Fifth Grade Physical Science Science Fair Project DUE: Thursday, November 15th You are about to embark on an exciting journey. In the upcoming weeks you will imagine yourself as a scientist and it will be your job to answer the questions to the unknown. You will need to focus your thoughts on one question in particular and strive to find an answer to that question. This will involve research, developing a hypothesis, step-by-step procedure planning, testing your hypothesis by conducting an experiment, and organization. Perhaps we will have the next Thomas Edison, Sir Isaac Newton or Albert Einstein in our class! This packet outlines each of the sections you need to complete for this project. Note that this is an in-class project to help your teacher guide you. HOWEVER, if you do not use the 7 in-class blocks wisely or find that your project needs extra time, you will need to complete this for homework/at home as well. Your teacher will help support you in prioritizing and reminding which section needs to be completed each block. Students will display and present their findings on November 15th. This project is worth 50 points, see attached rubric for details. All materials for your project need to be provided from home. Science Standards (5-PSI-1,2,3 and 4) I can develop a model to describe matter, measure and graph quantities of matter to provide evidence, make observations and conduct an investigation focusing on various properties of matter. Question A question to be answered through a scientific experiment. Example: Why is salt put on icy roads? When you have your question approved, write it below. ***Question ideas can be seen at the end of this packet. Question:
Information: Research done prior to an experiment Research your Science Fair topic. Minimum 2 resources must be used. Choose a note taking method and be consistent. Directions: Choose a note taking strategy (example below). Make sure you research a minimum of 5 points or questions that align to your project and further your understanding of your topic. Attach your notes to this packet. Label your notes Research. Example Grid Notes What is What do plants need Question 3 photosynthesis? to survive? Resource 1 Soil Resource 2 A process by which Sunlight ( Put site or plants use sunlight, book here) carbon dioxide to make food Resource 3 Water Minerals Hypothesis An educated guess about the outcome of the scientific question. Write your hypothesis below. Make sure it attempts to answer your scientific question and is supported by your research. ( Written as an if then statement.) Question: (Re-write) Hypothesis
Materials Items needed/used to complete your scientific experiment Amounts need to be included in this list using the METRIC system. List only items used to do experiment. ( Example: milliliters (ml) of water( Procedures Step by step directions one follows to complete a scientific investigation Write the steps you will need to follow to complete your experiment. DO NOT use personal pronouns and number your steps. Attach additional pages if needed.
Observations Everything you see, hear, feel, smell, (sometimes taste) or notice as you complete your experiment. Also includes a data table to record measurements You will need a journal (notebook, OR typed digital notes and pictures) to record your data. Set up your journal to present on the due date. You will also need to create a data table below to record your measurements as you complete your experiment. Sample Journal Entry: Directions: Decided how often you will take measurements and record your data. Anything where there is growth will require daily observations. Experiments that take a short time might have observations taken hourly, every half hour, or sometimes minute to min. Decide what is appropriate for your experiment. Taking photos is another great way to document progress and what you observe. Set aside one page per Observation in your journal. For Example, If you are going to take measurements every day for 20 days, you should number your pages to 20, with each day getting its own observation page. As you complete your experiment, fill in your observations.
On the due date above, you will need to show your set up journal, and a data table to record your measurements. Place your data table on the cover, or first page of your observation journal. YOUR JOURNAL WILL BE DISPLAYED WHEN WE SHARE PROJECTS SO MAKE YOUR NOTES LEGIBLE AND NEAT! Answer the Following. How often will you take observations? How did you decide to set up your journal? Why? How many trials, days, or attempts will you do for your experiment? Why did you decide on this?
Do you have everything you need to take your observations? If not, what do you still need? Do you have any questions or concerns about this step of your project? Now What? Do your experiment! Gather your materials, follow your procedures, take observations in your journal and record your data. Use this time to focus on testing your hypothesis. Data A graph that displays your data from the data table (from the observation step). Use graph paper or the Numbers app to create a graph to display the data from your experiment. A line graph best shows growth or change over time, while a bar graph is good for time, distance, height, weight etc. Label and Title your graph!
Results A quick summary of what happened in an experiment. Answer your original question. In one sentence, answer your original scientific question. Be sure it aligns with the data and observations you made during your experiment. Question: (Re-write) Results:
Conclusion Explanation of experiment and tells what was learned and what knowledge was gained through the experiment. Your conclusion should be written in paragraph form and include the information below. Be detailed, specific, and include explanations based on your research and experiment results. The project conclusion is a summary of the results of the project experimentation and a statement of how the results relate to the hypothesis (do the results match your hypothesis?) Reasons the experimental results that are contrary to the hypothesis are included. If applicable, the conclusion can end by giving ideas for further testing. If your results do not support (are different than) your hypothesis: DON T change your hypothesis. Don t leave out experimental results that do not support your hypothesis. Do give possible reasons for the difference between your hypothesis and the experimental results. Do give ways that you can experiment further to find a solution. If your results support (are the same as) your hypothesis: You might say, for example, As stated in my hypothesis, I believe that light is not necessary during the germination of bean seeds. My experimentation supports the idea that bean seeds will germinate without light. Etc,.
Display Your science fair board will display your experiment in a visual way. Compile all your assignments and display your information on the board. Use the questions and display example below to set up your experiment for presentation. You will display your observation journal, & materials along side your display board. If using technology/digital format, you will need your ipad on display as well. What Makes for a Good Science Fair Project Display Board? For a Good Science Fair Project Display Board, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question Does your display board include: Title Question Variables and hypothesis Background research Materials list Experimental procedure (Journal) Data analysis and discussion including data chart(s) & graph(s) Conclusions (including ideas for future research) Acknowledgements Bibliography Are the sections on your display board organized like a newspaper so that they are easy to follow? Is the text font large enough to be read easily (at least 16 points)? Does the title catch people's attention, and is the title font large enough to be read from across the room? Did you use pictures and diagrams to effectively convey information about your science fair project? Have you constructed your display board as neatly as possible? Did you proofread your display board? Did you follow all of the rules pertaining to display boards for your particular science fair?
Science Fair Project Rubric
Now assemble your display board! EXAMPLE 1! Examples Only: You do not need to include an abstract! EXAMPLE 2!
Question Ideas -Can an invisible physical force be used to levitate a magnet? -Does temperature of a magnet affects its strength? -How do the melting, freezing and boiling points of liquids differ? -How can you demonstrate the density of liquids? -Can Solids Flow Like Liquids? -Can water remain liquid below its normal freezing point? -How does temperature affect the molecules in various liquids? -How does molecular structure in a compound impact it s use in our everyday life? (for example, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are similar but one is dangerous and one is not?) -Which batteries will last the longest and why? -What everyday items you find in your kitchen will conduct electricity? -How can you design an oven that does not use electricity? Use what you know about properties of matter. -Do some liquids expand more than others when frozen? -Your Choice: Pass off by your teacher. ***For further research and question ideas use the following links or type in Science Fair Projects for 5th Grade Physical Science in your search engines. https://www.sciencebuddies.org