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Brownsville Independent School District
2019-2020
Elementary Science Fair Booklet
Timeline
Rules
DRAFT 7/29/2019
Table of Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................................3
BISD Elementary Science Fair Dates...................................................................................4
Elementary Science Fair Schedule of Events......................................................................5
Entry Due Dates..................................................................................................................5
Schedule of Events.............................................................................................................6
Elementary Science Fair Cluster Sites 2019-2020..............................................................7
Elementary Campus Responsibilities..................................................................................8
Scientific Safety
Committee……………………………………………………………………………………....9
Hosting Campus
Responsibilities…………………………………………………………………………….….10
Participant
Matrix………………………………………………………………………………………………..11
Judging
Criteria…………………………………………………………………………………………………..12
Cluster 1 & 2 Committee
Forms……………………………………………………………………………...….15
2
Cluster 3 & 4 Committee
Forms…………………………………………………………………………………18
Draft Letter for Recruiting
Judges…………………………………………………………………………….…21
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Introduction and Thank You
The Elementary Science Fair continues to be one of the best opportunities for students to explore and share their ideas about how the world works. Students use active inquiry to ask questions, make predictions, test their ideas, and communicate their findings. These investigations help students come to a deeper understanding of key science concepts. By communicating their ideas, students develop presentation skills and self-confidence which are both important 21st century skills. These experiences cannot be duplicated in the classroom and provide an opportunity for enrichment in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, or STEM. The BISD Elementary Science Fair is truly a great educational and motivational activity.
The Brownsville Independent School District has a long history of participation in this important event. Many students who completed projects in elementary science fairs have gone on to compete in regional and international fairs, garner prizes and scholarships, and become scientists, educators, and engineers in our community. The Elementary Science Fairs in the Brownsville Independent School District continue to be the premier avenue for students to express their scientific creativity and problem solving abilities.
At the Science Fair, the emphasis is on motivating students to continue their academic work and supporting their intellectual curiosity. Judges and sponsors work hard to assure that students receive encouraging feedback. We wish to thank all those individuals and groups that continue to support and nurture the scientific interests of our children.
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
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BISD Elementary Science Fair Dates
Purpose: To increase student participation and interest in science To learn and apply Scientific Investigation and Reasoning To learn and apply problem solving skills To gain self-confidence by participating in their research project and successfully communicating results
both visually and orally
Dates The Annual Brownsville Elementary Science and Engineering Fairs will be held on two Saturdays by Cluster assignments. Students will compete in their respective clusters.
The Cluster 1 and 2 Fairs will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2019. Set up and safety check is on November 8, 2019.
The Cluster 3 and 4 Fairs will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019. Set up and safety check is on November 1, 2019.
EligibilityThird, fourth, and fifth grade students enrolled in any of the district’s elementary schools are eligible in this year’s Elementary Science Fair. Students must meet U.I.L. eligibility requirements. Campus administration must verify eligibility. (The NO PASS, NO PLAY rule applies.)Students may submit projects written in Spanish.
SelectionEach campus can enter projects for each grade level: two (2) in Life Science, two (2) in Earth Science, two (2) in Physical Science, and three (3) Team Projects (a total of 9 projects).
Projects are to be selected through a campus selection process. The campus selection process will be at the discretion of the school. It is highly recommended that the students go through a process similar to the Elementary Science Fair.
Team Projects: No more than three students can compete in a Team project.
Required FormsIndividual and Team entry forms along with forms 1A, 1B, 1C (if applicable), Human Subject Form 4 (if applicable), MSDS (if applicable), and a sample of survey or questionnaire (if applicable), will first be reviewed by the Campus Science Safety Committee, then by the Cluster Scientific Review Committee (CSRC) composed of the Campus Coordinators and representatives of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction on the following dates: Cluster 4 on October 08, 2019 and Clusters 1, 2 & 3 on October 10, 2019. Completed surveys or questionnaires must be available for review on the date of check-in, if applicable.
Students must keep the Form 1A, Form 1B, 1C (if applicable), Human Subject Form 4 (if applicable), MSDS (if applicable), and completed surveys or questionnaires with the display on the day of the competition. Forms MUST be kept in a separate folder in case the judges need to see them.
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Entry Due Date : Clusters 1, 2 & 3 due on October 10, 2019
Cluster 4 due on October 8, 2019 Entries with all appropriate forms must be submitted to the Cluster Scientific Review Committee by each Campus Science Fair Coordinator.
These forms include: Entry form Forms 1A, 1B Form 1C (if applicable) Human Subject Form 4 (if applicable) MSDS (if applicable) Sample of survey or questionnaire (if applicable) and any other required paperwork are due at this time.
Substitutions of science projects will not be accepted after the entry due date.
Cluster Scientific Review Committee Meetings for Elementary Science Fair Coordinators to finalize review of all entry paperwork will be held on the following dates:
Clusters 1, 2, 3 on October 24, 2019
Clusters 4 on October 15, 2019
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Important Dates and Schedule of Events
September 17, 2019 Science Fair Coordinators Meeting
Clusters 1 & 2October 10, 2019 Entry due date for
Clusters 1 & 2Cluster Scientific Safety Review Committee Meetings
October 24, 2019 Final Review for Clusters 1 & 2
Cluster Scientific Safety Review Committee FINAL Meetings
November 8, 2019 Safety review of displays and setting up of projects
4:00 to 6:00 PM at Cluster Elementary Science Fair locations:
Cluster 1 Vela Middle School (Paredes Hosting)Cluster 2 Keller Middle School (Ortiz Hosting)
Clusters 3 & 4
October 10, 2019October 8, 2019
Entry due date for Cluster 3 Cluster 4
Cluster Scientific Safety Review Committee Meetings
October 24, 2019October 15, 2019
Final Review for Cluster 3 Cluster 4
Cluster Scientific Safety Review Committee FINAL Meetings
November 1, 2019 Safety review of displays and setting up of projects
4:00 to 6:00 PM at Cluster Elementary Science Fair locations:
Cluster 3 Faulk Middle School (Putegnat Hosting)Cluster 4 Stillman Middle School (Villa Nueva Hosting)
Tentative Schedule for Science Fairs
November 9, 2019Clusters 1 & 2 Science Fairs
November 2, 2019Clusters 3 & 4 Science Fairs
Judges’ Orientation and BreakfastProject JudgingPublic ViewingAwards PresentationProject Removal
8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
9:00AM to 12:30 PM12:30 PM to 1:30 PM1:30 PM to 2:30 PM2:30 PM
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Elementary Science Fair Cluster Sites 2019-2020
Each year campuses compete in their designated clusters. Please check the list below to find out where your campus will be competing.
We are truly grateful to all of the following middle schools who have graciously agreed to host the Elementary Science Fair at their campuses.
After reviewing the populations of each campus, the 34 BISD elementary campuses have been grouped into the following four clusters:
Cluster 1Host: ParedesSite: Vela MS
Cluster 2Host: Ortiz
Site: Manzano MS
Cluster 3Host: PutegnatSite: Faulk MS
Cluster 4Host: Villa NuevaSite: Stillman MS
Paredes Champion Brite El JardinBenavides Vermillion Putegnat Martin
Pullam Aiken Yturria Villa NuevaCanales Egly Morningside SkinnerGonzalez Breeden Castañeda GarzaHudson Russell Garden Park Palm GroveBurns Cromack Keller SouthmostPerez Ortiz Gallegos Del Castillo
Sharp Peña
The elementary campuses will rotate hosting the Elementary Science Fair on a yearly basis. Each cluster fair will be held at the designated site. The Science Specialists will be responsible for revising this document annually.
Cluster 1 Cluster 2 Cluster 3 Cluster 42019-2020 Paredes @ Vela Ortiz @ Manzano Putegnat @ Faulk Villa Nueva @
Stillman2020-2021
Pullam @ Stillman Aiken @ Besteiro Morningside @
Perkins Martin @ Stell2021-2022
Gonzalez @ Oliveira
Champion @ Perkins
Keller @ Manzano
Southmost @ Besteiro
2022-2023 Perez @ Oliveira Cromack @ Faulk Peña @ Garcia Skinner @ Stell2023-2024 Burns @ Vela Vermillion @
Lucio Brite @ Lucio Palm Grove @ Besteiro
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Every Campus’ Responsibilities1. Every campus must designate at least one Elementary Science Fair Coordinator. They are responsible
for attending all Elementary Science Fair planning meetings and trainings and helping to organize their campus fairs. A second teacher will be needed to review science fair paperwork on the first review date.
2. All campuses are responsible for setting up a Scientific Safety Committee (SSC). The Scientific Safety Committee (SSC) consists of the following persons: teachers who teach science and have science fair experience (recommend one per grade level) a school administrator a school nurse and/or school counselor (who should sign as chair of the committee)
3. The Scientific Safety Committee (SSC) examines projects for the following: projects are safe for students use of acceptable research techniques evidence of library research type and amount of supervision each project receives evaluate the potential physical or psychological risk of research involving human subjects humane treatment of animals compliance with rules and laws governing human and animal research. If any boxes are checked in from 1A, then these proposed projects must be reviewed and approved
by an SSC before experimentation/research begins. This includes any surveys or questionnaires to be used in a project.
NOTE: It is the teacher’s and campus’ responsibility to make sure that all projects follow science fair safety regulations and the BISD Elementary Science Fair rules. Student safety is a primary concern when students are involved in independent research. The Cluster SSC committee may disqualify projects that are deemed unsafe according to the BISD Elementary Science Fair rules.
4. All elementary campuses will be responsible for securing a minimum of four (4) individuals as science fair judges at their cluster site competition. Teachers from the cluster campus may volunteer to judge, but may not judge at the cluster where their campus is competing. Campuses are responsible for working out “trade agreements” with a campus from another Science Fair Cluster. A form is provided for each campus to turn in with the names of the judges that will report to their Cluster site and committee members needed to successfully conduct a science fair.
5. All participating campuses will have at least two teachers on each of the following committees: Score Verification Committee : Members’ main responsibility is to help verify judges’ scores. Safety/Display Committee : Members’ main responsibility is to make sure that all projects are in
accordance with safety and display rules. Student Monitoring Committee : Members’ main responsibility is to monitor the students in the
judging location during judging.
6. All campuses are responsible for providing lunch for students from their campuses who participate in the science fair.
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The Scientific Safety Committee (SSC)
The purpose of the Campus Scientific Safety Committee (SSC) is to review all student research plans prior to the student beginning the research for projects needing SSC approval. The Scientific Safety Committee (SSC) should only approve those projects deemed safe and whose research plans are complete.
The Scientific Safety Committee (SSC) consists of the following persons:
A) a teacher who teaches science and has science fair experience
B) a school administrator
C) a school nurse and/or school counselor
The Scientific Safety Committee (SSC) examines projects for the following:
A) projects are safe for studentsB) use of acceptable research techniquesC) evidence of library researchD) type and amount of supervision each project receivesE) evaluate the potential physical or psychological risk of research involving human subjectsF) humane treatment of animalsG) compliance with rules and laws governing human and animal research
If any boxes are checked in from 1A, then these proposed projects must be reviewed and approved by an SSC before experimentation/research begins. This includes any surveys or questionnaires to be used in a project.
It is the teacher’s and campus’ responsibility to make sure that all projects follow science fair safety regulations and the BISD Elementary Science Fair rules. Student safety is a primary concern when students are involved in independent research. The district Specialist may disqualify projects that are deemed unsafe according to the BISD Elementary Science Fair rules.
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Hosting Campus’s Responsibilities1. Hosting campuses will be responsible for the following:
arrange for site preparations with the assigned middle school arrange for custodial staff (District pays up to 20 hrs. total overtime) arrange for A/C and access during set up on the Friday before and A/C all day on the date of the fair arrange for security on the day of the fair ensure facilities, including restrooms, are well-prepared and equipped (paper towels, etc.) with adequate
custodial support arrange for the holding rooms or area for student participants arrange for and set up drinks (sodas and water) for score verification committee members and judges set up a judges’ hospitality room and a separate score verification room set up area for projects (gym floor covering if necessary) set up tables and chairs for projects assign a committee of teachers to help sign in projects on the designated registration days designate a place for the awards presentation and set up equipment (i.e. microphone, podium, etc.)
2. The hosting campus may do any of the following, if desired: sell snacks and drinks to participants and the public plan for student intercession activities host cluster meetings to discuss preparations for the event
3. Please refer to the BISD Elementary Science Fair Host Booklet for more information.
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Participation MatrixEach grade level is eligible to submit 2 projects per individual category and 3 projects per group category. A campus is eligible to submit 27 projects.
Entries per CampusGrade Life Earth Physical Group Total
3 2 2 2 3 94 2 2 2 3 95 2 2 2 3 9
Total 6 6 6 9 27
Clusters 1 and 4 science fairs may have up to 216 projects. Clusters 2 and 3 science fairs may have up to 243 projects.
Entries Per Category and Table Matrix(Calculated using the maximum number of possible entries)
Categories # of Entries # of Tables*
3rd Life 16 (18) 4 (5)3rd Earth 16 (18) 4 (5)3rd Physical 16 (18) 4 (5)3rd Team 24 (27) 8 (9)
Subtotal 72 (81) 20 (24)
4th Life 16 (18) 4 (5)4th Earth 16 (18) 4 (5)4th Physical 16 (18) 4 (5)4th Team 24 (27) 8 (9)
Subtotal 72 (81) 20 (24)
5th Life 16 (18) 4 (5)5th Earth 16 (18) 4 (5)5th Physical 16 (18) 4 (5)5th Team 24 (27) 8 (9)
Subtotal 72 (81) 20 (24)
Total Entries/Tables 216 (243) 60 (72)
*(4 Projects per table for individual categories. 3 Projects per table for Team)12
Science Fair Project Judging CriteriaScientific Thought (30 points)
Does the project follow the scientific method? (Hypothesis, method, data, conclusion) Is the problem clearly and unambiguously stated? Are the procedures appropriate, organized, and thorough?
Is the information collected accurate and complete?If controls were necessary, did the student recognize their need and were they correctly used?Are the variables clearly recognized and defined?Are the conclusions accurate and based upon the results?Does the project show the student is familiar with the topic?Does the project represent real study and effort?Is a list of references or bibliography available?
Creative Ability (30 points)
How unique is the project?Does the exhibit show original thinking or a unique method or approach?Is it significant and unusual for the age of the student?Does the project demonstrate ideas arrived by the student?Does it give that impression?
Thoroughness (15 points)
How many times was the investigation performed?Does the display physically demonstrate the operation or results of the project?Have the variables affecting outcome been identified?Are materials listed specifying accurate amounts?Is the sample large enough?
Skill (15 points)
How well did the student design and construct the exhibit?Is the display visually appealing?Does the project show effort and good craftsmanship by the student?Has the student acknowledged help received from others?
Clarity (10 points)
Did the student clearly communicate the nature of the problem, how the problem was solved, and the conclusions?Are the problems, procedures, data, and conclusions presented clearly and in a logical order?Did the student clearly and accurately articulate in writing what was accomplished?Is the objective of the project likely to be understood by one not trained in the subject area?Is attention sustained by the project and focused on the objective?
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BROWNSVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ELEMENTARY SCIENCE FAIR
Individual Project Score FormCategory: _______________________________________
Judge: __________________________________________
ProjectNumber
ScientificThought30 pts.
CreativeAbility30 pts.
Thoroughness15 pts.
Skill15 pts.
Clarity10 pts.
TotalPoints
14
BROWNSVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTELEMENTARY SCIENCE FAIR
Score Composite SheetDate: ___________________________________________
Category: _______________________________________
ProjectNumber
Judge#_____
Judge#_____
Judge#_____
TotalPoints Average Rank
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Science Fair Committee FormsClusters 1 and 2
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Judges and Committee Members Form Clusters 1 and 2
Cluster: ____________________________School: ____________________________ Please Return by October 10, 2019
Judges: (Identify and confirm at least 4 members)Saturday, November 9, 2019 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Name Campus Representing Email Address Telephone No.
Safety/Display Committee Members: (Identify and confirm at least 2 members)Friday, November 8, 2019 3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Name Grade Comments
Score Verification Committee Members: (Identify and confirm at least 2 members)Saturday, November 9, 2019 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Name Grade Comments
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Student Monitoring Committee: (Campus must have representation for 5 hours)Saturday, November 9, 2019 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Name Campus Telephone No. Monitoring Time
Principal’s Signature________________________________________________
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Science Fair Committee Forms
Cluster 3 and 4
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Judges and Committee Members Form Clusters 3
and 4Cluster: ____________________________School: ____________________________ Please Return by October 8, 2019
Judges: (Identify and confirm at least 4 members)Saturday, November 2, 2019 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Name Campus Representing Email Address Telephone No.
Safety/Display Committee Members: (Identify and confirm at least 2 members)Friday, November 1, 2019 3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Name Grade Comments
Score Verification Committee Members: (Identify and confirm at least 2 members)Saturday, November 2, 2019 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Name Grade Comments
20
Student Monitoring Committee: (Campus must have representation for 5 hours)Saturday, November 2, 2019 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Name Campus Telephone No. Monitoring Time
Principal’s Signature________________________________________________
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Date
Dear Science Supporter:
The Brownsville Independent School District Elementary Science Fair Needs You!
If you are a qualified professional, scientist, mathematician, or engineer who is interested in helping Brownsville’s next generation of scientists, consider becoming a judge for the 2019 Brownsville ISD Elementary Science and Engineering Fair. You are invited to the Science Fair at (Campus Name) on Saturday, November 9, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. You will be working with a panel of fellow judges in deciding the top projects in a science or engineering category. You will be provided with a continental breakfast and lunch. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated. You are making a memorable impact on the lives of very talented young people. For some students you are the first science or engineering professional they encounter. As an ambassador for your profession you will positively impact their career choices.
A few hours of your time will make a difference in a child’s future.
Please call or e-mail:Phone: e-mail:
Sincerely,
Campus Science Fair Chairperson
22
Draft Letter Clusters
Date
Dear Science Supporter:
The Brownsville Independent School District Elementary Science Fair Needs You!
If you are a qualified professional, scientist, mathematician, or engineer who is interested in helping Brownsville’s next generation of scientists, consider becoming a judge for the 2019 Brownsville ISD Elementary Science and Engineering Fair. You are invited to the Science Fair at (Campus Name) on Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. You will be working with a panel of fellow judges in deciding the top projects in a science or engineering category. You will be provided with a continental breakfast and lunch. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated. You are making a memorable impact on the lives of very talented young people. For some students you are the first science or engineering professional they encounter. As an ambassador for your profession you will positively impact their career choices.
A few hours of your time will make a difference in a child’s future.
Please call or e-mail:Phone: e-mail:
Sincerely,
Campus Science Fair Chairperson
23
Draft Letter Clusters
