Science Fair 2011
Date: TBA
Dear Parents of Students in Grade Three,
This year the Science Fair for grades one (1) through four (4) will take place
on TBA.
The children will follow the steps of the Scientific Method as they complete the
requirements for their Science Fair notebooks.
In third grade, Science Fair is different from first and second grade for two
reasons. One
is that third graders must do an experiment for the
Science Fair. If they are measuring something or keeping a log of observations or
changes, they
are probably doing an experiment. Second, each child is expected to complete both a
poster and a
notebook.
Please read through the instructions carefully to be sure that you understand
them. If you
have any questions, please send a note with your child and I will be happy to answer
it.
Here are some further points you should be aware of:
Poster boards, notebooks and subtitles are for sale through the school. You can
purchase
materials by filling out the bottom of Sister Anne's Science Fair letter when it is
distributed,
and returning it, along with your payment, to your child's homeroom teacher. I will
send your
child home with the materials as soon as I can.
DEADLINES:
Title, problem and hypothesis are due to me by TBA, 2011. These should be written on the
attached form, signed by a parent and returned by the due date. No child is allowed
to begin a
project that has not been approved by me. Again, the project MUST BE AN EXPERIMENT.
TBA: Bring project and notebook into school in the morning for set-up.
TBA: Judging will take place.
Science Fair should be an enjoyable experience for your child. Please remember to:
-choose an experiment that your child can understand,
-follow all instructions, and
-keep to an early timetable.
I look forward to assisting you and your child as we begin Science Fair 2011.
Sincerely,
Ms. Balassone
The Science Fair Project for third grade is composed of two parts:
1. Notebook
2. Poster
REQUIREMENTS FOR NOTEBOOK
COVER:
"Name" - Put your assigned Science Fair Number. DO NOT WRITE YOUR NAME.
"Grade" - Title of Science Fair Project (must be the same as the one on your poster).
1. TABLE OF CONTENTS
List the titles of the different sections and subsections and their page numbers.
(You cannot
fill this part in until you are finished writing your notebook.)
2. PROBLEM
Explain, in a sentence or two, the problem you are trying to solve. This should be in
the form
of a question.
3. RESEARCH
Before you begin your experiment, you should find a book about your topic. Look up
information on your topic to help you form your hypothesis and set up your experiment.
Then, in
this section of your notebook, write the title of the book and the author on the first
two lines
of the page. Then, write one long paragraph or two short paragraphs describing what
you learned
from this book.
4. HYPOTHESIS
Write an educated answer to the problem you are trying to solve. Based on what you
found out
from your research, what do you think will happen? Could be in an "If....,then...."
statement.
(For example: If I place a plant in direct sunlight, then it will grow more than if it
was
placed in darkness.) This should only be a sentence or two.
5. MATERIALS
List in detail the materials and equipment used in your project. State the size
and quantity
of the materials you use, where applicable. Your list must be written vertically.
6. PROCEDURE - The procedure consists of two parts:
STEPS TAKEN:
List, step by step, the steps you followed to conduct your experiment. Number each
step and
begin each step on a new line.
DATA:
Record all data taken and any observations made during the experiment. Put your data
and
observations in table form. Label and number each table in successive order.
For example: Table 1 - Height of Plants Placed in Sunlight
Plant Number Height (cm)
Table 2 - Height of Plants Placed in Darkness
Plant Number Height (cm)
Table 3 - Observations of Plants Placed in Sunlight
Plant Number Date Time Observations
When you record your observations, include date, time, and any changes that may have
occurred.
After your data is recorded from your experiment, you would then include any
supporting graphs,
charts, or drawings you may want to make from the data tables. Any tables, charts, or
drawings
that appear on your poster must be included in this section of your notebook also.
Graphs,
charts, etc., may be typed or computer generated.
7. CONCLUSION
This section tells about what you found out from your experiment. Use the
following
questions as an outline.
1. Analyze the data collected during the experiment and tell whether it supports your
hypothesis, or if it does not support your hypothesis. (Do not say, "My hypothesis was
right.")
2. Explain why your data supports or does not support your hypothesis.
3. Would you change anything if you were to do this again? Why?
4. Apply what you have learned from the experiment to your everyday life.
OTHER TIPS
1. All the work in the notebook should be written by you, in pencil, in cursive.
(Graphs/charts/tables may be computer generated.)
2. DO NOT WRITE ON THE BACKS OF PAGES NO MATTER HOW SHORT A SECTION IS.
3. Page numbers should be on the bottom right hand corner of each page.
4. Be sure to use correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar in your notebook and on
your
poster. Neatness is important.
5. Make sure you are doing an experiment and not a demonstration. For example, using lemons to light a bulb is a demonstation. Testing to see how many lemons it takes to light a 40 watt bulb is an experiment.
REQUIREMENTS FOR POSTER
Write your Science Fair number on your poster. You may design your poster
any way that you wish. However, it must include the following sections,
CLEARLY LABELED:
- Title of Project
- Problem
- Hypothesis
- Conclusion
You may also include additional sections such as "Procedure," "Results,"
"Data." Information on the poster may be typed and/or computer generated.
You may also use marker or colored pencil on your poster. Neatness counts.
Econo-board- $3.50 each sub-titles- $.50 each notebook- $.50 each
SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT
MS. BALASSONE GRADE 3 TBA2011 Science Fair #_________
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ENTIRE FORM AND RETURN TO SCHOOL BY TBA, 2011.
I will assign each student a Science Fair number and return the bottom portion as soon
as I can.
I WILL KEEP THE TOP PORTION. IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES IN THE TITLE OR PROJECT, PLEASE
INFORM ME
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Student's name_________________________________________ Grade 3 Room _____________
Title of Project__________________________________________________________________
Problem- in question form_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis (If___, then__________. statement)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Please indicate if the student will need:
_____________ Water __________________ Electricity
PARENT SIGNATURE ____________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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--
Student's name_________________________________ Grade 3 Room_________
Science Fair Number_________________
PROJECT TITLE
______________________________________________________________________________
Will need __________Water ____________ Electricity
PARENT SIGNATURE_____________________ APPROVED_______________________________
__________ NEED CLARIFICATION - PLEASE EXPLAIN IN GREATER DETAIL.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES TO THIS PROJECT INFORMATION, PLEASE INFORM ME AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
THANK YOU. MS. BALASSONE