Science

Lee School- School Wide Science Fair

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Experiment vs. Demonstration

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

SCIENCE DEMONSTRATION

Usually more involved and in most real experiments you compare results.

An example would be "What fertilizer works best on plants?" or "What is the strongest brand of paper towel?" In these examples, you ask a question and then perform experiments to get the answer.

is a quick little science "show" that explains a science concept like building a model volcano and watching it erupt.

It shows how something works, but it is not a true experiment.

Scientific Method Checklist

___ 1. Base your idea for an experiment on an observation

___ 2. State your purpose. Usually the purpose of an experiment is stated in the form of a research question

___ 3. Perform background research to find out what is already known about your topic

___ 4. State your hypothesis, a possible answer to a research question

___ 5. Design a detailed procedure, or list of steps

Scientific Method Checklist Cont.

____ 6. Carry out your experiment and collect data

____ 7. Record your results on a data table. Construct a graph of the data you collected (bar graph, line graph, pie graph, pictograph).

____ 8. Write about your results explaining your data.

____ 9. Draw a conclusion from your results. Discuss your data and what it means. Did your hypothesis prove true? What did you learn? Were there any possible errors? How could you improve this experiment next time or what could you do next?

Scientific Method: Words to Know

Variables: Characteristics in an experiment that change or could be changed

Independent Variable: Factor that you change on purpose; also called the manipulated variable

Dependent Variable: Factor that you observe or measure in response to a change in the independent variable; also called the responding variable

Hypothesis: Possible explanation for a set of observations or an answer to a scientific question; must be testable

Scientific Method: Words to Know Cont.

Constants: Characteristics in an experiment that are kept unchanged in all trials

Control: Standards to which you will compare your results

Trials: Number of times an experiment is repeated for each level, or value, of the independent variable. The more trials, the more reliable your results

Key Points to Remember

Students must measure something

All measurements must be made using the metric system

Meters, Liters, Grams, Time, Temp, Tally

Minimum of Three Trials per experiment; the more trials you have the more reliable the data will be

All Science Back Boards have been purchased and will be distributed at a later date

Display Back Board Image

Back Board Requirements

Title

Purpose

Hypothesis

Materials

Procedure

Data: table and graph

Results Paragraph

Conclusion Paragraph

Pictures/ Art Work

Science Fair Grade by Grade Requirements

KindergartenClass Project with a completed backboard

1st GradeClass Project with

a completed back board

Students write their own hypothesis and conclusion of the class project

Science Fair Grade by Grade Requirements

2nd GradeClass Project with a

completed back board

Students will write their own hypothesis and conclusion of the class project

Students will create a data table and graph and draw a picture of their experiment

3rd-5th Grades Individual or partner projects

Students select project topic

Students will follow all steps of the Scientific Method- including collecting data, creating data table and graphs

Reflection Paper about their project- follow questions and rubric

Science Fair Grade by Grade Requirements

6th Grade Individual projects

Students select project topic

Students will follow all steps of the Scientific Method- including collecting data, creating data table and graphs

3 page Research paper about their project topic with 3-5 sources

7th & 8th Grade Individual projects

Students select project topic

Students will follow all steps of the Scientific Method- including collecting data, creating data table and graphs

7th grade-4-5 page Research paper about their project topic with 10 sources

8th grade- 6-7 page Research paper about their project topic with 13 sources

Science Fair Due DatesClassroom winners due Tuesday, Nov 26th to Mrs.

Mulcrone

Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd class project- display only

Grades 3-5: 2 winners per room/ 1st and 2nd place

Grades 6-8: 3 winners per room/ officially judged top 4 winners Daley College

School wide Fair Dec 5th

SUGGESTED TIMELINE FOR CLASSROOM

TEACHERSTopic, Question, & Hypothesis 9/9

Materials and Procedure 9/23

Data: Data Table, Graph, Results Paragraph, Conclusion Paragraph 10/15

Grades 3-5, Reflection Paper 11/15

Grades 6-8, Research paper with sources 11/15

Grades 2-8, Class Presentations 11/18-11/22