Science Fair Information

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) will be held in Austin on February 24, 2011.

Each student wishing to compete in the Grisham Science Fair project must turn in all required forms by November 5th.

Projects will be due on January 12, 2011. Parents may view the projects in the library on January 13 and winners will be announced on January 14. The winners will advance to the Intel Austin City Fair.

See Mrs. Petkovsek in room 504 for questions before school or during advisory. Read the "Steps to completing a Science Fair Project" below. The Grisham Science Fair is open to everyone and is optional.

Please visit the Intel ISEF website below to download all applicable forms. http://www.sciencefest.org/index.php

*Tag Opt-Out Letter *

Dear TAG Science  Parent,

As an extension of your child’s learning experience, we request that your child participate in our 2010-2011 Science Fair.  As part of this activity, students will be expected to design, experiment, process data, and write a 250 word summary with bibliography of an independent research project.  Information regarding the science fair can be found on Mrs. Marilyn Petkovsek’s, our department sponsor, website.  She can be reached at Marilyn_petkovsek@roundrockisd.org or 428-2718 to answer questions about the fair.    

We also understand that students have a wide range of personal and family activities and wish to respect those time commitments. Therefore, parents have the option of exempting their son/daughter from the science fair.  If you would like to exempt your son/daughter from this activity, simply send back the bottom portion of this letter or email your child’s teacher with your preference. Their grades will not be affected by them opting out of this activity.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Mrs. Petkovsek anytime.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Petkovsek

-          - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Student Name __________________________________

Science Teacher Name _____________________________

My child     

                                              q        WILL NOT  participate in the science fair

Parent Signature ___________________________________

Steps to completing a Grisham Science Fair Project

1.     Select a science area that you are interested in. Decide if you want to work alone or in a group of 3.

2.     Print out the three forms 1, 1A and 1B, complete the forms with the proper signatures and turn in to Mrs. Petkovsek  NLT November 5. A Risk Assessment will also be needed if your project includes chemicals, cutting or any hazards. Parent signatures and dates are required. (If you miss this deadline, you will not be in the science fair)

3.  Come up with  question or a problem you would like to conduct an experiment to find out about.

4.  Before you begin the project, complete research, and write a 2-3 page research paper with bibliography attached.  You must have at a minimum: 2 book sources and 1 internet source.  Talk to the Librarian about finding appropriate books.

5.     Come up with a Hypothesis based on prior knowledge and your research...what you think will be the outcome of your experiment, and why you think it will happen this way.

6.     Design and conduct your experiment.

1.     If your experiment will have human subjects, or have any type of animal or human tissue you will require additional forms and approvals, get this done before you proceed with your experiment.

7.     Take pictures of your experiment (don't include anyone's face as they can not be displayed on the project board)

8.     Compile your data in a table.

9.     Create a chart or a graph showing your results.  This can be neatly hand drawn or done on the computer, Excel is a good program for completing this portion.

10.   Create a neat project board on a tri-fold display board (these can be found a arts and crafts stores), include the following sections at a minimum:

1.     Title

2.     Problem or Question

3.     Hypothesis

4.     Some research information (could be basic vocabulary)

5.     Material List

6.     Step by Step Experiment Procedures

7.     Data Table of Results

8.     Graphs or Charts of Results

9.     Conclusions (Make sure it says if it supported or rejected the hypothesis)

10.    Pictures of the experiment as it was being conducted. Each entry should have a border around it, which can be accomplished easily by placing the paper of information onto a piece of construction paper.

11.     Write an abstract that is 250 words or less that summarizes your complete project.     You will want to type this onto the correct Abstract Form.

12.    Keep it in a safe place until January 12, 2011, when it will be due.

Some Places to Find Project Ideas

Discovery School Science Fair Central

Kidspace @ The Internet Public Library

Experimental Projects (Grades 4-12)

Young Engineers Club - Science Experiments

www.showboard.com

www.sciencebuddies.com