Cornerstone Elementary School Science Fair Night CSE Expectations

Cornerstone Elementary School Science Fair Night

CSE Expectations • Fourth/ Fifth Grade: All students will have the opportunity to complete a project independently or with a partner from their class. Project completion will be at home.

Where do I begin… • What interests you? • Do you have a lot of knowledge about a certain topic? • What makes you curious? • Is there anything you would like to test?

Science Fair Investigation • Students must design and implement (run) an investigation to test a hypothesis. • Students must collect data while testing their hypothesis. • Students will write a conclusion which states the results of their testing as well as the validity of their hypothesis.

Science Fair Investigation Sample Project Idea • Students must choose a testable question to be answered: – Ex: Which brand of battery operates a mini-fan the longest? • A hypothesis must be formed. – The Duracell battery will operate the mini-fan the longest. – If I power the fan with a Duracell battery, then it will operate longer than with Brand X, Y, or Z.

Keeping Track: The Project Journal • List of Materials • Procedures • Daily/Test Results (as recorded during experiment) • Personal reflections/questions (optional)

Materials List: Ø Duracell and Energizer brand batteries Ø Recording Sheet Ø Timer Ø Mini-fan

Procedure 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Insert one brand of battery into the mini-fan. Turn the mini-fan on while starting the timer. Let the mini-fan run until the battery runs out. Stop the timer. Record the results on your recording sheet. Transfer the results on to graph paper for a visual display of the data. 7. Test the next brand of battery following steps 1 -6 8. Do 3 trials.

Data and Investigation Ø Record what happens. Ø Conduct the investigation several times for accuracy. The test should be run at least three times for each independent variable. (i. e. test three Duracell batteries) Ø You may make an organized list, chart, or graph.

Draw a Conclusion Using the results of your investigation, write a conclusion. Which battery ran the longest? Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect? Why? Think about: Ø What did you learn from the investigation? Ø How is this information important or useful?

Design and Construct Display Prepare a presentation for the judges

Project Displays • Display construction: cardboard, foam board, corkboard • Maximum Size Restrictions: – Front to Back – 30 inches – Side to side – 48 inches – Top to Bottom – 36 inches • There is no minimum size restriction. Ø Liquids may be simulated by using unflavored gelatin or blue plastic wrap, etc. Ø Further restrictions are listed in the Student/Parent Information Packet. (p. 4 & 5)

Items to Display on Science Board • Title • Statement of the Problem/Question • Hypothesis • Materials • Procedure—including variable/control • Data/Data Analysis (pictures, graphs, charts, etc. ) • Conclusion (What were the results; was your hypothesis correct? )

Sample Board Layout

CSE Science Fair February 2, 2018 **Projects will be due earlier that week as assigned by your child’s teacher. • Special Recognition: 5 th grade: 1 st and 2 nd place winners 4 th grade: 1 st place winner • FBISD Science Fair Expo for campus winners is tentatively scheduled for sometime in February. (Project displays only- no judging)

Helpful Websites • http: //www. sciencebuddies. org/ • http: //school. discoveryeducation. com/scienc efaircentral/ • http: //www. education. com/science-fair/all/

Questions?