March 2-March 9, 2012

Science Fair ObjectivesTo encourage the curiosity and

creativity of DES students.

To enable students to think and act like scientists by designing experiments which follow the Scientific Method.

To have FUN!!

Science Fair SpecificsImportant Dates

Title only due: Friday, January 13th Form #1 due: January 20th Project arrival: Friday, March 2, 8:00-9:00 am and

3:45-5 pm Project removal : Friday, March 9, 3:30-5 pm

The Judging Monday, March 5, 8:30-11:30 am

Awards and Photos March 5, 12:00 pm

Science Fair Open House Monday, March 5, 6-8 pm

Getting StartedYour child should choose an experiment

that:Interests him/herIs something he/she can doIs an investigation that results in

experimentation and collection of dataCan be completed in the allotted time

Not Approved for Student Projects

Bacteria or MoldCigarettes, cigarette smoke, or other tobacco

productsAlcohol (including wine)Household bleach, dry ice, liquid nitrogenMedicine (over the counter & prescription)Science lab chemicalsFireVertebrate Animals—this includes pets.

Identify the good experiments.How does a volcano erupt? Does the amount of baking soda affect the

eruption of my model volcano?Does the type of footwear affect the distance a

soccer ball can be kicked? What is a water cycle? Do boys or girls like sports better? Does the amount of heat affect the rate of

evaporation?

Good experiments ask a question for which DATA can be collected.

A great website for graphing

http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph

T.A.I.L.S.title-axis-increments-labels-spaces (for bar

graphs)

Experimental Group vs Control Group

Experimental Group Control Group

The group or item being manipulated in the experiment.

The group in which ALL the materials and conditions are not manipulated during the experiment.

Those Variables!Controlled Variables (or “constants”) The variables that remain constant during

the experiment. (These would be listed in the “control group”.)

Independent Variable The variable that is changed by the scientist; it

should be measureable. There should be only one independent variable.

Dependent Variables The variables in the experiment that change

due to experimentation—this is the data you collect.

The Display Board

Tips for the display boardDo not include photos of children. “Hand” shots

are OK if needed for experiment demonstration shots.

Don’t forget to include a log/binder which shows the research compiled and the data collected—usually this is in the child’s handwriting. No names on pages or binder. This is placed on the table next to the board.

Please do not bring manipulatives to display—just show the photos as applicable. There are many visitors to the Science Fair and we do not want to be responsible for missing or damaged parts.

Application and Other Forms

Where

do we

find

them?

Let’s go to the DES website under “special features” to find out.

Project Evaluation Form

Questions/Concerns

Parent Coordinator: Mrs. Ritter mritter05@comcast.net

DES Science Lead Teacher: Susan Maddensmadden@aacps.org

County Science Resource: Laura Espinosa lespinosa@aacps.org

Resource Guide

Be sure

to take

one on

your way

out!

THANK YOU FOR COMING and . . .

Let

the

fun

begin

!