Wow!! Wow!! It’s Time It’s Time for the Rivera Science for the Rivera Science and Engineering Fair !and Engineering Fair !

Why do we createWhy do we create Science Fair Projects? Science Fair Projects?

Science is all around us!Science is all around us!

Science Fair projects give us a chance to explore curiosities

Opportunity for the use of multimedia technologies, written and oral presentations, exploration of various subject matter in science

Opportunity for scholarship and recognition

Opportunities to work with scientists

It’s just fun!!

Getting StartedGetting StartedSelect a topic Select a topic Remember a time you noticed something and Remember a time you noticed something and

thought "I wonder what would happen if..." or "I wonder thought "I wonder what would happen if..." or "I wonder how that works?" then turn that into a project how that works?" then turn that into a project

Look at the list of topic suggestions in the packetLook at the list of topic suggestions in the packet

Go into the library and browse book titlesGo into the library and browse book titles

Look through the newspaper for current events Look through the newspaper for current events

Look on line at sites such as: Look on line at sites such as: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/http://www.super-science-fair-projects.com/http://www.sciencefairadventure.com/http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/

category0.htmlcategory0.htmlhttp://www.sciencebob.com/sciencefair/ideas.phphttp://www.sciencebob.com/sciencefair/ideas.phphttp://412science.rusd.k12.ca.us/science_fair.htm

Keeping a JournalKeeping a Journal From the very start- KEEP A JOURNAL no matter From the very start- KEEP A JOURNAL no matter

what kind of project you are going to do!what kind of project you are going to do! All entries should be substantial. If a procedure All entries should be substantial. If a procedure

was tried, the journal should include or refer to was tried, the journal should include or refer to the exact steps and methods used.the exact steps and methods used.

Data should be recorded accurately with dates Data should be recorded accurately with dates and times, and any special notes of problems or and times, and any special notes of problems or successes.successes.

Journals may be computer entries or hand written.Journals may be computer entries or hand written. Record all research and CITE YOUR SOURCERecord all research and CITE YOUR SOURCE Any information, resources, graphs, tables, Any information, resources, graphs, tables,

problems, and analysis should be included.problems, and analysis should be included.

Everyone does RESEARCHEveryone does RESEARCH

The research portion of the project is an important The research portion of the project is an important component of writing standards and is an component of writing standards and is an independently developed item.independently developed item.

Gather general information about your topic from Gather general information about your topic from books, magazines, the Internet, people and companies.books, magazines, the Internet, people and companies.

Keep notes about where you got your info and begin to Keep notes about where you got your info and begin to develop your bibliography.develop your bibliography.

Copied text is not acceptable…use your own words.Copied text is not acceptable…use your own words.

ExperimentExperimentModelModelCollectionCollectionDemonstrationDemonstrationResearchResearch

Types of ProjectsTypes of Projects

*Most often presented in a science fair*Most often presented in a science fair

*Follows the Scientific Method*Follows the Scientific Method

*Experiments may be long-term, but *Experiments may be long-term, but they do not have to be. they do not have to be.

*The student-scientist should be *The student-scientist should be knowledgeable enough to discuss knowledgeable enough to discuss and field questions about the project. and field questions about the project.

ExperimentExperiment

Examples of ExperimentsExamples of Experiments

1.1. Question -What is being investigated?Question -What is being investigated?2.2. Purpose/Hypothesis –Your educated guess Purpose/Hypothesis –Your educated guess

about what is going to happen, stated about what is going to happen, stated factuallyfactually

3.3. Research –What info is out there?Research –What info is out there?4.4. Materials –What is needed to do the Materials –What is needed to do the

experimentexperiment5.5. Procedure –The steps you’ll take to perform Procedure –The steps you’ll take to perform

the experiment the experiment 6.6. Results –Record what you observe and findResults –Record what you observe and find7.7. Summary Conclusion –Does your experiment Summary Conclusion –Does your experiment

prove your hypothesis? prove your hypothesis?

Experiments follow the Scientific Experiments follow the Scientific ProcessProcess

*Student-scientist chooses a topic of high interest. *Student-scientist chooses a topic of high interest.

*A short research report is written. *A short research report is written.

*A model is created. *A model is created.

*If a display board is included, it should have a title, *If a display board is included, it should have a title, the research, possibly photos of the student the research, possibly photos of the student building the model, the model with labeled parts, building the model, the model with labeled parts, and a summary of what has been learned. and a summary of what has been learned.

*The student-scientist should be knowledgeable *The student-scientist should be knowledgeable enough to discuss and field questions about the enough to discuss and field questions about the project. project.

ModelModel

Examples of ModelsExamples of Models

*This is an exhibit of a scientific collection.*This is an exhibit of a scientific collection.

*Research is conducted and a short report *Research is conducted and a short report written to enhance the significance of the written to enhance the significance of the collection. collection.

*If a display board is included, it should have a *If a display board is included, it should have a title, the research, possibly photos of the title, the research, possibly photos of the student working on the collection, labels, and a student working on the collection, labels, and a summary of what has been learned. summary of what has been learned.

*The student-scientist should be knowledgeable *The student-scientist should be knowledgeable enough to discuss and field questions about enough to discuss and field questions about the project. the project.

CollectionCollection

Examples of CollectionsExamples of Collections

*The student-scientist demonstrates, on a display *The student-scientist demonstrates, on a display board, a particular science principle or fact, how board, a particular science principle or fact, how something works, a scientific phenomenon, or how something works, a scientific phenomenon, or how something is created naturally or in a lab. something is created naturally or in a lab.

*The display must be self-contained; that is, observers *The display must be self-contained; that is, observers should be able to follow the demonstration and should be able to follow the demonstration and understand. It will include a title, the research understand. It will include a title, the research information, possibly a series of photos to support information, possibly a series of photos to support the demonstration, and a summary of the findings. the demonstration, and a summary of the findings.

*The student-scientist should be knowledgeable *The student-scientist should be knowledgeable enough to discuss and field questions about the enough to discuss and field questions about the project. project.

DemonstrationDemonstration

Examples of Examples of DemonstrationsDemonstrations

*In a research paper, the student-scientist investigates an area of science using primary and secondary sources. *Student-scientists will conduct research and conduct primary information gathering such as visiting a college, museum, or interviewing experts to explore their scientific area in depth and detail. *A grade-level appropriate research paper is written.*The student-scientist should be knowledgeable enough to discuss and field questions about the project.

Research PaperResearch Paper

Doing ResearchDoing Research

Displaying the ProjectDisplaying the Project

Follow the guidelines in the packet

2015-16 TIMELINE2015-16 TIMELINE Wednesday, October 7th: Classroom

teachers share this presentation and pass out Science Fair Packets 

Monday, November 30th: Projects due to Rivera (unless teacher has chosen a different date – but no later than December 2nd)

Thursday, December 3rd: Rivera Science and Engineering Fair– Judging takes place– Friends and Family viewing from 5:30PM –

6:30PM

– Friday, December 4th: Student Viewing and Project pick-up

Awards and RecognitionAwards and Recognition

So, why do we do Science and So, why do we do Science and Engineering Fair Projects?Engineering Fair Projects?

“The important thing is not to stop questioning.”

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein