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Science Fair Success. A Five Step Guide To Making Science Fair An Enjoyable Experience For Teachers, Students, and Families. Problem Solving
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Science FairSuccess A Five Step Guide To Making Science Fair An Enjoyable Experience For Teachers, Students, and Families
Problem Solving Student will use the scientific method - make predictions, observe, experiment, and collect data to and finds answers to their own questions about the world around them. Critical Thinking Student compare, contrast, analyze and graph data to understand basic patterns, sequences, and cycles that occur in nature or their physical world. Purpose of Science Fair
SCIENCE FAIR GRADE 5 BENCHMARKS SC.H.1.2.1 SC.H.1.2.2 SC.H.1.2.6 SC.H.1.2.4 SC.H.2.2.1 SC.H.3.2.1 SC.H.3.2.2 SC.H.3.2.4
1. Model The Process • Presents the scientific method of inquiry as the process of science fair investigation. • Focuses on the steps involved in completing a science fair project board. • Gives students and families a sample of what a complete science fair project should look like. • Unifies all participants in the same situation with the same expectations.
2. Parent Involvement • Explain the purpose, expectations, and student’s responsibilities in the school fair. • Give families a calendar with assignments, due dates, and a schedule of fair events. • Outline the limits of family involvement. • Provide families with instruction and guidelines to help their children. • Give families the project board criteria and explain how students qualify for the District fair.
3. Help Your Students • Take time to complete Inquiry Think Sheets after every class investigation. • Help the students select a “testable” project ideas and discuss project topics. • Have students write a draft of their procedure. • Check project procedures for safety. • Teach students the process and critical thinking skills they need to complete their projects. • Provide instructional and material support to students as needed and monitor their progress.
Use Words Properly Effect (noun) – describes a result, as in “the cause and the effect in an investigation or experiment. Affect (verb) – describes an influence on or action, such as “How greenhouse gases affects global warming.” Investigation - a procedure carried out to gather data about and object or event. Experiment – a procedure carried out under controlled conditions to test a hypothesis. variable – a factor that has more than one condition, like size -large or small, or temperature, hot or cold control – a factor that remains constant throughout the experimental trials.
4. Keep It Safe, Simple • Predict what you think will happen (hypothesis). • Identify the experimental variables and controls. • Get your procedure approved before starting. • Use science tools, take measurements, make careful qualitative and quantitative observations. • Use your notebook to record all data. • Repeat your entire experiment 3 times. • Graph any data to compare and contrast results. • Use claims and evidence to write your conclusions. • Write your project up on a presentation board.
5. Celebrate Your Success! • Hold a school fair. • Invite judges from the community. • Use the handbook judging form. • Reward the best projects with ribbons. • Acknowledge all participants with certificates. • Register school winners in the District Fair. • Plan a field trip to the District Science Fair. • Sponsor an Activity Table at the Fair.
DON’T FORGET! • Plan ahead and schedule your School’s Science Fair three (3) weeks before the District Fair so your winning students & school can participate. • Read the District Fair Rules and Regulations carefully and use the same criteria for your School Fair. • Complete your “Intent to Participate” online survey to register your school, host an “Activity Table”, or “Plan a Student Field Trip” to the District Mathematics and Science Fair.
The Palm Beach County School District’s Elementary Mathematics and Science Fair
Talk About The Fair • HISTORY • The first Elementary Math Fair in Palm Beach County began in November, 1988 at the Old Wellington Commons Mall. 7 Elementary schools participated from the western area schools. Every year the number of participating schools increased. • In 1997, the Fair out grew the Wellington Mall and moved to the South Florida Fairgrounds and became the District Mathematics Fair. • In 2001, both the math and the science curriculum program planners united to include science in the District Elementary Fair Competition.
Special Awards Aviation Award sponsored by Flight Safety International, WPB, offering a first, second and third pace award ribbon for the best project about flight or flight safety. The first place winner receives instruction in a flight simulator at Flight Safety, International. Green Earth Award, sponsored by the Palm Beach County Science Educators’ Association, WPB, offering a first, second and third place award ribbon for projects about reducing, reusing or recycling materials. All winners will also receive an Environmental Children’s Literature books. Physical Science Award, sponsored by Up-N-Running Machinery, Performance Industries, Inc. Offering a first, second and third place award ribbon for project about simple machines, electrical or mechanical engineering. All winners also receive a cash award.
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 Researched and Complied by Tom Medcalf, K-5 Science Resource Teacher Curriculum Development and School Improvement, of the Palm Beach County School District. West Palm Beach, FL. medcalft@palmbeach.k12.fl.us
SC.H.1.2.1 The student knows that it is important to keep accurate records and descriptions to provide information and clues on causes of discrepancies in repeated experimentations. (AA: MC)
SC.H.1.2.2 The student knows that a successful method to explore the natural world is to observe and record and then analyze and communicate the results. (AA: MC)
SC.H.1.2.4 The student knows that to compare and contrast observations and results is an essential skill in science. (AA: MC)
SC.H.1.2.6 P.B.C. The student knows that proper safety precautions should be followed during scientific investigations. (Essential whenever students are engaged in investigating or experimenting.)
SC.H.2.2.1 The student knows that natural events are often predictable and logical. (CS:MC)
SC.H.3.2.1 The student understands that people, alone or in groups, invent new tools to solve problems and do work that affects aspects of life outside of science. (AA: MC)
SC.H.3.2.2 The student knows that data is collected and interpreted in order to explain an event or concept. (AA: MC)
SC.H.3.2.4 The student knows that through the use of the science processes and knowledge, people can solve problems, make decisions, and from new ideas. (AA: MC)
