Science Fair Projects!

              The P.T.A. will be sponsoring our Northern Heights Science Fair on Tuesday, June 5th. An Open House will also accompany this fair from 6:30-8:30.

              So why are we starting so early? It takes months to grow plants, build models, and collect research! This is a large culminating project which involves many steps. I want to be sure that each student has time enough to really show what they know and have a rich experience.

              Every student in our class will be completing an investigation to present in class and display and discuss at the fair. Projects will be due in class to present on Monday June 4th.

              Each student in our room will be responsible for completing a science investigation. Students will complete a presentation in class. The poster and any additional materials are expected to accompany the class presentation. The poster and any additional materials will be displayed at the open house/science fair. 

              Fifth Grade attendance at this evening event will be expected. If this is not possible, please let me know with a written note in advance.

              I am looking forward to these pieces of your science investigation:

-Poster

-Oral presentation

-Scientific journal

-Artifacts (models, examples, finished product, supplies)

-Bibliography

Remember to think of a way to engage the audience (get the audience involved)! Examples: a pamphlet hand-out, something the audience can do or experience...I’m sure you can think of other ways too!

Please carefully read all of the following pages with your parent(s).

If you have questions, just ask! My phone number is: 676-6470 ext. 7438 and e-mail is bstanton@bham.wednet.edu

Thanks,

Ms. Stanton

This project will be completed at home with guidelines and information provided and explained in class. Each completed project will include a display board, display items if appropriate, a scientific journal, a bibliography, and a brief speech. Students should be well prepared to discuss their project in class and at the science fair.

Each type of scientific project will begin with a question!

This question should be clearly shown on the poster board.

Students may choose one of the following:

• Investigation Type A: The student will complete a science investigation, complete with question, prediction, materials, procedures, data, and conclusion. This will also involve research on your topic.

              Example: How does the moisture of soil affect germination of seeds?

• Investigation Type B: This is a more typical research project. The student will identify a topic of interest, gather and sort information on this topic and organize a presentation.

              Example: How many types of pure bred dogs are there in the world and               how are they related?

• Invention: The student may develop a unique way to accomplish a task or research and make a model of an invention that has already been created. This will most likely involve creating a model.

              Example: How did Thomas Jefferson make the first copy machine?

• Model: The student will construct a model to explain and demonstrate how something works. NO VOLCANOES PLEASE.

        Example: Can I build a radio? Or: Which type of paper airplane will fly the furthest?

We have brainstormed good scientific questions

 using books, examples, and websites.

-Yes, you could choose a question from this list.

-Yes, your question needs to be unique, which means you will be the only person investigating your question.

-Because you need to have a unique question, you’ll need to make a list of your top three investigation questions.

-Remember, each type of science project requires a question.

Here are just a few of the example questions and ideas

 we’ve reviewed and thought of.

Please spend some time looking up some of these ideas on the computer!

Another great website for ideas and great science games is:

http://pbs.org/dragonflytv/

Make a camera (pin hole camera)

Make a sun dial, tell time with just the dial and the sun

Perform a taste test (example: Can people tell the difference between non-fat and fat Oreo cookies?)

Build a bat house, research bat houses, types of bats, and reasons to have a bat house

Study a habitat, reconstruct the habitat of an animal (example: crayfish)

Identify local trees or plants around your house or in the woods near your home

Make your own pH indicator and test different liquids in and around your home, make a chart of your findings

Demonstrate the phases of the moon

Which color Saran Wrap allows plants to grow the tallest?

Does lemon juice really inhibit cut fruit from oxidizing?

Does chewed gum lose mass?

Growing plants hydroponically

Evaluation of fertilizer types: which works best on marigolds?

How does acid rain affect plant germination?

Which bandage stays on best when playing in water?

How do certain beverages affect teeth?

Percolation in polluted vs. unpolluted soils

What is the effect of soccer ball temperature in kicking distance?

Make a timeline for one year that show the time of year to catch local types of fish.

Research and explain the mathematics of a honeycomb, you’ll be amazed.

What is the effect of music on human blood pressure?

Do taller people have a greater lung capacity than shorter people?

Which hot sauce kills the most bacteria?

Demonstrate and video tape the importance of washing your hands (ketchup experiment, this would involve writing a skit, actor(s), video camera, editing)

Make and experiment with parachutes: http://www.juliantrubin.com/bigten/davinciparachute.html

Build a fighter kite. Research fighter kites. Test out your kite. Video tape the flight! Make a movie of the flights to show at the fair. : http://www.csun.edu/~hfoao033/fighters.html

Make a conservation of energy pendulum

Make a barometer

Which type of bubble gum creates the biggest bubble?

Does starch form in photosynthesis? http://www.sciencefair-projects.org/biology-projects/starch-formed-in-photosynthesis.html

Inertia of Egg: http://www.sciencefair-projects.org/physics-projects/inertia-of-egg.html

Pascal's Law: http://www.sciencefair-projects.org/physics-projects/pascals-law.html

 For airplane enthusiasts: Bernoulli's Principle: http://www.sciencefair-projects.org/physics-projects/bernoullis-principle.html

The power of static electricity: http://www.sciencefair-projects.org/physics-projects/separate-salt-and-pepper.html

Which type of light bulb really lasts longer?

Make a real, working thermometer.

Does the effect of a magnet change when subjected to different temperatures?

What battery will last the longest?

Study carnivorous plants.

Can I make a generator?

What type of environment do crawdads prefer?

How do you grow an avocado plant from seed?

WHEEW...THAT’S A HUGE LIST ALREADY! I BET YOU HAVE EVEN MORE IDEAS!

Review:

-This science project is a culminating project.

-This project is an opportunity to show what you know about concepts we’ve studied this year:

Creating an investigation question

Writing predictions

Controlling variables

Writing science investigations

Writing procedures

Measuring and collecting data

Writing conclusions

Summarizing data

Labeling scientific diagrams

Creating organized, interesting, readable posters

Researching

Reading non-fiction

Reporting information in an organized way

Presenting appropriately for your audience

Engaging the audience in your presentation

And so much more…

-Keys to this science project: Organization, good use of time, meeting deadlines, being creative and thoughtful, extending yourself, and ...having fun!

-Your final project will include:

Poster

Oral presentation

Scientific journal

Artifacts (models, examples, finished product, supplies)

Bibliography

-You will receive a rubric when you hand in your contract. This will help you to plan and understand the expectations clearly.

-You will complete a contract telling your question and describing your project.