Science
Lee School- School Wide Science Fair
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Experiment vs. Demonstration
SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
SCIENCE DEMONSTRATION
Usually more involved and in most real experiments you compare results.
An example would be "What fertilizer works best on plants?" or "What is the strongest brand of paper towel?" In these examples, you ask a question and then perform experiments to get the answer.
is a quick little science "show" that explains a science concept like building a model volcano and watching it erupt.
It shows how something works, but it is not a true experiment.
Scientific Method Checklist
___ 1. Base your idea for an experiment on an observation
___ 2. State your purpose. Usually the purpose of an experiment is stated in the form of a research question
___ 3. Perform background research to find out what is already known about your topic
___ 4. State your hypothesis, a possible answer to a research question
___ 5. Design a detailed procedure, or list of steps
Scientific Method Checklist Cont.
____ 6. Carry out your experiment and collect data
____ 7. Record your results on a data table. Construct a graph of the data you collected (bar graph, line graph, pie graph, pictograph).
____ 8. Write about your results explaining your data.
____ 9. Draw a conclusion from your results. Discuss your data and what it means. Did your hypothesis prove true? What did you learn? Were there any possible errors? How could you improve this experiment next time or what could you do next?
Scientific Method: Words to Know
Variables: Characteristics in an experiment that change or could be changed
Independent Variable: Factor that you change on purpose; also called the manipulated variable
Dependent Variable: Factor that you observe or measure in response to a change in the independent variable; also called the responding variable
Hypothesis: Possible explanation for a set of observations or an answer to a scientific question; must be testable
Scientific Method: Words to Know Cont.
Constants: Characteristics in an experiment that are kept unchanged in all trials
Control: Standards to which you will compare your results
Trials: Number of times an experiment is repeated for each level, or value, of the independent variable. The more trials, the more reliable your results
Key Points to Remember
Students must measure something
All measurements must be made using the metric system
Meters, Liters, Grams, Time, Temp, Tally
Minimum of Three Trials per experiment; the more trials you have the more reliable the data will be
All Science Back Boards have been purchased and will be distributed at a later date
Display Back Board Image
Back Board Requirements
Title
Purpose
Hypothesis
Materials
Procedure
Data: table and graph
Results Paragraph
Conclusion Paragraph
Pictures/ Art Work
Science Fair Grade by Grade Requirements
KindergartenClass Project with a completed backboard
1st GradeClass Project with
a completed back board
Students write their own hypothesis and conclusion of the class project
Science Fair Grade by Grade Requirements
2nd GradeClass Project with a
completed back board
Students will write their own hypothesis and conclusion of the class project
Students will create a data table and graph and draw a picture of their experiment
3rd-5th Grades Individual or partner projects
Students select project topic
Students will follow all steps of the Scientific Method- including collecting data, creating data table and graphs
Reflection Paper about their project- follow questions and rubric
Science Fair Grade by Grade Requirements
6th Grade Individual projects
Students select project topic
Students will follow all steps of the Scientific Method- including collecting data, creating data table and graphs
3 page Research paper about their project topic with 3-5 sources
7th & 8th Grade Individual projects
Students select project topic
Students will follow all steps of the Scientific Method- including collecting data, creating data table and graphs
7th grade-4-5 page Research paper about their project topic with 10 sources
8th grade- 6-7 page Research paper about their project topic with 13 sources
Science Fair Due DatesClassroom winners due Tuesday, Nov 26th to Mrs.
Mulcrone
Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd class project- display only
Grades 3-5: 2 winners per room/ 1st and 2nd place
Grades 6-8: 3 winners per room/ officially judged top 4 winners Daley College
School wide Fair Dec 5th
SUGGESTED TIMELINE FOR CLASSROOM
TEACHERSTopic, Question, & Hypothesis 9/9
Materials and Procedure 9/23
Data: Data Table, Graph, Results Paragraph, Conclusion Paragraph 10/15
Grades 3-5, Reflection Paper 11/15
Grades 6-8, Research paper with sources 11/15
Grades 2-8, Class Presentations 11/18-11/22