Canutillo Independent School District

Raising Scientists: Science Fair Projects

Why do we have our students create Science Fair Projects?

Ø Develops Higher Order Thinking Skills in students

Ø Allows children to work as a scientist Ø Allows children to work in-depth on a

topic of interest Ø Provides children an opportunity to

combine many academic skills to produce an end product

Physical Science Category

Ø These are projects that work with the natural sciences such as matter, energy, physics, and chemistry. Physical science is the study of non-living matter.

Life Science Category

Ø The area of science that deals with living organisms, the life process, biology, medicine, and ecology.

Earth Science Category

Ø These are projects that consist and deal with the earth, its composition or changing aspects. This will include geography, geology, meteorology, and oceanography.

What science projects are NOT!

Ø Demonstrations • Volcanoes • Tornados • Model of Solar System • How a light bulb works

Ø  No new information is discovered from these types of projects

Ø  The outcome is already known before the experiment begins (ex. We already know that there are 8 planets in the Solar System)

What Science Fair projects are!

Ø  A test of at least two different items Ø  Involve the use of variables and controls Ø  Involve students in an experiment where the

results can be guessed at but are not known for sure

Ø  The outcome may be different from what the child thought

Experiment Ideas

Ø Move away from doing these types of projects – diaper absorbency, paper towel absorbency, creating electricity with lemons, cleaning pennies with soda, floating an egg, and best popcorn brand projects. These are geared more toward K-2nd.

Experiment Ideas Ø  Are waterproof mascaras really waterproof? Ø  Do clothes take the same length of time to dry if you add a dryer

sheet or fabric softener to the load? Ø  Do all students in the class have the same size hands and feet as

each other? Ø  Do cockroaches have a preference for direction? Ø  Do ants prefer different types of sugar? Ø  Can you taste the difference between foods that contain fat and fat-

free versions of the same product? Ø  Does storage temperature affect popcorn popping? Ø  Does rust change a magnet's power of attraction? Ø  Which has a greater effect on a plant, rain water or tap water? Ø  Does organic material affect the absorbency of water in soil?

Experiment Ideas

Ø  http://www.ipl.org/div/projectguide/choosingatopic.html

Ø  http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml?From=Tab

Ø  http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scifair/index.html

Ø Google students grade level and the words ”Science Fair Project Ideas”

Variables

Ø Manipulated variable- a factor or condition that is intentionally changed in an experiment

Ø Responding variable- a factor or condition that might be affected as a result of the change

Ø Controlled variable- a variable that is not changed

Variables Ø A student wanted to test how the mass

of a paper airplane affected the distance it would fly. Paper clips were added before each test flight. The mass of the plane (number of paper clips added) was the manipulated variable. The responding variable was the distance flown. The controlled variable was the fact that the same plane was used for each trial.

Scientific Report Ø  All District Science Fair Projects will require a

Research Paper / Report. Ø  Reports are to include:

l  Introduction l  Body

• Related Researchl  Conclusion l  Resource Page

• 1 web resource• 2 Book Resources

Ø  Sweepstakes judging will be on the board and report only.

Judging Sheet

Judging Sheet

Don’t forget…

Ø  Must have clearly stated variables and controls. Ø  Must have 3 trials – test the project 3 times

exactly the same way and record your data for each trial/test.

Ø  Grade level vocabulary Ø  When testing humans, must test 10 or more. Ø  Make a real life connection with your topic Ø  Research Paper/Report

The Scientific Method Ø Question / Purpose / Problem Ø Hypothesis Ø Materials Ø Procedure Ø Results Ø Conclusion

CISD Science Fair Rules Ø  Projects must be the work of the student. Teachers and parents are

only to provide guidance, encouragement, and constructive criticism. Ø  Participants must be present at the time of judging for full point

opportunity. Ø  Exhibits must meet size specifications (48 inches by 48 inches) and all

must stand on their own. Ø  Only the exhibit board, science report and the student are allowed to

be present for judging. Ø  The following cannot be displayed for any categories: glass, liquid, living

organisms, electrical equipment, or hand held binders for data collection.

Ø  Living organisms (animal, insects and humans) cannot be harmed in the process of the science experiment.

Ø  Bloody/bodily fluid or harmful bacteria (salmonella, e-coli, etc.) cannot be used in an experiment.

Ø  The student and/or campus name will not appear on the board or on student clothing. Identification number labels will be issued to participants prior to the district science fair.

How To Display a Project

Science Fair Packet

Ø  Timeline Ø  CISD Science Fair Rules Ø  Scientific Method Steps Ø  CISD New Judging Form Ø  Board Display

Questions?

• E-mail Marlena Zimmerman

mmora@canutillo-isd.org Call 877-7504 and leave a message

• Visit the CISD webpage for this power pointand web links.