Ben Franklin AcademyScience Fair

Elementary Program Student Presentation 2013

Logistics

The elementary school science fair is non-competitive

3rd – 5th grade do individual projects following the same rules as the middle school

There are four parts to the project:1. Think about your hypothesis: what do you wonder about?2. Experiment: how will you TEST you hypothesis?3. Show everyone your board presentation.4. Tell everyone about your project with the verbal

presentation.

Schedule

Project descriptions are due March 8th.

The fair will be the week of April 16th-18th.1. 3rd grade April 16th

2. 4th grade April 17th

3. 5th grade April 18th

Let your parents know they can come see the projects from 4-5pm each day.

During the afternoons other grades to come through and look at the projects.

Parent Involvement

Parents can help, but YOU need to do the work◦The goal of the science fair is to provide you with

the opportunity to learn and grow and gain experience for the Regional Fair in middle school.

◦The work should be your own work.◦Your parents can provide guidance but should

not do the work.◦The presentation boards are not expected to be

a flawless presentation.

Science Fair Handbook

The current handbook was developed for both the Middle School and the Elementary School science fairs – be careful on reading it for just the elementary school.

The handbook has a lot of reference information on how to do the projects, come up with experiment ideas and things to include in your project.

Handbook can be found on the BFA website:◦ http://bfacademy.org/science-fair-2013◦ Scroll to the bottom and look for the link

Schedule

Feb 22nd, Science Fair Kick-off.

Mar 8th, project descriptions due.

Apr 16th- 18th Science Fair◦Project boards completed.◦Verbal presentations given.

Step 1: Hypothesis

TEST: Hypothesis◦Formulate a Question:

You should not already know the answer!◦Gather Background Information:

Collect information from several reliable sources.◦Form a Hypothesis:

Based on what you know, can you “guess” the answer? ◦Make a Prediction:

More details on your hypothesis that will help prove (or disprove) the hypothesis.

Include “why” or “because” you make this prediction.

Step 2: Experiment

TEST: Experiment◦ Figure out a way to test your question and prove or disprove your

hypothesis and predictions. Document your test so anyone can repeat your test. Take pictures, diagrams, and write down

the steps you did and what happens at each step. The test should include “inputs”/variables and “outputs”/measurement results.

◦ Make sure your tests are specific, altering only one variable at a time, you can record multiple results from each test.

◦ Be specific on your results.

◦ Sometimes experiments don’t work, you may need to change your test procedures, variables, or measurements.

◦ DO NOT change the results to fit your experiment or expected results. Can you figure out why the results do not match your expectation?

◦ Review your results and form a conclusion from your experiment.

Step 3: Presentation Board

Notice the following in the example presentation board:

• It should include ALL of the steps you have done.

• It is not crowded, busy or confusing.

• It makes each section easy to find.

• It includes only relevant information?

TEST: Show

Step 4: Verbal Presentation

TEST: Tell the judges about your experiment.

You will need to give a short 3-5 minute presentation on your experiment to 2-3 judges.

◦ Prepare what you want to say.◦ Point out the important parts of your presentation board and

experiment.◦ Don’t read what is on the board, tell them about what it says.

Be prepared for questions from the judges!

◦ The judges may interrupt you while you are talking to ask questions.◦ Answer in short clear answers.◦ SMILE, stand up straight and look them at them. ◦ Judges don’t bite! They are interested in your project.◦ Be excited about your project!

Which is better? What is missing?

What’s Wrong with this Board?

Some good examples

There are some rules!

See the handbook for a complete list of rules, but here are some important things to note:◦ No experiments on People, Fish, Insects or Animals.

NONE!◦ SAFTEY FIRST! No dangerous chemicals, flames,

breakable items like glass or light bulbs, dangerous moving parts (like open fans)

◦ Students are responsible for cleanup of their project!◦ Keep valuables at home! (No laptops etc.)◦ NO plagiarism. You can repeat someone else's

experiment, but you may not copy or present their work as your own.

◦ If you are not sure about a rule, ask your teacher.

Registration Form Due Mar 8th

One Last Note:

In 1928, Alexander Fleming was performing tests on the Strep Throat bacteria.

He accidently left a petri dish out overnight and the next morning found that some mold was growing on it that killed his bacteria culture. He very nearly threw the culture in the trash.

His failed experiment discovered the Penicillin mold.

Penicillin started an entirely new type of drug called antibiotics used by the human body to fight infection.

Penicillin has been attributed with saving MILLLIONS of lives.

Sometimes, the best experiments you learn the most from are the Failed ones…

Learn from your mistakes and Keep Moving Forward!