Welcome Elmwood Parents!

STEM Fair Parent STEM Fair Parent NightNight

Understanding Your Child’s STEM

Project

Log Book• All students were given 1 copy

• Example (folder)

• Parent letter inside

• Due Date “Time Line”

Remember

• Science Fair Research Report DUEDUE: February 15, 2013

• Projects are DUEDUE: March 21, 2013

• Science Fair Family NightFamily Night: April 18, 2013

Parts to a project:Parts to a project:

Question• The question should be one that

can lead to an experiment or observations, which will yield quantitative or qualitative data.

• Needs to be something the student can test!

Research • The students will research their

topic using a minimum of three sources. –1 Book reference–2 websitesStudents should record research in the

back of their logbook.

Research…• We are giving opportunities in

school to complete research

• Students will still need to visit the local Public Library to research books and use the computer.

Written Research Report

• After completing the research the students will write a report based on the information they found on their topic.

• The students will be guided through this process at school; however the writing will take place at home

Hypothesis• A prediction of the outcome of

the experiment, and suggests a possible reasons for this outcome.

• The suggestions should be based on the research.

• A hypothesis is neither right or wrong, it is a educated prediction.

Materials• Materials used in the

experiment need to be listed in specific amounts and sizes.

Procedures• Procedures are the step by step

process your child will follow when completing their investigation.

• Should be listed in sequential order.

• Variables must be identified and controlled.

Understanding the Variables

• Variable- any factor in an experiment that can affect what happens in the experiment. Variables often include:

Independent Variable

• Manipulated variable• The factor that will be

intentionally changed during the experiment in order to find out what effect it has on something else.

Dependent Variable

• Responding Variable• The factor that is observed and measured to if it is affected by the change of the independent variable.

Variables that are Controlled

• The factors that are kept the SAME!

• The must be kept exactly the same to make sure that they are not having any effect on the dependent variable.

Results

• The results of the experiment.

• They include the measurements taken and observations made during the experiment.

Written Results

• A one paragraph written explanationexplanation of the outcome (data and observations).

Conclusion 1. Reflects back on original

hypothesis and states whether it was supported or not.

2. Answers original question that started the investigation and include results used as the basis for the conclusion.

Conclusion…3. Include inferences that can be made

from results of the experiment.

4. Include any additional questions that could be investigated or information that could be researched in the future.

5. Any problems that were experienced during the experiment.

Questions

Thank You• If you have any question along the way,

feel free to email:

4th GT/ 5th grade projects

–Mrs. Conway fconway@bcps.org–Ms. Eyre keyre@bcps.org

4th grade projects

–Ms. Cosgrove jcosgrove@bcps.org

–Mrs. Wyatt cwyatt@bccps.org

• Or call: (410) 887-5232