Dear Parents:
The O’Dea Science Fair will be held Friday March 27. That gives more than 2
months to complete it. More information regarding displaying the projects will be
provided as the date draws closer. For now, it is important to begin selecting a
problem with variables to test and researching the topic.
We will have a team of scientists from CSU come in sometime in Feb. They will sit
down with each student one-on-one for about 5 minutes and talk about the student’s
experiment. They will give the student guidance and advice. Attached is a list of
questions that the student should have answered in the next couple weeks. They’ll be
due at the beginning of February so that they can have an intelligent discussion with
some fabulous real live scientists. In years past, the students have really enjoyed and
benefited from this experience.
Several students have come to me with books of science fair ideas that they would like
to do. Those books contain fun ideas and interesting labs, but unfortunately most are
not set up as experiments. They tend to be demonstrations or labs and generally don’t
follow the Scientific Method. With some modification, the investigations can
usually be adapted to proper method, but I don’t recommend going straight by the
book.
We are happy to sit down with students and parents to help set up an
experiment or clarify expectations. These discussions usually take more than just the
one or two minutes we have between classes or during lunch, so I suggest that a good
time to would be before school or after school so we can sit down together and really
dig into with you and your child.
Science Night (green) will help your child think through the Scientific Method. Be
watching for a date and time. We’ll get together and walk through a science
experiment together so you can learn how to support your child and to remind your
child of the steps of a good experiment.
The blue form on the back is so that we know you have read and received this
material. It is also so that if your child’s project is selected to go to the District Science
Fair, we have the contact information ready to send in. (Project-specific information
can be added once decisions have been made.) Please sign and return it as soon as you
can. It doesn’t guarantee a spot or commit your child in any way.
Thanks!
Mr. Schaffer, Ms. Carmody, Mrs. Cummings
O’Dea Science Fair 2015
As part of the fifth grade curriculum, you will be required to do an
individual science fair project. Your projects will be displayed in the halls Friday
March 27, 2015. All fifth graders will receive a grade for their project. This grade
will be the only grade for science for the 4th quarter. This means it is important
that everyone turns in a project! The top 3-6 projects will be eligible for the
district science fair.
Please note that this is NOT a research project. This is an
EXPERIMENT.
You must test a variable to see how it affects
something.
It is to be done the same we did the pendulum, lifeboat, and candy cane
experiments in class, as well as those at science nights. For example, you could test
how sunlight affects plant growth, but a research project on how a plant uses
sunlight will not earn any points.
We require students to follow the guidelines provided by the Discovery
Center (attached) to ensure that all projects will be eligible for the Poudre School
District Science Fair. Approximately 3 - 6 projects will be sent to the District Fair
from O’Dea. The District Science Fair will be held on Saturday April 11, 2015 at
Boltz Middle School.
Parents, thank you for helping your children with this experience. We feel it
is fundamental for all students to understand the scientific method by actually
learning how to set up an experiment of their own. This learning experience is
meant to be fun and exciting, not a source of stress. There will be some class time
set aside for students to think and do some work, but 90-95% of the work will
have to be done at home. The goal of this project is for students to learn the
scientific method and all we ask is for each student to try and do their very best!
The final project must be displayed on a professional display board.
They can be purchased at office supply stores or dollar stores. Size and color do
not matter. If you need help purchasing one, see your child’s homeroom
teacher as soon as possible. Any project not completed on this display board will
be considered incomplete until it is on the proper display board.
Please read the following material with a parent or guardian and sign and
return the blue form! (only contact information is needed at this point)
District Science Fair 2015 -
Important Dates
The Science Fair will be held again at Boltz Middle School, located at
720 Boltz Drive, Fort Collins, CO, 80525.
The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery has 60 slots available for Science Fair participants. Each
year, 6-8 of these slots go unused due to students not showing up. In an effort to avoid this
situation - and to include as many students as possible - parents need to sign consent forms
indicating their desire for their student to participate. This consent form is at the bottom of
the student application. Please allow time to get your applications signed by parents.
March 27, 2015
Parent Consent Form and Student Applications due at the Fort Collins
Museum of Discovery by 5:00 p.m. Each school may send 3 winners to
participate in the District Science Fair and provide 2 prioritized alternates who will
be notified is space is available (please indicate 1st or 2nd alternate). Parents &
students will be told whether they are participants or alternates.
O’Dea will fax the forms in. Parents just need to make sure that they fill out
the student’s contact information on the blue form and return to the teacher in
January. If the student is eligible, then the additional information will be filled in.
April 9-10, 2015
The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery will contact schools and alternate applicants
regarding which, if any, alternates may also attend the district science fair. These
selections are made on a space-available basis, using the prioritized information
provided by the school.
April 10, 2015
Participating students drop off projects at Boltz Middle School between 3:00
and 6:00 p.m. and receive their interview appointment time for April 12.
April 11, 2015
Science Fair!


Students are required to attend their scheduled 15 minute interview appointments.
Appointments will fall between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.
The awards ceremony will be at 2:30 p.m. at Boltz Middle School.
After the awards ceremony, students will remove their projects from display and
take them home.
Science Fair Guiding Questions
Answer the following questions in your science fair journal. Remember, the journal does not have to be
anything fancy. A spiral notebook, paper in a 3-ring binder, or even looseleaf papers stapled together are
sufficient.
Problem:

What question are you trying to answer?
Hypothesis:

What do you think your results will
be? How will the variable(s) you test
impact the results?
Variables and Standards:




Which variable(s) are you going to
test?
Which variables are you going to
control?
What is your independent variable?
What is your dependent variable?
Materials:


What materials do you need in order
to conduct your experiment?
Procedure:


Data:




What is your procedure going to be?*
(This one is especially hard, but
remember to BE SPECIFIC!!!)
How many times do you need to test
each variable?
What unit of measure will you use to
assess your variable’s impact?
How will you record your results?
Do you need to write about your
results or just record them in a table?
How will you illustrate your results?
More Excellent
Less Excellent
Avoid YES/NO questions
How does color affect memory?
Does color affect memory?
Which style of paper airplane flies the farthest?
Does weight affect speed?
How does weight affect speed?
Which type of turbine blade creates the most
energy?
How does the launch angle from a catapult affect
the distance an object travels?
Avoid questions with “BEST”
Which style of paper airplane flies the best?
Which type of turbine blade works best?
What makes an electromagnet most powerful?
What mixture makes the longest-lasting bubble?
Avoid questions we know the answer to
Under what conditions do crystals grow the best?
What best cleans a penny?
What effect do tablets have on reading?
What’s the best detergent?
What’s the best paper towel?
What happens when we put Mentos in soda?
Do plants need sunlight?
Science Fair Display
Displays should be on professional quality tri-fold display boards as shown below. They are
available at office supply stores, Wal-Mart, and others. See your teacher ASAP if you need
help acquiring a display board.
To be included on the display:
1. Problem – what question are you trying to answer? Why did you choose that
question? What were you wondering about?
2. Research – what have other people already found out about your question? Include
summarized information necessary to understanding your question.
3. Hypothesis – before beginning your experiment, what did you think would happen?
What effect did you think your variables would have on the results?
4. Variables/Control – what variable(s) are you going to test? What variables are you
going to control?
5. Materials – a list of materials that you included teaches us what you did and allows
others to reproduce your experiment.
6. Method/Procedure – what exactly did you do? If you wanted to do the experiment
in 8th grade and forgot some of the steps, what would you need to know? If a scientist
wanted to try your experiment, what steps would s/he follow? What variable(s) did
you test? Which variables did you control?
7. Results – you should have collected information in a table that you can show in a
graph. Line graphs and bar graphs are most appropriate. You may also include your
table of information.
8. Conclusion – so what? What did you
learn? Why is your experiment important?
What other experiments could you do
based on this one? What are things that
might have gone wrong with your
experiment? What is the relationship
between the variable you tested and the
results?
We have several judges coming in to assess the
projects and determine which ones will go to the
district science fair. These judges include
aeronautical engineers, computer engineers, MIT
graduates, and CSU professors. We’re looking
forward to seeing all the wonderful experiments!
Thank you!
Sample Display
TITLE
Problem
?????
Research
Hypothesis
Materials
Procedure
1.
2.
3.
Variables
Test Control
Data



Graph
Journal
Results
Conclusion
Science Fair Project Ideas and Themes
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
Reaction to stimuli
BOTANY AND AGRICULTURE
Plants
CONSUMER SCIENCES
Product testing
EARTH SCIENCES
Rocks and minerals
Glaciers
Volcanoes
Mountains
Ecology
ENGINEERING
Water treatment
Solar energy/insulation
Structures (bridges, buildings)
New inventions
Mechanics (auto, bicycles)
Design
Aeronautics (flight, airplane design, wind tunnels)
Pollution control
MATH/COMPUTERS
Probability
Statistics
Mathematical relationships
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Light, prisms, color
Motion, gravity
Heat Energy
Properties of materials (wood, metals, insulations, etc.)
Sound
Simple machines (pulleys, levers, gears)
Electricity
Magnetism
Chemistry
ZOOLOGY/MEDICINE
Medicine and the human body
Animals/Wildlife
Criteria
for
Judging
Elementary School Science Fair
Projects
Scientific Method
 Statement of problem
 Hypothesis relates to problem
 Clear process identified
 Results clearly illustrated
 Conclusion relates to hypothesis
Technical Skills
 Evidence of a literature search
 Evidence of laboratory or field skills
 Process uses appropriate number of trials
and approaches
 Evidence of interpretation of data
Display of Project
 Complete scientific method
 Concise descriptions
 Neat, easy to read, proper spelling
 Creativity in design of display
Creative Ability in Project
 Imagination in selection of problem
 Creativity in experimental approach
Sample Interview
Questions
Interest in Problem
 Why did you choose this for your topic?
 Have you ever done anything with this topic
before?
 Do you think you'll ever want to work on this topic
again?
Understands Scientific Procedure
 Where did you get your information to begin your
project?
 Tell me what you were trying to figure out by
doing this project.
 Why did you make the hypothesis that you did?
 How did you perform your experiment?
 Tell me about how you used "controls?"
 What were the results of your experiment?
 What conclusion did you make based on the
results of your experiment?
Understands Concepts of Project
 What did you learn by doing this project?
 What was the most interesting or surprising thing
you found out?
 If you were to do this project again, is there
anything you'd change?
 What would you do next to learn more about this
topic?
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
Poudre School District Elementary School
Science Fair Guidelines 2015
Rules
1.
All displays must be constructed by the exhibitor. The sponsor may give general and limited advice, but must not assist in
construction.
2.
The exhibitor's name or name of the school must not be shown on display.
3.
Materials and construction should be durable. All moving parts must be firmly attached. Push buttons and levers must
be securely mounted on the display.
4.
The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery will provide tables and electrical outlets. All other materials will be supplied by the
exhibitor.
5.
Borrowed or purchased equipment, constructed by a person other than the exhibitor, must be labeled as such. Any
borrowed equipment must be accompanied by a signed statement which grants permission, by the donor, for its use in the
student's Science Fair project.
6.
Each exhibitor is eligible to submit one individual project, of which (s)he is the sole creator.
7.
A project which has won an award in a previous year may not be entered again, unless to develop a new principle or
extend the scope of the project.
8.
Ribbons or awards from individual school fairs are not to be displayed on projects.
Set-up of Display and Participation
1.
Exhibitors will set up their displays at Boltz Middle School between 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2015.
2.
Exhibitors must be at Boltz Middle School for their assigned interview time slot to answer questions from the judges. These
interviews will take place between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 11. The interview process is required. Exhibitors should
understand that it is their job, as scientists, to communicate with the judges about their work.
3.
The awards ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday April 11, at Boltz Middle School.
4.
Projects will be judged across all categories. There will be a “Best of Show” ribbon, a “Runner-up Best of Show” ribbon, up
to 10 “Superior” ribbons, and up to 20 “Excellent” ribbons. All students will receive a participant ribbon and certificate.
5.
All projects must be removed and taken home after the awards ceremony on Saturday, April 11 by 3:00 p.m. Any projects
that are not removed will be discarded.
Display Regulations
1.
Maximum table space for each entry shall be limited to an area 4 feet wide by 14 inches deep. Maximum height may not
exceed 4 feet. Oversized projects will be disqualified unless prior arrangements have been made with the Fort Collins Museum of
Discovery. In order to request a variance on the size requirements, students must prove that the size requirements present a serious
impact on the project's ability to be displayed.
2.
All displays must be contained in the allotted space. Displays must be free standing. Since no part of a display may be
attached to the table or walls, exhibitors must furnish their own display supports.
3.
Drapes are not allowed.
4.
Each display should be self-explanatory without an accompanying demonstration or lecture.
5.
When parts of a project can't be displayed (live animals, too large, etc), please use photographs, drawings, or models to
illustrate the project.
6.
The Science Fair projects will be displayed in a public area. Normal wear and tear on the displays is to be expected during
the time the fair. Valuable instruments and objects should be securely fastened, covered, or removed after judging is complete.
Computers should not be left unattended. THE FORT COLLINS MUSEUM of DISCOVERY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS
OR DAMAGE TO SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS.
7.
The display should describe the parts of the scientific method. These parts include: research/background, the
problem/question, hypothesis, methods, results/data, and conclusion. Materials may be displayed on the table in front of the
project, but may not hang over the front of the table.
8.
Display Example: If using a 3 panel display, panel 1 could include background information, the problem, the hypothesis,
and the methods used to obtain the data.
Panel 2 could include the results or illustrations of the data. Pictures, charts, and graphs are traditional examples of ways
to illustrate data.
Panel 3 could include any additional results and the conclusion.
9.
The display should have an overall neat appearance with concise descriptions for the parts of the scientific method.
Judging Criteria
1.
Identification and communication of a problem.
2.
Hypothesis, which must relate to the problem.
3.
Evidence of a literature search related to the problem.
4.
Observation and collection of data.
5.
Organization of data.
6.
Interpretation of data.
7.
Conclusion, showing how the data leads to the conclusion and how it relates to the hypothesis.
Safety
1.
Dangerous chemicals, open flames, and explosives will not be permitted.
2.
Animals or poisonous plants will not be permitted.
3.
Ordinary doorbell push buttons will not be allowed to control electric circuits of 110 volts or higher. Electrical apparatus
must be properly insulated. This rule is essential to prevent electrical shock.
4.
If batteries are used, they must be sufficiently charged to maintain operation throughout the time of the fair.
5.
The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Science Fair Committee reserves the right to refuse any exhibit which is considered
unsafe.
Live Organisms
1.
Humane treatment of living animals is required. Any project that shows or subjects animals to stress or inhumane
treatment will be disqualified.
2.
Exposing organisms to violent shock, chemical contact, or stress of any type is prohibited.
3.
Live animals may not be displayed at the fair.
4.
Actual parts of vertebrate animals may not be displayed.
5.
Micro-organism cultures (bacterial or fungi) are not to be displayed. When parts of a project can't be displayed, please use
photographs, drawings, or models to illustrate the project.
6.
Simple behavioral studies (such as mazes) are acceptable.
7.
No studies involving the use of drugs or alcohol will be permitted.
Science Fair Judging Form
Project Title: ___________________________________
Score Points
1 – Unsatisfactory
2 – Partially Proficient
 Unclear, vague, or not testable
Question or problem  Not stated
 Indicates the student has a
general idea of why the
experiment was conducted
Research

Not stated
Hypothesis

Not stated or not related
to the question or
problem
Procedure/Materials

Not stated
Experimental
design (variables)


Variable not identified
Not a controlled
experiment
Results/
Observations/
Data

Not stated, or stated but
not supported with data
or journaling on what
happened
Conclusions

Not stated or unclear
Originality and
creativity of
scientific idea

No evidence of original
design (i.e. a store
bought kit)
Journal

Journal missing or lacks
detail
Does not provide
evidence that student
did their own work
 Not detailed but documents an
attempt to write about what
happened
 Shows some evidence that student
did own work
Not organized and/or
neat
Data not displayed
Text needs significant
editing or rewriting
 May need work on organization
and/or neatness
 Data not edisplayed in graphical
form
 Written text needs additional
editing or rewriting

Display



 Some research evident
 May be lacking in detail or does
not relate to the experiment
 Stated in general terms but not
prompted by initial observations
 Appears to be an uneducated
guess
 Steps are incomplete, not in a
logical order, and/or lack
significant detail
 Variable is identified
 Not a controlled experiment; error
is introduced by experimental
design
 Stated but not related to
hypothesis
 Not necessarily supported by
experimental data
 Stated but not related to
hypothesis
 Not necessarily supported by
experimental data
 Experiment adapted from
another source (i.e. book, kit, etc.)
 student demonstrates some ability
to do own work
3 – Proficient
Project # ___________
4 – Advanced
 Question or purpose is clearly
stated
 Testable question/problem
 May not be directly related to
the experiment that was
conducted
 Research is evident
 Appears to be directly related to
the experiment
 Clearly stated
 Hypothesis appears to be based
on initial observations
 Question or purpose is clearly
stated
 Testable question/problem
 Relate4s directly to the
experiment that was
conducted
 Easily apparent and evident
 Detailed and relevant to the
experiment
 Clearly stated
 Clearly based on initial
observation
 Steps are complete and I n a
logical order
 May lack some detail
 Variable is identified
 The experiment contains a
control but it may not account
for all the factors affecting results
 Described and supported by
data that is displayed in an
organized way (i.e. charts,
graphs)
 Data may not be thoroughly
analyzed
 Clearly stated and relates to
hypothesis
 Somewhat supported by the
experimental data
 Original experiment or highly
adapted experiment from
another source
 Student clearly demonstrates
Ability to do own work
 Somewhat detailed; documents
procedure, data collection,
observations, etc.
 Provides evidence that student
did own work
 Steps are complete, in a logical
order
 Very detailed
 Variable is identified
 The experiment contains
controls for virtually all factors
affecting results
 Described and displayed in a
logical and organized way (i.e.
charts, graphs)
 Data were thoroughly
analyzed
 Easy to read and organized
 Data displayed in graphical form
 Written text is solid but may
need some additional editing or
rewriting
Score
 Clearly stated and relates to
hypothesis
 Strongly supported by the
experimental data
 Uniquely original or novel
topic and/or approach to a
question or problem
 Clear evidence of original
thinking and design
 Detailed in nature/ exp.
Design, procedures, data,
observations, etc.
 Provides clear evidence of
student having down own
work
 Easy to read and organized
 Data displayed in appropriate
graphical form
 Written text is meaningful,
purposeful and focused
Total __________ /
th
5 Grade Science Fair
Quick Facts

Every child will do a science fair experiment

It’s the 4th quarter science grade (Q4 instruction is US history)

It is due March 27, 2015 for the O’Dea 5th Grade Science Fair

Mr. Schaffer, Mrs. Cummings, and Ms. Carmody are always
available for help

Students have several resources to help guide them through
the experiment including the experiments we will be doing in
class

Science Night will be Friday January 23 at O’Dea

There will be some class time given to work on the planning,
but all of the actual project (including the writing) will be
done at home

The top 3 – 6 projects will be eligible for the district science
fair

The district science fair will be
held Sat April 11 at Boltz Middle
School