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E lementary M athematics and S cience F air C oordinators M eeting. Plan now for 2014 District Fair Plan ahead and schedule your School Science Fair before March 14, 2014 Read the 2014 Handbook and Regulations carefully
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Plan now for 2014 District Fair • Plan ahead and schedule your School Science Fair before March 14, 2014 • Read the2014 Handbook and Regulations carefully • Complete your “Intent to Participate” online to registerfor District competition by December 20, 2013 • IT’s BEST to hold your School Fair before Spring Break (March 17-21, 2014) • Use the same Score Criteria for your School Fair that are used at the District Fair. • Secure your winning project boards by April. • Tentative District Fair dates are May 12-14, 2014
School FairSuccess A Five Step Guide To Making Elementary Math, Science, and Engineering Fair An Enjoyable Experience For Teachers, Students, and Families
1. Model The Process • Present the Scientific Method and Engineering Design Process as the pathways to Elementary Math, Science, and Engineering Fair investigation. • Focus on the steps involved in completing a math science, or engineering project board. • Give students and parents a sample of what a completed School Fair project should look like. • Unite all participants in the same learning situations with the same expectations.
2. Involve The Parents • Explain the purpose, expectations, and student’s accountability to the parents. • Give families a calendar with assignments, due dates, and a schedule of Fair events. • Outline the limits of parental involvement. • Provide parents with a Guide Book and information to help their child. • Give families the judging criteria and explain how projects qualify for the District Fair competition.
3. Help Your Students • Take time to complete Inquiry Think Sheets after math & science activities. • Help the students select a “testable” question and discuss project topics. • Have students write a draft of their project procedure. • Check all procedures for safety. • Teach students the processes and skills they need to complete their projects. • Provide materials to students and monitor their progress.
STEM Awards Flight Engineering sponsored by Flight Safety International. Grade 2-5, individual math or science projects about Flight and/or Aviation Safety Engineering. Waste Recycling, sponsored by the P.B.C. Science Educators’ Association. Grade 2-5, individual math or science projects about reducing, reusing, or recycling waste materials. Mechanical Engineering, sponsored by Up-N-Running Machinery, Inc. 2-5 individual projects involving building, designing, and improving machine technologies. FP&L Energy Conservation, sponsored by Florida Power & Light. 2-5 individual projects about saving and/or conserving our electrical energy resources. .
4. Keep It Scientific • Write your hypothesis before experimenting • Identify the variables and controls • Approve procedures must before starting • Use metric tools, make precise measurements • Record accurate qualitative observations • Use a notebook to record your data • Repeat experiments 3 times for validity • Graph your data to compare and contrast trends. • Use Claims and Evidence T-tables to match causes and effects . • Only paper and pictures can be on the District Projects boards.
5. Celebrate • Have a School Fair. • Use judges from your community. • Use the 2014 Handbook Scoring Forms. • Award projects with 1st & 2ndPlace Ribbons. • Honorable Mention ribbons • Certificates of Participation for all. • Register school winners in the District Fair. • Plan a field trip to the District Science Fair. • Sponsor an Activity Table at the Fair.
Bibliography Science Fair Handbook by Anthony D. Fredericks and Isaac Asimov. Old Year Books, Glenview, IL. ISBN 0-673-38800-X Science Fair Handbook by Stephen C. Blume. Merrill Publishing, Columbus, OH. ISBN 0-675-035211-X Science Fair Workshop by Marcia J. Daab. Fearon Teachers Aids, Simon & Schuster Supplemental Education Group. ISBN 0-8224-6374-1 Science Fairs Plus an NSTA Press Journals Collection. NSTA Press, Arlington, VAISBN 0-87355-219-9 Edmodo Group Code ay3hqk • thomas.medcalf@palmbeachschools .org