EARThS Science Fair

Parent Informational Meeting

Who can participate?

• Extending learning• Encourage your child to participate individually, but

science fair is an optional activity. • Grades K-2 can choose a model or an observation • Grades 3-4 can choose a model, observation or an

experiment • Grade 5, choose a model or experiment, an

experiment is highly recommended!

• For individual projects, partners are OK but recognize more time is involved due to scheduling.

Date Complete Start: __________ 1. With your parents, read your copy of the handbook. 2. Select a model to make. __________ 3. Get a notebook and title it Model Log.

Keep all your sketches and information in your Model Log.

__________ 4. Make drawings of your model. When you have

your final drawing make a list of materials you will need.

__________ 5. Gather the materials you need for your model.

Build your model.

__________ 6. Take pictures as you build your model for your display.

__________ 7. Research information to write your paragraph.

Your paragraph will be about the real object/topic.

__________ 8. Write your paragraph about how your model works. __________ 9. Begin your display.

See Your Display in the Handbook. __________ 10. Bring your display to school.

Include your Model Log. Due: __________ 11. Family and school viewing.

Note: This is a checklist to help guide you and your child from the model handbook.

Model

A model does not have a hypothesis and does not need to be tested.

Steps for Making a Model

1. Decide what you want to make a model of. 2. Gather information about how the real object/topic works. 3. Write a paragraph about the information you gathered. 4. Make sketches of your model until you come up with one that you would

like to build. Include the final diagram on your display. 5. Build your model. 6. Write a paragraph about how your model works and compare it to the real

object or topic.

Your Display

Title of Model

Diagram of Model

Information on Real Object

How Does It Work

Observation Planning Page

State the purpose: What do I want to find out?

Write the hypothesis: What do I think will happen?

Design the observation: How will I observe what I think will happen? Materials:

Procedure: What steps will you take when you conduct your observation?

Record and Analyze: What happened?

Conclusions: What did I find out and how does it compare with what I thought would happen?

Observation

Your Display

Steps:

1. Decide what you are going to observe. 2. Be methodical! Plan out your observation. 3. Conduct your observation. Draw or take photos as you go.

Organize your data. 4. Discuss and record your conclusions. 5. Make your display on a project board. 6. Be creative and have fun!

**Make sure that you really understand your observation. If someone asked you about it, you should be able to orally explain what you did and what you discovered.

Title By:__________

Record and Analyze Data (pictures, charts, graphs)

Conclusions

Purpose

I want to see if ________.

Hypothesis

I think ______.

Materials - - - - Procedure 1. 2. 3.

EARTHS Magnet School SCIENCE FAIR

HERE ARE THE BASIC RULES

1. ALL PROJECTS MUST BE APPROVED BY TEACHER BEFORE

BEGINNING. 2. Only one space will be provided for each project. 3. The backboard should be a three-sided shape and should not be taller

than thirty inches. 4. All experiments using vertebrate animals or human as subjects should

cause no harm or undue stress to the subject. These projects should have written approval from the teacher and/or a veterinarian before beginning the experiment.

5. No live vertebrate animals should be exhibited (models, stuffed animals or photographs should be used instead.)

6. Students should avoid doing experiments involving bacteria cultures. Exception may be granted with special permission.

7. No controlled substances should be exhibited. 8. No dangerous or combustible chemicals should be displayed. Rockets or

engines must not contain fuel. 9. No open flames will be permitted. 10. Student experimenters should wear safety goggles (eye) protection and

follow standard safety practices when working with fire, hot liquids, or caustic chemicals. Parent approval and supervision is required for these projects.

11. All projects using household electricity must conform to standard wiring practices and safety. If exhibit requires electricity, the student must furnish an extension cord (minimum length 10 feet) with a grounded three-prong plug; this requirement must be noted on entry form.

12. Projects may be assembled at the exhibit; they may not be built there. 13. Expensive or fragile items should not be displayed. Valuable items

essential to the project should be simulated or photographed. 14. Collection (i.e. mineral, shells, feathers, etc.) can be protected with a

covering of plastic wrap. 15. Items to be displayed in front of backboard should be adequately secured

(i.e. batteries, wire, switch, and motor – secure to a piece of plywood and place in front of backboard).

16. Carefully pack all materials when transporting to and from school. 17. Clearly mark your name and room number on the back of your project.

Science Fair Experiment Worksheet and Entry Form should be securely attached to the back of the project.

How can parents help?• Review with your child, science topics they have studied

in class (ask your teacher if they can’t remember units, especially in the younger grades)

• Take a lot of time talking about a topic they would like to do and what it might look like.

• Meet with your child during each time frame and check in with them about their progress. Ask them to share with you what they have completed. Take time to ask your child about their thinking-what have they completed? What are they going to do next? Ask your child if they need any materials or support from you along the way.

Important Notes:

Notes about independent challenge: • While this project is done at home, it is meant as

a student discovery project. Support your child, not helping them too much.

• Acknowledge effort, even if the final product is not what you would do. Allow your child to take ownership for their own project.

Due date:• Bring projects to the physical science lab on

THURSDAY 5/21, they will be on display during Open House for families and school viewing!

What might it look like?

Questions??

Once you and your child have decided what type of project you would like to do, please print out the appropriate handbook from the school website and take it from there.