The Rhodes School Science Fair

Information Packet K– 2nd Grade

2014-2015

2014-2015

September 2014 Dear TRS Parents and Students, Welcome to the 2014-2015 Science Fair! The purpose of the Fair is to cultivate curiosity and enthusiasm for science in all students (PreK4-6th grade) by providing opportunity for them to question, explore, discover, and share newfound knowledge with others. Science Fair projects are produced at home, therefore parental assistance and support is essential to your child’s success. This packet is your guide to help your student prepare a project and exhibit for the school Science Fair in October. This packet includes:

• Schedule of Assignments • Project Ideas • Definitions & Science Fair Ideas • Oral Presentation Rules • Assignment forms

The first step is to help your child decide what science project he/she wants to do. Please review this packet carefully with your child, then choose a project your child is interested in and that you deem appropriate for his/her grade and ability level. Need ideas or help? This packet lists several ideas and suggestions and you may contact your child’s Science teacher with questions or help with project ideas. Once you choose your project, fill out the project plan form and turn it in to your teacher by the September 19th due date. Use the checklists at the back of the packet to pace yourself and help meet deadlines. Each deadline signifies that an assignment needs to be returned to teacher and will be taken for a grade. Good luck & have fun! Kenitra Bennett kbennett@rhodesschool.org Science Fair Lead --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN: I have reviewed the Rhodes School Science Fair information and all due dates with my child and understand that a final project MUST be submitted on October 28, 2014 (REQUIRED). I further acknowledge that my child understands his/her responsibility to complete much of the work for his/her project at home, according to the enclosed timeline. I also understand that a rubric will be used to evaluate my child’s completed project. _______________________________ ___________ Parent/Guardian Signature Date _______________________________ ___________ Student Signature Date

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Schedule of Assignments

Due Date Assignment September 10, 2014 *Science Fair packets go home with

students. *Parents review with students and choose a topic.

September 19, 2014 Assignment #1 is due: Question & Hypothesis (science grade)

October 10, 2014 Assignment #2 is due: Materials & Procedures (science grade)

October 24, 2014 Assignment #3 is due: Data, Results & Conclusion (science & math grade)

**October 28,2014 *by 8:20am

Display Board due (science grade)

October 29, 2014 Oral Presentation **All Science Projects must be turned in by this date**

October 30, 2014 Science Fair Night

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K-2nd Science Project Ideas

How much salt does it take to float an egg?

Which materials absorb the most water?

What kind of juice cleans pennies best? Do wheels reduce friction? What dish soap makes the most bubbles? What materials dissolve in water? Do watches keep time the same? What is the soil in my schoolyard made of? On which surface can a snail move faster – dirt or cement?

Do plants grow better with tap water or distilled water?

What brand of raisin cereal has the most raisins?

What color of birdseed do birds like best?

How can you measure the strength of a magnet?

What holds two boards’ together better- a nail or a screw?

Do ants like cheese or sugar better? Will bananas brown faster on the counter or in the refrigerator?

Can the design of a paper airplane make it fly farther?

Does temperature affect the growth of plants?

Do roots of a plant always grow downward?

Do mint leaves repel ants?

Can you tell what something is just by touching it?

Does a ball roll farther on grass or dirt?

What kind of things do magnets attract? Do all objects fall to the ground at the same speed?

What foods do mealworms prefer? Does anyone in my class have the same fingerprints?

How long will it take a drop of food dye to color a glass of water?

Which travels faster- a snail or a worm?

What is the best air pressure for tires on an A.T.V., three-wheeler?

Which paper towel is the strongest?

Can you tell where sound comes from when you are blindfolded?

Can plants grow from leaves?

Can plants grow without soil? Which dissolves better in water-salt or baking soda?

Does warm water freeze faster than cool water?

Can things be identified by just their smell?

In my class who is taller- boys or girls? With which type of battery do toys run longest?

Do different types of apples have the same number of seeds?

What type of line carries sound waves best?

Do bigger seeds produce bigger plants? Can the sun’s energy be used to clean water?

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K-2nd Science Project Ideas

What percentage of corn seeds in a package will germinate?

Do all colors fade at the same rate?

Does an earthworm react to light and darkness?

Which brand of diaper hold the most water?

Does the human tongue have definite areas for certain tastes?

In my class, who has the smallest hands- boys or girls?

Can same-type balloons withstand the same amount of pressure?

Which kind of cleaner removes ink stains best?

Does the viscosity of a liquid affect its boiling point?

Does a plant grow bigger if watered by milk or water?

Does surrounding color affect an insect’s eating habits?

How long are yellow lights at various intersections?

Do children’s heart rates increase as they get older?

Does a baseball go farther when hit by a wood or metal bat?

Can you use a strand of human hair to measure air moisture?

Do living plants give off moisture?

What materials provide the best insulation?

Using a lever, can one student lift another student who is bigger?

Is using two eyes to judge distance more accurate than using one eye?

What gets warmer- sand or soap?

Do different kinds of caterpillars eat different amounts of food?

Which kind of glue holds two boards together better?

What plant foods contain starch? Do pre-wash products get clothes cleaner? What keeps things colder- plastic wrap or aluminum foil?

What waterproofing agents work best?

Does heart rate increase with increasing sound volume?

How does deodorant effect clothes?

Do boys or girls have a higher resting heart rate?

Which paint protects wood the best?

Do liquids cool as they evaporate? Does one brand of shampoo get hair cleaner than another brand of shampoo?

Which way does the wind blow most frequently?

Does one brand of suntan lotion absorb water more quickly that another brand of suntan lotion?

Does the size of a light bulb affect its energy use?

Do plants grow better with artificial or natural light?

For how long a distance can speech be transmitted through a tube?

What are the effects of root bounding on plant growth?

What type of soil filters water best? What baseball bat hits the farthest- wood or aluminum?

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Science Fair Ideas 1. Cyber Fair: See sample fair projects, look through other student's examples, and see the steps involved in judging projects. http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/welcome.html

2. Experimental Science Projects: Outlines steps in preparing a project (complete with an ideas list), and suggests the best ways to prepare one at different grade levels. http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/SciProjIntro.html 3. Science Buddies: Use the topic selection wizard to help you figure out what science projects interest you most. Once you have a topic, get help doing research, setting up the experiments, and completing them. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

4. Science Fair Central: Includes cool project ideas, a science fair handbook, reviews of students' experiments, and more from Discovery Channel School. http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/

5. Science Fair Project Resource Guide: Samples, ideas, magazines, resources, and more. Includes a list of sites that explain the Scientific Method. http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/

6. Scientific Method: Describes the five steps of the Scientific Method that are helpful when creating a science fair project. Includes examples of wording and sample projects to explain certain steps. http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/Getting-Started/Investigation.html

7. Super Science Fair Projects: Guide to projects, topics, experiments, and tips for successfully completing a science project, including the six steps of the Scientific Method. http://www.super-science-fair-projects.com/

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Definitions

1. Scientific Method: a set of steps scientists follow to answer questions

about the world. 2. Hypothesis: what you think will happen based on what you know. 3. Experiment: a test you plan to find the answer to a question 4. Data: information you collect in your experiment 5. Record: to put something in writing, pictures or music

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Oral Presentation

1. Introduce yourself. 2. Give the title of your project and its purpose. 3. Briefly explain why you became interested in this project. 4. Explain your procedures, relate the number of trials, and show your results using tables, charts, or graphs. 5. Explain your conclusions (what you’ve proven). If there were any errors or problems, explain how this may have affected the experiment’s outcome. 6. Tell what you might do differently next time. 7. Explain how your project can help others. **Suggestions** Smile and be polite Stand straight and still Keep eye contact with your audience Project your voice so that everyone can hear you Stand to the side of the display board Show enthusiasm!

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-SAMPLE-

The Rhodes School SCIENCE FAIR

PROJECT EVALUATION FORM GRADE _________ PROJECT NUMBER _________ TOTAL SCORE _________ DESCRIPTION/TITLE ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ I. CREATIVE ABILITY: POOR EXCELLENT A. Does the project show originality 1 2 3 4 5 in the selection of the problem and the use of equipment/materials? II. SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT: A. Is there a clearly stated problem/ 1 2 3 4 5 question? B. Is there a clearly stated hypothesis? 1 2 3 4 5 C. Is there evidence of a manipulated 1 2 3 4 5 and controlled variable? D. Is the method of data 1 2 3 4 5 acquisition and analysis explained? III. THOROUGHNESS: A. Does the display board effectively relate execution of the project from beginning to end? 1 2 3 4 5 B. Is there an observation log or journal? 1 2 3 4 5

C. Is the conclusion reflective of the investigation? 1 2 3 4 5

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IV. DISPLAY: POOR EXCELLENT A. Is the visual display presenting the topic neat and free of obvious errors in spelling, grammar, etc. 1 2 3 4 5 B. Does the visual display present the topic in an understandable and appropriate manner for the grade level of the student? 1 2 3 4 5 V. EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION POOR EXCELLENT A. Title, problem/question, materials used, 1 2 3 4 5 procedure followed, data, and conclusion were presented in an appropriate manner. B. Presentation displayed appropriate level of 1 2 3 4 5 preparedness and was completed within a 5 minute time frame. COMMENTS (optional): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Total score (120 possible): ______________________________________ _____________________________________ Evaluator’s Name

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The Rhodes School

Science Fair Forms Packet

K-2nd Grade 2014-2015

These forms include checklists and assignment forms to be turned into Science teacher for grade.

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Science Fair Assignments

Student Name: ______________________________________ Grade________ Teacher: ______________________________

Assignment #1:

due September 19, 2014

Question Hypothesis

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Assignment #2 due October 10, 2014

Materials

Student Plan Checklist

Procedures (detailed steps)

Student Plan Checklist

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Assignment #3 due October 24, 2014

Conclusion

Student Plan Checklist

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Display Board due by October 28, 2014

Display Restrictions:

A. Liquids, food, accessible chemicals (including household products), gases, or open flames may not be displayed. Wrappers may be used on displays instead.

B. Controlled or illegal substances, including drugs, alcohol, or tobacco may not be displayed.

C. Animals and animal parts (exception: hair, nails and teeth) may not be displayed. Pictures or student-made models may be used instead.

D. Micro-organisms, molds, or fungi cultures may not be displayed. Pictures may be used instead.

E. Knives or any other sharp objects should not be displayed. Use plastic items instead of glass ones when possible.

F. Liquids MAY NOT be used as part of a display. They may be simulated by using blue plastic wrap, etc.

2014-2015