Rabbit Creek Science Fair - Anchorage School District

Rabbit Creek Science Fair

March 20-22, 2019

Dear Families,

Thank you for your interest in the science fair! We hope that you are looking forward to

creating a wonderful science project to share with our school!

Why do a science project? Here are some excellent reasons, from ¡°Discovery Education¡±:

Science projects allow students to:

o Use the scientific method to develop an understanding of controls and variables.

o Take an open and creative approach to problem solving.

o Sharpen their research and writing skills.

o Learn the difference between personal opinion and scientific fact.

o Understand the importance of time management.

o Develop public speaking skills, poise, and the ability to think on their feet.

o Be recognized for academic achievement.

But most of all, a science fair project gives students the chance to ask, ¡°why? how? what if?¡±,

research the answer, and share their discoveries.

Here is the science fair schedule:

Wed., March 20

Project Set-up in Library 8:00-9:00am, Judging Begins at 9:30am

Thurs., March 21

Class Viewing 9:00am-3:30pm, Family Night 6:30-8:00pm

Fri., March 22

Continue Class Viewing, Project Pick-up 3:00

This packet contains the following:

? Types of Projects (pg. 2)

? Project Requirements (pg. 3)

? Ideas and Resources (pg. 4)

? Parent Involvement (pg. 5)

? Organizational Tools (pg. 6)

? Safety Restrictions (pg. 8)

? Suggested Timeline (pg. 9)

? Project Evaluation Rubric (pg. 10)

? Entry Form (pg. 11)

Examples of science fair

projects from past years will

be on display in the library.

Please feel free to stop in

and take a look!

We would like to encourage Rabbit Creek Science Fair participants to consider taking their

projects to the Alaska State Science and Engineering Fair on March 29-31. If you are

interested, please visit the Alaska Science & Engineering Fair website for details:



If you have any questions, please contact us at 742-5700 or via e-mail, listed below.

Your Science Fair Committee,

Ms. Willis

willis_alison@

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Types of Science Fair Projects

Research-based Science Projects:

Models

Collections

Research Report

Experiment-based Science Projects:

The Scientific Method

? ask a question

? plan and carry out an investigation

? analyze data and draw conclusions

Models:

Plant part diagrams, motors, crystal radios, solar systems, volcanoes, and structures are examples of

models. They are attempts to explain known scientific principles or apparatus.

Collections:

A scientific collection is made up of things from nature: rocks, minerals, fossils, shells, bones. Please

remember that our safety restrictions stipulate that all collections must be sealed in plastic. See the

¡°Safety Restrictions¡± page for more details.

A good scientific collection includes:

? a focus on just one topic

? specimens labeled with the name of the specimen, where and when it was collected, who

collected it

? specimens arranged in some logical order

? research to understand the scientific importance, meaning, or relationship of the collection

? creating a display that is visually interesting and enhances understanding of the collection

Research Report:

A research report is an acceptable project for the Rabbit Creek Science Fair. However, a research

report is not an acceptable project at the Alaska Science and Engineering Fair. Participants who want

to take their project to the state level should choose a different type of project.

The Scientific Method:

1. Pose a question. (Purpose) Is it testable?

2. Develop a hypothesis. Base it on your observations. Write it as an ¡°if....then¡± statement.

3. Design and carry out an experiment. (Procedure) Purpose - to test hypothesis. Gather and record

data.

4. Interpret data. (Results) Graph and/or create a table. Look for patterns in data.

5. Draw conclusions. Was the hypothesis supported by evidence? Is there a need for further

experimentation?

6. Look over your experiment. Is there anything that could be done better or should have been done

that wasn¡¯t?

7. Prepare a presentation of your project

Materials Considerations:

? What will you need?

? Where will you get the materials?

? How much do you think they will cost?

? Do you have anything at home you could use?

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Science Fair Project Requirements

I. Display Board

The display is a visible account of your work. The display should include the following:

1. Name, grade, and teacher (on the back)

2. Title

3. Topic/Question (also called ¡°purpose¡±)

4. Hypothesis

5. Materials List

6. Procedure

7. Results (data and/or observations)

8. Conclusions

9. References and Acknowledgements

In designing and constructing your exhibit, please consider the following:

? Exhibit should be under 30¡± x 48¡± x 108¡± (depth, height, width).

? Exhibit should be freestanding.

? Use drawings, charts, photographs, or graphs.

? Report or data notebook may sit in front of the backboard.

II. Interview / Presentation (this will be age appropriate)

a. Shows enthusiasm and interest

b. Gives a thorough explanation of project

c. Demonstrates understanding of project and results

d. Shows what was learned by doing the project

Displays may NOT contain the following:

? Live animals, live plants or dried plants;

? Food materials;

? Soil, solutions, chemicals, household products or water, dry ice or other sublimating

solids. (Display of clean, empty containers is acceptable);

? Drugs or drug look-alikes;

? Microorganisms, algae, mold, bacteria, or protozoans;

? Preserved animal parts. (Teeth, fingernails, feathers, hair and bones may be OK if

preserved and sealed in plastic);

? Exposed electrical apparatus or open batteries; wiring must be insulated;

? Flammable gases or open flames;

? Unshielded fans, light bulbs, belts, pulleys, chains or moving parts with tension or pinch

points;

? Sharp items such as needles, scissors, or glass tubing, syringes, pipettes;

? Glass;

? Items containing latex.

Please Note: If your experiment includes any of the above mentioned items, please consider

including drawings or photographs of experimental procedures and results.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Willis.

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Ideas and Resources for Science Fair Projects

Sample Topic Ideas

Air pressure

Black light

Bones

Breathing

Breeds of some animals

Bridges

Bubbles

Color wheel

Crystals

Digestion

Falling water

Five senses

Flowers of Alaska

Lenses

Light refraction

Methods of measuring

Migration of birds

Motion

Microscopes: how they work

Optical illusions

Paper

Pulleys and levers

Shadows

Sea shells

Seed germination

Soap

Trees of Alaska

Examples of Questions

Local Resources

How do the moon phases affect plant germination?

What materials can be charged by using static electricity?

Do all colors of paper fade at the same rate?

Do different types of soil hold different amounts of water?

What keeps things colder - plastic wrap or aluminum foil?

At what temperature does condensation start?

public libraries

utility companies

hospitals & laboratories

AK Dept. of Fish&Game

U.S. Fish and Wildlife

U.S. Coast Guard-AK

Do bigger wheels roll faster?

Can dogs smell things humans can¡¯t?

How do engines work?

How do you build a rocket?

What different kinds of rocks are there?

What material will melt ice the fastest?

What factors affect how high a tennis ball will bounce?

AK Ctr for Environment

Chugach State Park

Ntl Oceanographic Ctr

Poison Control Center

Internet Resources



This site offers guidance to your student in selecting a

topic and posing a question for experimentation.







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Parental Involvement

Elementary school children will need help, especially if it is their first project.

The main guideline to remember is that this is your child¡¯s project and the results

should be their effort as much as possible.

Some ideas for parent help with projects are:

? Brainstorming - Help your child figure out what they are interested in. Read

category descriptions with them. What category does their idea fit into?

(Experiment, Model, Research Report, or Collection). Questions can help them

shape their idea into a specific science problem. Learning HOW to think is as

important as what to think.

? Stay on Track - Discuss the steps it will take to complete their project. Help

them make a timeline, or follow the suggested timeline in this packet. Encourage

them to keep on course.

? Quality Control - Be a GENTLE CRITIC. Phrase your comments as questions

to encourage them to find answers or fix mistakes.

? Technical Assistance - Children think big!! They will need help in setting up

interviews, using tools or equipment, locating resources, and finding information.

Googling ¡°Science Fair¡± is a great place to start to see lots of pictures and get

ideas from others.

? Organization - Use the category guidelines and organizational tools in this

packet to help keep the project heading in the right direction. Help your child with

editing and spelling (this does not count against them, however) and allow them

plenty of time for the writing ( or typing) portions of the project.

? Encouragement - You are your child¡¯s best cheerleader! Please make sure

your child knows you are proud of their effort to learn and you believe in their

ability to succeed.

HAVE FUN!

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