EVERY SCHOOL. EVERY CLASSROOM. EVERY STUDENT. EVERY DAY. Elementary Science Fair 2014-2015 Taking Flight into Science December 3, 2014: Project Judging December 4, 2014: Student Field Day and Award Ceremony 1
Science Fair Parent/Student Guide Dear Families, Newsflash! Your child is about to begin his/her journey with the Duval County 2014-2015 Science Fair! It should be a fun and exciting learning experience through science for your child. The District Science Fair will be December 3 rd and 4 th 2014. However, each school will have its own school based Science Fair prior to the District Science Fair (See your school for school-based Science fair information). Each participant must complete the parent consent form below and return it to the teacher by September 12, 2014. As a parent, your job is only to assist. This Science Fair experience is an opportunity for your child to think and act like a scientist during the Science Fair process. Assist your child with research and any portion of the project that may pose a safety risk. Suppose and assist your child with Internet research and possible visits to the local library. It is recommended that you purchase a display board for the Science Fair Project. The complete Science Fair Package is located on Duval County Public Schools website, www.duvalschools.org Elementary Science Fair. Thank you for your support! Teacher Signature ---------------------------------------------------------------- CUT AND RETURN --------------------------------------------------------- Student /Parent/Guardian Consent Form My child and I have read the Science Fair Student/Parent Guidelines in its entirety. We know when each section is due and that the project requires a display board, science journal and research paper. We also know that this Consent Form is due by September 12, 2014 (School-Based). Student Signature/Date Parent/Guardian Signature/Date Parent/Guardian Contact phone number: School Name: 2
Month Information August Information sent to the school sites and posted on the Elementary Science website: http://www.duvalschools.org September-November Prepare and organize school based Science Fairs September 12 th School Participation Form Due November 7 th Project Entry Form Due December 3 rd Projects delivered to the Prime Osborne Convention Center - 8am 12pm ONLY December 4 th School Field Trip Day - 9am 1:30pm (The Prime Osborne Convention Center will be open to all administrators, teachers, and students to view projects on display) December 4 th Awards Ceremony - 6pm 7pm (Free admission to the public. All winners will be announced during this time.) **Projects cannot be stored at the Prime Osborne and must be removed by students or teachers. All projects left behind will be discarded* 3
Name: Grade: Task Due Date (s) Completed ( ) 1. Parent/Guardian Consent August 29, 2014 2. Science Fair Project Topic selected September 5, 2014 3. Identify a Problem/Question September 8-October 24, 2014 4. Conduct Research on your Topic September 8-October 24, 2014 5. State your Hypothesis September 8-October 24, 2014 6. Prepare your Project (list materials, write procedure in numbered steps, identify your variables) September 8-October 24, 2014 7. Create a graph from your data September 8-October 24, 2014 8. Analyze Data and write a conclusion September 8-October 24, 2014 9. Prepare Display Boards/Projects Due October 27-31, 2014 10. School-based Fairs November 3-7, 2014 11. District Elementary Science Fair December 4, 2014 (judging will occur on 12/3/14) 4
First and foremost, the parent or teacher supervising should use his or her best judgment to ensure the safety of the student and any subjects. Also, to ensure the safety of visitors to the fair, students should include photographs on projects, rather than displaying breakable, valuable or potentially harmful objects--including chemicals, or any kind of food. EYE PROTECTION: Safety glasses should be used for any experiments with chemicals or if any kind of splash may come in contact with your eyes ALLERGIES: Remember human subjects may be allergic to different substances. Always ask about allergies. FIRE: Projects are not allowed that involve fire or burning objects. HUMANS: No experiments should be done on humans (that includes pets). BACTERIA: Due to the potential for inhaling or coming in contact with harmful bacteria, students should avoid projects where they collect bacteria and then grow bacteria cultures. While this can be done safely, the potential exists for a very harmful pathogen to be inhaled or come in contact with the student. OTHER: No experiments should be done using firearms. Experiments cannot include prescription drugs, illegal drugs or alcohol. 5
1. Each project must be related to an area of science. Experiments, investigations, and demonstrations are fine. Posters alone are not science fair projects. 2. All projects must be approved by your teacher before you begin. 3. Projects submitted must be from one of the categories and classifications: Category Life Science Earth/Space Science Physical Science Classification Kindergarten Class 1 st grade Class 2 nd grade Class (No K-2 individual projects will be accepted.) 3 rd -5 th grade team or individual (Teams may have up to 3 students per project, but no more.) 4. Projects should be free standing and not utilize more than 30 inches by 48 inches of space on a table. Plan a neat and attractive display. It is suggested that you purchase a display board from Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, etc. All displays must be placed on a display board. 5. Label all exhibits with plain lettered signs identifying each part of the science method and explaining its relationship to the whole exhibit. 6. Your projects should include a written report or journal entries that provide background information. For example, what you did, how you did it, when you did it, and the results. 7. The following items are NOT allowed: live animals, controlled substances, bodily fluid samples, dangerous chemicals, open flames, and/or explosives. 8. Projects will be judges based on the rubric provided in this packet. Judges will judge your project by the information that is shown on your display board and the oral presentation (if chosen for an interview). 9. You may ask for help in getting materials and in taking pictures, but they should not build the exhibits or write the explanations. 10. The decision of the judges is FINAL!!! 11. All projects will be discarded at the end of the awards ceremony. 6
The list below includes ideas that students may consider when deciding on a Science Fair project. The list is suggestions ONLY and students may choose from the list or develop their own project ideas and question with teacher support if needed. Grades K-2 Grades 3-4 Grade 5 Life Science Senses Habitats and Environments Adaptations Living/Non-Living Invertebrates Food Chains Plants Life Cycles Inside Living Things Animals Plant Life Earth/Space Earth s Surface Clouds, Wind, and Storms Atmosphere and Climate Earth, Moon, and Sun Minerals, Rocks, and Soils Changing Landforms Weather The Solar System Outside the Solar System Physical Science Energy Heat Energy Force and Motion Things Move Machines Electricity and Magnetism Properties Solids, Liquids, and Gases Mixing Matter Light Sound Energy Resources Magnets 7
Duval County Public Schools Elementary Science Fair 2014-2015 School Participation Form The District Elementary Science Fair will be held at the Prime Osborne Convention Center, December 3-4. Please complete this form (one per school). All communication will be made via email with the coordinator listed on this form. (Please print) School Name: Science Fair Contact/Coordinator: Contact Person s Email: Contact Person s Phone Number: Principal s Name: School Science Fair Date (if applicable): For the District Elementary Science Fair, each school is allowed to submit a maximum of 4 (four) projects per school. Principal s Signature: Please return this form on or before September 12 th by one of the methods below. 1. Scan and email to butlers2@duvalschools.org or jackson-kr@duvalschools.org 2. Fax to (904) 390-2614, Attn: Shakeatha Butler or Ruth J. Knight 8
LEFT SIDE CENTER RIGHT SIDE PROBLEM STATEMENT TITLE HYPOTHESIS PROCEDURES MATERIALS ABSTRACT DATA Charts, Graphs, photos, or sketches CONCLUSION Use the project display checklist to ensure that you have thoroughly completed each step. Problem (or question) Background research (with citations) Hypothesis Abstract Procedure, Experiment, or Investigation (use step by step format) Materials Data (charts, graphs, photos, or sketches) 9
Duval County Public Schools Elementary Science Fair Project Entry Form Note: An entry form must be completed for all projects. Project Type(see guidelines): Place an x in the appropriate box below Individual Group (3 per project max) Class: (grade level) Name(s): School: Grade Level: Teacher(s): Project Title: Brief Description of Project: Please attach this form to the top right on the back of each project. 10
Here are some internet sites that may be helpful. Science Buddies www.sciencebuddies.org Science Fair Project Resource Guide http://www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide Science Projects http://www.scienceprojects.com You may also Google the following terms for help. Science Fair Central All Science Fair Projects 11
1. Review the timeline (included) 2. Sketch a rough layout on a piece of paper before posting up your display. 3. Photograph each step of your procedure. 4. Decide on a catchy title for your project. 5. Include all required categories and content on your display. 6. Tell the story of your science project in a logical and easy to read manner. 7. Arrange the items from left to right and from top to bottom. 8. Space elements evenly across your display board, to achieve a balanced and consistent look. 9. Use black or dark colors for type in a font that is easy to read. 10. Make your font large enough to read from four feet away. 11. Label all graphs, charts, and tables. 12. Write descriptive captions for your photos. 13. Be sure to proofread your work, before posting on your display board. 14. BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN!!!! 12
Duval County Public Schools District Science Fair 2014 FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions When will judging occur? Judging of projects will occur on Wednesday, December 3, 2014. Is judging open to the public? No, the judging process is closed to the public. What is the set-up process? Set up of projects will begin at 7am and conclude at 12pm on December 3, 2014. Projects may be delivered by the teacher and/or Science Coordinator at the school or by the parent (s) of the students. There will NOT be any projects accepted after 12pm. Who is responsible for setting up projects, and are parents allowed and students allowed to assist with this process? The teacher and/or Science Coordinator of the school will be responsible for transporting projects to the Prime Osborne Convention Center (unless arrangements have been made with the parents). We encourage participation from everyone (teachers, Science Coordinators, parents, and students) to assist with set-up. What happens to the projects at the end of the Science Fair? All projects must be removed from the premises on December 4, 2014. Any projects left at the conclusion of the Science Fair event will be discarded. Should I complete a field trip packet? Yes, a completed field trip packet is required for the event on December 3 4, 2014. The field trip package information can be obtained from the bookkeeper at your school. Are we responsible for transportation? All schools are responsible to arranging for Transportation for their own bus. Will lunch be served or are the students required to bring a bag lunch? Lunch will not be served; however, students may bring a bag lunch. High school sponsors will be selling food and beverages through a concession stand. A list of items for sale will be available on the Science website. How many students (per school) are teachers allowed to bring to the event? Due to the size of the venue, each participating school is allowed to bring 30 (thirty) students per school to the event and 3 chaperones (10 students per chaperone). What is the number of projects allowed to be submitted per school? Only 4 (four) projects per school may be entered into the Science Fair (i.e. One K - class project, one 4 th grade individual project, and two 5 th grade individual projects). Who attends the Science Fair? The School Field Day (December 4 th from 9am-1:30pm) is open to students and teachers, faculty, and staff of DCPS. The Awards Ceremony of the Science Fair (December 4 th from 6pm-7pm) is open to family and friends. How long will students be at the venue for the field trip and what do they need to bring? Students will be at the venue from 9am-1:30 on December 4, 2014 and there are no items needed for the event. When will awards be presented to the Science Fair Winners? Will winners be notified, prior to the ceremony? Winners will be determined on December 3 rd, once the judging process has been concluded. Science Fair Coordinators will be notified of students selected for an interview. Judging interviews will be conducted on December 4, 2014. Will everyone receive awards or just those persons that won? Everyone will receive a certificate of participation (class projects will receive a certificate for the class). Can my project involve humans, pets, etc.? NO human or pet subjects may be used in any projects. 13