STEM Fair

Shana TiradoSupervisor, Elementary Science

Scientific Method

Hillsborough County STEM Fair Expectations

1. Ask a question and state a purpose2. Research3. Hypothesis4. Procedures(variables, materials, step by step directions)5. Collect data6. Create a graph7. Draw a conclusion

STEM Fair Log

Required for all projects

STEM Fair Log• You will keep everything you do and think

about your STEM fair project in your log.

• Your log is like a diary or journal of your progress in your investigation.

• Keep everything you write in your log even if you change your mind or start over.

Day 1 Entry:• Write today’s date on the first

page of your log.

• Write what you know, think, and wonder about science fair.

Log Expectations• Projects without logs will be disqualified.

• The log IS the project. The show board is just a commercial for the project.

• Each entry should be dated.

• Research notes, measurements, observations, and test results should be included.

How to Select a STEM Fair Topic

Restricted Topics• Projects involving blood, bacteria, mold or

fungus.• Projects using guns or explosives.• Projects causing harm to animals.

Animals

• Permission must be given prior to the start. – Human / Animal Form

• No surgery or dissection may take place

• Neither physiological or psychological harm to the animal can result

• Must be supervised by an adult.

Brainstorming Topics(Grades 3-5)

Help your child make a list of things they are

interested in or have questions about.

Brainstorm at least 10 to get started.

Help your child think of questions …. Things I Like Questions

Baseball Does a baseball roll farther on artificial grass?

Paper Airplanes How does the shape of the wing affect the glide? Rocks Do rocks erode more when exposed to acid rain?

Playing outside What color shirt will keep me cooler outside in the sun?

Creating a testable

STEM Fair question

STEM Fair Questions

How does the type of water affect the growth rate of a plant?

How does the species of the orange affect the amount of juice it has?

How do shade trees affect temperature of areas on our playground?

What is a Good Question?

A good science investigation question:• Can not be answered with one word such as

yes or no. • Tells you what you need to measure.• Is something you can investigate yourself.• Is answered with data that is collected.

Identifying the

Purpose

Research

Research

• Before the project begins, learn more about the topic.

• Include the information learned in the STEM fair log.

• This information will be used to develop the hypothesis.

Hypothesis

ProcedureMaterialsVariablesDirections

Example of Materials List

Materials• 2 – 16oz Office Depot clear plastic cups• 130ml tap water• 1 Thermometer • 16 oz of ice from cafeteria ice maker

• *Include how and when materials were obtained

Examples of Directions1. Gather Materials2. Fill cup to ½ way mark with ice.3. Add 130 ml of tap water4. Swirl cup for 1 minute. (hold by top edges

of the cup)5. Record water temperature. (Keep

thermometer in water, look at eye level)6. Add 2 more ice cubes.7. Repeat steps 4 and 5

DATA

DATA•Data refers to the information gathered in the investigation

•This is in the form of tables and charts.

•You can also use photographs or drawings to show the information you gathered but pictures do not replace the data.

DATAThe more trials you do the more accurate the results of your experiment will be.

The minimum for STEM fair is five trials.

Scientists often repeat experiments thousands of times.

Distance a toy car will Roll in Meters

Graph

Graph Use a bar graph or line graph to display data.

This is the same information gathered and already

recorded on your data chart.

Distance Toy Car Travels When Rolled Down Ramp Onto Various Surfaces

Met

ers

Trials

Key

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSIONMy hypothesis was supported (or not supported) by the data. (Explain) I found out that…

If I were to do this project again, I would change…because…..

The way this is connected to the real world is…

CONCLUSIONA problem I had or unusual event was….

Describe your data in detail. What does your data mean?

Compare the results with you background information.

Explain why the experiment is important.

Data

Materials

OptionalResearch Paper

My TitlePurpose

Hypothesis

Procedure:

Variables

Step-by-Step Directions

Graph

Conclusion

Data Log

Judging Criteria• Scientific Investigation – 40 pts• Thoroughness – 20 pts• Skill – 15 pts• Creative Ability/Originality – 15 pts• Clarity/Neatness – 10 pts

Questions?

Shana Tirado, SupervisorElementary Science

Shana.Tirado@sdhc.k12.fl.us

Developed by Hillsborough County Schools Elementary Science

Department