into a working device? All Sub Totals: Final Score Contribution: Does the invention solve a problem of importance to others? Comments V. Sub Total 5. 10

11 Name: Date: Invention (3 rd -5 th ) Lab Sheet: Problem: Observation and Research for an Inventor Report: Solution: Materials: Procedures of Invention: Results: Data Collection and Data Graphics Conclusion: 11

12 Websites 1. The Science Project website welcomes you to "the world's largest web site for Science Project ideas, information and support." Students can search for ideas by level: primary, elementary, etc Over 500 Free Science Fair Projects with Complete Instructions Discover the wonderful world of science with these tips and materials from the professionals 4. Science Fair Project Websites --English site: 5. Science Fair Project Websites, experimentos en español : Spanish site: 6. Science Buddies: 7. Science Bob: 8. PBS Kids DragonFlyTV: This site presents the steps involved in creating a science fair project in a clear and easy-to-read manner. It was created with students in mind as the audience. The author is a science teacher, science fair organizer and judge Science Fair Projects For Kids-Android app 12

13 General Information and Rules 1. Projects That Are Not Allowed NO student in the Elementary Division will be allowed to design or conduct any science project that involves firearms, explosives, or discharge air pressure canister devices (i.e. potato guns) growing bacteria or mold at home causing pain, suffering, sickness, or death of an animal or human any activity or substance that presents a danger to the student or the environment, including hazardous chemicals or radioactive materials 2. Display and Safety Guidelines All student projects must follow the guidelines listed below to be allowed to display in the science fair. 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 water supplied by the Display & Safety Committee) 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. 3. Allowed and Encouraged Items Photographs, drawings, stuffed animals/artificial plants, or imitation (play) food should be used to depict the prohibited or discouraged items. Be sure to properly credit/acknowledge all photographers on the display board (Photograph taken by...). Students should always plan on taking photographs of their project steps as a visual explanation of their effort. Students must ask permission before photographing any other individuals for display on project. Students may use a computer and printer for written parts of the project. Electrical projects may use batteries as sources of electricity. 4. Parental Help Some students are fortunate to have parents who have time to help them. However, parents who do the thinking or build the project for them do not really help students. Parents are encouraged to help their children in these ways: Read and discuss this handbook Select projects which are appropriate for the child s age and grade level Plan and manage project work times and clean-up times Take your child to the public library or other places for research Help draw straight lines for a young child Listen to your child s oral explanation of the project Ensure the child s safety Students must list any parental help in the References and Acknowledgements section of the project. 5. On December 10, 2016 ALL students competing in 3 rd - 5 th Grade and Invention MUST be physically present for Judge s Interview in order to qualify for the TOP six places receiving a trophy and prizes. If students are NOT present for interview they will be disqualified from the competition. 13

14 Headers for Comparative Investigation or Experimental Design and Inventi Question Hypothesis Materials Procedures Pictures 14

15 Graphs Charts Research Results Conclusion 15

16 Solution Inventor s Report Problem 16