Science Science FairFair

SuccessSuccessA Five Step Guide To MakingA Five Step Guide To Making

Science Fair An Enjoyable ExperienceScience Fair An Enjoyable Experience

For Teachers, Students, and FamiliesFor Teachers, Students, and Families

Purpose of Science Purpose of Science FairFair

Problem Solving

Student use the scientific method to make predictions, then experiment to collect and record qualitative and quantitative data observations.

Critical Thinking

Student compare, contrast and analyze their data citing the evidence that justifies their claims, explanations and conclusions.

Math and Science Fair

3-5 Benchmarks

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Five Steps to Science

FairSuccess

1. Model The Process1. Model The ProcessPresent the scientific method of inquiry as

the process for elementary math or science fair investigation.

Focus on the steps involved in completing a math or science fair project board.

Give students and parents a sample of what a completed science fair project should look like.

Unite all participants in the same situations with the same expectations.

Sink or Float School Sink or Float School ModelModel

3-5 Surf and Sand 3-5 Surf and Sand TETE

3-5 Surf and Sand 3-5 Surf and Sand PEPE

3-5 Surf and Sand 3-5 Surf and Sand

3-5 Surf and Sand 3-5 Surf and Sand TETE

K-2 Surf and SandK-2 Surf and Sand

2. Parent Involvement2. Parent InvolvementExplain the purpose, expectations, and

student’s responsibilities in the school fair.Give families a calendar with assignments, due

dates, and a schedule of fair events. Outline the limits of family involvement.Provide families with instruction and

guidelines to help their children.Give families the project board criteria and

explain how students qualify for the District fair.

3. Help Your 3. Help Your StudentsStudents

1) Take time to complete Inquiry Think Sheets after every class investigation.

2) Help the students select a “testable” project ideas and discuss project topics.

3) Have students write a draft of their procedure.4) Check project procedures for safety.5) Teach students the process and critical thinking

skills they need to complete their projects.6) Provide instructional and material support to

students as needed and monitor their progress.

Use Words ProperlyEffect (noun) – describes a result, as in “the cause and the

effect in an investigation or experiment.

Affect (verb) – describes an influence on or action, such as “How greenhouse gases affects global warming.”

Investigation - a procedure carried out to gather data about and object or event.

Experiment – a procedure carried out under controlled conditions to test a hypothesis.

variable – any factor that changes condition in an experiment (like size -large or small, or temperature, hot or cold)

control – a factor stays the same or is keep the same throughout all the experimental trials.

4. Keep It Safe,

Simple1. Predict what you think will happen (hypothesis).

2. Identify the experimental variables and controls.

3. Get your procedure approved before starting.

4. Use science tools, take measurements, make careful qualitative and quantitative observations.

5. Use your notebook to record all data.

6. Repeat your entire experiment 3 times.

7. Graph any data to compare and contrast results.

8. Use claims and evidence to write your conclusions.

9. Write your project up on a presentation board.

5. Celebrate Your Success!Hold a school fair.Invite judges from the community.Use the handbook judging form.Reward the best projects with ribbons.Acknowledge all participants with

certificates.Register school winners in the District Fair.Plan a field trip to the District Science Fair.Sponsor an Activity Table at the Fair.

DON’T FORGET!Plan ahead and schedule your School Science

Fair before March 30, 2012, so your winning students can participate in the District Fair.

Read the Handbook, Rules and Regulations carefully and use the same judging criteria in your School Fair that is used in the District Fair.

Complete your “Intent to Participate” online survey to register your school by January 30, 2012 - host an Activity Table, or plan a Field Trip to the District Fair.

The Palm Beach County School

District’s Elementary

Mathematics and Science

Fair

Talk About The FairTalk About The FairHISTORYThe first Elementary Math Fair in Palm Beach County began in November, 1988 at the Old Wellington Commons Mall. 7 Elementary schools participated from the western area schools. Every year the number of participating schools increased.In 1997, the Fair out grew the Wellington Mall and moved to the South Florida Fairgrounds and became the District Mathematics Fair.In 2001, both the math and the science curriculum program planners united to include science in the District Elementary Fair Competition.

Special AwardsSpecial Awards1. Aviation Award sponsored by Flight Safety International, WPB,

offering a first, second and third pace award ribbon for the best project about flight or flight safety. The first place winner receives instruction in a flight simulator at Flight Safety, International.

2. Green Earth Award, sponsored by the Palm Beach County Science Educators’ Association, WPB, offering a first, second and third place award ribbon for projects about reducing, reusing or recycling materials. All winners will also receive an Environmental Children’s Literature books.

3. Physical Science Award, sponsored by Up-N-Running Machinery, Performance Industries, Inc. Offering a first, second and third place award ribbon for project about simple machines, electrical or mechanical engineering. All winners also receive a cash award.

Bibliography Science Fair Handbook by Anthony D. Fredericks and Isaac Asimov. Old Year Books, Glenview, IL. ISBN 0-673-38800-X

Science Fair Handbook by Stephen C. Blume. Merrill Publishing, Columbus, OH. ISBN 0-675-035211-X

Science Fair Workshop by Marcia J. Daab. Fearon Teachers Aids, Simon & Schuster Supplemental Education Group. ISBN 0-8224-6374-1

Science Fairs Plus an NSTA Press Journals Collection. NSTA Press, Arlington, VAISBN 0-87355-219-9

Researched and Complied by Tom Medcalf, K-5 Science Resource Teacher Curriculum Development and School Improvement, of the Palm Beach County

School District. West Palm Beach, FL. thomas.medcalf@palmbeachschools .org