Purpose:
To stimulate creative thinking, planning, and investigation of a scientific idea or principle. Our science fair gives students an opportunity to explore beyond the classroom and to discover and understand more about our world.
Schedule:
Week of March 15, 2010 Information distributed
Friday, March 26, 2010 Entry forms due
Monday, April 19, 2010 Judging (9:15 – 12:15 pm)
Monday, April 19, 2010 Open house (5:00 – 7:00 pm)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 Classes view projects, Projects taken home
Guidelines:
Students in 4th and 5th grades are required to submit a project. Students in K through 3rd grades are welcome and encouraged to participate. Classes as a whole are also encouraged to submit a project.
Projects submitted by 4th and 5th graders MUST be an experiment that follows the format of the scientific method (more details are found in the “Examples” and “Project Evaluations” sections).
Students may work alone or in pairs (if permitted by your teacher). Check with your teacher before choosing a partner.
All projects must be secure, self-supporting and fit within a space of 48 X 12 inches. We have some cardboard display boards that can be borrowed. If you’d like to borrow one, please ask your teacher.
NO ANIMALS may be used in your display. If you receive your teacher’s permission to use animals in your project, you may display photos of your animals only.
Students DO NOT need to submit a written report in addition to their display.
Categories (and examples of topics from each category):
Biology (animals, plants), Earth Science (weather, astronomy), Chemistry (molecules, reactions), Physics (mechanics, electricity)
Examples of project types:
1. Experiment (any student may contribute this type of project; 4th and 5th grade MUST submit this type of project): A Problem or Observation is stated. Your Hypothesis/educated guess as to the solution of that problem is presented. An Experiment is designed and conducted to test this hypothesis. Data are collected and recorded. Results of the experiment are presented and Conclusions are made based on these data.
(The following project types may be used by students in K through 3rd grades only)
2. Demonstration: Research or investigate how something works, how something is made or a scientific principle. Construct a model or figure to demonstrate the idea.
3. Research: Make a report (poster) on a science topic that interests you.
4. Collections: Collect and assemble a group of related items (e.g. rocks, leaves, seeds). Provide information about the objects such as their names, where you found them, and other interesting facts.
5. Creators’ Corner: Create something using your imagination. Be able to tell what your creation is and how it works or what it does.
Project Evaluations:
Students will have a chance to discuss their project with a judge on April 19, 2010. All students entering the Fair will receive a ribbon for participation. In addition, the judges will evaluate each project in the following areas:
Grades K through 3:
Students will receive written feedback from the judges based on the following criteria:
Originality/creativity, completeness, understanding of the project, overall display/appearance
Only participation ribbons will be awarded for these younger students.
Grades 4 and 5:
Projects submitted by 4th and 5th graders MUST be an experiment that follows the format of the scientific method. In addition to receiving a grade from their classroom teacher, 4th and 5th grade projects will be judged based on the attached rubric. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places as well as Judges’ Choice awards.
**Below are two websites that give PROJECT IDEAS. Parents, please help your children navigate these sites. Not all projects on the sites are “experiments.” Look for specific words from the scientific method (problem, hypothesis, experiment, results, conclusion) or look for a project that “tests” something (which is better, stronger, lasts longer/ what happens to something when we use this vs. that/ which will grow faster, taller, etc./). In some of these experiments, the problem and hypothesis are not explicitly stated; you’ll need to write your own. You can certainly change the problem and hypothesis for any of these projects to make them more of your own. You may also go to the PFES PTA webpage for these links and info.
www.all-science-fair-projects.com/category0.html
www.juliantrubin.com/encyclopedia/topics/experimentencyclopedia.html
**Our PFES library has many books with Science Fair ideas. Mrs. Smith would be happy to help you find a book!
If you have any questions or problems during any stage of this process,
please contact Kelly Passek at 633-6161 or kpassek@vt.edu
Sponsored by the PFES PTA