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2007-2008 SCIENCE FAIR HANDBOOK
Grades Third Six Houston Independent School District Janice Arceneaux, Manager Sandy Antalis, Elementary Science Content Specialist The purpose of this publication is to provide teachers, science fair coordinators, and/or science fair committees with suggestions for organizing and promoting a successful school science fair. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Table of Content
..2 Science Projects
..3 Scientific Method vs." Experimental Design
4 Getting Started
. 5 Establishing a Timetable for your School Fair
.
6 TIPS
.7 Science Fair Information
.8 Science Fair Rules and Regulations
.. 9 Research Plan with Application for Research
11,12 Form required for all projects involving hazardous materials
..13 Informed Consent Form
14 Science Fair Project Dos and Donts
.15 Bibliography or Literature Cited
...16 SCIENCE PROJECTS A science project is a planned undertaking, in some phase of science, calling for problem-based constructive thought and research on the part of the student(s). There are several basic steps that a student should follow in preparing a science project: 1. Conduct research into topic choice 6. Plan the project (experimental design) 2. Select a topic 7. Keep complete notes-journal 3. Research selected topic 8. Conduct experiments 4. Bibliography 9. Analyze data/draw conclusions 5. State a hypothesis 10. Prepare the exhibit Students may undertake a variety of projects. The most beneficial types are the experimental projects, where students reach conclusions through data obtained in laboratory or field investigations or surveys. Four Levels of Science Fair Projects The following four-level system, arranged from lowest level to highest level, is a guide for science fair coordinators. It is suggested that all four levels be included at the school level. This will allow for the participation of more students in this type of learning experience. During the judging process, Level 1 projects should be judged together. Level 2 projects should be judged together, and so on. NOTE: If an Administrative Regional Science Fair competition is held, Level 1 & 2 projects are not competitive and should not be entered. Level 3 projects may be entered if something new is investigated. Level 4 projects should be entered in the Administrative Regional Science Fair. Demonstration models (dams, volcanoes, solar system) are not eligible for administrative district level competition and should not be entered. Level 1 Poster Projects - A diagram, illustration, table, chart, or other display of science information available in books, laboratory manuals, or other printed materials. Level 2 Hobby Collection & Collection Projects - A chart, illustration, model, collection, or report based on investigation by the student. In this level, students own thoughts must be apparent in the data, organization, and/or interpretation of the project. Level 3 Model Building and Demonstration Projects - A working model based on the understanding of a science principle or a demonstration and explanation of an experiment. Level 4 Experimental and Investigative Projects - An attempt to answer a question by designing an experiment or correlation study in which important variables are controlled. "THE" SCIENTIFIC METHOD VS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Typical steps of "the" Scientific Method (Reporting) Purpose/Problem (State a problem in the form of a question. What is your goal? What are you trying to test?) Hypothesis (Make a prediction about what the answer to the problem will be. The hypothesis must answer the question. This should be stated as an "If
.then" statement and be in measurable terms.) Procedure (Write a step-by-step description of how the experiment was completed in order to test the hypothesis. Anyone should be able to read these and do the experiment. Make sure you include safety notes.) Materials (List all materials and equipment that were used.) Data Gathering (Keep a detailed journal. Organize observations called data on graphs, charts, and tables using metric measurements. Photographs are appropriate but cannot show faces of individuals.) Results/Conclusions (Present and explain the results of the investigation. Answer the problem statement. Then analyze the results and write a conclusion explaining whether the hypothesis was proven or not. If you repeated your project what would you change?) Components of Experimental Design (Generating) Hypothesis Independent Variable /Manipulated (You change the variable.) Dependent Variable /Responding (The items that change as a result of the independent variable- what is measured) Constants (The variables that need to be recognized and not allowed to change) Repeated trials (at least three ) DEFINITIONS Hypothesis: educated guess about the relationship between variables which can be tested. (If
, then
) Manipulated Variable: the variable that is purposely changed by the experimenter Responding Variable: the variable that responds Constants: all factors that remain the same Repeated Trials: the number of experimental repetitions, objects, or organisms tested at each level of the independent variable. GETTING STARTED Getting ready for a science fair requires an enormous amount of time and energy. Each school should decide who will be responsible for planning and coordinating the schools science fair. Two options are suggested. Option One A Science Fair Committee could be formed. The committee should consist of three to five volunteers who are interested in your science program. The Science Fair Committee may decide to delegate some of the responsibility of the fair by organizing one or more of the following subcommittees: Registration Project Approval/Selection Refreshments Program/Schedule Judging (Parents should not judge school fairs or district fairs) Safety Awards (All participants should receive some type of recognition) Option Two A Science Fair Coordinator could be appointed by the principal or elected by the faculty/science teachers/SDMC. If a coordinator is used, the coordinator should delegate some of the responsibility of the fair to committees. Paramount to the success of a science fair is establishing a timetable so that every necessary function has an adequate time allotment. A suggested timetable is included in this guide. NOTE: In order to participate in the regional fair, it is required that the school science fair coordinator meet personally with the Regional Science Representative. This can be done at a meeting that the Science Representative holds. All HISD Elementary Science Fair rules and guidelines must be followed. ESTABLISHING A TIMETABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL FAIR The following is an example of a timetable that the science fair coordinator or committee may follow. Activities may be added or deleted to fit the overall structure of your school science fair. The month that the following activities occur depends upon the dates of the school fair and the district fair. Tasks to be completed at least six months before the school fair Form a Science Fair Committee or select a Science Fair Coordinator. Form subcommittees. Set an initial committee(s) meeting date. Set a date for the fair. Be sure to have this approved and placed on the school calendar. Select fair categories. Select a site for the fair. Inform students of the science fair. Distribute information to the students-including a calendar of events, rules & regulations, and student timeline. Publicize fair via school paper, school bulletins & bulletin boards, letter to parents, newsletters, etc. Notify parents/guardians of science fair plans/requirements. Tasks to be completed at least four months before the school fair Send out information reminding students of the science fair-date, time, location, rules & regulations, deadlines, etc. Distribute entry forms to students. Set a date for the return of the entries for approval by the teacher/coordinator. Obtain judges (high school teachers, college science teachers, high school students, professional scientists, etc.) Publicize fair. Tasks to be completed at least one month before the school fair Collect and separate entry forms by grade levels and categories. Compile list of tentative entrants. This tentative list is needed for the following reasons: To determine how much space, how many tables, and how many electrical outlets will be needed. To determine how many awards and certificates will be needed. To present final information about the fair to participants (judging criteria, calendar of events, etc.) To decide how many judging teams will be needed. Finalize fair activities (registration procedures, program, etc.) Publicize fair. Tasks to be completed at least three weeks before the school fair Assemble judging folders and guidelines; reproduce judging forms. Contact judges (include guidelines, judging form, and other pertinent fair information.) Plan science fair program. Order awards and certificates. The School Science Fair Projects should be judged and awards given. All participants should receive a Certificate of Participation. An Open House is suggested. Family Night for science could be conducted at the same time. Enter school winners in the Regional Science Fair. Tasks to be completed after the school fair Post-Fair Activities: Thank you (a) Students (d) Committee members (b) Faculty (e) volunteers (c) Judges (f) others Publicize fair participants, winners, review, etc. Conduct a "debriefing" meeting of committee members and volunteers. TIPS The science fair date for your school will be set and announced by the principal, science fair coordinator, or science fair committee. It is the responsibility of each classroom teacher to keep his/her students informed and to help them, whenever possible. While science projects are an integral part of the science curriculum, science fair projects should not be required unless projects are a requirement of a course. For students electing to complete a science fair project, it is suggested that the teacher: outline the fair on the blackboard; have the students record the schedule and important dates; schedule a day in the library for students to begin their research on possible science fair topics; from the start, keep parents informed about the fair and other science fair activities; establish deadline dates from students to turn in key activities; develop a point system, if projects are graded (Completed projects should not be graded without advising students/parents of the grading criteria in advance.); Ex: Title
5 points Bibliography
10 points Laboratory notebook or log
. 25 points Display
30 points Oral Presentation
.. 30 points give the highest point value for the laboratory notebook or log, display, and oral presentation; schedule "project updates" periodically; and establish criteria for the project display SCIENCE FAIR INFORMATION GRADES 3-6 Rules/Regulations The rules and regulations for school level science fairs are included in this guide. Please share this information with others who are involved with your fair. This information should be shared with students and parents. Exhibit It is suggested that exhibits be confined to a space not to exceed 76 cm (30 inches) deep, front to back; 60 cm (24 inches) wide, side to side; and 274 cm (108 inches) high, floor to top. The maximum height for the display itself is 198 cm (80 inches.) However, a school may elect to allow projects with the following dimensions: 122 cm (48 in.) wide by 76 cm (30 in.) deep by 274 cm (9 ft.) high. If the display requires electricity for demonstration purposes, the entrant must furnish a good quality, 9-foot, properly grounded electrical cord, If the administrative district is having a science fair, be sure to ask about the size requirements for projects. Categories It is suggested that the categories listed below be used for school and area competitions: Behavioral/Social Sciences (Psychology, sociology, anthropology, archeology, linguistics, animal behavior, learning and reading problems, public opinion surveys, and educational testing.) Botany (Agriculture, forestry, plant anatomy, plant genetics, hydroponics) Chemistry (Physical chemistry, organic chemistry, plastics, metals,) Earth/Space Science (Geology, physical oceanography, meteorology, astronomy, seismology, petroleum, geography, mineralogy) |
