THE IDEA! To encourage, enlighten and excite students about science!
ASK A QUESTION!
Who?
Where?
When?
How?
All students grades K-4! Partner with a friend. Make it fun!
Deerfield Elementary cafeteria and gym
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Students should drop off their projects between 4:00-5:45 p.m. in the cafeteria on
March 20th. Project viewing and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum presentation is
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
MAKE A HYPOTHESIS! If you participate, it will be a fun and informative time for all!
PERFORM AN EXPERIMENT! Try it, you’ll like it!! There are many aspects to the science
fair.
1. Student Projects!
This is a chance for students to try their hand at a science fair project.
These projects will be displayed in the cafeteria during the fair. All students are encouraged to
do a project, but participation is optional. Attached is a worksheet that loosely follows the
scientific method. This is a great way for the students to be exposed to the project development
process that they will be expected to use as they progress in their schooling. Students can either
work alone or with partners. Mrs. Canady will be showing the students the science fair resources
available in the Learning Center. She will also add a science fair link to Deerfield the website.
2. Hands-On Museum Presentations!
The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Experiments will be in
the gym showcasing over 20 “please touch” experiments for Deerfield students and their families
to enjoy. All Deerfield students and their families are encouraged to attend the science fair
whether or not the student has displayed a science fair project.
THE CONCLUSION!
Many volunteers are needed to make the science fair a success. Please fill out the bottom portion
of this sheet and return it to school with your volunteer preference. Any questions, please
contact Melanee Oegema at 248-305-5684 or via e-mail at [email protected]
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Name:____________________ Phone: ___________ Teacher: __________________
I am willing to help out at the Science Fair on Thursday, March 20, 2014!
Volunteers please attend the training workshop given by Ann Arbor Hands On Staff at 5:15.
Half Shift:
____ 6:00–7:00 p.m.
____ 7:00- 8:00 p.m.
Whole Shift:
____ 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Set Up:
____ 4:00-5:45 p.m.
Tear Down: ____ 8:00-8:15 p.m.
Student Scientist(s): ____________________________
Step 1: The Idea
What are you most interested in or curious about? Is it rocks, animals, plants,
magnets, weather, etc.? Choose three ideas to think about. Write them down
below.
.
.
.
Go to the library or internet (with an adult’s assistance) and find information about
your choices. Which looks the most interesting and fun to explore? Circle your
choice – now you have your idea! For more ideas, check out the Deerfield website.
Click on the Science Fair link and find some kid friendly sites listed as well as
guidelines and examples.
Step 2: Ask a Question
What do you want to know about your idea? For example, if you’re interested in
rocks your question might be: Why are rocks different colors? Bats: How do bats
fly around if they’re blind? Magnets: What kind of objects stick to a magnet?
Hurricanes: What causes a hurricane? Now it’s your turn!
Write down your question about your idea:
____ _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Step 3: Make a Hypothesis
Page 2
Your hypothesis is your “guess”. It is how you would answer your question right now.
Don’t worry about it being right or wrong. You’re a scientist – some of the world’s
most important discoveries were made by ideas turning out differently than the
scientist guessed. Scientists love it when unexpected things happen; it means they
get to figure out why by doing MORE experiments! If you are interested in liquids
you might ask: If I pour corn syrup, vinegar and water in a bottle and shake it really
hard - what would happen? Your hypothesis might be: I think the syrup would go to
the bottom and the vinegar and water would mix together. Write your hypothesis to
answer your question below:
If…then…
Hmmm…
____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Step 4: Perform an Experiment
This is the best part! Experiment means to try or test an idea. Feel free to do an
experiment, build a model, make a diorama, create a display or anything that will
show what you learned about your idea. A few rules are needed before you begin.
Number One Rule: Be Safe! Before you begin this step, check out your plans with
an adult.
The following items may NOT be brought to the science fair:
 Harmful materials and/or chemicals
 Heat sources that could be harmful ie. no open flames
 Live animals
 Breakable (no glass), valuable or irreplaceable items
All projects will be on display in the cafeteria. If you prefer that no one touches
your project, try using pictures mounted on your project board to show your steps,
or make a sign requesting “Hands Off” or stay with your project. Of course, the
most popular projects are those that invite people to try them. There are a limited
number of outlets for use in the cafeteria, so we recommend that you bring your
own power source if needed. All project boards should be able to stand on their
own; they will be placed on top of the tables in the cafeteria during the fair. See
the attached sheet for project board ideas.
Page 3
Okay, let’s get going! First, make a list of the supplies that you need. You can write
them down below. Use extra paper wherever needed. Gather your supplies.
Next, write down the steps as you conduct (do) your experiment/build your
model/create your display.
What happened? Write down your observations (what you saw happen). Go ahead
and make tables, charts, graphs, pictures…whatever you like!
Page 4
Step 5: The Conclusion
(it means “The End”)
Go back and look at your hypothesis. Did things turn out as you expected? If
things turned out differently than you thought (COOL!), write down why you think
that happened. Next, write down what you learned from this whole science fair
project. This is your conclusion!
Congratulations!!
Now you’re ready for the
Science Fair! You can use this worksheet to create a
simple project board to show each step of your project.
See the attached sheet for project board ideas. Bring
your experiment/model/display and project board to the
science fair and set it up in the cafeteria between 4:005:45. Thursday, March 20, 2014. Don’t forget to put
your name on ALL your supplies and on your project board!
Everything should go home with you at the end of the
science fair. This worksheet is yours to keep. Great job
and we’ll see you at the science fair!!
Project Board Ideas
Tri-fold Project Board: Sold at any office supply store, Michaels or teacher
supply store; this layout choice stands on its own and provides a lot of space.
Idea
Question
Conclusion
Or:
Regular Poster Board: This layout choice is great for beginning scientists;
Please make sure the poster board is self-supporting.
Ideas to support your board:
Display stands are sold at
office supply stores near
the poster board. They come
with two to a pack and stick
on to the back of the poster
board. They cost around $3.
Title
Question
Idea
Hypothesis
Experiment
* supplies
* steps
* observations
* charts
Conclusi
on
Or…Use a piece of
cardboard and crease it
to form a triangle.
Tape it to the back,
bottom portion of your
board. If your triangle
is big enough, your
board should now stand
on its own. Also, the
smaller Market Day
boxes work well when
taped to the bottom
portion of the board.
Conclusion
**Feel free to get CREATIVE when laying out your project board!
These are only examples.
I am a 2014 Deerfield Scientist!
Scientist please fill out this form and return
to your teacher to see your name on the Science Fair
display board!
Name(s):______________________________
Grade:________
Teacher:_____________________________
Project Name:_________________________