Stocklmeir Elementary Science Fair 2016-2017 Information Packet Please read this information packet completely. •

The registration forms are available online at http://stocklmeir.moonwatcher.com.

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All entries should be submitted electronically at the school website no later than Friday, February, 24, 2017.

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The online registration will open January, 23, 2017.

For additional information or if you have any questions, email [email protected]

Table of Contents This packet contains the following information that will help you create a successful science fair project: • • • • • • •

Important dates to remember Guidelines Project Suggestions Resources for Project Ideas Safety Precautions Displays Frequently Asked Questions

Choose a topic that interests you and discuss it with your parents. All entries should be submitted electronically at the school website no later than Friday, February, 24, 2017. No registrations will be accepted after the due date. Most importantly, have fun and be creative! Science Fair Family Night will be held on March 1, 2, 3, 2017 at GLC in the evening from 6:30 to 8 pm. Details of the schedule according to Grade levels will be sent separately by email. Please look out for emails on the same before the Science Fair.

Guidelines Helping your child at the right level every step of the way: Project Step

Helping at the Right Level

Going Too Far

Picking an idea and science Discussing with your child project for your child; a topic Ask a question whether a project idea seems that isn't of interest to him or practical her will turn into a boring project. Taking your child to the Do background research library Doing an Internet search and Helping your child think of printing out articles keywords for Internet searches Asking how the hypothesis Writing the hypothesis Construct a hypothesis relates to an experiment the yourself child can do Assisting in finding materials Writing the experimental Monitoring safety (you procedure Test the hypothesis by doing should always observe any Doing the experiment an experiment steps involving heat or Telling your child step-byelectricity) step what to do Asking how your child will Creating a spreadsheet and record the data in a data table making the graphs yourself, Analyze data and draw a Reminding your child to tie even if your child helps type conclusion the data back to the in values hypothesis and draw a Announcing the conclusion conclusion yourself If presenting orally, acting as Writing any of the text on the the audience display board. Communicate your results If displaying results on a Determining the color board, helping bring it to scheme and other graphic school elements

Project Suggestions Collections Great for younger children, for a group of children to do together or if you already have a collection going.

Ideas of items for a collection: rocks, leaves, seeds, feathers, shells, bones, soil or sand, tree bark or bark rubbings, metals, pictures of birds, bugs or insects. Models Animal habitat (cross section of burrow, ant hill etc.-NO live animals) Motorized LEGO models Solar system Galaxies and Milky Way Cross section of an eye or ear Volcanoes (non-erupting model ONLY) Cross section of the earth, its core or its crust Features of the ocean floor Types of earthquakes Demonstrations Simple machines with lever and pulley Open and closed circuits Reflection and refraction Magnetism Water pressure Optical illusions How and why things float Workings of a thermometer Human lung function Generators (wind, water or solar power) Static electricity Create a vacuum Reaction between an acid and base Elasticity Basic microphones Gravity Air pressure Surface tension Suggested Categories that appear on the Registration form • • • • • •

Using science to make my world a better place Hand in hand with science and art Lets make things!- models, bots, and more Insights into our minds: psychology/neurosciencea Medical Science Animal Science

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Earth Science Plant Science Social Science Computer Science Environmental Science Astronomy Physics Chemistry

Resources for Project Ideas Apart from book stores, libraries, hobby stores and science stores, the following websites can also be used. www.all-science-fair-projects.com/ www.sciencebuddies.org/ www.super-science-fair-projects.com www.sciencefair-projects.org/ www.terimore.com/

Safety Precautions The following items are NOT allowed in any project: Open flame Matches Wet cell batteries Water in open containers Live animals, bugs, insects or birds Hazardous materials (solids, liquids and gas forms) Containers of mold Unsafe electrical devices Open, un-insulated wiring

Displays Display board or model. The display boards have to be self-supporting, self-standing. Plain posters will not be accepted. Display board has to be one of the following sizes: 36”x48” 12”x36” These display boards can be found at Michaels or any office supplies store e.g. Office depot/ OfficeMax/Staples.

• Label with a title and the participant's name. • Tape the confirmation of the online registration behind your board. • All photographs, diagrams, graphs, logs, etc., must be neatly taped to the display or kept near it. Avoid loose sheets of paper as they could get lost. • No tapes, pins, table cloths etc. will be provided. Participants must bring all that is necessary. • All robotic/moving displays should stay on the table and not on the ground. • Extension cords will not be provided. Bring your own cords along with blue painters tape to secure it to the floor.

Some suggestions for the display board: • Use a font size of at least 16 points for the text, so that it is easy to read from a few feet away. It's OK to use slightly smaller fonts for captions on picture and tables. • The title should be big and easily read from across the room. Choose one that accurately describes your work, but also grabs peoples' attention. • A picture speaks a thousand words! Use photos or draw diagrams to present nonnumerical data, to propose models that explain your results or to show your experimental set up. • Your name and grade should be clearly visible.

Frequently Asked Questions Who can participate in the science Fair? Do all the students have to participate? Any student can participate, even Kindergarteners. Participation is voluntary. Can students work together to participate as a single entry? Yes. The maximum number of students that can work together is four. One parent from each group will have to be the lead. Can siblings from two different grade levels participate together? Yes, as long as the project is appropriate for both grade levels. You can choose either day to display your project. Let the science fair team know of your decision. Can the students work on the project in school or after school? The students work on the projects at home. There will be no supervision provided after school to support with project completion. How do I know if the project that my child wants to work on is appropriate? There will be a list of recommended projects that will be posted; your child can choose from that list. If your child wants to work on a different project than listed then it will have to be approved by the Science Fair Team. Send an email to [email protected] with the project idea. Are there going to be any judges and prizes involved? No. There will be mentors to whom the participants will present their projects. During this time the student should be ready to explain the project and answer any questions. All participants will be awarded a certificate of participation. What if my child cannot answer some questions? That is okay. The aim of asking questions is to see if the student understands what they have worked on. How much help should I give my children? It is important for the children to understand the what and why of what they are doing. It is also important for them to be able to articulate what their project is about and what they learned from it. Students in lower grades will require more help than the 4th or 5th graders. Help the students without doing the thinking for them. I have submitted my form but now I want to change the category. What should I do? What if I want to withdraw? Please submit your request to the science fair coordinator as soon as possible. How do I display my project? Please refer to the Guidelines section of the packet. I need an electrical power outlet for my display, what do I do? Please be sure to mention this on your registration form when you submit it.

Can I use a laptop for my project? Yes. A laptop can be used, but internet access will not be provided. What types of materials are not allowed in the project? Please refer to the Guidelines section of the packet. How much of help can parents provide with the project? Please refer to the Guidelines section of the packet. What is next for my 5th grader? How can we continue with the science passion? Many opportunities start in middle school. Every year Synopsis sponsors the Santa Clara Science and Engineering fair for middle and high school students. Find out more about how to participate: http://www.science-fair.org/