Agenda: Overview of Science Projects CMS Showcase Mid Columbia Science Fair Registration for MCSF Forms, and Special Approval Projects Deadlines

Students are expected to: Generate a question that can be answered through scientific investigation. This may involve refining or refocusing a broad and ill-defined question.

Students are expected to: Plan and conduct a scientific investigation (e.g., field study, systematic observation, controlled experiment, model, or simulation) that is appropriate for the question being asked. Propose a hypothesis, give a reason for the hypothesis, and explain how the planned investigation will test the hypothesis. Work collaboratively with other students to carry out the investigations.

Students are expected to: Communicate results using pictures, tables, charts, diagrams, graphic displays, and text that are clear, accurate, and informative.*a Recognize and interpret patterns — as well as variations from previously learned or observed patterns — in data, diagrams, symbols, and words.*a Use statistical procedures (e.g., median, mean, or mode) to analyze data and make inferences about relationships.*b

Students are expected to: Plan and conduct a controlled experiment to test a hypothesis about a relationship between two variables. *c Determine which variables should be kept the same (controlled), which (independent) variable should be systematically manipulated, and which responding (dependent) variable is to be measured and recorded. Report any variables not controlled and explain how they might affect results.

Students are expected to: Prepare a written report of an investigation by clearly describing the question being investigated, what was done, and an objective summary of results. The report should provide evidence to accept or reject the hypothesis, explain the relationship between two or more variables, and identify limitations of the investigation.*c

Students are expected to: Generate a scientific conclusion from an investigation using inferential logic, and clearly distinguish between results (e.g., evidence) and conclusions (e.g., explanation).

The CMS Science Showcase is a chance for students to conduct an investigation and celebrate science!

A science fair project is when students research a topic they find interesting, design and conduct an investigation, then communicate their investigation by creating a display board.

Pick a topic Create a hypothesis Design an experiment Perform the experiments Collect data Write down observations Draw conclusions from the results

This is the hardest part! It is best to choose a topic in an area that

your child is interested in. (Fishing) Think of something that you can test. (Do

lures really biodegrade?) Once you have chosen an area your are

interested in, narrow down your topic. Always do a test run of the experiment. Choose a topic that is testable and

produces numbers!!!

Area of interest: Plants◦Topic: What fertilizer causes

plants to grow the fastest?

Area of interest: Soccer- Topic: How does the amount of air in a soccer ball alter the distance it travels?

I think this is the easy part because all you have to do is guess

Write your hypothesis in an if…then statement.

Example:◦ If I test the growth of plants using

nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers, then the plant with potassium fertilizer will grow the fastest because plants require minerals.

Since you know what you want to test, try to come up with an experiment that will give you an answer to your question.

Example:-Summary of experiment:I am going to grow four lima bean plants

and measure how tall it is every day (for 20 days). Every day I will also add 1/8 cup of fertilizer.

Make a chart and write down your results.

Day 1Day 1 Day 2Day 2 Day 3Day 3 Day 4Day 4

Plant 1Plant 1 2 cm2 cm 3 cm3 cm 2 cm2 cm 5 cm5 cm

Plant 2Plant 2 2 cm2 cm 1 cm1 cm 1 cm1 cm 3 cm3 cm

Plant 3Plant 3 5 cm5 cm 4 cm4 cm 5 cm5 cm 6 cm6 cm

Plant 4Plant 4

(Control)(Control)

1 cm1 cm 0 cm0 cm 2 cm2 cm 1 cm1 cm

Make sure you write down all you see.◦ Color◦ Texture◦ Smell◦ Any problems you notice

Answer the following questions when writing your conclusion:◦ What was the goal or purpose of this project?◦ Answer what happened.◦ Cite your High Average and Low Average data◦ Explain the difference in the data.

Register online (www.mcsf.net) Prior Approval Required for

◦ Animals (Vertebrates)◦ Human subjects (including surveys)◦ Human/animal tissue◦ Hazardous chemicals, bacteria◦ Parents need to fax paperwork to Mid Columbia

SRC prior to experimentation If you have a question whether it should be

prior approved…DO IT!

Thank you for coming tonight!!!