participating in science & engineering fairs – a practical approach bob gemin wpafb...
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Participating in Science & Participating in Science & Engineering Fairs – Engineering Fairs –
A Practical ApproachA Practical Approach
Bob GeminWPAFB Educational Outreach
Engineering Specialist
(937) 656-2273http://edoutreach.wpafb.af.mil
When Somebody Says When Somebody Says ““Science Fair”Science Fair”
What’s The First What’s The First Thought That Pops Into Thought That Pops Into
Your Head??Your Head??
A Science Fair Is…A Science Fair Is…
If You’re A Teacher: If You’re A Teacher: A ToolA Tool Something To Grade OnSomething To Grade On A Creative Outlet for StudentsA Creative Outlet for Students
If You’re A Parent:If You’re A Parent: Stressful…it’s a PAIN!!Stressful…it’s a PAIN!! Conflicts…HelplessnessConflicts…Helplessness Potential Source of PridePotential Source of Pride
If You’re A StudentIf You’re A Student A Requirement For A GradeA Requirement For A Grade More Work!!More Work!! Too Many Decisions!!!Too Many Decisions!!! Fear Of UnknownFear Of Unknown
What What SHOULDSHOULD You You Think Of? Think Of?
How You Will Feel How You Will Feel AfterAfter Participating Participating In The Science Fair In The Science Fair
Pride…Not Relief!Pride…Not Relief! Rewarded…Not Punished!Rewarded…Not Punished!
Reward is an Honorable Goal!!Reward is an Honorable Goal!! Motivator Doesn’t Always Have To Be Grades!Motivator Doesn’t Always Have To Be Grades!
If It Motivates You… Work for the
Rewards!!!
The Important Results Will Be By-Products!!
A Science Fair Project A Science Fair Project Is An Opportunity!!Is An Opportunity!!
Lots of Awards! Lots of Awards! PrizesPrizes MoneyMoney ScholarshipsScholarships Summer JobsSummer Jobs Entry Into Select CollegesEntry Into Select Colleges
By Products:By Products: Organization SkillsOrganization Skills Critical Thinking SkillsCritical Thinking Skills
Quote Facts, Not HearsayQuote Facts, Not Hearsay Presentation SkillsPresentation Skills Sense of SelfSense of Self
The “Recipe” For A The “Recipe” For A Classic Science Fair Classic Science Fair
QUESTION
If You’ve Never “Cooked” Before, There’s A Lot Involved in Baking A
Cake!!Preparation:Preparation:
Do You Have All The Do You Have All The Ingredients You Need?Ingredients You Need?
Do You Have All Right Tools?Do You Have All Right Tools?
Process:Process: Follow The RecipeFollow The Recipe Do Things Step-By-StepDo Things Step-By-Step Leave the Fancy Stuff to the Leave the Fancy Stuff to the
Chefs!!Chefs!!
The Science Fair Recipe The Science Fair Recipe
QUESTIONQUESTION
RESEARCH
HYPOTHESIS
PROCEDURE
EXPERIMENT
RESULTS
ANALYSIS
CONCLUSION
Scientific Method
Question – Tailor Question – Tailor Your Project To You!!Your Project To You!!
Consider YourConsider Your InterestsInterests Knowledge BaseKnowledge Base Access to MentorsAccess to Mentors Available EquipmentAvailable Equipment Natural SurroundingsNatural Surroundings
Make A List of EachMake A List of Each Look For Matches Between RowsLook For Matches Between Rows
QUESTION
STEP #1 - QUESTION
????
?
?
Take A Good Look At Take A Good Look At Your List!Your List!
STEP #1 - QUESTION
INTERESTSINTERESTS KNOWLEDGE/ KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLSSKILLS
MENTORMENTOR EQUIPMENT/ EQUIPMENT/ SURROUNDINGSURROUNDING
BASKETBALL MATH MARY – CHEMISTRY RULERS
COMPUTER COMPUTER GAMES
JIM – GARDENING SCALES (BATH, FOOD, POSTAL)
BUILDING DRIBBLING BASKETBALL
BOB – ELECTRONICS THERMOMETERS
LEGOS BUILDING THINGS JANE – MECH ENG FISH TANK
SWIMMING BETTY – NURSE BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR
BIKING ROY - PAINTER STOP WATCH
VIDEO CAMERA
LEVEL
RUBBER BANDS
PRESSURE GAUGES
MEDICINE
I Like Basketball, Roy Has Ladders, I Like Basketball, Roy Has Ladders, I have Pressure Gauges…I Wonder I have Pressure Gauges…I Wonder How High a Basketball Will Bounce How High a Basketball Will Bounce Under Different Pressures?Under Different Pressures?
INTERESTSINTERESTS KNOWLEDGE/ KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLSSKILLS
MENTORMENTOR EQUIPMENT/ EQUIPMENT/ SURROUNDINGSURROUNDING
BASKETBALL
COMPUTER COMPUTER GAMES
SCALES (BATH, FOOD, POSTAL)
DRIBBLING BASKETBALL
LEGOS BUILDING THINGS JANE – MECH ENG
BETTY – NURSE BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR
MEDICINE ROY - PAINTER PRESSURE GAUGES
STEP #1 - QUESTION
I Like Computers and Medicine. I’m I Like Computers and Medicine. I’m Good at Computer Games. My Good at Computer Games. My Friend Betty is a Nurse and Has a Friend Betty is a Nurse and Has a Blood Pressure Monitor. I Wonder If Blood Pressure Monitor. I Wonder If Playing Computer Games Raises Playing Computer Games Raises Your Blood Pressure?Your Blood Pressure?
INTERESTSINTERESTS KNOWLEDGE/ KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLSSKILLS
MENTORMENTOR EQUIPMENT/ EQUIPMENT/ SURROUNDINGSURROUNDING
BASKETBALL
COMPUTER COMPUTER GAMES
SCALES (BATH, FOOD, POSTAL)
DRIBBLING BASKETBALL
LEGOS BUILDING THINGS JANE – MECH ENG
BETTY – NURSE BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR
MEDICINE ROY - PAINTER PRESSURE GAUGES
STEP #1 - QUESTION
Question – Question – Developing the Best Developing the Best
Question For YouQuestion For You
Websites To Spark Ideas:Websites To Spark Ideas: http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/sciencefairs/http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/sciencefairs/ http://www.scifair.org/ideas/index.shtmlhttp://www.scifair.org/ideas/index.shtml http://www.dwusciencefair.com/http://www.dwusciencefair.com/
science_project_links.php3science_project_links.php3 http://madsci.org/MS_search.htmlhttp://madsci.org/MS_search.html http://youth.net/nsrc/sci/sci.index.htmlhttp://youth.net/nsrc/sci/sci.index.html http://ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/projects.htmlhttp://ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/projects.html
http://scitoys.com/http://scitoys.com/
Note: This Does NOT Constitute An Endorsement of These
Websites….STEP #1 - QUESTION
Research – Research – Get A Notebook!Get A Notebook!
STEP #2 - RESEARCH
Make A Commitment To Make A Commitment To Document Your WorkDocument Your Work
Research Underlying Scientific Principles: Research Underlying Scientific Principles: To Help Make Educated Guess To To Help Make Educated Guess To
Answer Your QuestionAnswer Your Question To Define the Test DesignTo Define the Test Design
Internet Searches Are Great… But Don’t Internet Searches Are Great… But Don’t Forget Books and People!!Forget Books and People!! More on This Later!!More on This Later!!
HypothesisHypothesis
STEP #3 - HYPOTHESIS
The Hypothesis Rewords Your The Hypothesis Rewords Your Question In A Way To Help You Do Question In A Way To Help You Do Your TestYour Test Predict the Answer, State Your Reason, If Predict the Answer, State Your Reason, If
PossiblePossible Select Projects With Well Formed HypothesisSelect Projects With Well Formed Hypothesis
Special Cases - Engineering ProjectsSpecial Cases - Engineering Projects Recommendation: Always Have Hypothesis Recommendation: Always Have Hypothesis
Listed On Poster Board, Regardless of Its Listed On Poster Board, Regardless of Its QualityQuality
Hypothesis- Hypothesis- Basketball Example:Basketball Example:
I’m Going to Drop My Basketball With Different I’m Going to Drop My Basketball With Different Air Pressures… What Do I Think Is Going to Air Pressures… What Do I Think Is Going to Happen?Happen?
My Hypothesis: I Expect That My Basketball My Hypothesis: I Expect That My Basketball Will Bounce Higher At Higher Air PressureWill Bounce Higher At Higher Air Pressure A “Plus” Would Be To Speculate A “Plus” Would Be To Speculate
“WHY?”“WHY?” Then, Start To Visualize Your Then, Start To Visualize Your
Graphs That Will Answer Your Graphs That Will Answer Your Question Question
STEP #3 - HYPOTHESIS
0123
0 50 100
Ball Pressure in Kilopascals
Bo
un
ce
Hei
gh
t in
M
eter
s
1 Meter 2 Meter 3 Meter 4 Meter
Bounce Height for Various Basketball Pressures and Drop Heights
Thinking of Your Ultimate Thinking of Your Ultimate Product, Your Graph, Product, Your Graph,
Focuses Your PlanFocuses Your Plan
Procedure/Experiment Procedure/Experiment – Design Is – Design Is
Critical Critical
STEP #4 & 5 – PROCEDURE & EXPERIMENT
Experiments Should Result in Experiments Should Result in Data That Can Be Displayed in a Data That Can Be Displayed in a GraphGraph Imagine Steps to Gathering Data to Put Dots Imagine Steps to Gathering Data to Put Dots
on Graph – That is Your Procedureon Graph – That is Your Procedure Remember That You Will Need To Record The Remember That You Will Need To Record The
Data…How Will That Data Arrive?Data…How Will That Data Arrive? How Long Will Data Point Stay Valid?How Long Will Data Point Stay Valid? What Measurement Tools Do You Need?What Measurement Tools Do You Need?
Video Camcorders Can Help Slow TimeVideo Camcorders Can Help Slow Time
Advice on Gathering Data:Advice on Gathering Data:
Do A Control Group Do A Control Group The ‘NORM” You’ll Compare Your Data ToThe ‘NORM” You’ll Compare Your Data To Design and Use Your Own Data SheetDesign and Use Your Own Data Sheet Perform Multiple Data RunsPerform Multiple Data Runs
Reduce Your VariablesReduce Your Variables Change Only Those That Are Under Test…Keep Change Only Those That Are Under Test…Keep
EVERYTHING Else The SameEVERYTHING Else The Same Document Anything That Might Have An Impact Document Anything That Might Have An Impact
(Somebody Opened The Outside Door (Somebody Opened The Outside Door and Let Cold Air In… The Bounce of The and Let Cold Air In… The Bounce of The Ball Changed…)Ball Changed…)
STEP #3 - HYPOTHESIS
Sample Data Sheet Sample Data Sheet (Basketball Example)(Basketball Example)
Ball Pressure _____ Ball Bounce ______
Day _____ Time _____ Temperature _____
Test # ______
Drop Height _______Test At This Height/Pressure 1 2 3
(Circle)
Rebound Height ______
Observations: (This Could Include Picture Number, Any Problems Noted (Ball Hit a Pebble), Etc.)
Results – Results – Perform The ExperimentPerform The Experiment
The Better You Plan, The Simpler The Test! The Better You Plan, The Simpler The Test!
Record All Testing – Even FailuresRecord All Testing – Even Failures Do A Control GroupDo A Control Group Record All ConditionsRecord All Conditions Record Qualitative Data Like Noises/SmellsRecord Qualitative Data Like Noises/Smells Control Your Variables Except What is Control Your Variables Except What is
Under TestUnder Test Record Measuring Tool And Units Of DataRecord Measuring Tool And Units Of Data Label Each Data Run By Time Of DayLabel Each Data Run By Time Of Day Take Pictures Of Test Setup, If PossibleTake Pictures Of Test Setup, If PossibleSTEP #6 - RESULTS
Analysis – Analysis – Have No Fear!! Have No Fear!!
You Analyze The Data By You Analyze The Data By Putting It in the GraphPutting It in the Graph Ask Questions of the Graph…Linear? Slope? Ask Questions of the Graph…Linear? Slope?
Intercept? Maximum? Minimum?Intercept? Maximum? Minimum? Report any Interesting AnswersReport any Interesting Answers Indicate Reproducibility of Data - Show Multiple Indicate Reproducibility of Data - Show Multiple
Runs on Graphs…or Use StatisticsRuns on Graphs…or Use Statistics Use Different Graphs to Show Different FeaturesUse Different Graphs to Show Different Features Spreadsheets Are Powerful ToolsSpreadsheets Are Powerful Tools Don’t Be Afraid To change Axis Of Don’t Be Afraid To change Axis Of
Graph! Data Can Be Worked in a Graph! Data Can Be Worked in a Variety of WaysVariety of Ways
STEP #7 - ANALYSIS
• Here Is Same Data In Two New Graphs Here Is Same Data In Two New Graphs Which Results In New UnderstandingWhich Results In New Understanding
• This Is An Example Of Graphical AnalysisThis Is An Example Of Graphical Analysis
Back To Basketball…Back To Basketball…
Bounce Ratio Versus Ball Pressure
For Various Drop Heights
00.20.40.60.8
0 50 100
Ball Pressure in Kilopascals
Ra
tio
of
Bo
un
ce
/Dro
p
Dis
tan
ce
1 Meter 2 Meter 3 Meter 4 Meter
Bounce Ratio Versus Drop Height For
Various Ball Pressures
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1 2 3 4
Drop Height in Meters
Rat
io o
f B
ou
nce
/Dro
p
Hei
gh
t 30 kpascals
40 kpascals
50 kpascals
60 kpascals
70 kpascals
80 kpascals
ConclusionConclusion
STEP # 8 - CONCLUSION
Your Conclusion is a Summary Your Conclusion is a Summary Focused On Answering Your Focused On Answering Your Question/HypothesisQuestion/Hypothesis If Your Hypothesis Was Incorrect or
Disproved, It is NOT a Failed Experiment! If Your Hypothesis Was Disproved, Offer
An Alternative Explanation Always Consider What More Could
Be DoneAnother TestAnother Project
How To Use “PEOPLE” How To Use “PEOPLE” In Your Research:In Your Research:
You Can Have Numerous You Can Have Numerous Mentors Based On Their Mentors Based On Their Expertise!Expertise!
Start With Specific QuestionsStart With Specific Questions Tell Them What You’re Doing and What Tell Them What You’re Doing and What
You Think Will WorkYou Think Will Work Ask If You Can Ask Them More QuestionsAsk If You Can Ask Them More Questions
Scientists and Engineers Love An Scientists and Engineers Love An Occasional Diversion…Like YOU!!Occasional Diversion…Like YOU!!
Many Experts Can Be Found On the Many Experts Can Be Found On the InternetInternet Make Sure Your Parents Know!Make Sure Your Parents Know!
I’d Be Glad To
Assist!!!
Checklist – Checklist – What To Ask Yourself What To Ask Yourself
and/or Your Mentorand/or Your Mentor
How Do I Analyze?How Do I Analyze? Use A GraphUse A Graph Use StatisticsUse Statistics
How Much Data Should I Take?How Much Data Should I Take? One Run Is Not Enough! One Run Is Not Enough! Do At Least Three (3)Do At Least Three (3)
How Do I Define My Experiment?How Do I Define My Experiment? Start With Your QuestionStart With Your Question Envision Graphs That Answer Your QuestionEnvision Graphs That Answer Your Question Envision Collecting Data to Put The “Dots” on Envision Collecting Data to Put The “Dots” on the Pagethe Page Develop Data SheetDevelop Data Sheet
Prepare For Prepare For Presentation:Presentation:
The Focus The Focus ShouldShould Be Knowledge … Be Knowledge … But In A Science Fair IMPRESS THE But In A Science Fair IMPRESS THE JUDGES!!JUDGES!! Anticipate Questions The Judge Will Ask Research The Answer Make Yourself A Note Card Practice Reciting The Answer So
It Sounds Natural Use your Poster As A Big Note Card
Use Topics/Key Words to Stimulate Discussion
Don’t Forget to Explain Your Graph!!
That Would
Be Because
…
NO FEAR!! NO FEAR!! Practice Your Practice Your PresentationPresentation
Use Flash Cards To Practice What Use Flash Cards To Practice What You Want To SayYou Want To Say
It Helps You With Things You It Helps You With Things You Should Know Under Pressure Should Know Under Pressure (And Might Not Remember…)(And Might Not Remember…)
Anticipate Questions!Anticipate Questions!
It Also Adds To Your It Also Adds To Your Knowledge Base!Knowledge Base!
Preparing For Preparing For The Judges:The Judges:
Expect QuestionsExpect Questions Have Your Answers Ready For Have Your Answers Ready For
Expected QuestionsExpected Questions Work Your Answers In If Not AskedWork Your Answers In If Not Asked Make Sure You Provide Make Sure You Provide
Information in Judging Information in Judging Category:Category: Knowledge AchievedKnowledge Achieved OriginalityOriginality
Typical Questions:Typical Questions:
Where did the idea for this project come from?Where did the idea for this project come from? What did you learn from your research?What did you learn from your research? What were the most important sources used in your What were the most important sources used in your
research?research? How much time did you spend on the project? What How much time did you spend on the project? What
took most of your time?took most of your time? Where did items used in your project come from?Where did items used in your project come from? How many times did you run the experiment on each How many times did you run the experiment on each
configuration?configuration? Did you use any statistics such as averaging?Did you use any statistics such as averaging? How constant were your conditions during How constant were your conditions during
experiments?experiments? What would you do differently? What more would you What would you do differently? What more would you
like to do?like to do?
Selling Yourself – Selling Yourself – Use PIE!Use PIE!
PerformancePerformance ImageImage ExposureExposure
Science Fairs Are A Science Fairs Are A GREAT Time To GREAT Time To Learn How To Learn How To Promote YourselfPromote Yourself
Many Successful Many Successful People Use PIE People Use PIE PrinciplePrinciple
““Performance” Performance” Already CoveredAlready Covered
Look At Image And Look At Image And Exposure…Exposure…
Image – Image – The Impression You Give in The Impression You Give in
Appearance and Actions:Appearance and Actions:
You Want The Judges To Relate To You You Want The Judges To Relate To You And See Their History In YOUR Future!And See Their History In YOUR Future! Project The Image Of Being A Budding Project The Image Of Being A Budding
Scientist Or EngineerScientist Or Engineer Dress Like They Would DressDress Like They Would Dress Show Them You Enjoy What You’re Doing…Show Them You Enjoy What You’re Doing…
Tell Anecdotal Stories of What Happened, Extra Tell Anecdotal Stories of What Happened, Extra Stuff You LearnedStuff You Learned
Ask QuestionsAsk Questions Play To Their Expertise…Ask How You Could Play To Their Expertise…Ask How You Could
Do Better In The Next FairDo Better In The Next Fair
Exposure – Make Sure The Judges See
You and Remember You:
Use Attention Grabbing Displays and Posters Check the Rules!!!
For Maximum “Traffic”, Pick A Project Related To Today’s Public Concerns Understand the Issue, Consider
Being an Advocate Examples: Global Warming, Acid
Rain, Failed Levies, Pollution, Earthquake Protection, Water Purification, Security Devices, Genetically Altered Foods, Etc…
Motivation - Motivation - Many Opportunities Await!Many Opportunities Await!
That Future Exceptional Science and/or Engineering Student Can Be You!!
Summer Jobs, Free Training, Camps and More Are Available Through Science Fairs!
Places To Check: Ohio Academy of Science
http://www.ohiosci.org/ International Science and Engineering Fair…
Make Participation in this Fair Your Goal! http://www.sciserv.org/isef/
Motivation - Motivation - Many Opportunities Await!Many Opportunities Await!
More Places To Check Out: Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
http://www.biosciences.utoledo.edu/oishs/index.htm Science Talent Search
http://www.intel.com/education/sts/ National Youth Science Camp
http://www.sciencecamp.org/ National Gallery for America’s Young Inventors
http://www.pafinc.com/gallery/index.htm
IT REALLY WORKS!!!!
Did We Mention Did We Mention “Having Fun”? :“Having Fun”? :
People Throughout History Experimented with Science and Engineering “For Fun”
Imagine Getting Paid For Doing Something You Enjoy Doing!!
To Avoid Stress: Start Your Project Early,
Be Ready… then Kick Back and Enjoy!!
For Additional InformationFor Additional Information:: WPAFB Educational
Outreach Office (937) 656-2273 (937) 904-8033 fax email:
Bob Gemin Engineering Specialist (937) 656-2273 (937) 904-8033 fax email: [email protected]
Major Funding For the WPAFB Educational
Outreach Program Is
Provided By the Air Force
Research Laboratory
Website - http://edoutreach.wpafb.af.mil
Check Out Our “Scopes For Check Out Our “Scopes For Students” Program!!Students” Program!!
Thanks To A Grant From The Armed
Forces Communications and
Electronics Association We Can
Loan You Specialized Equipment to Use
With Your Science Fair Project!!!
PICK UP A FLYER!!
“ “Scopes For Students” Scopes For Students” • Digital Oscilloscopes Help You Measure A
Variety of Parameters In Your Experiment
• Measurements are Taken at Small Intervals so You Can Catch What Happens In An Instant!
• Data is Recorded in Files That Can Be Analyzed Using MS Excel
• Instructions on Equipment Operation Are Provided’
Types of Sensors:Types of Sensors:
• Accelerometers
• Barometers
• Conductivity Probe
• Current Probe
• Dual Range Force Sensor
• EKG Sensors
• Force Plate
• Gas Pressure Sensor
• Light Sensor
• Magnetic Field Sensor
• Microphone
• pH Sensor
• Relative Humidity
• Respiration Monitor Belt
• Temperature Probes
• Thermocouple
• UV Sensor
• Voltage