S.T.E.M. Fair
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
6:30-8:00 p.m.
To complete a S.T.E.M. fair project, students should make a hypothesis about a
topic that interests them and perform an experiment to test their hypothesis.
Students are encouraged to work in pairs. However, they may complete a project
individually.
At the fair students will:
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Discuss their project with staff and parents from Glenallan Elementary
School
View projects done by other students
Show how they integrated science, technology, engineering, or math
components!
Participating students must plan to stay for the duration of the fair and to take
part in all planned events.
Grade levels 3, 4, and 5 are highly encouraged to participate. Those who do
participate will be eligible to join in a small recognition party that will take
place at a later date.
Projects must be displayed on a tri-fold board (which will be provided by Mrs.
Joa).
Return participation forms (attached to this packet) to Mrs. Joa or Mrs. Walsh no
later than January 15, 2016.
The S.T.E.M. Committee reserves the right to exclude any project or item that
seems to violate the following:
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In order to ensure our projects follow animal safety guidelines set by
national and international science fairs, we will not allow experiments
involving animals (including insects, molds, or other living organisms).
Open flames, caustic and flammable chemicals, bottled gas or explosives of
any kind, are not permitted inside the school building.
Absolutely no volcanoes are to be created for this fair, as they create a
large mess that is difficult to clean.
Taking part in the S.T.E.M. fair is meant to provide hands on learning with
enjoyment. We hope all of you will help make this a memorable experience for our
children.
Detailed Steps to Complete a Science Fair
Project:
1.
Select a Topic
Pick something that interests you. Look at the attached
list of sample project ideas.
2.
Follow the Scientific Method
a. State the Purpose of the Experiment-What are you trying
to find out? This is the main question you are trying
to answer.
b. Select a variable (something you will change) that will
help you find your answer
c. State your hypothesis-your guess about what the answer
will be
d. Decide how to conduct your experiment:
1. Describe how you will change your variable
2. Decide and describe how you will measure your
results
e. Conduct your experiment and record your data and all
your notes in a notebook
f. Look at the data you collected to answer the questions
you posed in the first step
3.
Create Graphs and Charts
What happened in your experiment? Use the data you
collected to create graphs and charts to show the results.
4.
Construct a Display Board
The format for the display board is shown on the next page.
5.
Practice Presentation
Be prepared to explain what you did. The staff and parents
are very nice and will be interested in what you did and
what you learned.
Project Display Board Guidelines:
 All projects should be displayed using a three-paneled display board
available in the S.T.E.M. Academy (Mrs. Joa) or for purchase at
Michael’s Craft Store.
 Displays should be able to stand up without additional support
 Print neatly or use a computer-be sure the text can be read from far
away
 Display samples or equipment in the area in front of the board
 Include your title, name, and grade prominently on the front of the
board
 Do not plan to conduct an experiment at the fair, but you may do a
small demonstration of what you did.
 Remember to show how you integrated science, technology, engineering,
or math!
Topic Ideas:
Which type of inside window covering is
best for saving energy?
Does recycled paper decompose more
quickly than non-recycled paper?
At what temperature does a yogurt culture
grow best?
How does smell affect taste?
How do different liquids affect the
health of a simulated tooth (chicken
bone)?
What substance is best for seed to
sprout?
What is the best cleaning agent for
removing stains?
What is the best insulator for keeping
ice cold?
What is the importance of plant’s stems
for the purpose of their survival?
What factors speed up the decomposition
in fruits and vegetables (air, light)?
What is the effect of salt on the boiling
temperature of water?
What foods contain starch?
What types of food mold the fastest?
Does room temperature effect how fast a
candle burns?
Can bubbly liquid cause raisins to float?
What affects the rate of evaporation of
water?
How do primary colors combine to make new
colors?
How much faster does a kid have to walk
to keep up with their parent?
What is the best length for a jump rope?
How does reaction times of different
people compare?
How far will different paper airplanes
fly?
What soda fizzes the longest?
Which boat will hold the most weight?
Which brand of paper towel absorbs the
most water?
What car will travel the farthest when
rolled down a hill?
Which liquid defies gravity?
Which liquid evaporates faster (sprite,
water, or vinegar)?
Which marker last the longest? Crayola or
Roseart?
Which plants grow the fastest in the
garden soil?
Which stain remover works the best?
Which chocolate will melt the fastest?
Will a rock sink faster in oil, water,
vinegar, or a combination?
How are crystals formed?
How do we tell how far away a star is
from Earth?
How does burning gasoline make a car
move?
What happens to water balloons if they
are put in different liquids?
How does acid rain effect plant growth?
What does sound travel through best- wire
or rope?
What soils are best to build a house on?
What material is the best insulator?
What kind of juice cleans pennies best?
What holds two boards together better- a
nail or a screw?
Does a ball roll farther on crass or
dirt?
Does the width of a rubber band effect
how far it will stretch?
Does the thickness (viscosity) of liquid
affect its boiling point?
Does the color of a material affect its
absorption of heat?
What concentration of bleach is required
to kill mold?
For how long a distance can sound be
transmitted through a tube?
Does a bath use less water than a shower?
Do different kinds of apples have the
same number of seeds?
Will bananas brown faster on the counter
or in the refrigerator?
Does sugar prolong the life of cut
flowers?
Do roots of a plant always grow downward?
Does baking soda lower the temperature of
water?
Will water with salt evaporate faster
than water without salt?
Does warm water freeze faster than cool
water?
What type of oil has the greatest
density?
Why is your shadow sometimes in front of
and sometimes behind you?
**These are more ideas that can be found
online at: www.sciencefairadventure.com,
www.sciencebuddies.org, www.allsciencefairproject.com,
www.freesciencefairproject.com,
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/scie
ncefaircentral/
S.T.E.M. Fair Timeline
Many books, full of ideas, are available in our Media Center and the public library.
Here is a timeline to assist you in managing your time well. It will be best to
complete the tasks on or before the suggested date. Please remember you will be
doing this project outside of class on your own time.
Task
Packets will be distributed.
Choose a topic and form a question/problem/purpose.
S.T.E.M. Fair Registration due no later than:
Formulate a hypothesis.
Plan procedures.
Gather materials
Perform experiment and collect data/results.
Form conclusion and create display board.
S.T.E.M. Fair- Projects due at start of day
Target Dates
January 4, 2016
Before January 15, 2016
January 15, 2016
January 22, 2016
January 29, 2016
February 12, 2016
February 26, 2016
March 11, 2016
March 16, 2016
Writing Prompt for each Timeline Assignment
1. Question/Problem/Purpose
Choose a topic for your S.T.E.M. fair project. Write a question, problem,
or purpose that can be verified or refuted. Explain how you decided on
your question, problem, or purpose.
2. Hypothesis
Write a hypothesis. Explain your prediction.
3. Materials
Write a list of the materials you will need in your experiment.
4. Procedure
Write the directions for the procedure you will use to conduct your
experiment.
5. Recorded Data and Results
Analyze your data. Write a short summary explaining your results.
6. Conclusion
Write a conclusion for the experiment. Think about the hypothesis and the
results of the investigation.
7. Real World Application
Explain how the information you have gathered from your experiment might
benefit you or the world around you.
Thank you for taking the time to participate in the Glenallan S.T.E.M. Fair this
year. We look forward to viewing all the creative and interesting topics that
will be covered and your amazing results.
Thank you to Flower Valley Elementary School for all your support. It is greatly appreciated.
**THE S.T.E.M. FAIR WILL BE HELD AT GLENALLAN ON
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16TH FROM 6:30 PM TO 8:00 PM.
S.T.E.M. Fair Registration Form
Please return this to Mrs. Joa or Mrs. Walsh by no later than
January 15, 2016.
Name: ____________________________________________
Grade: ____________________________________________
Homeroom Teacher: __________________________________
Provide a topic and short description of your
question/problem/purpose:
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
_________
Please check if any of the following are applicable:
_______ I am working on a project with one other
person and he/she is:
____________________________________________
Please list your partner’s name here and remind
them to complete their own form as well.
_______ I need a trifold poster board
_______ I do not need a trifold poster board
Email: _____________________________________
Parent Signature: __________________________
**Display boards will be available at school free of charge.