SCIENCE+FAIR!!!!

SCIENCE FAIR GENERAL INFORMATION - Middle School

Date:Thursday, April 28, 2016

Time: 6:00-7:00

Place: St. Stephen School Gym

Who: 5th - 8th grade students Theme: Science Processes

This year’s science fair will focus on science processes. For 5th grade students this would be using the scientific method to investigate a question or problem. For 6th through 8th grade students this would be using the QPOE2 process to investigate a question or problem. Middle school students have been using Van Andel Education Institute’s QPOE2 model to conduct investigations in class. Students have detailed notes on the process as well as examples from labs conducted throughout the year(s). Students may choose to conduct an experiment or complete a demonstration.

__Experiment vs. Demonstration:__ - Experiment - investigate a question that is testable. Create a hypothesis, collect and analyze data while performing the experiment designed to answer your original question. Experiments demonstrate how changing one component affects another. Experiments typically utilize constants and controls to demonstrate change. - Demonstration - an investigation that shows how something is made or how it works. Typically a question or a problem causes interest in a demonstration. You may have data to collect and analyze for a demonstration, however you might not need constants and controls.

__All projects must include:__
 * An investigation report using the appropriate reporting method based on grade level (scientific method/QPOE2)
 * A presentation. Students will be expected to share their information the night of the science fair.
 * A visual representation. This needs to be a tri-fold presentation board (there are various sizes).

__Investigation Report Requirements:__ __Presentation Requirements:__
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Typed
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include an introduction stating why the student picked the investigation.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include all applicable QPOE2 components (see attached documents for more information) separated by headings.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Must have a printed copy the night of the science fair.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include a conclusion
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Students will need to present an in depth understanding of their project and the science concept.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Students will need to be able to verbally explain why they chose their project, the QPOE2 components in relationship to their investigation, and the science concept their project is based on.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Students will also need to be able to answer questions regarding their project and the science concept.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Visual Representation Requirements:__
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Visual representations must include a tri-fold display board. The size does not matter.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The display board should include:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Project title
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Key components from QPOE2 with headings
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Drawings or pictures that correlate with the project
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In addition to the display board, it is highly recommended that students bring in materials, pictures, models, etc. that help explain or show their investigation.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Project Deadlines:__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Students will receive feedback after each deadline and will then have the opportunity to make changes. Rough drafts do not need to be typed.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Parent signature sheet: February 26
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Topic options (this is an assignment that will be completed during computer classes): March 7
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rough draft of question, prediction/hypothesis, knowledge probe and investigation plan: March 21
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rough draft of observations and data analysis: April 15
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rough draft of explanation, evaluation and application: April 22
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Completed display board: April 25
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Final report/visual: April 27
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Science Fair: April 28

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Parents are encouraged to support students’ projects and cheer them on to completion, but all projects must be the student’s work.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;">__QPOE2 - Student/Parent Resource__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Students have notes on this model in their notebooks, they have also used this model to conduct labs last year and this year.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Question: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The main idea of the investigation. Should be testable, important and interesting. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Prediction/Hypothesis: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What you think will happen based on your prior knowledge. “I predict… because…” or “If… then… because…” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Knowledge Probe: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What you already know or what others know about the science concept or the items in the investigation. “My prior knowledge is…” (3 things). “Research says…” (3 things). <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Investigation Plan: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The steps or directions used to conduct the investigation. Numbered list of directions, including materials. The investigation should be a fair test of the question (will answer the question). <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Observations: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Gathering information/data/observations and notes on observations. There are two types of data, qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative is more observational, using the senses. Quantitative is data collected in the form of numbers. The observations should be recorded in an organized way (chart or table). There are NO explanations or calculations, this is strictly a collection of data. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Data Analysis: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Interpretation of the data. Looking for patterns or trends. This should be a reorganization of the data, usually another table or chart. Any calculations are included in the stage. A graph of the organized data is provided. There is also a reflection on the data (data summary). This is NOT an explanation of why anything happened. The data summary should reflect on any patterns/trends. It should cover what the best strategy was to summarize (average?, range?, mode?, median?, reactions?, etc.).This section does NOT include opinions. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Explanation: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">An explanation of what was learned. This is done through three subsections: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Claim: Answers the investigation question. Typically just a couple of sentences. No explanation, no opinions, just the answer to the investigation question. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Evidence: Shows scientific data to support the claim. This includes specific examples from observations and data analysis. The data summary should also be included. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Reasoning: Argument for why the data is evidence. This links the claim and evidence, includes personal prior knowledge. It also includes scientific theories/concepts (be sure to cite information properly). This also includes alternative explanations. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Evaluation: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How well did I do? This sections should include ALL answers to all of the following questions: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Application: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Connecting and using what was learned. How can this information be used in another situation?
 * 1) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What are your sources of error?
 * 2) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What would you do differently next time?
 * 3) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How confident are you in your results (use confidence chart*)?
 * 4) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What surprised you?
 * 5) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What would your prediction be if you conducted the investigation again?
 * 6) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What questions would you like to pursue next? This is relation to the current question.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">* Confidence chart is attached. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Confidence chart <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fun/Interesting Science Fair Topics/Resources:

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Science Buddies - This website has a “topic selection wizard” that will ask the student questions to help find a science fair topic that would be of interest.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Interesting Topics/Questions: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bernoulli’s Principle <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Charles’s Law <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Boyle’s Law <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Aerodynamics and bridge design <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Buoyancy <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fluid viscosity <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Air pressure <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Parachutes <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">rockets <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">drag/lift <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">magnets <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">electricity <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">DNA <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">mixtures and solutions <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">environmental engineering <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">chemical reactions <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">acids and bases <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">chromatography <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">speed/velocity/acceleration <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">work <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">kinetic and potential energy <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">surface tension <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">thermal energy <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">computer science <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">food science <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Health <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">geology <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">materials science <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">waves <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">light <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">color <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">sound <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">weather <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">zoology

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Science Fair <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Parent Signature Sheet

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I have received and reviewed the science fair information. I am aware of the following due dates:


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Parent signature sheet: February 26
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Topic options (this is an assignment that will be completed during computer classes): March 7
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rough draft of question, prediction/hypothesis, knowledge probe and investigation plan: March 21
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rough draft of observations and data analysis: April 15
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rough draft of explanation, evaluation and application: April 22
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Completed display board: April 25
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Final report/visual: April 27
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Science Fair: April 28

__<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Student Name __

_ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Parent Signature Date

Sample of QPOE2 used for an investigation: