SCIENCE FAIR REGISTRATION FORM



SCIENCE FAIR PARTICIPATION FORM

K, 1ST & 4th GRADE: Though it is not required, NEE encourages your students to participate in Science Fair each year. (Kindergarten winners will not advance to MSU Regional Fair.)

2nd, & 3rd GRADE--IMPORTANT: If your child did not complete a Reading Fair project in October, s/he is required to complete a Science Fair project. If you did complete a Reading Fair project, you may also complete a Science Fair project.

THIS COMPLETED PARTICIPATION FORM IS DUE BY Thursday, January 21st – all 6 items below must be completed and returned in order for your child to enter the NEE Science Fair. If we do NOT have a completed form by January 21st, that project will be scored only in the classroom. It will NOT be entered in the fair judging.

***After this form is turned in, no changes will be made. Should your child choose to complete a project on a different topic, it will be scored only in the classroom — it will not be entered into the fair for judging.

Please NEATLY PRINT answers to all 6 items below

and return this page only no later than Thursday, January 21st.

1. Student Name______________________________________________

2. Grade_____ 3. Homeroom Teacher____________________________

***Choose your project carefully—changes will NOT be allowed once this form is submitted by the Thursday, January 21st Participation Form deadline.

4. Project Title________________________________________________

DO NOT SUBMIT THIS FORM WITHOUT A PROJECT TITLE

5. Project Question: Through my experiment, I hope to find

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

6. Working Phone Number(s) ___________________________________

****Wednesday, February 3rd – completed project due in classroom

Shea Leake

Mississippi Department of Education

Science Fair Photograph/Video Permission Slip

Note: This form will advance to each level of competition.

Student’s Name: _________________________________________________________________________

(Please Print)

Parent/Guardian’s Name: _________________________________________________________________

(Please Print)

School: __________________________________________________________________

District: ________________________________________________________________________________

Title of Project:____________________________________________________________________________

_______Permission is given for the above named individual(s) presenting at the Regional Science Fair to be photographed and/or videotaped.

_______Permission is not given for the above named individual(s) presenting at the Regional Science Fair to be photographed and/or videotaped.

_______Child requires special accommodations. Please attach Appendix J form to this form.

_____________________________________________________________ ______________________

Parent/Guardian’s Date

Signature

_____________________________________________________________ ______________________

School Representative Date

Signature

_____________________________________________________________ ______________________

District Representative Date

Signature

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________

Regional Representative Date

Signature

KEEP PAGES 3-8 AT HOME

Science Fair is NOT a display, demonstration, or report.

EXAMPLES: It is NOT building a model of the solar system.

It is NOT building a volcano for demonstration purposes.

It is NOT a research report.

Science Fair must not involve human or animal studies.

This includes: Meat, Eggs, Insects, Manipulation of humans or animals through use of physical study (physical exertion or ingestion of food/liquid)

Opinion studies: surveys, questionnaires, etc.

Behavioral studies: Doctor’s office, daycare, manipulation

of environment of animals, etc.

Only individual projects will be accepted – Team, group, or family projects ARE NOT ALLOWED.

PROJECT CHECKLIST: A complete Science Fair Project includes:

___1. LOG BOOK – A “diary” documentation of everything you did

___2. TITLE: Something catchy to get judges’ attention

___3. PURPOSE / QUESTION – What do you want to know?

___4. **ABSTRACT – 25 – 250 word explanation that answers the following ………questions:

1. The purpose of my experiment was to ________.

2. To find the answer, I ____________. (Summarize your project in 2 or …………. ………………………………………………….3 sentences).

3. The data I collected showed ____________. (1 or 2 sentences)

4. Conclusion: My hypothesis was ____________________. (1 or 2

……………………………………………………..(correct OR incorrect) sentences).

**A copy of this ABSTRACT will be used on winners’ registration forms >>>>>>>for Region V Fair in Starkville.

___5. HYPOTHESIS – A guess as to the answer to the question.

___6. MATERIALS – Items you use to help you find the answer.

___7. PROCEDURE – Step-by-step, what did you do?

___8. DATA RESULTS– Explain the results of the experiment.

___9. CONCLUSION – Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect?

___10. APPLICATION – (optional) How can I use this in real life?

PLEASE REFER to checklists on pages 3 & 4 to make sure you know key dates and understand the guidelines and requirements.

___Tuesday, January 12th ~ 6:00 Science Parent Night (I will be available to answer Questions)

___Thursday, January 21st ~ PARTICIPATION FORMS deadline

___Wednesday, February 3rd ~ Projects due in the classroom & Science Fair setup in the gym

___Thursday, February 4th ~ **Science Fair judging

**PARENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE GYM DURING JUDGING

___Start EARLY. It takes time to decide on and properly conduct a

fair project.

___Start your LOG BOOK on the day you decide on your project – don’t

wait until the last day to try to remember everything you did. The

Log Book is NOT an “afterthought.”

___All projects must include the components listed on the front page

(only #10 APPLICATION is optional).

___All projects must be displayed on a tri-fold board. Maximum

dimensions: 30” deep, 48” wide, 108” tall including the table.

___Student name only on the BACK of the board – not on front.

___Projects involving humans, animals, or meat will NOT be allowed. (See page 1) Those projects will be disqualified.

___IMPORTANT: Photos should NOT show student’s face. Photos should …… show only hands and arms. If photos are used on the board, please indicate: “Photos taken by _______ using an _______ (name of the phone or camera).” If charts/graphs are used on the board, please indicate: Chart/Graph created by _______________________(name of program).” **These statements must be visible on the board!

___No food, liquids of any kind, or glass containers are allowed to be

displayed with the show board.

is a GREAT place to look for Science Fair ideas. Try a GOOGLE search and explore other websites for ideas; however, the best projects arise from questions you have about everyday problems.

If you have questions, e-mail me sleake@lauderdale.k12.ms.us

[pic]

COMPONENTS of a sample 1st grade science fair project:

1. LOG BOOK – Daily entries of the process from start-to-finish

2. TITLE: POPCORN AND OLD MAIDS

3. QUESTION / PURPOSE (what do I want to know?)

(EXAMPLE: Which popcorn produces the fewest old maids?)

4. ABSTRACT (short summary of the project)

(There are many different kinds of popcorn in the grocery store. I want to find out

which brand of popcorn will pop the most kernels and leave the fewest old maids

[ unpopped kernels ] I bought 3 brands of popcorn, popped them, then counted ……..the old maids. My guess was wrong. Brand C produced the fewest old maids).

5. HYPOTHESIS – (this is my “guess” as to the answer)

(I think Brand A Popcorn will produce the fewest old maids.)

6. MATERIALS – (what I use to help conduct the experiment)

(Microwave oven, Brand A Popcorn, Brand B Popcorn, Brand C Popcorn,

and bowls)

7. PROCEDURE (steps to find the answer to the QUESTION)

(To answer my question, I will pop 3 different brands of popcorn and then count

the old maids.)

(I gathered 3 12-ounce bags of each type of popcorn.

I popped each bag for exactly 2 minutes and 25 seconds

After I popped each bag, I carefully removed the popped kernels.

I poured the old maids (unpopped seeds) from each bag into a different bowl)

I counted the old maids from each brand)

Then I repeated the same procedure TWO MORE times.

8. DATA (to tell the results of the experiment--good place for a.

Brand A Popcorn produced 22 old maids. graph)

Brand B Popcorn produced 37 old maids.

Brand C Popcorn produced 43 old maids.

9. CONCLUSION (the results—was my hypothesis correct?)

My hypothesis was incorrect. I thought Brand A would produce the fewest

number of old maids. Brand C actually produced the fewest number of

old maids.

10. APPLICATION ( can I use this information? This is optional)

Since Brand C produced the fewest number of old maids, it makes more sense to buy that brand.

What Makes a Good Science Project?

Here's some advice from a science fair judge....

SCIENCE PROJECTS

You're handed the dreaded assignment…the Science Project. Maybe you already know what you want to do or maybe you're clueless. Whatever you decide, here are steps you should consider when doing your project. Doing it right will not only get a thumbs up from your teacher but it may give you the boost to go to a regional Science Fair. Who knows? Your next stop could be the State Science Fair!

BE FRESH!

Judges always look for original ideas. Original projects are those that take the textbooks one step further by exploring new ground and innovative techniques. Your project could be original in the scientific concept or maybe you've come up with a new way to solve an old problem or a new and better way to interpret the data. Whatever your project, make sure it is done well. Just having a great and new idea is only half of the solution.

PASSING THE "HUH?" TEST!

It may be a super idea for a project but it won't impress the judges (or teacher) if you don't have a well-defined goal or objective of what you're doing. Just what scientific concept are you trying to prove or disprove with your project? A direct, often simple objective won't leave the judges scratching their heads, trying to figure out what exactly you were trying to prove. You've got to pass the "HUH?" test.

UNDERSTAND IT - IT'S YOUR PROJECT, NOT YOUR FOLKS'!

Your project must show the judges that YOU understand and know how to use scientific theory, terms, techniques and methodologies properly. Judges look for students who know about the scientific principles and practices they used in their project. They want to see if you can interpret what you learned. It's important for judges to know that you have a depth of understanding of the basic science behind the project topic, that you comprehend the finer level of detail and that you're aware of any influence or effects the project has on related subject topics. If you don't know what a term or theory means… find out or don't use it in your presentation.

Keep your project at a level YOU can understand. Judges aren't expecting you to have access to university research laboratories or be a Ph.D. candidate for the topic area you've chosen. What is important is that the technical level of sophistication and complexity of your project reflect YOUR level of understanding - not someone else's. It's OK to receive help outside your school as long as you clearly say what is was and who helped you. IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IT, DON'T DO IT because you won't be able to explain it! Chances are if it doesn't make sense to you, it won't make sense to the judge.

One more thing… know how all your equipment works, what it does and why it was used in your project. If you can't explain it to a judge, then you probably don't understand the science of what's going on.

PROVE YOUR POINT!

Judges look for complete projects. That is, projects that are thorough in addressing the original question and thorough in answering other questions that come up during the experimentation process. As a scientist, it is your responsibility to provide all evidence to support whatever claims you are making. It isn't up to the judge or other scientists to prove your claim. Without data or results that support your claims, it's not a completed work.

PUT SOME TIME (and FUN) IN!

How much time and energy have you put into your project? Was it a one-hour wonder or did you actually put in some effort and time? Did you fly by the seat of your pants or did you spend time reading and learning the subject? Either way, it will show. Pick a topic you like. Science is found everywhere. There must be something you enjoy that can be used as part of a science project. Think outside the box and have some fun with your project!

A judge considers time and effort as two important factors in a successful project. Judges can usually tell that the amount of effort that goes into your project reflects your motivation. Because if you're not motivated, you won't enjoy the experience and that shows!

CLEAR AS GLASS!

If nobody understands what you were doing with your project, why bother with all that work? Be crystal-clear in both your written and verbal communication skills. Your ideas should be clearly presented and easy to understand. Judges look for well-written abstracts with easy to follow visual aids and clear and concise answers. Remember, the more you understand about the scientific principles, the easier it is for you to explain it in terms everyone understands. KISS (Keep It Simple, Scientist!)

WRAP-UP

To sum this up, remember high marks go to:

• Clever experimental apparatus

• Correctly interpreting data

• Discovering knowledge not readily available to you

• Combining good research and experimentation

• Repeating steps to verify experimental results (You did the experiment 3 times. Did you get the same result?

• Predicting and/or reducing experimental results with analytical techniques

• Experiments that have a real world application

• Your ability to clearly portray and explain your project and its results

• Genuine scientific breakthroughs

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SUGGESTED POSITIONING OF SCIENCE FAIR COMPONENTS

A science fair show board can be purchased at the NEE library for $7.00.

Tables will be furnished for all science fair projects —

you will NOT need to provide a card table for the science fair.

Projects may be neatly handwritten, OR, information may be typed. Please use only ARIAL, TAHOMA, or TIMES NEW ROMAN font.

Do NOT use a font that will be difficult for the judges to read.

The LOG BOOK contains a day-by-day account of everything you did from the moment you decided on your project topic until you put the show board together. It should also include all of the information on the show board. DO NOT NEGLECT completing the Log Book—judges expect to see it in front of the show board.

REMEMBER: No foods, liquids of any kind, or glass containers can be displayed with the show board.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT STAPLE the log book to the show board. It must be placed on the table IN FRONT OF the project board.

PROJECT TITLE

QUESTION

ABSTRACT

(answers to ABSTRACT questions from p3: #4 – also, any research can go here)

HYPOTHESIS

CONCLUSION

DATA

RESULTS

PHOTOS (do NOT include faces; photograph hands and objects only – give photographer name)

LIST

OF ALL

MATERIALS

PROCEDURE

(list of steps you did to complete your investigation)

APPLICATION

(optional)

GRAPHS and/or CHARTS

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