OWEN J. ROBERTS SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCIENCE RESEARCH COMPETITION PARENT INFORMATION MEETING

Heidi Lehmann District Science Curriculum Supervisor Mary-Rita Bonner, East Coventry Elementary

Margie Jardine, West Vincent Elementary

Annmarie Barlow, East Vincent Elementary

Patrice Reiche, North Coventry Elementary

Christy Palmerio, French Creek Elementary

Mark Hofer, Secondary Science Teacher

WELCOME & OVERVIEWConnection to our Science Curriculum:

WHAT IS SCIENCE? The study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

WE BELIEVE:Our students are the foundation of our nation’s future.

TEACHING SCIENCE AS INQUIRY:Instead of teaching young people about science, we want them to do science!

OJR CURRICULUM EXPECTATIONS: RESEARCH PROJECT Utilize the scientific method in and out of the classroom setting to solve problems and answer questions. (OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE- DESIGN-CREATE) Problem-Solving Planning and conducting research investigations Using appropriate tools to gather and analyze data Communication Skills - share results and present findings

HELPING YOUR CHILDREN:1. Be Positive! Give encourage, support, and guidance.2. Make certain the project is primarily the work of the child. 3. Realize that your child may be using reading, writing, math, and social skills for the first time in a creative way to solve a problem. 4. In addition to data and results, encourage journaling for recording ideas, related research, methods, designs, etc.5. Help your child plan a mutually agreed upon schedule, to prevent a last minute project and a disrupted household. (A four to six week plan that uses a check-off sheet is best. ) 6. Help your child design a safe project that is not hazardous in any way.7. Provide transportation to such places as libraries, nature centers, universities, etc. that can help the child find project information.

Taken from: National Science Teachers Association

Local Science Fair

Must be held before February

8, 2014

Delaware Valley Science

Fair(Grades 6-12)April 1-3, 2014

Advancing to the Next Level

CCSRC(Grades 4-12)

March 3-4, 2014

Intel(Grades 9-12)

May 11-17, 2014

Science Research ExperimentsWhy Should My Child Participate?

• Your child wants to do an experiment• It’s a real world connection to our curriculum• Possible financial benefits• Your child will learn important life skills in the

areas of problem solving and critical thinking• Your child will develop 21st century skills in

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM)• You get a chance to encourage your child’s natural

curiosity and willingness to push through problems in a fun experiment

But I don’t even know where to start!

• School’s Science Fair Coordinator

• Each school’s Science Research Competition web page

• Child’s science teacher

OWEN J. ROBERTSSCIENCE RESEARCH

EXPERIMENT RESOURCE PACKET

1. PLAN THE EXPERIMENT2. DESIGN THE EXPERIMENT3. CONDUCT THE

EXPERIMENT

Plan The Experiment• Select a topic that interests you• Define the purpose and problem/question– WHY are you doing this experiment?– WHAT are you trying to discover?

• Research• Write hypothesis– Use your research to declare what you believe

will happen under a certain set of conditions– “If . . . then . . . because”

Experiment Categories(See special requirements in resource packet)

• Behavioral and Social Sciences

• Biochemistry• Botany• Chemistry• Computer Science• Consumer Science

(grades 4-8 only)• Earth and Space

Sciences

• Engineering• Environmental

Science• Mathematics• Medicine and Health• Microbiology• Physics• Zoology• Team Projects

Design The Experiment• Gather necessary materials• Write the procedure– Details, details, details– Variables and constants

• Independent: the ONE thing that you will change• Dependent: the ONE thing that you will measure and

observe to draw conclusions• Constants: the things that need to stay the same to

ensure you have reliable data and results– Observations and measurements

• Qualitative: use your senses to observe changes• Quantitative: use measuring tools to record changes

Conduct The Experiment• Follow your approved procedure– Use your original logbook EVERY time you work on your

experiment– Take pictures!

• Analyze data collected• Draw conclusions and make real world connections– Patterns, relationships, trends, etc.– Why should we review this research experiment?

• Write a summary (abstract)• Publish your experiment on the display board

SO NOW THAT MY CHILD HAS DONE ALL OF THIS (FUN AND

EASY) WORK,WHAT DO WE DO NEXT?

ENTER THE SCIENCE COMPETITION!

ALL ISEF PAPERWORK MUST BE SUBMITTED AND APPROVED

BEFORE ANY DATA COLLECTION OR EXPERIMENTATION CAN BEGIN

• Checklist for Adult Sponsor• #1-3, 5, bottom section• Also 4 & 6 if appropriate

Form 1

• Student Checklist• Basic demographic information• Includes research plan

Form 1A

• Approval Form• Student name and signature• Parent name and signature

Form 1B

The Required ISEF Paperwork

– Question/purpose– Hypothesis– Detailed methodology• Procedure• Data analysis

– Bibliography– If applicable• Human subject form and Sample informed consent• Surveys • Risk assessment• Project specific forms (vertebrate animals)

Research Plan – Let Me Know It’s Safe

• Risk Assessment Form• Ensures safe supervision for

student researcherForm 3

• Human Participants Form• Requires additional level of

approval to assess health risksForm 4

• Human Informed Consent• One unsigned COMPLETED copy

submitted with paperwork for approval• Signed copies for EACH PARTICIPANT

kept with log

Form 4

Other Common ISEF Forms

Project Specific ISEF Forms(See special requirements in handbook)

• 1C: Regulated Research Institutional or Industrial Setting Form

• 2: Qualified Scientist Form• 5A and 5B: Vertebrate Animal Forms• 6A: Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents

Risk Assessment Form• 6B: Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue

Form• 7: Continuation Form

Who’s WhoName Contact informationHeidi LehmannScience & Technology Curriculum Supervisor, OJRSD

Hlehmann@ojrsd.org 610-469-5169

Mary-Rita BonnerEast Coventry Elementary

MRBonner@ojrsd.com 610-469-5611

Annmarie BarlowEast Vincent Elementary

Abarlow@ojrsd.com 610-469-

Christy PalmerioFrench Creek Elementary

CPalmiero@ojrsd.com 610-469-

Patrice ReicheNorth Coventry Elementary

PReiche@ojrsd.com 610-469-

Margie JardineWest Vincent Elementary

MJardine@ojrsd.com 610-469-

Mark HoferSecondary Science Teacher

MHofer@ojrsd.com 610-469-

DISTRICT DATESSCHOOL COMPETITION DATE/ (SNOW DATE)

East Coventry Elementary January 15, 2014/ (January 16)

East Vincent Elementary January 8, 2014/ (January 9)

French Creek Elementary January 21, 2014/ (January 28)

North Coventry Elementary January 22, 2014/ (January 28)

West Vincent Elementary January 29, 2014/ (January 30)

Secondary Science Teacher January 23, 2014/ (January 24)

QUESTIONS?