Baker Science Fair

& Family Science Night

March 5th, 2015

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Get ready, Baker Scientists!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE7hhKTkKa8&feature=youtu.be

Science Fair Deadlines:

o
o
o
o
o
o

01/05/15 Start selecting topic for your experiment

01/09/15 Topic due
01/13/15 Begin research
02/13/15 IMRAD Investigation Report Due
02/16-02/20 Classroom presentation of experiments
03/05/15 Baker Science Fair 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Science Fair Basics

Science Fair projects cover multiple
content areas. The project itself is the
science, but English, math, social studies
and other subjects come into play. A
science fair project will enhance critical
thinking, speaking, and writing skills,
develop the use of the scientific method to
solve problems, and establish contacts with
people in the community.

Simple Guidelines
Put your name on everything
Keep everything (it is highly encouraged to keep a science fair
journal, notebook, or binder to organize all materials)
All measurements should be metric
Use time wisely (plan ahead)
Turn things in on time (pay attention to due dates)

Topic Selection
This involves selecting a topic that is interesting to you.
What do you want to know more about? Change?
Create? It must be an experiment not a
demonstration. It must involve a problem that is
solved by applying the scientific method. There must
be only one variable (or condition) being tested and a
control group is established. A hypothesis must be
formed using If, Then format. The experiment must
result in a collection of quantitative data that can be
analyzed to solve the problem, and must be repeated a
minimum of three times for validity.

Topics can be chosen from the following

categories:

Life Science-study of living things

Microbiology-bacteria, fungi, etc.
Earth Science-geology, meteorology, oceanography, geography, etc.
Chemistry-study of nature and composition of matter (materials,
plastics, fuels, pesticides, etc.)

Computer Science-study and development of computer

hardware, software engineering, internet, graphics

Engineering-civil, mechanical, chemical, automotive,

transportation, etc.

Medicine and Health Science-study of disease and health;

dentistry, pharmacology, pathology, nutrition, sanitation, etc.

Physics-principles and laws governing energy and its effect on

matter

Consumer Science-quality control, product design/comparison

Environmental Science-study of pollution, ecology

Topic selection is due

January 9th, 2015

Turn in your topic for approval from your teacher

State the topic (example: paper towel absorbency)
State the question; What are you trying to solve? (example: Which brand
of paper towels has better absorbency?)
State the category (example: Consumer Science)
Hypothesis (If Bounty paper towels absorb the most water when dispersed
into the beaker, then Bounty paper towels have better absorbency than
Kroger brand and Viva paper towels.)

Topic Selection-30 points

4
30/30
-Experiment
-Involves a
problem
-Question
-Hypothesis
(If, Then
format)
-Category
given

3
24/30
-Experiment
-Involves a
problem
-Question
-Hypothesis

2
18/30
-Experiment
-Involves a
problem
-Question or
Hypothesis
given (but one
is missing)

1
6/30
-Experiment.
Not clear.

0
0/30
No
participation
(or
demonstration
selected
instead of
experiment)

Research

This involves collecting information about your topic. What do

you need to know? Want to know? What experiments have
already been done?
Visit 3 or more of the following web sites to collect information.
Web Sites:

http://www.nature.com
http://www.sciencenews.org
http://sciencebuddies.org
http://www.eurekalert.org
http://cdli.ca/sciencefairs/
http://www.scifair.org
http://members/ozemail.com/au/~macinnis/scifun/projects.htm
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
http://sciencepage.org/scifair.htm
http://www.super-science-fair-projects.com/high-school-science-fair-projects.html
http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/Resources/GettingStarted/html
http://www.edinformatics.com/science_projects/ideas/htm
http://chemistry.about.com/od/sciencefairprojects/a/sciprohigh.htm

Research due by
February 13, 2015

Research-20 points
4
20/20
-Student
visited 3 or
more web
sites
-total of 6
facts/pieces
of
information
documented

3
15/20
-Student
visited 3 web
sites
-less than 6
total
facts/pieces
of
information
documented

2
10/20
-Student
visited 2-3
web sites
- less than 6
total
facts/pieces
of
information
documented

1
5/20
-Student
visited 1-2
web sites
-Less than 6
total
facts/pieces
of
information
documented

0
0/20
No research
completed

Conduct your experiment

Remember to follow the scientific method

State the Question

Collect Information
Form a Hypothesis
Experiment
Observe
Record and Analyze Data
State a Conclusion
Repeat

How-To Complete the IMRAD Investigation (Inquiry)

Report

I = Introduction
M = Methods & Materials
R = Results
A = Analysis
D = Discussion

Introduction
Question: Write out the question for your investigation. Which question do you wish to
answer? Hypothesis Statement (Remember to include If, Then)
Methods & Materials
Under the Methods Section write out numbered steps for conducting your experiment.
Please be sure to be very specific.
Under the Materials Section list the materials you will need to conduct this investigation

IMRAD (continued)
Results
Create a data table that shows your results. Be sure to label each column and/or
row as well as include a title.
Draw a graph, think about which kind you should use (bar, line, or circle) using
the data from your table. Make sure you title each axis and give your graph an
overall title. The title of the graph should reflect the information presented in the
graph.
Analysis
Answer the following questions in complete paragraphs:
Paragraph #1: Was my hypothesis correct? Explain why or why not?
Paragraph #2: What did I learn from my investigation? Do not repeat your
answer from Paragraph #1. State what else you learned about designing and/or
conducting your science investigation!
Discussion
Complete this statement: My experiment relates to the real world because
This discussion should be at least five sentences. Be sure to include who will
benefit from knowing the information you collected in your investigation.

Tri-fold
Board Display

Using color on the board creates a

more visual display eliminate
too much white space. However,
do not over-do the colors.
Make it appealing to the eye.
Make sure your font is readable
from at least twenty feet.
Organize your board well it
should flow and make sense (use
scientific method). Lay out your
objects that you are placing on the
board first without gluing/taping
them down. Once you are
satisfied with the placement,
glue/tape them down.
Use pictures, pictures, and
pictures!!! Pictures will enhance
your board by showing evidence
of conducting the experiment and
drawing the eye to the results of
your investigation.
Your name needs to go on the back
of the presentation board.

TITLE

Click icon to add picture

PROBLEM
(QUESTION)

RESULTS
PROCEDURES
(Methods & Materials)

HYPOTHESIS
(Ifthen
statement)

Table &
Graph

PHOTOS
CONCLUSION

PHOTOS
PHOTOS

Preliminary Classroom
Science Fair
Week of February 16-20, 2015

Present your experiment to

your teacher and classmates
Top 30 will be entered into
the Baker Science Fair

Baker Science Fair

& Family Science Night
Thursday, March 5, 2015
6:00-8:00 p.m.

120 5th

grade and 120 6th grade

students at BIS will compete in the Baker
Science Fair

Prizes will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd

place winners in each grade level
Special guest, Jason Lindsey, from Hooked
on Science will be presenting and setting
up fun experiments in the BIS gymnasium
for students and families to enjoy!

Science Fair Grading Sheet

Topic Selection: 30 points

Research: 20 points
Classroom Presentation: 20 points
Tri-fold Board: 30 points
IMRAD investigation report: 100 points

Total: 200 points

Judging criteria/scoring for science

fair projects
1. Creativity (30 points)
Are the materials presented in an organized, yet creative way?
Is the project or display original?
2. Scientific Thought (30 points)
Did the student follow the scientific method using IMRAD?
Is the experiment designed to answer a question?
Are the procedures appropriate to the area of investigation?
Is the topic or problem stated clearly and completely?
Is there an adequate conclusion?
3. Thoroughness (15 points)
Is a problem adequately answered or pursued?
Is the information complete?
Is the conclusion supported by results from an experiment?

Judging criteria (continued)

4. Skill (15 points)
Does the project represent the students own work?
Does the project represent quality workmanship?
Does the project indicate extensive planning?
5. Clarity (10 points)
Are the titles and written descriptions neat, legible, and large enough to read?
Is the data clearly presented?
Is the display colorful and attractive?

Resources
All of this information is available in your classroom, on the Baker Science Fair
Facebook page, and on your teachers web page. To connect to the Baker Science Fair
Facebook page click on the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Baker-Science-Fair/823545817684529
If you need help with your experiment, contact your science teacher or Mrs. Spencer
(room 61). Mrs. Spencer will be available on Mondays after school from 2:30-3:30 if you
need any help!
Example of a science fair experiment/display:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAyru2jDxHg

Good luck to all Baker Scientists!