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Introduction & Project Selection Guidance

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Session 1 – Dec 6,2024

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Table of Contents

• Science Fair – Important Dates & Schedule
• Project Guidance – Scientific Approach
• Judging Criteria and Overall Guidance

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Science Fair - Important Dates

Science Fair

Project Selection Guidance Session II & III

Science Fair - Schedule

Project Guidance

Remember:

Encourage your child to lead the process from start-to-finish. Your role should be to support and provide guidance.

Use the Scientific Method

• Choose a topic that interests you
• Look around you, tap into daily conversations or the news
• Make it fun

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Example:

Topic: Melting ice

Choose a Topic

• Observe and let it lead to questions
• Be curious

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Example:

Question: Does ice melt faster in different liquids?

Identify the question

• Do some research around the question
• Now note down what you think will happen based on your experience and the research

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Example:

Hypothesis: Ice will melt faster in juice than in water

Develop a Hypothesis

• Design your experiment
• Gather all materials. Note down precise quantities
• Write down step-by-step instructions on how you plan to conduct the experiment
• Make sure you are testing for only 1 thing – that means only 1 variable, with all other parameters being controlled
• Conduct your experiment – HAVE FUN!

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Example:

Experiment: Set up an experiment with a glass of juice, a glass of water, and an ice cube for each.

Conduct an Experiment

• Record what happened in the experiment
• At different times
• With different values for the variable
• Record results for the experiment

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Example:

Record: Record time at which ice cube is completely melted in both juice and water

Record data and results

• Based on the results recorded, conclude whether your hypothesis was:
• Correct
• Incorrect
• or could not be proved
• All 3 conclusions are valid conclusions, and part of the scientific learning journey
• Think of something you could do differently next time

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Example:

Conclusion: Ice melted quicker in water, so our hypothesis was proved incorrect.

Document Conclusion

Project Guidance - Display

• The primary display will be through a backboard, as shown in the next slide
• We also encourage you to prepare the project in a digital format, similar to slides used in this deck, so we can archive it for viewing for future generations of Fiske scientists ☺
• Also optional is to record a video of your child presenting the project and uploading on the website
• Final submission details for uploads will be provided closer to the Science Fair date

Display - Backboard

• Place pictures of your experiment on the board, along with notes
• Add references of resources you used to research the project
• Recommended size limit of the backboard is 36” width

Procedure

Data

(Pictures, Tables, and Graphs)

Question

Hypothesis

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Materials

Results

Conclusion

References

Judging Criteria and Overall Guidance

• Projects will be judged on:
• Use of scientific method – portraying a scientific mindset in approach to the project
• Innovation – in choice of topic, or conduct of experiment
• Ease of display and engaging content
• Encourage your child to lead the process from start-to-finish. Your role should be to support and provide guidance.
• All science projects should be done at home, taking care to always be safe!
• No animals should be harmed.
• For messy projects, those that involve pets, etc., you may consider filming your project & displaying it on a laptop/iPad alongside your poster at the science fair.
• Please do not bring food, live animals, dry ice or latex products to the science fair.

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Resources

• Fiske library and our beloved librarian – Amy-Jo Conant
• Resources listed on Fiske Science Fair Website
• https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-projects
• https://www.ducksters.com/science/scientificmethod.php

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References used for this deck:

1. littlebinsforlittlehands.com
2. Charlotte County Public Schools Science Fair Projects ppt

Sensory Friendly Topics

• Melt snow - During the winter months, melt snow to see how much water is actually in snow or chart the weather to study trends.

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• Leaning tower of Jenga - What is the minimum number of levels with 2 blocks in the bottom most level for a Jenga tower of 2 ft / 3ft / 4ft to stand without falling ?

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• Alexa - Can you play ? - What is the volume level needed to be able to listen to Alexa when you are in the same room / different room/ inside / outside the house / with TV on and TV off ?

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• Sink of float - Do objects sink or float in water / oil / chocolate milk ? (grass / egg/ stones)

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• Can I tear this page ? - how many pages of regular letter sheet/ card stock / hardcover can you tear into two with your hands in one go ?

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• Fingerprint balloon - imprint your (+ family members) fingerprint in a deflated balloon and see how big the fingerprints blow up when the balloon is inflated. Find similarities and differences in the fingerprints of family members.

Sensory Friendly Topics

For tactile under-sensitive scientists

https://fun-a-day.com/top-sensory-and-science-activities-for-kids/

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Clean science experiments

https://ourfamilycode.com/clean-science-experiments-for-autistic-children/

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https://beyondtheplayroom.com/home/blog/science-sensory-activities/