General Science Fair Information for Parents
A take home packet of information will be given to each student in grades 4-6 and is available to each child in K-3 that expresses an interest in entering a project.
Students in grades K-3 are highly encouraged to enter an individual project from home. Class projects may be completed in school and entered separately in the expo.
Each student in grades 4-6 is required to submit an individual project. These projects are to be completed at home. Class time will be used to help learn about and apply the scientific method or inquiry process in working on their project.
The Scientific Method (or Inquiry Process) is a focal point in the first strand of the Arizona Science Standards. Participation in the fair helps your child meet the state science standard as well as many other educational goals that are important for your child. The science fair will help your child discover new areas of interest, practice problem-solving skills, and gain a sense of pride in successfully organizing and completing a long-term project. It is hoped that participation will help emphasize the importance of science in our daily lives.
A science fair gives students the chance to think and work independently, develop and refine individual science interests, and engage in critical thinking.
Parental support is very important in completing a successful project. If you are wondering what your role in your child's science fair projects will be, the following suggestions and guidelines might be helpful.
• Help your child select a project that is feasible to accomplish.
• Help your child find materials for the project such as research sources, building supplies, and display materials.
• Offer support and assistance as your child is working on his or her project. Your child should plan and direct the activity as much as possible.
• Encourage your child to work on the project on a regular basis.
• Be sure that your child practices good safety procedures.
• Assist in the construction of the display board and in its transportation to school on the day of the science fair.
If you have any questions or are in need of a packet, please feel free to contact your child's teacher.
2008 Science Fair Timeline
Wednesday, March 5, 2008:
Projects are due in the school cafeteria by 9:00 a.m. An entry form listing your child's name, grade level, and teacher's name will be sent home soon.
9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. judging, exhibits closed for viewing
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Open night, public viewing of exhibit
Thursday, March 6, 2008
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. classroom and public viewing
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. removal of displays
Information regarding the 2008 Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF):
Wednesday, March 19th - Registration
Thursday, March 20th - Judging (all students must be present)
Friday, March 21st - Public Viewing of all projects
Awards Ceremony - to be held in the evening
Questions? email: sciencefairs@asu.edu
480-727-1049
Exhibit Criteria (rules)
- Projects may not exceed 36” in width, 48” in height, and 18”' in depth.
- The student's name, teacher's name, and grade level of the student are to be placed on the back of the project, not on the front.
- Project display boards may be purchased at several locations in town such as Staples, Office Max, and teacher supply stores. We will also have display boards for sale here at Kinsey. Listen for announcements in the mornings.
- No live animals should be exhibited at the fair. Models, stuffed animals, or photographs should be used instead.
- Anything hazardous to public display is strictly PROHIBITED. This includes any open or concealed flames, and/or live disease causing organisms. Water must be covered to avoid spills.
- No dangerous or combustible chemicals should be displayed at the fair. Rockets or engines must not contain fuel.
- No controlled substances such as prescription drugs should be exhibited.
- Student experimenters should wear safety goggles (eye protection) and follow safety practices when working with fire, hot liquids, or caustic chemicals. Parent approval and supervision may be required for these projects.
PROTECT YOUR SCIENCE PROJECT!!
- Expensive or fragile items should not be displayed.
- Valuable items essential to the project should be simulated or photographed.
- Items to be displayed in front of the display board should be adequately secured.
- Design your display so that it is very easy to transport to and from the fair. Carefully pack all materials when transporting.
Judging Criteria
JUDGE'S WORKSHEET
Directions: Please choose the number which best describes the project. The lowest score is zero and the highest is three.
PROBLEM: How well is the problem statement written? ___
0 - No problem statement
1 -
Incomplete problem statement
2 -
Complete problem statement
3 -
Complete, well written problem statement
HYPOTHESIS : Is this a testable prediction? ___
0 - No hypothesis
1 - Incomplete hypothesis
2 - Hypothesis present, but not completely testable
3 - Well-written, testable hypothesis
MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT: How were the items used? ___
0 - No materials or equipment identified or used in an unsafe manner
1 - Materials not appropriately identified and/or used safely
2 - Materials appropriately identified and used safely
3 - Materials carefully identified and used above expectations
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES: How well is the plan developed to
validate the hypothesis? ___
0 - Lacks procedure/plans
1 - Partial procedure/plan to validate or confirm the hypothesis
2 - Sufficient procedure/plan to validate or confirm the hypothesis
3 - Exemplary plan to validate or confirm the hypothesis
DATA PRESENTATION/ANALYSIS: How are the data presented/
interpreted? ___
0 - No data presentation/analysis
1 - Data partially and/or not clearly presented
2 - Data sufficiently and clearly presented
3 - Data presentation exceeds expectations/ comprehensive interpretation
RESULTS: How well are the results presented? ___
0 - No stated results
1 - Incomplete statement of results
2 - Partial statement of results
3 - Complete statement of results
CONCLUSIONS: How well does the conclusion summarize the results? ___
0 - No conclusions
1 - Incomplete conclusions
2 - Apparent conclusions
3 - Inherent, significant conclusions
VISUAL DISPLAY: How well is the project constructed? ___
0 - Poor display/construction/grammar
1 - Fair display/construction/grammar
2 - Good display/construction/grammar
3 - Exemplary display/construction/grammar
TOTAL POINTS : ____________
Do's and Don'ts
DO select a topic of real interest to you.
DO follow the problem statement or scientific method.
DO keep records of your research.
DO include these records as part of your exhibit or in your report.
DO check your results for accuracy and validity.
DO budget your time.
DO keep the presentation simple.
DO understand your topic.
Do test all “working parts” well ahead of time. Your exhibit must tell the viewer something meaningful. Make sure you are covering only one major principle, and have one final conclusion.
Do keep your design simple. Avoid excessive decoration.
Do capture the viewer's attention immediately. Use a short exhibit title in large letters, or use a single object as a center of attention.
Do try to include some of the following:
• Photographs
• Drawings
• Charts/graphs
• Actual objects
• A combination of some of the above ideas
DON'T choose a topic just because it seems easy.
DON'T have your family or friends do the work.
DON'T throw everything together the last day or two before the fair.
DON'T copy or cut and paste a project directly from a book or the internet! Judges will only award a participant ribbon if they decide your project was not student made and taken directly from another source not your own.
Regional science fair to consider:
2008 Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF)
Wednesday, March 19th - Registration
Thursday, March 20th - Judging (all students must be present)
Friday, March 21st - Public Viewing of all projects
Awards Ceremony - to be held in the evening
Questions? email: sciencefairs@asu.edu
480-727-1049
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