Science Fair – Getting Started
Check out the grading rubric before getting started so you know the requirements of this project and what you are going to be graded on!
Grading Rubric file
Pick Your Question to Investigate! PDF document
Use this resource if you need a refresher on what the steps of the scientific method are.
Scientific Method review Resource
Before Experimenting
girl thinnking
Not all steps of the scientific method are followed for every experiment. It may be possible that you cannot find any research, or that your procedures are only guidelines and will be changed once you get started.
Follow the steps as they are ordered, however, If there is a step that you feel does not apply to your experiment, you must submit your reason in the forum for that step.
Begin your research with the research planner, then begin conducting your Internet research. You will not be turning in your research notes, however, make sure you complete the citing your sources activity when you feel you have gathered enough information.
STEP 1: Research Planner file
You are required to use Google Squared. Watch this short video to learn how this research tool works!
Google Squared How-To Video Resource
Lingro is a tool that will provide dictionary definitions for any word on a webpage that you do not understand. Use this link if you are researching and come to a page with a lot of scientific words that you do not understand. All you will need to do is copy and paste the URL into the box.
STEP 2: Citing Your Sources Forum
STEP 3: Hypothesis Forum
STEP 4: Procedures Forum
Experimenting
You should be in the experimenting phase (following your procedures to find the answer to your question) right now. See STEP 5 for more directions on what to do while you are experimenting. Have Fun!!!
STEP 5: Data Collection Resource
After Experimenting
detective
At this point, you should be done experimenting. No doubt you have already started to think about what happened, why it happened, and things you might change (or did change). Follow STEPS 6, 7, and 8 to finish the experimentation part of the science fair. Then move on to create your final digital product!
STEP 6: Analysis Forum
STEP 7: Conclusion Forum
STEP 8: So what? Forum
Digital ProductThe digital product options is in a Keynote presentation. If you do not have Keynote (or PowerPoint; as Keynote is PowerPoint compatible), you can download a free trial here.
Final Product Options Keynote file
Final Product Turn In Assignment
Standards Alignment
Standards Alignment PDF document
Complete list of MN state science standards file
Complete list of National Education Technology Standards file
Resources
A Note to Educators
The digital online science fair is used at the beginning of the year for two main purposes: 1) to get kids excited about science (and it does!) and 2) to help them understand that there is a process to doing science. The process is of course, the scientific method. There are many steps to the scientific method. You may be teaching more or less of them depending on your grade level. The steps taught in my district are scaffolded depending on grade level and begin in 6th grade. The steps included in this unit are:
Question
Research
Hypothesis
Data Collection (and citing sources as a research objective)
Procedure/Experimentation
Analysis
Conclusion
So-What Question (higher order thinking question)
Feel free to add or omit steps as it fits with your students.
This can be a very chaotic project as all groups could possibly doing different labs. Having effective lab management skills and organization will help ensure all of your students success and help you keep your sanity! Here are a few tips I have learned to make this project a success:
Give plenty of notice to parents if supplies will need to be brought from home.
Collect a supply list from your students a few days before the experimenting days so you know what you need to provide and they are clear on what they will be bringing.
Check in with each group during the procedure writing day. I do not let groups experiment until I have checked off on their procedures. This ensures that there will be less floundering and playing on the experimenting day.
In my classroom, this project takes 17 days to complete. Leave extra time your first time through.