Surviving the ESM Science Fair

1. Surviving the ESM Science Fair A Parent’s Guide

2. Overview • Why Science Fair? • Who’s responsible • What is included in a good project? • How are the projects judged? • How do you help your child? • Logistics • Resources

4. Why Science Fair? • Promotes inquiry and curiosity • emphasis on using the science and engineering processes • investigation by experimentation (inquiry-based learning) • development of critical thinking skills • opportunity for a positive learning experience • extension of formal science education

5. An ESM Science Fair Project is not… • The following projects are not appropriate for science fairs. • Library research/informational • Explanation model • Demonstrations • Kit building

6. An ESM Science Fair Project is… • A question that can be answered by conducting an experiment. • Takes the student through the scientific process.

7. Overview of 6 Science Fair Project Steps • Ask a question. • Do background research. • Construct a hypothesis. • Test the hypothesis by doing an experiment. • Analyze the data and draw a conclusion. • Communicate the results.

8. Other Elements of a Good Project • Keeping a log of the process; crude raw notes and data. • Sketches • Plan on taking photographs of their project steps as a visual explanation of their effort. • Be sure to properly credit/acknowledge all sources of graphics, photographs and research.

9. How will my child be judged? • Please see the draft copy of the scoring rubric for grades 5-8. • Details what should be included in each component. • If not sure, check with teacher, me, Mrs. Hays or Mr. Cappaert

10. Partnership • Students • Work • Responsibility Science Fair Success • Parents • Encourage • Answer questions • Supervise safety • Come to the fair! • Teachers • Step-by-step assignments • Checkpoints graded along the way

12. How can I help my child? • Encourage Participation • Monitor Due Dates • Help Secure Materials • Brainstorm with your child • Supervise experiments • Support Research Efforts –Visits to the library – Internet research – Interviews • Support use of rubric

13. Child Centered Learning • Tempting to take control • This is not about winning, but a learning experience for your child. • Your job is generally to supervise. • If your child asks for help, appears to be struggling, then you may wish to offer assistance.

14. Things Not To Do • Don’t do the work for your child • Don’t focus on winning • Don’t copy a project

15. The Final Product

16. Examples

17. Example

18. Presentation Boards • An order form will be going home next week to order either a project board kit (Board, header, wording/letters for titles) or a plain individual board. • Other places to shop for a board: Wal-Mart, Staples, Office Depot, Target • If there is an extenuating circumstance, please let us know.

19. Logistics • Teacher should be providing deadlines for specific parts of the project. • ESM Science Fair Expo- April 9- 11th, 2013 • Homeroom competition first • Top 3 go on to school-wide competition • District Wide STEM Expo- May 22nd, 2013 • Only one student from each of the following groupings move on to the district wide competition. • Prek-2 • 3-5th grade • 6-8 grade

20. Resources • The staff at ESM is here to help! • Mrs. Devlin- Theme coach • Mrs. Hays- Resident Scientist • Mr. Cappaert- Resident Scientist • Mrs. Kaplan- Librarian • Your child’s teacher

21. Resources • https://esmsciencefair.wikispaces.com/ • www.sciencebuddies.com • http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/ • http://www.tryscience.org/experiments/experiments_home.html • http://www.terimore.com/Default.htm • http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/Parent-Resources.html • https://www.google.com/search?q=paper+helicopter+template&hl=en&client=safari&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=z1UnUbCSB6WS2QXC4oGQBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=320&bih=504#i=23

22. Have Fun!!