RES Science Fair

2016

The purpose of the annual science fair is for every child to experience the joy

and learning that comes from a scientific discovery.

Who may participate?

• All students (K-5th) may participate in the Science Fair.

• All 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students are required to do a project.

• Only 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students projects are eligible for judging and advancing to the Austin Regional Science Fair.

Dates• Projects are due on Tuesday, January 19• Projects are invited to be judged:– Tuesday or Wednesday (January 19-20)– Judging acceptance forms are due back by 7:45 a.m.

Thursday, January 21 • Projects will be displayed/judged on Thursday,

January 21• Open House on Thursday, January 21 from 5:00

p.m.-7:00 p.m.• Austin Regional Science Fair is on February 20,

2016

Kindergarten-2nd Grade– projects may be on any topic – may be completed individually or as a team or group– Following the “rules” are encouraged as practice for

when they reach 3rd grade

3rd -5th Grades– All projects should be experiments – all projects are to follow the rules of the fair

including size/space and use of approved items

– 1st think about what you enjoy: • Sports, music, books, games, etc.

– 2nd come up with a question:• Which ball is best, what causes the different sounds,

could that have really happened?, what’s the chances of me winning every time, etc.

– 3rd think about what you could do to answer that question and you have your project idea!

Choosing a Project

Judging

• All projects 3rd -5th will be eligible to be judged.• Each teacher will choose the 5 best/qualified

projects from their class• These students will receive an invitational

packet to participate in the judging portion of the fair with the possibility of advancing to the Regional Fair.

• Their packet must be completed and returned prior to the judging in order to advance.

Basics for every project:

• Your name is not anywhere on the front of the board or on any display items. (put your name and your teacher’s name on the back of your project)

• Photos are encouraged but should not have full face views of you. Profile, bent head, distance, etc. are ok.

• Use a full-size tri-fold board.• The project, and accompanying items, should not

be in excess of 15” deep, 48” wide, and 72” high.

Required steps to your project:

• Title• Problem—ask a testable question or state a problem.• Definitions—include even if you think everyone knows

them (example: dog—a domesticated 4-legged mammal)• Hypothesis—your prediction of what you think will

happen and/or the goal of your experiment.• Background information—written research information

(an abbreviated section should be on your board and a spiral or folder of more extensive information should be laid in front of your project)

Continued:

• Materials—list all the items used in the experiment• Procedure—describe the steps of the experiment• Results—what happened/how it turned out. Include tables

and graphs.• Conclusion—answer the problem/question and was your

hypothesis correct?• References and Acknowledgments:

– References: credit all sources of your research (must include some besides the internet!)

– Acknowledgements: thank everyone that assisted. (Examples: Thanks to mom for typing and helping me with organization. Thanks to Sue for helping me measure.)

Parents are encouraged to be involved:

• Help the child think through what they enjoy and how an experiment could come from their interests.

• Provide materials

• Assist with organization, typing (exactly what the student has hand written!)• Encouragement and enthusiasm

Bring a Display itemCheck what’s allowed and it must fit within the size limits.

Make it neat and pretty! Make it well organized and attractive so that it grabs the attention of who’s looking at it and is easily understood.

Do not bring or attach any of these items:

• No organisms; living, dead or preserved (plants or animals)• No human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine, hair)• No human or animal food• No liquids – laboratory/household chemicals including water• No poisons, drugs, controlled or hazardous substances• No sharp items (for example: syringes, needles, pipettes, knives, tacks,

nails)• No glass or glass objects unless encased or an integral and necessary

part of a commercial product (for example, a computer screen)• No pressurized tanks or containers• No batteries with open top cells (so that battery acid can be seen)• No dirt, soil, gravel, rocks, sand, waste products, etc.

Do not do a project that involves any of these:

• No project, device, activity or substance that may be deemed hazardous to student health or safety

• No photographs or pictures of animals or people in surgical techniques, dissections or necropsies.

• No project involving Bacteria or mold• No project causing pain or suffering to an animal.• No weapons of any type

Examples