scie

nce f

air

handbook Toyon

Elementary

What’s in the Science Fair Handbook?

This handbook was designed for

the Toyon Elementary community.

The intent of this handbook is to provide answers to common questions regarding the science fair, applying to all grade levels at Toyon. The handbook offers a simple, step-by-step process for a successful science fair project!

introduction...1

project steps...2

the scientific method...3

the display board...4

rules...5

tips for parents...6

good projects...7

additional resources...8

teacher approval form...9

This handbook was created by Ryan Shiba, Saint Mary’s College of California, School of Education, Master of Arts in Educational Administration 2012 Candidate.

table

of c

ontents

introductio

n It seems like nothing strikes fear into the hearts of students, parents, and teachers

like these three words: science fair project. Don’t worry! This handbook will guide you through a step-by-step process along the path towards science fair success. The science fair is an opportunity to research and learn about things that interest you. Through your studies, you will learn how science is basic and essential to understanding everything around us. You will benefit beyond your improved science knowledge. Science fair projects teach you problem solving skills, improve your written and oral communication ability, and give you the satisfaction of completing a well-done project. The first key to a successful science fair project is picking a topic that interests you. The reason is simple: you will be motivated to do a better job on the project and will have fun doing it. And remember, a good science fair doesn’t have to be complicated. It is important that you understand your project and that you have explored the scientific issues related to your project. The second key is careful planning. After discussing your project with your teacher and getting approval for your idea, allow yourself plenty of time for research, experiments, observation, and analysis. In other words, don’t wait until the last minute. Projects take time. The third, and most important, key is that the process is more important than the results. Do not get discouraged if your project does not yield positive results. Throughout history, some of the most important experiments were those that didn’t prove the original hypothesis. Ask questions about your project, but do the work yourself. If you do the work yourself, you will get a much better understanding of why things do and do not work as expected. Good luck! And remember, the ideas for projects are endless...you are limited only by your imagination!

1

project s

teps

2

1...the scientific method

2...construct a display

3...write a short report

4...practice presentation to judges

5...come to the fair and have fun!

The science fair project is an investigation of a question that involves research, planning, and application of the scientific method to find the answer. The scientific method is a tool that scientists use to find answers to questions. This tool involves the following steps: identifying a problem, doing research, stating a hypothesis, conducting experiments, and reaching a conclusion. A detailed explanation on the scientific method is on Page 3.

This summarizes everything that you did. Keep in mind that it does NOT have to be typed, but it has to be neat. Make it fun, but be sure people can understand what you did. Remember to show that you used the scientific method. A detailed explanation on the display board is on Page 4.

Tell the story of your project - what you did and exactly how you did it. Include a page that shows where you gathered your background information. The only place where an opinion should be used is in the hypothesis, nowhere else!

Practice explaining your project to someone (parent, friend, grandparent, etc.). This will help you be calm on Science Fair Day. The judges are very nice and will be interested in what you did and what you learned.

the s

cie

ntif

ic m

ethod

3

1...identify the problem

2...collecting information

3...develop a hypothesis

4...plan and conduct an experiment

5...display results

6...draw a conclusion

Think about what area of science interests you. Narrow your focus down to a specific question.

Research your topic. Take notes on information that you think will be important for your experiment.

A hypothesis is an educated guess. It takes into account the research you have done and also your opinion of what you think will happen. The hypothesis answer your question.

Make a plan for how you will do your experiment and a list of all the materials you need. Conduct your experiment and observe what happens. To make sure your results are valid, run multiple trials of the experiment and see if you get the same results. Keep a journal to record what you did and your observations. Photos or illustrations of the progress of your experiment are good ways to display what you did and what your results were. Science projects usually have three kinds of variables: independent, dependent, and control. The independent variable is one that is changed by the scientist. A good experiment only has one independent variable that is observed by the scientist to see what happens. The dependent variable is what is caused by what is changed with the independent variable. Finally, control variables remain constant, observed carefully to understand what does not happen when the experiment is changed (see the example at the bottom of this page).

This could be a picture, graph, or table showing your results.

Analyze the results of your experiment. Draw a conclusion based on your results. Was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not? Your conclusion should tell what you learned by conducting the experiment. Remember, an experiment is not a failure if the hypothesis is proven wrong!

Variables example: You want to find out which brand of fertilizer works best on lawns. After mowing the lawn, you measure how tall the grass is. You take two types of fertilizer (independent) and sprinkle it on two small areas of the lawn. You water the lawn every day for two weeks, measuring the grass in each spot with fertilizer to see how much it has grown (dependent) before watering. You also measure an area without any fertilizer (control) to see how much it grows.

the d

ispla

y b

oard

4

What you

wanted to

find out

What you

thought

might

happen

Your

procedure, or

what you did Research paper Materials

What happened

What you

learned

How you can

use what you

learned to

learn more

Charts/tables

tips for a great display

1...Keep the display simple - include only the essentials.

2...Let the headlines tell the story - no lengthy descriptions.

3...Check your spelling.

4...When possible, use color to clarify information (charts, diagrams, and graphs).

5...Use photographs or drawings to help show what was done.

6...Make the display as neat as possible. If you have access to a computer to make charts, graphs, and labels - that’s fine. If not, you can still make an attractive, neat, and effective display. Use a stencil and ruler if possible. If you use pencil, carefully go over the pencil lines with a dark marker.

7...Use safe, durable materials. Make sure anything used in the display meets school safety standards and rules.

rule

s

5

1...All projects must be approved by the teacher before beginning.

2...No more than 2 people may work on one project, unless the teacher says differently.

3...Teachers and parents may advise. Parents should let students do the actual work.

4...The three-sided display board should be free standing. When displayed, the board and project should not occupy more than 48 inches of table length and 16 inches of depth.

5...The following are prohibited: dangerous chemicals, open flames, explosives, illegal drugs, or animal experiments that involve the starvation or any other form of cruelty. No open containers of liquid.

6...Electrical switches and cords needed for exhibits must be in good working condition and must be approved by the teacher.

7...Expensive or fragile items should not be displayed. Valuable items essential to the project should be simulated or photographed.

8...No human body parts should be displayed. Exceptions are teeth, hair, and nails.

9...Student experimenters should wear safety goggles (eye protection) and follow standard safety practices when working with fire, hot liquids or caustic chemicals.

10...Collection (i.e. minerals, shells, feathers, etc.) can be protected with a covering of plastic wrap.

11...Items to be displayed in front of the display board should be adequately secured (i.e. batteries, wire, switches and motor - secured to a piece of plywood and placed in front of display board).

tip

s f

or p

arents

6

assisting your child scientist with an

enjoyable project

1...selecting a project

2...making a display

3...safety

4...finally

Keep it simple! The best project is interesting for your child, but not too complicated or difficult. As one teacher puts it nicely, “the projects should be done by child scientists, with adult assistants.”

Most kids enjoy doing a science project at home with their family. For the very little ones (K and 1st grade), choose a project where the child can show what happened by drawing a picture. Use the scientific method to organize the project. Even for older kids, a picture is worth 1,000 words. Simple bar graphs are a great way to show information. In addition, a brief sentence or two is often sufficient to state how the child did the experiment, what happened, what they are trying to find out, etc. It’s O.K. for a parent to help with the writing, but please, use the child’s own words. A parent can give their child suggestions on how to make the display look nice, and encourage the child to do neat work. There’s no need for the display to look polished or professional. A hand-lettered display made by a child, with all its quirks and imperfections, is authentic and charming. The children are so proud of the things they have done themselves, and learn so much by doing!

All liquids must be securely contained. Do not display anything hazardous. Electrical devices must be safe. Batteries with open top cells are not permitted. Bacterial or fungal cultures must be secured in an airtight container. Live animals are permitted only with permission of the student’s teacher, and only within an appropriate enclosure. Animals’ basic needs (food, water, bedding) must be met. If you question whether a project is safe, it probably isn’t!

The science fair is not a competition! Every participant is a winner, and everyone gets a ribbon and a participation certificate.

good p

rojects

7

As students and parents think about science fair projects, they sometimes wonder how to pick a topic - not how to find an idea, but how to decide if the idea is a good one. Your project should...:

1...interest you

2...be testable

3...require little help

4...be safe

5...lead you to wonder more

You are interested in the topic - it’s something you like to think about.

You can do a test to find an answer to a question. A good project is an experiment - that means it’s a test to find an answer to a question you have. Don’t do demonstrations or simple reports - those don’t use the scientific method. They are just showing what you know about something.

You can do it with only little help from your family members, teachers and friends. The reason to do a project is because it’s fun and you will learn something you didn’t know before. Your project doesn’t have to be perfect, just neat and following the scientific method. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you really need it.

It doesn’t hurt or scare people or animals, including you. It’s not only a bad idea, it is also against the rules of the science fair. You also may not use dangerous materials in your project except in very special situations when you get permission from the teacher.

It’s a project that, even when you’re done with it, makes you think of new things you want to know. One way to tell if you have a good project is to see if the results make you wonder about other things. Did doing the project, or reading or seeing what happened make you think of other questions you are curious about? That’s a good project!

addit

ional resources

8

books

Books on science experiments and science projects are available in libraries and bookstores. Useful books include: 101 Great Science Experiments: A Step-By-Step Guide, by Ardley, N. 365 Simple Science Experiments With Everyday Materials, by Churchill, E.R., Loeschnig, L.V., and Mandell, M. The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science: 64 Daring Experiments for Young Scientists, by Connolly, S. The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You!, by Robinson, T. The Scientific American Book of Great Science Fair Projects, by Scientific American & Rosner, M. Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes: Unforgettable Experiments That Make Science Fun, by Spangler, S.

web sites

Loads of science web sites for kids are available, including: www.sciencebuddies.com www.science-project.com www.lawrencehallofscience.org/kidsite/ www.nwf.org/kids kids.nationalgeographic.com school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects www.all-science-fair-projects.com www.stevespanglerscience.com

teacher a

pproval form

9

TOYON SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR PARENT AGREEMENT AND PROJECT APPROVAL

(Must Get Teacher’s Approval Before Beginning Project)

Student’s Name: Grade:

Teacher: Room:

EXPERIMENT

Project Title:

Brief Description:

Parent’s Signature Student’s Signature

for teacher’s use

TEACHER APPROVAL:

I have read ’s project description. (Student’s Name)

Project is approved. You may begin.

Project is denied. You need to make the following changes:

Teacher’s Signature TURN IN THIS FORM BEFORE

STARTING YOUR PROJECT