12th Annual Morello Park Elementary School  

STEM FAIR  

Information Packet  

IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Project Entry Forms Due on April 13th!  

PACKET CONTENTS:  

STEM Fair Project Category Descriptions

The Scientific Method

Science Project Presentation Guide

STEM Fair Project Ideas for All Grades

STEM FAIR - Wednesday, April 22nd, 5:30-7:30pm

 Proudly Sponsored by the MPE PTA

12th Annual Morello Park Elementary School

STEM FAIR  

                                  Project Category Types

Model  

A model is a representation of an object or system. It can help us think about and understand something that cannot easily be seen. Examples include a model of the solar system or the chemical structure of sugars. A project could include catapults, scale models of buildings, and bridges.

Collection  

A collection is a group of items that have something in common. The processes of sorting and classifying objects are an important part of science. By arranging similar items together, we discover traits they have in common and sharpen our observation skills. Examples of a collection are: different types of seashells; various rocks collected both near and far; and leaves from different trees, plants and bushes.

Observation 

Observations are what you can detect using your senses. In an observation, you watch something carefully and record all that you see happen over a period of time. A project could include observations of symmetry found in nature.

Demonstration 

A demonstration gives a visual representation for an idea or principle. Similar to a Model, it helps illustrate an idea. Examples include: demonstrating the flow of electricity through a circuit, demonstrating how hot and cold air move differently, or demonstrating how penguins stay warm in freezing temperatures.

Research 

Research is the formal gathering of data, information and facts to advance one’s knowledge about a specific topic or subject. It is often used in conjunction with an Experiment, or Observation. A project could be based on research about a particular subject that interests you, and is then presented using some combination of Models, Demonstrations, Observations, and Experiments.

Experiment 

An experiment is a test, or series of tests, used to determine if a hypothesis is true or false. In an experiment, you want to make observations between two situations, keeping all things the same except one. That one thing is called the independent variable. Since the independent variable is what you are using to test your hypothesis, you have to decide on what is going to be different before conducting the experiment. The things that you keep the same are called the controlled, or constant, variables.

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12th Annual Morello Park Elementary School

STEM FAIR  

The Scientific Method

Science is knowledge and the process of discovery! The Scientific Method helps us understand the world around us. It is a process (series of steps) used to explore answers to questions.  

1. Ask a Question 

What are you curious about? What question do you want to try to answer?  

Example: Does adding organic fertilizer to the soil make a pea plant bigger than a pea plant grown in regular soil?  

2. Background Research 

Once you have your question, do some background research on it. See what others did and what happened. What would you do the same? What would you do differently? How can you apply the  knowledge gained from your research into your experiment?  

3. Make a Hypothesis.  

A hypothesis is an educated guess to your question. Determine a possible solution to your question.  

Example Hypothesis: Pea plants need a lot of nutrients to grow big. Therefore, adding organic fertilizer  will allow the plants to grow more.  

4. Experiment 

Design and conduct an experiment to test whether your hypothesis is accurate or not. If you are testing  multiple variables, be sure to conduct multiple tests, changing only one variable at a time.  

Record the procedure you use to conduct the experiment. During the experiment, make observations and take measurements.  

5. Analyze the Results and Draw a Conclusion 

Once your experiment is complete, analyze the results of your experiment to see if both your hypothesis and prediction were accurate or not. If one was accurate, but not the other, why do you think that is? If you were going to do the experiment over, what would you change? What else did you discover by doing the experiment?  

6. Communicate 

Communicate your project to others at the fair in a way that helps others easily see and understand.  

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12th Annual Morello Park Elementary School

STEM FAIR  

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12th Annual Morello Park Elementary School

STEM FAIR  

SAMPLE PROJECT IDEAS FOR 21 ST CENTURY STEM LEARNERS  

One of the most important considerations in picking a topic for your STEM Fair project is to find a subject that interests you. We have provided some examples below.  These are just ideas and you should not feel limited by them. Your ideas and what interests you are what is important in your STEM Fair project. Just remember to have fun!  

Animal Studies 

Do ants like cheese or sugar better?

What foods do mealworms prefer?

Does holding a mirror in front of a fish change what a fish does?

What color of birdseed do birds like best?

Do mint leaves repel ants?

Which travels faster-a snail or a worm?

On which surface can a snail move faster-dirt or cement?

How far does a snail travel in one minute?

How much can a Caterpillar eat in one day?

Does an earthworm react to light and darkness?

Does surrounding color affect an insect's eating habits?

Do different kinds of caterpillars eat different amounts of food?

How do mealworms react to various surfaces?

Do mealworms prefer light or dark environments?

Comparative Studies  

What kind of juice cleans pennies best?

Do watches keep time the same?

How does omitting an ingredient affect the taste of a cookie?

Do suction cups stick equally well to different surfaces?

Which cheese grows mold the fastest?

Consumer Testing  

What brand of raisin cereal has the most raisins?

Which dish soap makes the most bubbles?

Which paper towel is the strongest?

With which type of battery do toys run the longest?

Which laundry detergent works the best?

Which brand of popcorn pops the most kernels?

Which brand of popcorn pops the fastest?

Which brand of diaper holds the most water?

What type of cleaner removes ink stains best?

Which brand of soap makes the most suds?

Which plastic trash bag is the strongest?

Which houseplant fertilizer works best?

Which brand of disposable diaper absorbs the most liquid?

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12th Annual Morello Park Elementary School

STEM FAIR  

Human Studies 

Does anyone in my class have the same fingerprints?

In my class, who has the biggest feet, boys or girls?

Which student in class has the greatest lung capacity?

In my class, who has the smallest hands-boys or girls?

Can you tell time without a watch or clock?

Is using two eyes to judge distance more accurate than using one eye?

Do boys or girls have a higher resting heart rate?

Do taller people run faster than shorter people do?

Who can balance better on the balls of their feet-boys or girls? Does exercise affect heart rate?

Engineering 

Which paper airplane design flies the farthest?

How do robots work? What functions can they use to help humans? How can we store the sun’s energy?

Can electromagnets power a car? Why and how?

How can we store power from the ocean?

Plant Studies 

Do roots of a plant always grow downward?

Can plants grow without soil?

Does temperature affect the growth of plants?

Can plants grow from the leaves?

Do different kinds of apples have the same number of seeds? Do bigger seeds produce bigger plants?

Does a plant grow bigger if watered with milk or water?

Do different types of soil hold different amounts of water?

Will adding bleach to the water of a plant reduce fungus growth?

Does sugar prolong the life of cut flowers?

How much of an orange is water?

Does the color of light affect plant growth?

Do plants grow bigger in soil or water?

How much weight can a growing plant lift?

Does it matter in which direction seeds are planted?

Do living plants give off moisture?

Water  

Does a bath take less water than a shower?

Does warm water freeze faster than cool water?

How long will it take a drop of food dye to color a glass of still water?

Which materials absorb the most water?

What materials dissolve in water?

Which dissolves better in water - salt or baking soda?

Does baking soda lower the temperature of water?

Does the color of water affect its evaporation?

Can you separate salt from water by freezing?

Will water with salt evaporate faster than water without salt?

What type of soil filters water best?

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12th Annual Morello Park Elementary School

STEM FAIR  

Physical Sciences 

Can the design of a paper airplane make it fly farther?

Do wheels reduce friction?

What holds two boards together better, a nail or a screw?

Does a ball roll farther on grass or dirt?

Do all objects fall to the ground at the same speed?

What kind of things do magnets attract?

How can you measure the strength of a magnet?

How much salt does it take to float an egg?

Does water with salt boil faster than plain water?

Does an ice cube melt faster in air or water?

Can you tell what something is just by touching it?

Can you tell where sound comes from when you are blindfolded?

Can things be identified by just their smell?

Does the length of a vibrating object affect sound?

Which liquid has the highest viscosity?

Will more air inside a basketball make it bounce higher?

Do all colors fade at the same rate?

Does a baseball go farther when hit by a wood or metal bat?

What kind of glue holds two boards together better?

Does the width of a rubber band affect how far it will stretch?

Can you use a strand of human hair to measure air moisture?

How far can a water balloon be tossed to someone before it breaks?

Does the shape of a kite affect its flight?

Using a lever, can one student lift another larger student?

What gets warmer faster-sand or soil?

In which way does the wind blow most frequently?

Will a ball bounce higher if it is dropped at a greater distance from the floor?

Do sugar crystals grow faster in tap water or distilled water?

What common liquids are acid, base or neutral?

What determines how fast a piece of candy dissolves?

WANT MORE IDEAS? VISIT THESE WEBSITES FOR EVEN MORE IDEAS! 

Science fair project guide http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/fair.html  The Space Place at JPL http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/index.shtml 

Exploratorium Experiments http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/activities  Mad Science! http://www.madsci.org/index.html  

Home Science Tools https://learning-center.homesciencetools.com/science-projects/science-fair/  Science Buddies https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-projects#brows

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12th Annual Morello Park Elementary School

STEM FAIR  

Project Submission Form

(One copy goes back to the office OR via email to r.hulme.foss@gmail.com by April 13th AND one copy goes on the back of your project.)

Individual, partner, and group projects all encouraged 

Name(s)______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Teacher(s)____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grade(s)______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Project Title__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Brief Project Description

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Project Category

_____Model      _____Collection    _____Observation    

_____Demonstration     _____Research     _____Experiment

Parent Email_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Parent Signature_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Parent volunteers are always needed and much appreciated! If you are able to help before, during, or after the fair please indicate availability.

_____ I am available between 4:30-5:30pm to help with set-up

____ I am available during the fair from 5:30-7:30pm, or part of the fair during these times: _______________________

____ I am available to help clean up from 7:30-8:30pm

Student Name:______________________________________  Grade:______________

Reviewer: _________________________________________________ Total Score: _________/15__

Note: 0 represents element was absent from poster; 1 shows minimal effort (or high level of unnecessary adult support); 2 represents complete and accurate grade-level effort; 3 represents above grade level effort (without indicating a high level of unnecessary adult support)

Additional notes: