The Rhodes School Science Fair Information Packet K 2 nd Grade

The Rhodes School Science Fair Information Packet K 2 nd Grade

September 2014 Dear TRS Parents and Students, Welcome to the Science Fair! The purpose of the Fair is to cultivate curiosity and enthusiasm for science in all students (PreK4-6 th grade) by providing opportunity for them to question, explore, discover, and share newfound knowledge with others. Science Fair projects are produced at home, therefore parental assistance and support is essential to your child s success. This packet is your guide to help your student prepare a project and exhibit for the school Science Fair in October. This packet includes: Schedule of Assignments Project Ideas Definitions & Science Fair Ideas Oral Presentation Rules Assignment forms The first step is to help your child decide what science project he/she wants to do. Please review this packet carefully with your child, then choose a project your child is interested in and that you deem appropriate for his/her grade and ability level. Need ideas or help? This packet lists several ideas and suggestions and you may contact your child s Science teacher with questions or help with project ideas. Once you choose your project, fill out the project plan form and turn it in to your teacher by the September 19th due date. Use the checklists at the back of the packet to pace yourself and help meet deadlines. Each deadline signifies that an assignment needs to be returned to teacher and will be taken for a grade. Good luck & have fun! Kenitra Bennett kbennett@rhodesschool.org Science Fair Lead --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN: I have reviewed the Rhodes School Science Fair information and all due dates with my child and understand that a final project MUST be submitted on October 28, 2014 (REQUIRED). I further acknowledge that my child understands his/her responsibility to complete much of the work for his/her project at home, according to the enclosed timeline. I also understand that a rubric will be used to evaluate my child s completed project. Parent/Guardian Signature Date Student Signature Date

Schedule of Assignments Due Date September 10, 2014 September 19, 2014 October 10, 2014 October 24, 2014 **October 28,2014 *by 8:20am October 29, 2014 Assignment *Science Fair packets go home with students. *Parents review with students and choose a topic. Assignment #1 is due: Question & Hypothesis (science grade) Assignment #2 is due: Materials & Procedures (science grade) Assignment #3 is due: Data, Results & Conclusion (science & math grade) Display Board due (science grade) Oral Presentation **All Science Projects must be turned in by this date** October 30, 2014 Science Fair Night

How much salt does it take to float an egg? What kind of juice cleans pennies best? What dish soap makes the most bubbles? Do watches keep time the same? On which surface can a snail move faster dirt or cement? What brand of raisin cereal has the most raisins? How can you measure the strength of a magnet? Do ants like cheese or sugar better? Can the design of a paper airplane make it fly farther? Do roots of a plant always grow downward? Can you tell what something is just by touching it? What kind of things do magnets attract? What foods do mealworms prefer? How long will it take a drop of food dye to color a glass of water? What is the best air pressure for tires on an A.T.V., three-wheeler? Can you tell where sound comes from when you are blindfolded? Can plants grow without soil? Does warm water freeze faster than cool water? In my class who is taller- boys or girls? Do different types of apples have the same number of seeds? Do bigger seeds produce bigger plants? K-2 nd Science Project Ideas Which materials absorb the most water? Do wheels reduce friction? What materials dissolve in water? What is the soil in my schoolyard made of? Do plants grow better with tap water or distilled water? What color of birdseed do birds like best? What holds two boards together bettera nail or a screw? Will bananas brown faster on the counter or in the refrigerator? Does temperature affect the growth of plants? Do mint leaves repel ants? Does a ball roll farther on grass or dirt? Do all objects fall to the ground at the same speed? Does anyone in my class have the same fingerprints? Which travels faster- a snail or a worm? Which paper towel is the strongest? Can plants grow from leaves? Which dissolves better in water-salt or baking soda? Can things be identified by just their smell? With which type of battery do toys run longest? What type of line carries sound waves best? Can the sun s energy be used to clean water?

What percentage of corn seeds in a package will germinate? Does an earthworm react to light and darkness? Does the human tongue have definite areas for certain tastes? Can same-type balloons withstand the same amount of pressure? Does the viscosity of a liquid affect its boiling point? Does surrounding color affect an insect s eating habits? Do children s heart rates increase as they get older? Can you use a strand of human hair to measure air moisture? What materials provide the best insulation? Is using two eyes to judge distance more accurate than using one eye? Do different kinds of caterpillars eat different amounts of food? What plant foods contain starch? What keeps things colder- plastic wrap or aluminum foil? Does heart rate increase with increasing sound volume? Do boys or girls have a higher resting heart rate? Do liquids cool as they evaporate? Which way does the wind blow most frequently? Does the size of a light bulb affect its energy use? For how long a distance can speech be transmitted through a tube? What type of soil filters water best? K-2 nd Science Project Ideas Do all colors fade at the same rate? Which brand of diaper hold the most water? In my class, who has the smallest handsboys or girls? Which kind of cleaner removes ink stains best? Does a plant grow bigger if watered by milk or water? How long are yellow lights at various intersections? Does a baseball go farther when hit by a wood or metal bat? Do living plants give off moisture? Using a lever, can one student lift another student who is bigger? What gets warmer- sand or soap? Which kind of glue holds two boards together better? Do pre-wash products get clothes cleaner? What waterproofing agents work best? How does deodorant effect clothes? Which paint protects wood the best? Does one brand of shampoo get hair cleaner than another brand of shampoo? Does one brand of suntan lotion absorb water more quickly that another brand of suntan lotion? Do plants grow better with artificial or natural light? What are the effects of root bounding on plant growth? What baseball bat hits the farthest- wood or aluminum?

Science Fair Ideas 1. Cyber Fair: See sample fair projects, look through other student's examples, and see the steps involved in judging projects. http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/welcome.html 2. Experimental Science Projects: Outlines steps in preparing a project (complete with an ideas list), and suggests the best ways to prepare one at different grade levels. http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/sciprojintro.html 3. Science Buddies: Use the topic selection wizard to help you figure out what science projects interest you most. Once you have a topic, get help doing research, setting up the experiments, and completing them. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ 4. Science Fair Central: Includes cool project ideas, a science fair handbook, reviews of students' experiments, and more from Discovery Channel School. http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/ 5. Science Fair Project Resource Guide: Samples, ideas, magazines, resources, and more. Includes a list of sites that explain the Scientific Method. http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/ 6. Scientific Method: Describes the five steps of the Scientific Method that are helpful when creating a science fair project. Includes examples of wording and sample projects to explain certain steps. http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/getting- Started/Investigation.html 7. Super Science Fair Projects: Guide to projects, topics, experiments, and tips for successfully completing a science project, including the six steps of the Scientific Method. http://www.super-science-fair-projects.com/

Definitions 1. Scientific Method: a set of steps scientists follow to answer questions about the world. 2. Hypothesis: what you think will happen based on what you know. 3. Experiment: a test you plan to find the answer to a question 4. Data: information you collect in your experiment 5. Record: to put something in writing, pictures or music

Oral Presentation 1. Introduce yourself. 2. Give the title of your project and its purpose. 3. Briefly explain why you became interested in this project. 4. Explain your procedures, relate the number of trials, and show your results using tables, charts, or graphs. 5. Explain your conclusions (what you ve proven). If there were any errors or problems, explain how this may have affected the experiment s outcome. 6. Tell what you might do differently next time. 7. Explain how your project can help others. **Suggestions** Smile and be polite Stand straight and still Keep eye contact with your audience Project your voice so that everyone can hear you Stand to the side of the display board Show enthusiasm!

-SAMPLE- The Rhodes School SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT EVALUATION FORM GRADE PROJECT NUMBER TOTAL SCORE DESCRIPTION/TITLE I. CREATIVE ABILITY: POOR EXCELLENT A. Does the project show originality 1 2 3 4 5 in the selection of the problem and the use of equipment/materials? II. SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT: A. Is there a clearly stated problem/ 1 2 3 4 5 question? B. Is there a clearly stated hypothesis? 1 2 3 4 5 C. Is there evidence of a manipulated 1 2 3 4 5 and controlled variable? D. Is the method of data 1 2 3 4 5 acquisition and analysis explained? III. THOROUGHNESS: A. Does the display board effectively relate execution of the project from beginning to end? 1 2 3 4 5 B. Is there an observation log or journal? 1 2 3 4 5 C. Is the conclusion reflective of the investigation? 1 2 3 4 5

IV. DISPLAY: POOR EXCELLENT A. Is the visual display presenting the topic neat and free of obvious errors in spelling, grammar, etc. 1 2 3 4 5 B. Does the visual display present the topic in an understandable and appropriate manner for the grade level of the student? 1 2 3 4 5 V. EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION POOR EXCELLENT A. Title, problem/question, materials used, 1 2 3 4 5 procedure followed, data, and conclusion were presented in an appropriate manner. B. Presentation displayed appropriate level of 1 2 3 4 5 preparedness and was completed within a 5 minute time frame. COMMENTS (optional): Total score (120 possible): Evaluator s Name

The Rhodes School Science Fair Forms Packet K-2 nd Grade These forms include checklists and assignment forms to be turned into Science teacher for grade.

Science Fair Assignments Student Name: Grade Teacher: Question Assignment #1: due September 19, 2014 Hypothesis

Assignment #2 due October 10, 2014 Materials Student Plan Checklist Procedures (detailed steps) Student Plan Checklist

Assignment #3 due October 24, 2014 Conclusion Student Plan Checklist

Display Board due by October 28, 2014 Display Restrictions: A. Liquids, food, accessible chemicals (including household products), gases, or open flames may not be displayed. Wrappers may be used on displays instead. B. Controlled or illegal substances, including drugs, alcohol, or tobacco may not be displayed. C. Animals and animal parts (exception: hair, nails and teeth) may not be displayed. Pictures or student-made models may be used instead. D. Micro-organisms, molds, or fungi cultures may not be displayed. Pictures may be used instead. E. Knives or any other sharp objects should not be displayed. Use plastic items instead of glass ones when possible. F. Liquids MAY NOT be used as part of a display. They may be simulated by using blue plastic wrap, etc.