3rd GRADE WINTER SCIENCE PROJECT
December 9, 2016
Dear 3rd Grade Parents:
We are excited about Watts Learning Center’s Annual Winter Science Project. Each
student at WLC is required to complete a science project. All WLC scholars participate
and display their science projects at Family Science Night on Thursday, January 19,
2016.
In preparation for this event, scholars will complete a science project during the winter
break. This project is a family academic activity designed to support our young
scientists. The science projects are due on Friday, January 13, 2017 at 8:00 a.m.
No late or incomplete projects will be accepted.
Enclosed in this informational packet are: 1) explanation of the scientific method, 2)
example of how information should be displayed on the tri-fold 3) rubric/scoring guide,
4) a final checklist, and 5) glossary. These items will help guide your family through
the process. Should you need assistance in deciding on what to do for the science
project, www.sciencebuddies.org is a very helpful website. You can also select a
science project idea from the handout attached at the end.
*It is important to make sure young scientist are able to explain their projects and
scholar work is evident. The presentation and explanation will impact the grade
received on their project.
Thank you,
Mrs. Collins, Ms. Sima, and Ms. Smith
3rd Grade Teachers
3rd GRADE WINTER SCIENCE PROJECT
The Scientific Method is a sequential process that all scientists use to conduct investigations and
experiments. The processes in the Scientific Method are:
•
•
•
•
•
Question
Hypothesis
*Investigate/Experiment
*Results
Senses used
What do I want to investigate or experiment?
What do I predict/hypothesize will happen?
What do I do?
What actually happened? What did I learn?
What five senses did I use?
*Photographs, drawings, graphs, and other visual aids of these processes make it easier for young
scientists during their oral presentations.
Steps of The Scientific Method
The Question
Your science fair project starts with a question. This might be based on an observation you have made or a particular topic
that interests you. Think what you hope to discover during your investigation, what question would you like to answer?
Your question needs to be about something you can measure and will typically start with words such as what, when, where,
how or why.
Every part of your project is done to answer this question.
Background Research
Gathering information on your topic and related to the scientific question you would like answered.
What do you need to learn about so that you can solve your problem or answer your question?
Learn as much as you can about your topic and problem. Research can come from many different sources including
people, books, magazines, the internet, or your own experience.
Hypothesis
Using your background research and current knowledge, make a prediction that answers your question. Your hypothesis
should be a simple statement that expresses what you think will happen.
The hypothesis is an "educated guess," formed as a statement that you propose to be the answer to the
research question.. You should try to state the results you are predicting in measurable terms. Not
always will your conclusion match your hypothesis.
3rd GRADE WINTER SCIENCE PROJECT
Experiment
Create a step by step procedure and conduct an experiment that tests your hypothesis. The experiment should be a fair test
that changes only one variable at a time while keeping everything else the same. Repeat the experiment a number of times
to ensure your original results weren’t an accident.
How will you test your hypothesis? What tests will answer your question? You must test enough samples to prove your
point?
Design the variables that will change from one experiment to the next? Examples: Amount of water? Or Amount of plant
food?
Data
Collect data and record the progress of your experiment. Document your results with detailed measurements, descriptions
and observations in the form of notes, journal entries, photos, charts and graphs.
What do your results tell you? Look at your experimental data. Organize it. Do you see any trends or information that
proves or disproves your hypothesis?
Graph your data. It will make your results easy for others to understand.
Observations
Describe the observations you made during your experiment. Include information that could have affected your results such
as errors, environmental factors and unexpected surprises.
Conclusions
Analyze the data you collected and summarize your results in written form. Use your analysis to answer your original
question, do the results of your experiment support or oppose your hypothesis?
Was your hypothesis right or wrong? It is ok to be wrong. The objective of the scientific method is to investigate a
problem and work towards a solution.
Even if you have disproved your hypothesis, you have still done a good job if you correctly applied the scientific method.
Communication
Present your findings on a display board for a science fair competition.
Be ready to present your science project to the rest of the class.
3rd GRADE WINTER SCIENCE PROJECT
3rd GRADE WINTER SCIENCE PROJECT
What should my tri-fold include?
3rd GRADE WINTER SCIENCE PROJECT
Name:
3rd
CATEGORY
Grade Family Science Project Grading Rubric
4
3
2
1
Each element in the
display has a
Board
function and clearly
Label all parts of
serves to illustrate
Scientific Method:
an important aspect
• Question
of the
• Hypothesis
investigation/
• Experiment(s)
experiment. All
• Results
the items, graphs,
• Title of project etc. are neatly and
correctly labeled
on a tri-fold display
board.
Each element in
the display has a
function and
clearly serves to
illustrate an
important aspect
of the
investigation/
experiment. Most
items, graphs,
etc. are neatly
and correctly
labeled on a trifold display
board.
Each element in
the display has a
function and
clearly serves to
illustrate an
important aspect
of the
investigation/
experiment. Few
items are
correctly labeled
on a tri-fold
display board.
The display seems
incomplete or
disorganized with
no clear plan.
Hypothesis
Development
Has a well
developed and
clearly stated
hypothesis.
Has a hypothesis Has a
that is developed hypothesis that
or clearly stated. is somewhat
developed or
stated.
Data Collection
There are 3 or
more records of
collected data.
Data is summarized
in a way that
clearly describes
what was observed,
discovered, etc.
There are 2 or
more records of
collected data.
Data is
summarized in a
way that clearly
describes what
was observed,
discovered, etc.
There is only 1
There is no record
of data collected.
record of
collected data.
Data is collected
at least one
time.
Pictures
• Photographs
• Drawings
• Images from
magazines,
internet, etc.
Display board must
have at least 4
pictures that
portray features of
the thing being
described.
At least 3
pictures that
portray some
feature of the
thing being
described.
At least 2
pictures that
portray some
feature of the
thing being
described.
Tri-fold Display
Labels are missing
or incorrect.
Has a hypothesis
that cannot be
tested or does not
have a hypothesis
at all.
Display board has
only 1 or no
pictures at all.
3rd GRADE WINTER SCIENCE PROJECT
Diagrams
Provides an
accurate, easy-toread tally chart,
bar graph, etc. with
labels to illustrate
the findings.
Provides an
accurate chart,
graph, etc. with
labels to
illustrate the
findings.
Provides an
easy-to-read
chart, graph,
etc. with labels
to illustrate the
findings but one
key step is
missing.
Does not provide a
chart or graph or
is incomplete.
Presentation
Scientist orally
presents all
aspects of the
project.
Scientist orally
presents most
aspects of the
project.
Scientist orally
presents some
aspects of the
project.
Scientist is unable
to orally present
any aspects of the
project.
3rd GRADE WINTER SCIENCE PROJECT
Glossary of Terms
Data – All the information observed, collected, and discovered during the
experiment that is to be included in the project.
Display – Science project backdrop. The display board can be a purchased or
created tri-fold board that stands upright. The display must show the science
project title/question, hypothesis, the procedures, results, conclusion, and
charts, graphs, and/or pictures. Everything displayed must be labeled. Tri-fold
boards can be purchased at Staples, Office Depot, Wal-Mart, etc.
Experiment – Question investigated, project tested or proven. This is not a
demonstration or model.
Hypothesis – Predict the experiment results.
Procedures – Scientific methodical steps taken to conduct the investigation or
experiment.
Research Question – Project topic formulated as a question. What will the
scientist investigate/experiment?
Results – Events that actually happened or occurred during the investigation or
experiment.
Scientific Method – Research question, hypothesis, investigation/experiment
procedures, results, and conclusion(s).
Student work- The project should be the student’s work with family
assistance. Experiments and displays must be set up correctly and follow
the scientific method.
3rd GRADE WINTER SCIENCE PROJECT
3rd Grade Science Project Checklist
This checklist should be referenced in the planning, development, and completion
of the science project.
Δ
Scientist’s work is evident (Writing uses kid-friendly words, terms,
and language).
D All sections are clearly and neatly labeled on the tri-fold board (Project
title/question, Scientific Method, pictures, graphs, etc.).
Δ Scientist’s name is on the board.
DProject is displayed on a tri-fold board.
Δ Family assistance is evident (Project is presentable and representative of
the young scientist’s greatest ability.)
DAll processes in the Scientific Method are labeled:
Question
Hypothesis
Details of the investigation/experiment (procedures)
Results
List and explanation of senses used
o Observations are included
o
o
o
o
o
DThe data is explained step by step.
DPictures, graphs, tables, and/or charts are used.
D Student can orally present all aspects of the project.
D Project is submitted on Friday, January 13 , 2017.
Meeting these criteria components represents a score of 4. Projects that exclude any
of the necessary components will have points deducted, resulting in a lower score of
3, 2, or a 1.
Pr
ats/En
Animals
Do mice prefer wood chips or shredded
newspaper for bedding?
Will ants swim to get to a food source?
Do crickets chirp in different ways
due to changes in temperature?
Do ant lions catch more insects in bright
light or dim light?
Why do spiders build webs
at different slants?
How do cats and dogs choose a place
to sleep?
Which patterns make the best camouflage?
Are moths more attracted to certain
colors of light?
Does temperature affect the time it takes
for a mealworm pupa to become an adult?
Does the type of food a mealworm
eats affect the time it takes to become
an adult?
Do different bird species prefer certain
types of seeds?
Does water temperature affect the time
it takes for brine shrimp eggs to hatch?
Does water temperature affect the length
of time it takes for a tadpole to become
a frog?
© Learning A–Z
Do ants return to their mound at the
same time every day?
All rights reserved.
Are flies more attracted to honey or meat?
Are bees more attracted to one color
of flower than another?
How is a person’s memory affected
by a quiet versus a noisy environment?
How is a person’s reading speed affected
by a warm versus a cold environment?
P
ts/En
Plants
Does original seed depth influence how
long it takes for a plant to reach the
surface of the soil?
Do beans grow taller in one type of soil
than another?
Do beans grow tallest in the sun, partial
shade, or full shade?
Do beans grow taller if given different
amounts of water?
Does putting food coloring in water affect
how tall a bean plant will grow?
How fast do carnations absorb different
colors of dye?
© Learning A–Z
All rights reserved.
Which houseplants are best adapted
to cold and hot temperatures?
How long can different
houseplants live without light?
How long can different houseplants
live without water?
Do some types of seeds require more
water to sprout than other seeds?
Do cacti absorb more water than
other plants?
Does the amount of water given to a plant
affect the number of seeds it produces?
Pr
Hum
The Skeletal System
Which foods are the most and least
healthy for bones?
How does leg length affect running speed?
Is there a relationship between memory
and skull circumference?
Is there a relationship between gender
and the size of people’s hands?
Is the ratio of height to arm length the
same for boys and girls?
Are there any relationships between age
or gender and hand-eye coordination?
Do boys or girls sleep more?
What is the relationship between a
person’s age and the amount of time
he or she sleeps?
Does age affect reaction time?
Do sports drinks affect reaction time?
The Muscular System
Does air temperature affect
reaction time?
Is there a relationship between handedness
and biceps size?
Do more boys or girls have photic
sneeze reflex?
Can a person push or pull more weight?
Does playing a real instrument make you
better at playing a musical video game?
Who can jump farther, boys or girls?
The Nervous System
Do left- or right-handed people have
more legible handwriting?
At what age do people begin to show
a preference for using one hand more
than the other?
© Learning A–Z
How does the amount of time spent
studying affect memory?
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Who can hear farther, boys or girls?
Pr
Liqui
Freezing
Does hot water freeze faster than
cold water?
Do different liquids take different
amounts of time to freeze?
Will salt, tap, or bottled water
freeze fastest?
Do some sizes and shapes of containers
allow water to freeze faster than others?
What kind of insulating material keeps
an ice cube frozen for a longer time?
Does water change size when it freezes?
Melting
When snow melts, how much water
does it make?
Will pressure cause ice to melt, even
if the temperature is below freezing?
Do different colors of crayons melt
at different temperatures?
Does butter melt faster in the sun
or under a lamp?
Does ice change size when it melts?
Evaporation,
Boiling, and Gases
How do temperature and wind affect
evaporation rate?
Do salt and soap affect evaporation rate?
Do different liquids evaporate at the
same rate?
Does the thickness of a liquid affect
its evaporation rate?
Does the size and shape of a container
affect evaporation rate?
Do different kinds of frozen liquids take
different amounts of time to thaw?
Do different brands of frozen pops melt
at the same rate?
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
www.sciencea-z.com
P
, Liq
How does the water level in a lake change
with the weather?
How does humidity affect evaporation
rate?
Can hair or animal fur be used
to measure humidity?
Does salt dissolve fastest in hot, warm,
room-temperature, or cold water?
Does salt water stay warm longer than
tap water?
Can water vapor be captured?
How does salt affect the boiling point
of water?
Does the boiling point of water change
at different elevations?
How much sugar can be added to water
before the water becomes saturated?
Do different liquids take different amounts
of time to boil?
Do stains come out better in hot or cold
water?
How long does it take for a bathroom
mirror to fog up using different
temperatures of shower water?
Do equal volumes of different liquids
weigh different amounts?
Does a balloon stay inflated longer
in warm or cold air?
Do soap bubbles last longer on warm
or cold days?
Does the size of a helium balloon
determine how long it will stay afloat?
How long will a volleyball keep its pressure
in different temperatures?
Do different gases weigh different
amounts?
© Learning A–Z
Mixtures
All rights reserved.
Which materials lose their individual
properties when combined with water,
and which keep them?
How much salt must be added to a cup
of water before it becomes translucent?
Opaque?
How much salt does it take to make
an egg float?
Can salt be separated from water?
P
um
The Respiratory System
Does body fat affect lung capacity?
Does ambient temperature affect lung
capacity?
Do students who play wind instruments
have a greater lung capacity than those
who do not?
Does heart rate return to normal faster
in athletes or nonathletes?
Do fans help to lower body temperature?
How does body temperature change,
depending on the time of day?
Do students who swim regularly have a
greater lung capacity than those who
do not?
The Digestive System
What causes asthma, and how
do inhalers help?
Do boys or girls find spicy foods hotter?
How long does the average cold last?
The Circulatory System
Do boys and girls have different resting
heart rates?
How does blood pressure change as we
get older?
How does music affect heart rate and
blood pressure?
How does food affect heart rate and
blood pressure?
How does sleep affect heart rate and
blood pressure?
© Learning A–Z
How does exercise affect heart rate
and blood pressure?
All rights reserved.
Which antacid works best?
The Excretory System
How does humidity affect sweating?
Does the type of liquid I drink affect
how much I sweat?
The Endocrine System
Do boys and girls grow at different rates?
At what age does the greatest growth spurt
occur for boys and for girls?
Does weather affect a person’s mood?
Other
Does dyeing or bleaching affect the
strength of human hair