My Science Fair Packet
The Annual Science Fair will take place on:
_____________________
This packet belongs to:
_____________________
SCIENCE FAIR PARENT LETTER
Dear Parents of Fifth Grade Students,
The Science Fair is scheduled to take place on ____MAY 2, 2013_____. The
focus of this year’s Science Fair is going to be on the Scientific Method. Each student
will be required to plan and conduct a controlled experiment, design a presentation board
to show the stages of their experiment, and give an oral presentation to an audience.
This science Fair is not quite like the science fairs you may have experienced.
While models are important to science, we are not encouraging students to display
models of such things as volcanoes or the solar system. Neither are they to simply
research a scientific topic. Instead, we are encouraging them to ask questions and then to
set up an experiment to answer those questions. In this way, they learn to approach
science as scientists do. You can expect your student to grow in their understanding of
scientific methods as they practice and develop multiple science process skills.
Projects need not to be elaborate, even a simple experiment, if carried out in a
logical, step-by-step fashion, is a valid learning experience. Projects should allow your
child to pursue those areas about which they are most curious.
We will devote class time to practicing the Four –Questions Strategy, discussing
our topics, and writing the procedures. Students will carry out their experiment and
assemble the poster at home. Although they are doing this at home, we obviously want
the projects to be done by the students, not the parents. Please allow your child to conduct
the experiment with minimal support from you. Your child will also need to be
responsible for bringing this packet to school each day until the Science Fair is
completed.
Suggestions for how YOU CAN support your child’s progress
• Talk to your child about what he or she might be interested in finding out.
• Help your child formulate a question that can be answered by doing an
experiment.
• Help gather materials necessary to conduct the experiment.
• Observe as your child is carrying out the experiment.
• Be an audience to your child as he or she practices an oral presentation.
Attached are forms that will help you organize your child’s project. You will find an
attached list of ideas to fuel your child’s imagination. Please refer to the Science Fair
packet for due dates and assignments. If you have any questions, please contact your
child’s science teacher.
Thank you for your support,
The Fifth Grade Team
---------------------------------------Cut here and return to teacher-----------------------------------------Please sign and return only this portion indicating that you have read the letter and
understand that your child will be responsible for meeting the due dates for the
Science Fair.
_______________________________
_____________________________
Child’s Name
Parent’s Signature
Scientific Investigation
Step 1-QUESTION: Identify the problem.
Step 2-RESEARCH: What other information do you need
to find out about the problem?
Step 3-HYPOTHESIZE: State an “IF...then…” hypothesis
to answer to the question.
Step 4-EXPERIMENT: Test the hypothesis.
 Use independent variables, dependent variables, and
a control.
 Observe carefully and collect data.
Step 5-ANALYZE DATA AND GRAPH IT: Use a graph to
organize your data to show it best!
Step 6-CONCLUSION: Study your data and check the
hypothesis to see if your experiment made the statement
true or false.
Science Fair
Assignment: You have gained knowledge on the Scientific
Method. You have an understanding of the components of the
process, including identifying variables, formulating a hypothesis,
and writing procedures. Now you will be creating an experiment of
your own, using the Scientific Method.
Rules:
1.
2.
3.
4.
All projects must use the Scientific Method.
All projects must be ready by the deadline.
No animal or plant projects will be permitted.
Props such as raw eggs, water, vinegar, or glass objects are
not permitted on the day of the Science Fair.
What to expect:
 Parent letter sent home (slip needs to be returned to teacher)
 Four Question Strategy practice sheets (done in class)
 Topic approved by teacher and parent CLASSROOM DUE: Mon, April 15th
 Writing Procedures Practice (done at home)
 “My Science Fair Experiment” PART 1 sheet PACING DUE: Wed, April 17th




Do your experiment (done at home)
“My Science Fair Experiment” PART 2 sheet PACING DUE: Thu, April 25th
Work on Display Boards PACING DUE: Mon, April 29th
Science Fair DATE: Thur, May 2nd
**It will be important to stay on schedule in order to be ready on the
day of the Science Fair. Marking dates on the calendar is one way to
help you stay on schedule.**
DUE: _April 15th _______
SCIENCE FAIR TOPICS AND QUESTIONS
1. QUESTION:
___________________________________________
2. QUESTION:
___________________________________________
3. QUESTION:
___________________________________________
PARENTS: Please sign below acknowledging that your child has
chose the topic of _______________________. Remember, the
actual experiment will have to be done at home. If you have any
questions, please feel free to call your science teacher at school
or email.
________________________ _______________________
Student Name
Parent Signature
Science Project Ideas
Earth and Space
1. Does the moon rise every night at the same time and in
the same location in the sky?
2. How accurate are long-range weather forecasts?
3. Is rainwater absorbed at the same rate in different kinds
of soil?
4. From which direction does the wind blow most frequently?
5. How warm is it under the snow?
Human Body
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Which grows faster, body hair or scalp hair?
How do fingerprints differ?
Do all people have the same normal body temperature?
Are certain dominant traits exhibited in the same
family?
Who has bigger hands, boys or girls?
How accurately can you tell the temperature of an object by touch?
Who are generally taller-boys or girls?
How fast do muscles get tired?
Physical Science
1. What is the effect of heat when dissolving sugar? salt?
2. Why is salt put on icy sidewalks?
3. What is the acidity of various household products?
4. How fast do fabrics burn?
5. What kind of materials can put out a fire?
6. Do all crystals have the same shape?
7. How much of the air is oxygen?
8. Can seawater be “desalted” by freezing?
9. How is the strength of a magnet affected by glass, cardboard, and plastic?
10. What is the best shape for a kite?
11. How does a pulley help you do work?
12. How does the use of paint prevent
the formation of rust?
13. Which holds two materials together
better, a screw or a nail?
14. Do all objects fall at the same
speed?
15. How does the weight of a pendulum affect the swing?
16. How is the distance a cart rolls affected by the mass in the cart?
17. On what kind of surface will a ball roll fastest?
18. Which kind of metal conducts heat best?
19. Does sound travel best through solid, liquid, or gas?
20. What materials provide the best insulation?
21. What is the effect of temperature on the volume of air?
22. How does the length of a vibrating body affect sound?
23. How does the design of a paper airplane affect its flight?
Consumer Science
1. Which chewing gum holds its flavor the best?
2. Which detergent breaks up oil the best?
3. How does the absorption rate of various paper
towels differ?
4. Which detergent makes the most bubbles?
5. How does the wattage of a light bulb affect
energy use?
6. Which brand of popcorn pops the fastest?
7. Which brand of glue holds boards together best?
8. Which brand of diaper holds more water?
9. Which type of battery makes toys run longest?
DUE: (part one) April 17th __________
(part two) April 25th_____________
________________________________
parent signature
If your topic has been approved, it’s time to get the procedures ready for your
experiment. (You can use the Four Question Strategy to help).
PART ONE: This must be checked by teacher and signed by a parent before
beginning experiment!
1.
State the Question:
___________________________________________________
2.
Materials you will use:
3.
Independent Variable (the thing you are going to change):
___________________________________________________
4.
Dependent Variable (the thing that will change as a result):
___________________________________________________
5.
Constants (everything that will be kept the same):
____________________ ___________________
____________________ ___________________
____________________ ___________________
____________________ ___________________
6.
Hypothesis (your prediction about what will happen):
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
7.
Procedures (What are the detailed steps you will follow for your
experiment…number or letter your steps):
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
8.
Data Collection (What data are you going to collect? How will you
collect it: measure, count, weigh, tally, time, draw, etc?) Explain
here:
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
PART 2
9. Observations (Tell what you see, smell, hear, taste, or touch. This
happens when you do your experiment.):
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
10. Record your results below. Make a table, graph, list, drawing,
etc. to show what happened in your experiment:
11. Conclusions (Tell why your experiment ended up the way it did,
answer your Big Question and Hypothesis):
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Display Board Guidelines
The purpose of your project display board is to communicate to others
what your project is all about. It is three-sided and has a brief description
of the various stages of your investigation as you followed the Scientific
Method.
Please refer to the “Science Fair Display Board Layout” sheet and the
“Science Fair Experiment Grading Rubric” to help you follow the specific
requirements of the display board.
When creating your Science Fair display board, keep in mind that it is the
little things that capture the eye. Sometimes the little things make the
difference between an interesting project and one that doesn’t quite make
it. As you are creating your Science Fair display board, follow these tips to
make your project extra special:
1. Make sure you can see your project from a distance. The
lettering and headings should be large enough to read from a
distance.
2. Display terrific artwork/visuals. Use tables, charts, graphs,
and photos whenever possible. Make your project pleasing to
the eye.
3. Use colored backgrounds for your pages. Glue your pages
neatly to the background so the glue doesn’t show. THINK
NEAT!
4. Be sure to check for misspellings and mistakes.
Science Fair
Display Board Layout Examples
Name: _________________________
Science Fair Experiment Grading Rubric
1. Display Board Checklist (for teachers)
 Title
 Problem/Question
 Materials
 Variables and Constants
 Hypothesis
 Procedure
 Data/Results
 Conclusion
 Pictures/Model/Materials Used (visuals)
 Large Titles and Headings
 Correct Spelling
 Neatness
Grade _________
4 = excellent demonstration of all items on checklist; exceeds expectations and goes above and
beyond requirements
3 = good demonstration of all items on checklist; meets expectations
2 = adequate demonstration of most items on checklist; may have some components missing
from checklist
1 = unsatisfactory demonstration of many items on checklist; may have many components
missing from checklist
Name: _____________________________________
MY SCIENCE PROJECT EVALUATION
What I learned from doing my project was_________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________.
What I found hardest to do was _________________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________.
What I enjoyed the most was ___________________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________.
I probably could have spent more time ____________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________.
The people who helped me with my project were _____________________
_____________________________. They helped me to _____________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________.
Some comments I heard about my project were _____________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________.
Some questions I have, now that I have done my project, are __________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________.