Greenbelt Elementary School Parent Experiment Night 2012 Science

Greenbelt Elementary School Parent Experiment Night 2012 Science Coordinator Vanessa Zanin

What does STEM stand for? • • S- science T-technology E-engineering M-mathematics

STEM Fair Information • Everyone participates in the school • Grades pre. K-3 complete class or group projects • Grades 4 -6 complete individual projects – which is graded for the second and third quarter – you can not pass science if you do not turn in a project (mandatory) – Majority of work is completed at home • Grades 4 -6 also must complete a brief research paper

STEM Fair will be held on March 6, 2012 We need judges for the Science Fair. Please sign up if you are interested in helping out! Students participated in a Science Fair Kick-Off January 6, with Ms. Zizzle.

Resources and Support Available • Parent Experiment Night • Student Journals/ School Web Site • Teacher/Student Conferences • Make and Take Night – February 7 • Media Center resource books • Public Library

Student Journal • Each student receives a science fair project journal that takes the student step-by-step through the process. • It is the place to keep track of the project steps throughout the process. • Gives examples and explanations of each step. • Gives a place for teacher/parent communication. • Gives a place for teacher/student communication.

Display of the STEM Fair Project Procedures Title Question Hypothesis Written Explanation* Variables Conclusion Materials Data Table* * All parts of the Results. Graph*

GES website • http: //www 1. pgcps. org • STEM fair 2012 tab /greenbeltes/ • Includes all important dates • Includes backboard format to type or print and hand write… the same as what is in the envelopes for tonight

Experiment Time • Tonight we will conduct a simple experiment and continue through the process of a successful project!

Find the Grey Envelopes • In each envelope are some supplies. • On the table in the front of the room are supplies you can use also. • Talk in your group and discuss an idea you can test. • We are going to try a new strategy the Four Question Strategy for the Scientific Method

The hardest part is getting started • We are going to use a Four Question Strategy • Step One- What materials are available for conducting experiments on the topic Magnetism? • Look in the grey envelope • Write a list of materials you see and others in the environment (you cannot see)

Step Two • How does topic magnetism act? For example: How do batteries act? - give energy to make things work Example: How does soil act? - helps roots grow, feeds earthworms

Step Three • How can I measure or describe the response or action of the topic magnetism to change? • This is the data collection phase • Think…What can I measure? (time, length, height, etc. )

Step Four • Look back at Step One • How can I change the set of materials to affect the action or behavior? • create a list of possibilities with each material • (this is the possible variables) • You can only pick ONE difference • EVERYTHING Else is the SAME

Now… Pick ONE idea to test Creating the Question – Use the material (variable in Step Four) and how the change will be measured (Step Three). • Question format: Does the (material) affect (magnetism ) (behavior)? • Write the Question on the question page

Hypothesis/ Prediction • Answers the Question • It is what you think is going to happen • To write the hypothesis • (material or independent variable) does/does not affect the (what is measured- dependent variable) of topic (magnetism)

Materials • List materials needed for YOUR experiment • Use amounts and units • Use metric measurements if possible

Variables • Identify manipulated (independent)- what you change on purpose • Identify responding (dependent)- what you think will change • Identify control (the same)- what you want to keep the same

Procedures • Write step-by-step directions anyone can follow • Start with a VERB, a direct action • Include repeating trials • Follow your steps and conduct the experiment

Experiment time! • Conduct your experiment • Follow the directions you wrote • Don’t forget to record your results in the data table

Step #6 Results • Collect measurable data -usually in numbers (length, height, time, etc…) • Keep a written log of observations • Take pictures • Draw charts, data tables, graphs

Step #7 Conclusion • Before you write look back at your data and ask questions • Was the hypothesis correct or incorrect? • What is the answer to my question? • Were there any problems? What would I like to investigate next? • How does it apply to the real world? Answer these questions into several paragraphs.

Step #8 Research • Use a variety of resources (at least 3) • Books, magazines, videos, Internet • Find information related to your topic and discover how your topic relates to the real world • Write in your own words about the information you found (include your sources)

Congratulations! You finished!

The day of the fair: March 6, 2012 • Projects will be due into the school on February 27 so that there is time for oral reports and to get the fair set up • Volunteers come judge the projects by interviewing the students • That evening the fair will be open for families to view the projects

Thank you for all of your support!

Thank you for coming this evening. • Please put your supplies back • Backboards are available for students and parents that participated in this evenings activities and received a ticket for being on time!! • If you would like to purchase a backboard, the cost is $5. 00.