STEAM - Science Fair Parent Letter

Dear Students and Parents Aprende Middle School,

It’s time to start work on our school’s Science Fair! Below is a schedule outlining due dates and important information regarding your child’s project.

This is a major project and will represent a significant portion of your child’s fourth quarter grade. Students may work individually or with a partner(recommended). Each group member will be responsible for contributing equally

to the project and keep track of the research. To encourage all group members to share equally in the work, grades will be given individually based on the work done by each student.

Here is the breakdown of items needed to be included in the project and how they will be graded:-Model (PARTNER GRADE!)- Space Object Manual (INDIVIDUAL GRADE – 1 person is responsible)- Planet X Poster - (INDIVIDUAL GRADE – 1 person is responsible)- PowerPoint - (PARTNER GRADE!)- Final display board - (PARTNER GRADE!)- Presentation - (PARTNER GRADE!)

IMPORTANT DUE DATES1/12 – Student will have signed up for their topic & decided on a partner (if any).1/19 – Space Object Manual DUE! Model Check #11/26 – Model Check #22/2 – PowerPoint DUE! Model Check #32/9 – Planet X Poster DUE! Model Check #42/23 – MODEL DUE!3/2 – Display Poster DUE!Week of 3/5-3/9 – In class Presentations3/28 – SCIENCE FAIR NIGHT! Please join us from 5-7 in the Gym! (students who attend get extra credit)

As acknowledgement and part of your child’s homework, please sign, date, and return the bottom portion of this letter by Friday, January 12thSincerely,7th Grade Science Teachers

Mrs. Merritt, Mrs. Gautney, Ms.Holmesley, Ms.Wolf

I have reviewed the Science Fair information and calendar with my child, _______________________and we understand the requirements for a successful Science Fair Project.

□ My child may work with an approved partner _________________________ (name of partner)

□ My child is choosing to work individually___________________________________________________________(Parent/Guardian Signature) Date

________________________________________________________________(Student Signature) Date Class

Space Station STEM ProjectExploring space is a no longer a dream for us, but a reality, as seen in the ISS, (International Space Station,) currently orbiting Earth. In order for humans to live in space, or on other planets, there are many difficult engineering challenges to overcome. Life support systems, as well as research equipment, need to be developed. In this project you will be (1) designing and engineering a space station that supports life and research, (2) describing current research being done in the space station, and (3) reporting on an X-planet that your space station has discovered.

Space Station Model Rubric (Check each box as it is completed)

4 In addition to a 3, the model shows exceptional thought, effort, and creativity, above what is expected.

3 Model is built based on the detailed architectural plan. Model contains required living and working spaces. Model is made out of a variety of recycled materials. Model is within the parameters of the building code. ~ 2ftx2ft – height tba – light weight Model includes labels/signs of the systems that provide life support with detailed explanations about how

they work. Model is modular and allows for transport. The form of components, and the materials used, reflect their function. All spaces are labeled and their function is clearly described.

2 Model is built based somewhat on the detailed architectural plan. Model contains some of the required living and work spaces. Model is made mostly of recycled materials, and/or there is a limited variety. Model fits a majority of building parameters, but some are missing. Model includes most of the life support systems, and/or explanations are not complete. Model does not include transport considerations, and/or has limited modular components. The form of components and the materials do not always reflect their function. Some labeling and descriptions of function are included, but not all.

1 Model is not built based on the detailed architectural plan. Model contains only a few of the required living and work spaces. Model is made of very few if any recycle materials. Model does not follow most of the building parameters. Model includes only a few of the life support systems, and/or there are limited explanations on how they

work. Model does not address transport considerations. Models components and materials do not reflect their function. Very little labeling is included.

PHYSICAL MODEL BUILT OUT OF LIGHTWEIGH MATERIALS:

EXAMPLE ARCHITECTURAL PLAN WITH LABELS

Current Research Power Point Rubric (Check each box as it is completed)

4 In addition to a 3, the presentation includes a large component of additional interesting information about each of the topics.

3 Slide show includes a Title Slide with names of students and their job titles and a picture of the space station that was built.

There are slides that explain each of the following topics of research: What are the phases of the moon? What causes the two different eclipses to occur? What causes the different types tides? What causes the seasons on Earth, and why are the northern and southern hemispheres

different? There are visuals on each slide illustrating the content. There are animations and transitions that enhance the content. There is a Work Cited Slide with a minimum of 3 quality resources

2 Slide show includes a Title Slide with names of students and their job titles and a picture of the space station that was built.

There are slides that somewhat explain about each of the topics listed in a 3. There are visuals on each slide illustrating the content. There are animations and transitions that enhance the content. There is a limited Work Cited Slide using quality resources

1 Slide show includes a Title Slide with names of students and their job titles and a picture of the space station that was built.

The slides provide only a very limited explanation about all/some of the following topics listed in a 3.

There are some visuals on each slide illustrating the content. The animations and transitions are limited or detract from the content. There is a no Work Cited Slide or one that used low quality resources

EXAMPLE LABELED SIGN FOR #1 – SOLAR PANNEL ^^

EXAMPLE SLIDES FROM POWERPOINT

Space Object Manual Rubric (Check each box as it is completed)

4 In addition to a 3, a flow chart of the life cycle of a star is hand-illustrated and labeled.3 The manual has a title page, with student names, and a picture of a space object.

Each page includes one of the following space objects, a picture of it, and a full description of the space object:

Asteroid Comet Meteorite Star Constellation Galaxy Black Hole Super Nova Stellar Nebulae

The manual has a work cited page of a minimum of 3 high quality resources.

2 The manual has a title page, with student names, and a picture of a space object. Each page includes one of the following space objects, a picture of it, and a limited description of the

space object. The work cited page does not have of a minimum of 3 high quality resources.

1 The manual has an incomplete title page. Space object pages are missing and/or lack picture and descriptions. The work cited page is missing or cites low quality resources.

EXAMPLE MANUAL

Planet X Poster Rubric (Check each box as it is completed)

4 In addition to a 3, the model shows exceptional thought, effort, and creativity, above what is expected.

3 Your poster includes an art rendering of your planet and its name as the title. The diagram includes its internal structure and external physical features. Information is included that describes the planet’s:

Physical dimensions, day & night length in Earth time, length of year in Earth time, and the number and name of its moons.

Seasons and their length in Earth time, and identifies the planet’s solstices and equinoxes.

The conditions that make life possible. Your poster includes an illustration of a species that has been collected from the planet, describes 3

adaptations that it has for living on the planet, and its scientific name written correctly.2 Your poster includes an art rendering of your planet and its name as the title.

The diagram includes some of its internal structure and external physical features. Some information is included that describes the items listed in a 3 about your planet. Your poster includes an illustration of a species , but does not have all of the items listed in a 3.

1 Your poster includes an art rendering of your planet and its name as the title. The diagram includes some of its internal structure and external physical features. Very little information is included that describes the items listed in a 3 about your planet. Your poster includes an illustration of a species , but does not have most or any, of the items listed in a 3.

EXAMPLE POSTER

Display Board Rubric

4 In addition to a 3, the board shows exceptional thought, effort, and creativity, above what is expected.3 Board is complete, neat, and organized.

All components are typed when possible.All items and products attached to board and are framed neatly with construction paper.Items do not fall off and it is well constructed.Interest is added to the board.

2 Board is somewhat complete, neat, and organized.Many items are hand written.Framing items is incomplete and/or sloppy.Items do not fall off and it is well constructed.Some interest is added to board, but it is limited.

1 Board is not complete, neat, and/or organized.Most, if not all, items are hand written.Framing items is incomplete and/or sloppy.Items fall off and it is not well constructed.No interest is added to board.

Final Display Board Example: Make it Fun!

Day or Date Task Additional Notes Teacher’s Initials

/

Name of Space Station

Title

Manual

X Planet Poster

Power Point Printout Names, Job Titles & Photos

Space Station Model

1/12 Student will have decided on their topic and partner

1/19 Space Object Manual DUE

Model Check Point 1

1/26 -Model Check Point 2

2/2 PowerPoint DUE

-Model Check Point 3

2/9 Planet X Poster DUE

-Model Check Point 4

2/23 Model DUE

3/2 Final Display Board DUE

Week of 3/5-3/9 Presentations