S.T.E.M. Fair Science Technology

Engineering and Mathematics

By: Leigh Snee, M.Ed.

What To ExpectWhere to Begin

Steps to the Scientific Method

Show board Set-up

Data log/ Scientist’s journal

FAQ’s

Benefits of the STEM Fair

Opportunity to take an investigation completely through the scientific process.

Develops critical thinking skills

Science process skill

Cooperative learning skills.

In fifth grade, the Nature of Science portion of the FCAT comprises one fourth of the test items.

How Does My Child Know What Is Expected?

Students should be conducting a minimum of one science project, per nine weeks, with their science teacher.

All science teachers, grades K-5, are teaching the steps of the scientific method in their science classrooms through Inquiry Mondays and long term class investigations.

ParticipationThe TBK8 Science Fair is required for all

students.

Students in grades K-2 compete on a class level.

Students in grades 3-5 may compete in a variety of ways:

As individuals With a partner Small groups of 4 or fewer students.

Projects may be completed in school, at home or a combination of both.

How Much Should a Parent Help?

The short answer is… it depends!

Parental HelpMost grade levels may need assistance in

using a word processing program.

Some students may need help with cutting, pouring liquids or working with an open flame.

A parent’s role should be as an encourager and cheerleader.

We Need An Idea … Please Help!!!!

Does your child have a special interest in science like chemistry, plants, or rocks?

Do you have a family member who works in a science field?

Can we use the internet to help?

Be aware: not all “projects” on the internet meet our county criteria.

ResourcesJanice Van Cleave “A+ winning science fair projects for: Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science”

www.sciencenews.org

More Resources

• www.sciencebuddies.org

• yahooligans.yahoo.com (type in STEM Fair projects)

• super-science-fair-projects.com

• school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral

• *Adapt found projects for your child*

Individual/Group Project Categories

• Life Science• Earth/Space Science• Physical Science- Matter• Physical Science- Energy• Math/Computer/Engineering• Behavioral Science

Steps to the Scientific Method

Procedural

Projects involving human blood and pathogenic agents including bacteria, mold, viruses, fungi, parasites are prohibited at the elementary level.

Projects involving human or animal parts are prohibited. This includes skin, hair/fur and teeth.

***Absolutely no exceptions***

MaterialsList all items needed for the

investigation. ( 6 jars)Be sure to include sizes.

(100 mL each) Be specific with total quantities

(80mL of water per trial for a total of 480ml )

Measurement ExplainedWhile metrics are universally used in

science, it is not developmentally appropriate for all elementary grade levels.

Students MAY use a combination of customary and metric units, but metrics are preferred.

For example, one 2 by 4, three 8 ounce cups, 150 mL of water etc.

Data Table

How many milliliters willbe absorbed?

More trails are better!

1. Bar Graphs- (most common type of graph) Displays data that does not occur in a

continuous manner Ex. (Number of burgers eaten)

2. Line Graphs- Displays data that occurs in a

continuous manner Ex. (Growth of a plant over a

controlled period of time)

05

101520253035404550

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Plant A

Plant B

Plant C

Scientist’s Journal/ LogIt should include dated diary entries of

observations, data collected and any unusual occurrences. It may also include drawings, diagrams, interviews and research.

The journal should show all the evidence of the student’s hard work. More is better!

Please, DO NOT put your name anywhere in or on the journal.

Sample Data Log Entries

• 9/4/2012 My teacher said it is time for STEM fair. I don’t like it because it is a lot of work, but I get to work with a partner and I am really excited. I think it would be cool if I could come up with a topic. I kind of have 1 in mind.

• 9/5/2012 I shared my ideas with my teacher. She loved my idea about experimenting with worms.

• 9/6/2012 My teacher said I had to have a question that I want to try to answer about worms without harming the worms. I wonder if worms like the dark more than sunny places? I always see worms after it rains. I wonder if worms don’t like being wet? I wonder where I can get worms?

Results

This is a newer section and is not mandatory. Students write about their data.

Students can list any complications or unusual occurrences here.

“On trial 3, the marble rolled off of the track and rolled a distance of 3cm.”

Just the facts….no connections or inferences…yet!

ConclusionThis section of the project carries a lot weight.

It is usually written in paragraph form. Restate your hypothesis and tell what you’ve learned.

My data does support my hypothesis. The tile floor made the marble roll the farthest.

Try to connect this to the real world. Consider, why would anyone care about your results?

What questions do you still have?

Physical Display

Artistic part of the project

Show Board Set-upYou may use any organizational order that

you like. (see flyer)

Often data, results and pictures go into the center section.

You may want to limit color choices to 3.

Make your display board visually appealing.

Data

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10

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80

90

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

East

West

North

Materials

Research Paper Optional

Scientist’s journal

My TitlePurpose

Hypothesis

Procedure:

Variables

Step-by-Step Directions

Graph

Conclusion

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

East

West

North

Results

Pizzazz and Effect

You want the judges to remember your project. The more memorable projects use a common theme.

You are allowed to attach items to the board. They must be secure, however. Cable ties (zip ties) often work well. No Staples, tacks, or straight pins are allowed.

Display Do’s and Don’ts

Show boards may NOT exceed 100 centimeters in height. This includes any topper pieces.

NO apparatus may be displayed with the show board. (launcher, machine etc.) Photographs or diagrams are preferred.

Students’ faces may appear in photographs. However, no school logos/insignia may be visible.

Prohibited ItemsNo plant parts: including stems, leaves,

roots, seeds. (Popcorn is a seed)

No body parts (human or animal) …like hair, teeth, or blood!!

No baggies with items inside.

No food items of any kind: candy, gumballs, lifesavers etc. (Empty wrappers ARE acceptable.)

Judging Criteria for Process

• SDHC Scientific Method was used fully• Student relates the project to research• Several trials were done and measured

well• Problems were expected by the student

and overcome• The project was done by the student• Parent help was not excessive

Judging Criteria for the Log

• Dated and chronological• Amount of anecdotal notes• Details are specific• Student makes reflections throughout• Notes are made based on reading/reseach• Notes are made about problems they

encountered while researching and reflected on changes

Judging Criteria for Communication

• Students should be able to share their data and fully understand their: graphs, tables, & visuals

• Student is able to discuss trends in data• Measurements are consistent • Student should know why they chose their

project and what the implications are for the real world

• Able to explain the variables, conclusion, and next steps

When Are the Projects Due?

Our school science fair week is scheduled for December 7th – 10th.

Projects may be viewed on: December 10th (6:00-7:00pm) in the Upper Campus Gym k-5 and UC Café 7-8. Awards will be given. All projects not going on to regionals may be taken home.

Contact your child’s Science teacher for class due dates. (No later than 12/7/15)

How many winners will there be?

• 2 Superior Individual Winners in each of 3rd, 4th, & 5th grades• 2 Superior Group/Partner Winners in each of 3rd, 4th, & 5th

grades• 1 Superior Class Winner from each of K, 1st, & 2nd grades • 1 Superior ESE Group/Partner Winner from 3rd, 4th, & 5th

grades• 3 Honorable Mention Class Projects in each of K-2• 3 Honorable Mention Individual Projects in each of 3-5• 3 Honorable Mention Group/Partner Projects in each of 3-5

• Underlined Winners will go on to compete in the Regional SDHC STEM FAIR in February 2016!

• ALL TBK8 Students will receive a participant ribbon

Questions or Clarifications??

This entire presentation can be accessed from the school website at:

http://TurnerBartels.mysdhc.org