Dear Parents/Guardians:

Chatsworth School is planning its annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Fair on April $*$*$*$$*, 2015. As we did last year, Chatsworth will again be taking a different approach to
STEM Fair projects than you may be accustomed to. Over the next month, all 4th and 5th grade students
will be working in small groups to complete STEM Fair projects during their scheduled Theme
(Science/Social Studies/Health) class time. We believe by providing students with the opportunity to work in
class, collaboratively, with teacher guidance that this years experience will afford each student an opportunity
to dive far deeper into the scientific process and explore more in-depth concepts. Students will still have the
opportunity to complete another (a second) STEM Fair project outside of class (either individually or in a
small group,) however your child will not be required to complete a STEM Fair project outside of class. If
your child does choose to complete a second project, please note that these projects will be due on or before
&*&*&*&*, 2015. The Chatsworth School will, to the extent possible, provide the materials necessary to
complete in-class projects. However, requests for materials may be sent home with your child. These requests
will come directly from your childs teacher and will ensure that your child (and their teammates) have the
necessary materials to successfully complete their project. It is our goal that little, if any, of the STEM Fair
project will need to be completed at home. Please look for information from your childs teacher with regard to
the need for materials and for information related specifically to your childs project in the coming days.
The STEM Fair allows students to conduct investigations that use scientific thought processes and the
scientific method. Students will be asked to formulate a question based on a real-world problem. The question
will be investigated utilizing a process that produces measurable data. Teachers will work with students to
formulate questions which cannot simply be answered by doing an internet search. Rather, teachers will ensure
that the thought processes and methods used to answer questions are engaging, meaningful, and rigorous.
For those students who choose to complete an optional second project on their own, attached to
this letter please find a sample of a scientific method outline and timeline. If your child does not choose
to complete an optional second project, please disregard this information. Also attached (for those
students who choose to complete an optional second project) are specifications for construction of the project
backboard. A Judging Criteria Checklist and sample judges interview questions are also attached. It would be
beneficial for all students to use this checklist and the interview questions to practice in preparation for the
interviews which will occur during judging. Students producing award-winning projects will be eligible to enter
the county-wide Elementary STEM Fair on May 8th and 9th, 2015 at Parkville High School.
Just as teachers will do during in-class work sessions, parents/guardians are asked to allow their
children to assume as much responsibility for their project as possible. Parents/guardians may provide support,
offer advice when necessary, help with expenses for the project, and provide any needed transportation. As
your child writes the report to accompany the project, you may offer to proofread the written report or make
suggestions for improvement. In addition, whether or not your child chooses to complete an optional second
project, feel free to occasionally check on the progress of their in-class project.
Judging will take place during the school day on ^*(^*^* and &(*&(*&, 2015. Parent viewing of projects
will take place after school hours on ()*)(*)(, 2015.
Thank you in advance for contributing to the success of Chatsworth Schools STEM Fair.
Sincerely,

Dan Klingler
STEM Fair Coordinator
Email: dklingler@bcps.org

Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics Fair
Project Timeline (Information Provided if a Student
Chooses to Complete an Optional 2nd Project)
Step 1: Choose something that interests you that solves a problem or
allows you to learn something new. Complete the Summary and Approval
Form and return it to Mr. Klingler as soon as possible.
Step 2: Do research on the subject you have chosen. Include a list of
books, authors, and/or websites you have used to find information. The
research must be done before you do your experiment. This will help you to
form your hypothesis.

Steps 3 7 should be recorded in a logbook:

Step 3: QUESTION: What do you want to find out? This should be in the
form of a question. The answer to the question will be found during the
investigation.
Step 4: HYPOTHESIS: What do you think will happen in your
investigation? This is a prediction of the outcome based on what you learned
during your research.
Step 5: MATERIALS: What do you need to complete the investigation?
This should be recorded in the form of a list.
Step 6: PROCEDURE: What will you do, step-by-step, to complete the
investigation? As you develop your list of steps, write them down on a piece
of paper. Number them in the order you will complete them.

Step 7: If you are doing an experimental project, you will need to identify
the independent variable in your investigation (this is the thing that you can
change that will affect the results of your investigation.) You may choose
only one independent variable. Identify the dependent variable in your
investigation (this is the thing that changes because of the independent
variable you changed.) Identify the variables that need to stay the same
throughout all of your trials (these are the controlled variables.)
Step 8: Conduct the investigation. Remember to do three or more trials
if you are doing an EXPERIMENTAL project, or choose a large sample size if
doing an OBSERVATIONAL project. Record your results in the form of a
chart. Keep good records. It is also a good idea to record your progress
using photographs.
Step 9: RESULTS: What happened? Display your data in the form of a
chart and/or an appropriate graph.
Step 10: WRITTEN RESULTS: Write an explanation of your chart/graph
using the data. Be sure to mention any trends or unusual observations in
your explanation.
Step 11: CONCLUSION: What did you learn? The conclusion should be a
paragraph that explains the results. The paragraph should begin by stating
whether or not your hypothesis was correct or incorrect. The conclusion
must be supported by details and/or data from the investigation. The
conclusion paragraph should conclude with an idea for further investigation
(i.e. - if you could do another investigation to learn more about this subject,
what would you like to do?).
Step 12: Construct your backboard. Everything you have done in steps 2
11 will appear on the backboard. The backboard should be neat and colorful
and have a catchy title. Remember, you may not bring anything to the STEM
Fair except the backboard and your logbook containing evidence of research.
Be sure your name is clearly marked on the back of the backboard, and
the front of your logbook and report.

Parts of a Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics Fair Project (Information Provided if a Student
Chooses to Complete an Optional 2nd Project)
Question
Good science investigations begin with a question. This question often asks what if, how, or what effect
something will have. The question should be one that can lead to an investigation which will yield either
quantitative or qualitative data. The question may test a material or way of doing things that solves a problem
or improves something. A question that is well written will often identify the independent variable in the
investigation (see procedure section below).

Research
The research provides the opportunity to read several different sources about the general topic. Acquisition
of information allows the student to make an informed hypothesis. This also helps the formulation of a
procedure for testing the hypothesis. Evidence of research must be apparent.

Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an attempted answer to the question being investigated. The hypothesis attempts to predict
the outcome of the experiment and suggests a possible reason(s) for this outcome. The hypothesis should be
based on research and prior knowledge/observations and is proven true or untrue by the investigation.

Materials
Materials used in the investigation need to be listed in specific amounts and sizes. (Example three five-gram
weights) This allows other people to replicate (repeat) the investigation exactly to see if they get the same
results. This process is called verification.

Procedure
The procedure used in an investigation must be written in a clear, sequential manner in order to allow someone
else to follow the same steps to replicate the investigation. Numbering the steps followed in the procedure is
helpful to someone who is reading the procedure. In determining the procedure that will be used in the
investigation, the factors that will affect the outcome of the investigation, called variables, must be identified
and controlled. There are three types of variables that must be considered:

Independent variable (manipulated variable) the factor that will be intentionally changed during the
procedure in order to find out what effect it has on something else. An example of an independent variable
is using different lengths of string to construct a pendulum in order to observe the effect the length of
the string has on the swing of the pendulum.
Dependent variable (responding variable) the factor that is observed and measured to see if it is
affected by the change made in the independent variable. An example of a dependent variable is the
number of swings the pendulum makes when the length of its string is changed.
Variables that are controlled the factors in the investigation that must be kept exactly the same to
make sure that they are not having any effect on the dependent variable. Variables that would need to be
controlled in the pendulum experiment would be the mass of the pendulum, the type of string, and the
release height of the pendulum.

Results
The results of the investigation include the measurements taken and observations made as well as a written
explanation of the outcome. Data that are observed or measured during the experiment should be recorded as
the investigation is conducted. The best format to collect data is a data collection table. When constructing a
data collection table, you should remember that repeated trials of the investigation must be conducted to
obtain valid results. Data can then be analyzed and graphed. A statistical analysis of the collected data
including mean, median, mode, and range should be completed when appropriate. It is helpful to present the
data in the form of a graph so that the data can easily be interpreted. The two most commonly used types of
graphs for science experiments are detailed below.
Bar Graphs are used to display discrete data, or data that is distinct and separate from other information.
Data shown on a bar graph often reflect measured or counted amounts. For example, the average number
of drops of plain water versus the average number of drops of soapy water that will fit on a penny would
best be shown on a bar graph. The bars drawn on a bar graph must all be the same width and are separated
by spaces in between them.
Line graphs are used to display continuous data or data that goes on without a stop or break.
Investigations that have dependent (responding) variables involving temperature, time, or distance will
usually yield data that should be graphed as a line graph. Line graphs are useful to analyze relationships
among collected data. In particular, line graphs can show trends in data increasing, decreasing, or staying
the same. The dissolving time of a solid in a range of different temperatures would be an example of data
best displayed on a line graph.
The independent (manipulated) variable is usually represented on the horizontal (x) axis of a graph and
dependent (responding) variable is represented on the vertical axis of a graph. The graph should also have:
Numbers in even intervals (1s, 2s, 5s, 10s, 100s, etc.);
Labels for both the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) axes; and
A title that reflects the information that is being represented on the graph.

Written Explanation of Results

The data chart and/or graph are followed by paragraph describing the results. The paragraph should:
note highs and lows of data collected,
include the calculated mean, median, and mode as appropriate,
describe trends in the data,
restate the number of trials completed
state any inferences and/or observations evidenced by the data

Conclusion
A conclusion has five parts:
1. It should reflect back on the original hypothesis and state whether it was supported or not.
2. It should answer the original question that started the investigation and include results used as the basis
for that conclusion.
3. It should include specific data from the investigation.
4. It should include inferences that can be made from the results of the investigation.

5. It should include any additional questions that could be investigated or information that could be
researched in the future. In addition, any problems that were experienced during the investigation can be
discussed.

STEM Fair Project Ideas (Information Provided if

a Student Chooses to Complete an Optional
2nd Project)
To develop your project idea, think about things that interest you or that you like to do. Maybe you have
an unanswered question about a science unit in your class. Perhaps you have seen something on the news that you
would like to know more about. Or, maybe you know of a problem that needs to be solved. Perhaps you will want to
design a new way to complete a task. Think about how you would complete the investigation and the materials you
would need. Try to choose a question that you can investigate with minimal assistance from adults.
After brainstorming possible ideas, take some time to:

think about the project ideas

research possible ideas using available resources (such as the library, internet sites, etc. )
discuss it with any adults who may be assisting you
decide on a project.

If another student chooses to investigate a similar question, remember that your approach will probably
vary enough to make each project individual.
Be sure to discuss your proposed project idea with your teacher to make sure that it adheres to the
STEM Fair Rules and Regulations. If your project idea does not adhere to the STEM Fair Rules and Regulations,
your teacher will ask you to modify your idea, or choose a different idea. Projects that do not adhere to the
STEM Fair Rules and Regulations will not be allowed to participate in the County-wide BCPS STEM Fair.
This is your chance to become a scientist. Who knows, you might make an important discovery or find a
new love of science!
Here are a few websites you might want to use as you begin your quest for the perfect STEM Fair
project:
http://www.engineeringchallenges.org
http://www.sciencebuddies.org

Sample STEM Fair Interview Questions

Overall Appearance
1.
2.
3.
4.

Who helped you with your project?

What was your favorite part of the science project process?
How did you decide how to organize your information on the display board?
How long did it take for you to complete the project?

Question
1. How did you decide on the question that you wanted to investigate?
2. Is this topic something that youve always been interested in finding out more
about?
3. Did your question allow you to complete an investigation to gather data?

Prediction
1. What did you predict the outcome of your investigation would be?
2. What resources did you use to gather information about your project before you
started your investigation?
3. When you finished gathering information from your resources, did you have to
adjust your hypothesis at all?

Materials/Procedures
Written Procedure
1. Have you listed the exact amount of each material used so that someone else
could complete your investigation? Did you use metric or customary units?
2. Have you listed the procedure in an organized, step-by-step order?
3. Why do you think its important to have the procedure listed in a step-by-step
order?

Materials/Procedures
Experimental Design
1. How many times did you repeat your investigation?
2. Why do you think its important to repeat an investigation more than once?
3. What was the independent variable in your investigation? What was the
dependent variable?
4. How were you able to control all the variables except the one you were
changing?
5. If you were to complete this investigation 3 more times, what would you think
would be the outcome of the investigation?

Results and Graphic Representation

1. How did you decide which kind of graph to use to display your data?
2. Could you have used a different type of graph to show the results of your
investigation?
3. Have you included and labeled all of the necessary parts of your graph?
4. Does the information on your graph accurately show the information you
collected?

Results: Written Explanation

1. How does your chart/graph show the results of your investigation trials?
2. Have you included information from all of the trials or did you graph the mean
of the sets of data?
3. Does the information in your written explanation reflect the results of your
investigation trials?

Conclusion
1. Did your investigation have the results that you predicted?
2. Does your conclusion state if your hypothesis was supported or not supported?
3. What did you learn as a result of completing the investigations for this STEM
fair project?

Interview: Understanding
1. If you had to do this STEM fair project again, what would you have done
differently?
2. What suggestions would you give to someone who was interested in completing
your investigation?
3. Was your hypothesis supported? Why do you think this is true?
4. What did you learn from this investigation that you didnt already know?

Interview: Application
1. How would what you learned in this investigation be useful in solving a real
problem?
2. Can you think of an occupation that would benefit from the information that
you gained as a result of this investigation?
3. As you were completing your investigation, did you think of other questions that
you would like to find answers to in future investigations?

Scoring Sheet
Scoring criteria
Overall Appearance and Organization of the Backboard
Are all parts of the project are included, and clearly labeled? Is the backboard neat
and attractive?

Points
per
Item

Awarded
Score

Project Number:
Comments

Question/Hypothesis:
Does the question relate to a real-world problem or current issue, and lead to an
investigation or observations, not a report, demonstration, or model? Can the
question be answered through a simple Internet search?
Does the prediction/hypothesis state a possible outcome of the experiment or
observation with an accompanying explanation based on research?
Is evidence present showing research was done prior to predicting?

Materials and Procedure - Written Procedure:

Are materials and equipment are listed with specific amounts using metric or
customary units? (experimental projects, only)
Are all steps to conduct the experiment or observations described and in order?

Materials and Procedure - Experimental Design:

Are the independent, dependent, and controlled variables correctly identified and
listed? (experimental and observational projects)
Were repeated trials completed (experimental projects) and/or adequate data
collected (experimental and observational projects) to justify the conclusion?
Does the investigation design test the appropriate variable?

Results - Graphic Representation and Written Explanation:

Are data present in the form of a table with appropriate labels and title?
Is an appropriate type of graph accurately constructed (scale, labels, and title) from
the data on the data table?
Does the explanation analyze and summarize the data to note patterns and trends?

Conclusion:

Does the conclusion restate the original question being investigated?

Is a statement included reflecting whether the prediction was or was not supported?
Is supporting data referenced?
Are additional questions to investigate included?

12

Interview - Understanding:

What did you learn in your research that helped you in your investigation?
Can you describe what you did in this investigation? What were the procedures?
Based on your data, was your hypothesis supported? Explain.
What did you learn from this investigation/observation that you didnt already
know?
Did anything unexpected happen when you conducted your investigation? Any
problems that may have affected your results?

25

Interview Application:
Why did you choose to do this investigation? What problem were you trying to
solve?
Based on the results of your investigation, would you be able to solve your original
problem?
If you needed to know this information for a job, what job/profession would it be?
How is what you learned useful to others?
Now that you have completed this investigation, what questions do you have? What
would you choose to learn next?

TOTAL SCORE

25

100

Judges Signature
Judges Comments:

Student Checklist of Judging Criteria

Students: When your STEM Fair Project is finished, use this checklist to
make sure your project is complete and you have everything you need on your
backboard. Projects will be judged and awarded points in each of the bold
categories. The point values are listed beside each category.
Read each bullet in the bold categories below. Check YES or NO for each
bullet, based on your project. Then, go back and fix the areas on your project
where you checked NO.
A. Appearance and Organization (5 points)
Is my project arranged in a step-by-step order? Is my
backboard neat and attractive?
B. Question/Hypothesis (9 points)
Does my question relate to a real-world problem or current
issue, and lead to an investigation or observations, not a
report, demonstration, or model?
Does my hypothesis state a possible outcome of the
investigation or observation with an accompanying
explanation based on research?
Did I include evidence that research was done prior to
making a prediction?
C. Materials and Procedure: Written Procedure (6 points)
Did I list the materials and equipment I used with specific
amounts, including units?
Did I list all steps of the procedure clearly?
D. Materials and Procedure: Experimental Design (9 points)
Did I test it three or more times (multiple trials) or use a
large enough sample size (observational projects) to support
the hypothesis?
Are the independent, dependent and controlled variables
identified?
Did I test the variable described in the hypothesis?

YES

NO

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______
_______

_______
_______

_______

_______

_______
_______

_______
_______

E. Data: Graphic Representation and Written Explanation (9

points)
Did I record my data in a table with labels and a title?
Did I display my data accurately in the correct type of
graph?
Does my explanation analyze and summarize the data to note
patterns and trends?
F. Conclusion (12 points)
Does my conclusion restate the question?
Does my conclusion state whether or not my hypothesis was
supported or not supported?
Did I include supporting data and note patterns and trends?
Did I include additional questions that I would like to
investigate?
G. Interview Understanding (25 points)
Can I explain what I learned in my research that helped me
with my investigation?
Can I describe how I did my investigation? What
procedures did I follow?
Can I explain what I learned in the investigation that I did
not already know?
Can I use my data to explain whether or not my hypothesis
was supported?
Can I describe any problems or unusual data that happened
when I conducted my investigation? Did I have any problems
that may have affected my results?
H. Interview Application (25 points)
Can I explain why I chose to do this investigation? Can I
describe the problem I was trying to solve?
Can I use my data to explain whether or not I would be able
to solve my problem or answer my question?
Can I describe a job or profession that might need to use
what I learned in this investigation?
Can I explain how what I learned might be useful to others?
Can I describe any new questions I have now that I have
completed my investigation? Can I explain what
investigation I want to do next?

YES

NO

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______
_______

_______
_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______
_______

_______
_______

_______

_______

Baltimore County Public Schools

Elementary Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics Fair
Project Guidelines and Regulations (Information Provided if a
Student Chooses to Complete an Optional 2nd Project)
Display and Safety
All Projects
A. Project display size is limited to 61 cm deep (24 inches); 95 cm wide (36 inches), side
to side; and 274 cm high (108 inches) floor to top.
B. Evidence of research, including a bibliography, should be displayed with the project.
C. No materials or equipment used to conduct the experiment may be displayed with or
attached to the project board. You may attach pictures or drawings to show the
progress of the experiment.
Judging
All Projects
A. Each project will be checked by the Display and Safety Committee to ensure the rules
for display and safety were followed.
B. The project may not be changed after approval by the Display and Safety Committee.
C. Students selected to represent their school at the
Elementary Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics Fair must be available during the scheduled
times for registration and judging.
D. Individual or group projects may be submitted for
competition at the Baltimore County Public Schools
Elementary Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics Fair.
Project Guidelines
Students may complete either an Experimental project or an Observational project.
Projects will be judged based on how well students have followed the guidelines
for the type of project completed. The guidelines and regulations for both types
of projects are described on the following page.

Experimental Projects
Experimental Projects
are based on a testable
question and includes a
hypothesis; materials;
procedure; independent,
dependent, and control
variables; data displayed
in the form of a chart or
graph; explanation of the
results; and a conclusion
that answers the question.
Project Approval
Students choosing to complete an
Experimental Project should follow the
guidelines below. Projects will be accepted
based on approval of the project abstract by
the Elementary Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics Fair Approval
Committee.
A. Acceptable examples of Experimental
Projects: Include any question that is
answered by doing an experiment or
investigation and includes the control of
independent, dependent, and controlled
variables.
B. Unacceptable examples of Experimental
Projects include any question that
involves:

the growth of microorganisms from our

environment such as washed/
unwashed hands, cutting boards, kitchen
sponges, etc. or any microorganisms
obtained from a commercial, research or
medical source. Growth of mold on food
is not acceptable. (safety concerns)
the use of vertebrate animals (including
humans) as test subjects (safety
concerns)
the use of controlled substances such as
drugs, alcohol, or dangerous chemicals
(safety concerns)
models or demonstrations such as
volcanoes or solar systems

Observational Projects
Observational Projects are
based on a question formed
from prior observations and
includes a hypothesis; data
collected by scientists,
observation, or surveys of people, animals,
or the environment displayed in the form of a
chart or graph; an explanation of the data
identifying patterns and trends; and a
conclusion that answers the question.
Project Approval
Students choosing to complete an
Observational Project should follow the
guidelines below. Projects will be accepted
based on approval of the project abstract by
the Elementary Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics Fair Approval
Committee.
A. Acceptable examples of Observational
Projects:
Questions concerning weather
patterns and cycles
Questions concerning Astronomy
patterns and cycles
Physical Science questions using math
concepts
Environmental questions about
vertebrate animal movements or
behaviors (including humans)
Pencil and Paper surveys or Opinion
surveys
Perception questions, such as color
determination, presented without
treatment
B. Unacceptable examples of
Observational Projects:

Any project that involves

the giving or withholding of
food, water, exercise,
medication, or learning to
any vertebrate animal
(including humans) (safety
concerns)
Narrative reports based on a collection of
facts not centered on a question

Baltimore County Public Schools

Elementary Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fair

If You Choose to Complete an Optional 2nd Project, Please Submit this form to Mr.
Klingler PRIOR to Starting your Project.
Summary and Approval Form
(Check one)
Group Project

Individual Project

Student Name(s) (as it/they should appear on the certificate[s]):

School: __________________________ Grade: ______________

Title of Project

(EXACTLY as it appears on the backboard ):

Type of Project: (circle one)

Physical
Science
Chemical
Science

Life
Science

Earth/Space
Science
Technology

Environmental
Science
Mathematics

Part II: Summary (Abstract)

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph (maximum 150 words) that explains the problem/question you will
investigate and describes in detail the method or procedures you will use in your investigation.

Student Approval: I will follow the guidelines as described in the STEM Fair Rules and
Regulations for my STEM fair project.
_____
Student Signature

Date

Parent/Guardian Approval: I have read and understand the guidelines described in the
STEM Fair Rules and Regulations and will monitor my childs project. I
consent to my child participating in this research and completing a STEM Fair
Project.
_____
Parent /Guardian Signature

Date

Teacher Approval: I have read and approved this students Summary (Abstract) and agree that
it meets the guidelines as described in the STEM Fair Rules and
Regulations.
_____
Teacher Signature

Date