Science Fair

Ready, Set, Go!Ready, Set, Go!

Timeline and Dates

• February 11-14  Local Elementary School Science Fairs

• February 19 Jefferson County 5th Grade County-Wide Science Fair

Jefferson County Schools has formed a Jefferson County Schools has formed a partnership with the Appalachian Electric partnership with the Appalachian Electric Cooperative for the Science Fair.Cooperative for the Science Fair.

SCHEDULE FOR COUNTY-WIDE ELEMENTARY SCIENCE FAIRDATE: FEBRUARY 19

LOCATION: DANDRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Projects must be in place at Dandridge Elementary School Library by 12:00 NOON on the 19.

• Each school may send one representative for each fifth grade classroom. Students may come from any of the classrooms.

• Projects will be judged between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m..• Students will be present at their project by 4:00 to talk to

the judges about their project.• Awards ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m.• Students participating in the county-wide fair will be

treated to a “Pizza Party” before the ceremony sponsored by Appalachian Electric Cooperative.

• All projects MUST be removed from the library immediately following the

Encourage Students and Parents to Utilize the Web Page

Role of the Teacher• You are an advisor.

• Recognize the need for active student involvement.

• Respect student ideas and help steer them in the correct direction.

• Praise and encourage students.

• Advise students of resources available.

Tips for the Students• A Science Fair project is an investigation –

not a demonstration. There is a question that must be answered.

• If they have a demonstration in mind, help them to alter the thought process to asking a question: What is in _______? Why does this happen? Can I do this a better way? How does temperature change the behavior?

Components of a Project

• Question or Problem

• Hypothesis – If – then format

• Methods

• Materials

• Results – drawings, pictures, graphs, tables

• Conclusion

DO NOT use I, we, you!DO NOT use I, we, you!

Variables• The independent variable is the one that is

changed by the scientist. In an experiment there is only one independent variable.

• The dependent variable changes in response to the change the scientist. Experiments also have controlled variables.

• There should be a Control. No experimental treatment is applied.

• Constants are conditions that remain the same for all parts of the experiment, such as measuring the water, always by a window, same position in the room, etc.

Display Board

Arrange information so that it is easy to read and flows in a logical order.

Top to bottom and left to right.

Examples

No living or dead organisms in the display (plants or animals).

Sample Materials List( From Science Buddies)

• CD player & a CD (low drain device) • Three identical flashlights (medium drain device) • Camera flash (high drain device) • AA size Duracell and Energizer batteries • AA size of a "heavy-duty" (non-alkaline) battery

(I used Panasonic) • Voltmeter & a AA battery holder • Kitchen timer

Sample Procedure( From Science Buddies)

• Number each battery so you can tell them apart. • Measure each battery's voltage by using the voltmeter. • Put the same battery into one of the devices and turn it on. • Let the device run for thirty minutes before measuring its voltage

again. (Record the voltage in a table every time it is measured.) • Repeat #4 until the battery is at 0.9 volts or until the device stops. • Do steps 1–5 again, three trials for each brand of battery in each

experimental group. • For the camera flash push the flash button every 30 seconds and

measure the voltage every 5 minutes. • For the flashlights rotate each battery brand so each one has a turn

in each flashlight. • For the CD player repeat the same song at the same volume

throughout the tests.

Fifth Grade Science Fair Judging RubricJefferson County Schools

Project Title: Total Points:

IMPRESSIVE ADEQUATE MINIMAL

Part I: SCIENTIFIC PROCEDURE

Clear and Specific Questions 5 4 3 2 1 0

Clear and Specific Hypothesis 5 4 3 2 1 0

Complete & Thorough Method (step by step)

5 4 3 2 1 0

Complete & Thorough Data(logs, graphs, tables, photos, etc.)

5 4 3 2 1 0

Conclusion Supported by Data 5 4 3 2 1 0

Conclusion Relevant to Hypothesis 5 4 3 2 1 0

Part II:ORIGINALITY

Original Topic or Approach 5 4 3 2 1 0

Part III:SIMPLICITY

Appropriate Materials and Construction

5 4 3 2 1 0

Overall Clarity of Project 5 4 3 2 1 0

• INTRODUCTION• BACKGROUND• PROBLEM• HYPOTHESIS• PROCEDURE• DATA• RESULTS• MATERIALS• CONCLUSION• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Board Titles

• Print on Card Stock

• Select the color needed

• Use Rubber Cement

• Use a paper cutter