CAPTAIN WILKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SCIENCE FAIR

 

 

 

 

When:              Wednesday, March 28, 2007            6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

 

Students may set-up on Tuesday, March 27 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. or Wednesday, March 28 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

 

Where:              Wilkes Gym

 

 

Who:                All students - Kindergarten through Grade 4

 

 

 

Type of Exhibits

 

1.              Labeled Drawing

Original artwork as one might find in a book, poster or magazine dealing with a scientific subject.  Examples:  drawing of a horse, drawing of a crystal, a drawing taken from a microscope slide etc. Parts must be labeled and the project should include a minimum of one paragraph describing the drawing.

 

2.              Observation Report

Original observation report of an ecological area, or specific plants and animals.  Should include dated log book and research report describing what was observed.  May include photographs and drawings or a ten-minute video presentation.  Examples:  Observing the types and numbers of birds attracted to a bird feeder.  The kinds of plants growing in a field.  The kinds of seals near the Ferry Boat Dock.

 

3.              Models/Dioramas

Self-made, not store bought, three-dimensional model of something scientific.

Examples: dinosaurs, the human ear, bones of the hand, pond creatures, etc.  Should include a title and minimum of one paragraph explanation of the project.

 

4.              Inventions

Real working demonstrations of machines, ways to do something in a new and better way, etc.  Examples:  Building a robot, designing and building a better kind of skate board.  One paragraph (minimum) report required, and may include research on past designs and predictions on the future.  (Computer programs enter under technology.)

 

5.              Demonstrations

A demonstration of known scientific principle.  This is not an experiment.  Examples:  Mixing vinegar and baking soda and describing what happens.  Making crystals with sugar, water and string.  Needs to be a display with a minimum of one paragraph explanation of your scientific principle.  In addition, you should show the judges how your demonstration works.

 

6.              Experiment (Using the scientific method – see attached description)

The next step beyond a demonstration.  It involves researching a question you would like to find the answer to, careful record keeping, designing a way to do an experiment to find that answer, repeating the experiment to verify the answer, reporting your results using a graph and then writing about your results.

 

7.              Technology

This category involves creating a project using one or more kinds of technology, such as, a video and/or an original computer program, such as a game or program to take a survey of favorite breakfast cereals.  Your project does not need to be about a science topic.  Include a written, one paragraph (minimum) explanation of your project, including a description of the topic.  Let us know by March 21th if you need a computer and we can provide you with one.

 

General Rules

 

1.         Young scientists will have an opportunity to talk with an adult mentor about

            their project and will receive an entry ribbon and written comments. 

            Numerical scores will not be given.  Certificates will be awarded

            in a variety of special categories.

 

2.              Parents may help by gathering materials and giving advice, but should not create the project for the student.  The purpose of our fair is to acknowledge and celebrate our young scientists.

 

3.              A maximum of 30 inches wide, 30 inches high and 18 inches deep.

 

4.              No poisonous animals or experiments that will hurt animals.

 

5.              A team project (maximum of 2 individuals) is acceptable.

 

6.              Projects must arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. and be removed by 8:00 p.m.

March 28, 2007.  We cannot guarantee the condition of projects left overnight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO MAKE A SCIENCE FAIR EXPERIMENT

 

 

 

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD (Experiment)

 

1.              Decide on a statement or question.  What is the effect of soap on the surface tension of water?  (See list below for other ideas.)

 

2.              Choose a model or experiment to answer your question or demonstrate your statement.

 

Control:  glass filled with water                      Experiment:  1 drop of soap

pennies added                                            glass filled with water

                                                                   pennies added

 

 

3.              In writing tell what you did.

a.     Filled a glass with water.

b.     Slowly added pennies until water overflowed.

c.     Repeated steps a. and b. but added 1 drop of soap to water first.

 

4.              Write results:

a.     After adding 50 pennies, the water overflowed.

b.     One of the properties of a molecule is that they attract each other.

5.              Tell why this happened.

a.     Pennies displaced the water.  (Liquid matter is made up of molecules.)

b.     One of the properties of a molecule is that they attract each other.

c.     Soap somehow reduces the property of molecules attracting each other.

 

Make a display.  Your display should show what you did. 

 

            Size restriction:

            30 inches long

            30 inches high

            18 inches deep

 

6.              Be able to explain what you did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students,

 

Sign up with your teacher by Wednesday, March 21, 2007 if you are planning to enter an exhibit in the Wilkes Science Fair.  Do not be late.

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Return this bottom portion to reserve a space for your project.

 

 

Student’s Name _____________________________  Teacher/Grade ________________

 

Category   (circle one)          

1.     Labeled Drawing

 

2.     Observation Report

 

3.     Models/Dioramas

 

4.     Inventions

 

5.     Demonstrations

 

6.     Experiment

 

7.     Technology

 

 

*Let us know by March 21th if you need a computer and we can provide one.

 

The subject of my science project will be ______________________________________

 

________________________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Note for Parents:  The science fair is to promote your child’s interest in science.  You should encourage your child to do his/her best work, but please do not do the project for them.  If you have any concerns or questions about how much help you can give, please contact your child’s teacher.

 

Permission Slip

 

I have read and discussed the entry form with my child, and I give permission for my child to enter the Wilkes Science Fair.

 

 

________________________________________                            _________________

      Parent/Guardian Signature                                                  Date