Science Showcase

Welcome to4th & 5th grade Parent

Night

Science Projects

A step by step guide for Science

ShowcaseHold on, It’s a long fun ride!

Students will choose their projects according to their interests

The focus will be on the students’ use of inquiry skills (the seeking of information or knowledge)

Teachers will serve as facilitators as students independently carry out their investigations

Students will be asked to create a presentation board to display

Teachers will evaluate each project using the Standards-Based Rubric

Culminating in a school-wide “Science Showcase” Three 4th and 5th grade students will go to the

County Showcase at Lakeland Square Mall on May 25th

Overview

The Elementary Science Showcase for the 2011-2012 school year will have a new feel and a new name. Students will learn more about what they are interested in while they deepen their understandings of how science works and improve their inquiry skills, including their ability to communicate and share results. There will be no judges and, although there will be recognition, there will be no ribbons.

A Standards-Based Science Showcase

Rationale for Standards-Based Science Showcase

Less emphasis on competitionMore emphasis on communicationMore accurately mirrors how science worksStudents compete against standardsMeet demands of Common Core Standards/

National Science Standards/ Next Gen. Sunshine State Standards

Student-centered projects

Select a genre of Science(Must be teacher approved )

Zoology: Zoology involves the pure study of animals as organisms. Behavioral: This science fair category covers the study of how people

and animals behave and the process of our thinking as we interact with our environment.

Chemistry: This science fair category covers the study of matter. Earth: This branch of science covers the study of sciences that are

related to this planet; Earth. Engineering: This category covers the application of scientific and

mathematical principles in order achieve practical outcomes. Energy: Covered in this science fair category is the study of renewable

energy sources such as solar and wind energy. Environmental Management: This science fair category covers the

study of the ways in which the interactions we humans have with our environment can be managed.

Environmental Sciences: This science fair category covers the scientific study and analysis of the current condition that the environment is in.

Physics and Astronomy: Physics covers the study of matter and energy and the interactions that take place between them. Astronomy covers the study of everything in the universe that is beyond the Earth.

Botany: This category covers the study of plants and plant life.

Projects involving a controlled substance, such as cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, etc. are prohibited at the elementary level.

Projects that involve harming or endangering humans or vertebrates are prohibited at the elementary level.

Projects involving blood and pathogenic agents, such as bacteria, mold, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc. are prohibited at the elementary level.

Prohibited Projects for the Elementary Science Showcase

Projects involving weapons (any kind of gun, arrows, knives, darts, paint guns, etc.) or (including rocketry engines) are prohibited at the elementary level.  Any objects that could cause bodily harm are prohibited.

Projects for the Science Showcase are limited to the experimental type that use the Scientific Method with a testable question. This type of question has a variable that can be tested. Product comparison projects are not permitted at the District Level.

Prohibited Projects for the Elementary Science Showcase

You should begin your log when your project is assigned. This starts the process.

Everything you do or think concerning your project must be entered into your log!

This includes accurate dates & timesNotes by writing down most

important factsHighlight items and keep an

accurate chart

The “handwritten” Log

Find out as much as you can about your topic before you begin

Sources of information may includeTeachersLibraries-books, magazines, encyclopediasFamilyProfessionals in the field (letters to

companies or organizations)InternetUse a minimum of three sources of research

Do the Research

Use search engines for student friendly websites

Use the best websites with current information

Accurately bookmark location and access

Use only relevant information to your topic

Internet Research

There are several ways to phrase a question. Be sure to include the variables in the question. Remember: “affect” is a verb and effect is a “noun”. The Outcome Variable must be measureable.

How does __________affect the _____________ of a _______________? Test variable Outcome variable Item you are

testing (This is the one (This is the one you will you are changing.) measure and record.)  

How does light intensity affect the growth height of a plant?   How does the wing shape affect the flying distance of a paper

airplane?  

Writing your Purpose Question

What is the effect of __________________ on the __________________ of _______________?   Test variable Outcome variable

Item you are testing (This is the one (This is the one you will you are changing.) measure and record.)   What is the effect of light intensity on the growth height of a plant? What is the effect of the wing shape on the flying distance of a paper airplane?

Writing your Purpose Question

There are several ways to phrase a question. Be sure to include the variables in the question. Remember: “affect” is a verb and effect is a “noun”. The Outcome Variable must be measureable.

It is a possible answer to your purpose statement

It is what you think might happen based on your research

It is an educated prediction of the results

State your Prediction/Hypothesis: Based on my research I predict ……

Writing the Predictionor Hypothesis

Identify the variables (before experiment)Identify the control and factors held

constantMake a precise materials list (include safety

materials)Giving step by step instructions (1st, 2nd,

next, after that, finally)

Procedure

Identify the one factor that will be changed during the experiment. This is the Test Variable (also called the Manipulated or Independent variable).

What is changed on purpose

Identify how your results will be measured. This is called the Outcome Variable (also called the Responding or Dependent variable).

Depends on what is changed What is measured may change

Variables

VariablesIndependent VariableYou will change

only one thing

Temperature

Slope of a ramp

The amount of salt

You would not change the temperature and the kind or amount of sugar.

You would not change the slope and surface of the ramp

You would not change the amount of salt and the kind of water

VariablesDependant Variable

What is measured depends on what is changed

Y axis

D Dependent

R Responding

Y Y Axis

X Axis

Manipulated Independent x Axis

M I X

Control GroupControl Group

This is the group that is treated in the “normal” way so it can be compared to the experimental group

Examples:The plant that you

don’t changeThe car you did not

add mass to

Not all experiments have a control; just state “no control” or “none”

Identify the factors that will be held constant.

These are the things that will not change

All of these must be kept the same, or CONSTANT, in order for the experiment to be a fair test.

Constants

Make your materials list precise

Include everything you need to do the project from start to finish

Be specific in how many, what size, how much, what kind etc.

Materials List

Be specific on HOW MANY1- wooden car

Detail in size13 cm long 4 cm wide

Describe the kindWooden car with two 7cm diameter

wheels

Materials Description

Metric System measurement only is required

Most common units to use:cm centimeters (Linear distance) (Height)ml milliliters (Volume) (Liquids)g grams (Weight) (Mass)

Measurement

Directions are written like a recipe

Your directions should tell exactly how you will perform your experiment

State how to repeat your experiment a minimum of 3 times

Be precise, specific and detailed

Step by Step Instructions

Observe, measure and record the data

The Experiment

Independent Variable

1sttrial

2nd

trial3rd

trialMean

X

Y

control

Measurement must be accurate and precise

Keep data organized on a chart in your log

Data should explain what happened in the experiment

Display DATA as drawings, tables, charts, photos and graphs

Results

Graphs show data or results

Graphs are labeledX (mix) and Y (dry) axisTitleNeatly done and easy to readAccurately matches data on chartYour data and graph must include

the mean (average) of the three trials

Graphs

The conclusion should be written in paragraph form.

What was the outcome of the experiment?Did the data support the prediction? Students

should not say the data “proves” or “disproves” their hypothesis because this one investigation is not enough data to “prove” or “disprove” anything. What they can say is that the data “supported” or “did not support” the prediction.

Students should include the actual data that provided the evidence.

The Conclusion

Describe any problems or unusual events that happened during the investigation.

State what they would do differently next time the experiment is done.

Think of additional experiments that can continue from this experiment.

Who (or what industry) could benefit from this investigation?

The Conclusion

Is the size appropriate?Is it NEAT and ORGANIZED?Does it have all of the necessary parts?

Is it “Reader Friendly?”

A suggested presentation board set up is included in the folder.

Display

Encourage your child to do his/her best

Listen to ideas and provide guidance when needed

Remind your child of the due datesSafety is important! Supervise when

neededContact the teacher if you have

questions or concerns

Helpful Hints

Mandatory assignment officially begins on Monday,

March 26th

April 1– April 12 plan and experiment

April 13 – 22 complete charts and graphs

April 23 – 23 complete conclusion

April 27 – May 3rd complete mini-board

May 3rd PROJECTS DUE

May 24th is out Science Showcase at Lakeland Square Mall

Needed forms and information will follow those selected