ADVENTURES IN SCIENCE!
It’s time for the 2015-2016 Lincolnwood
Science Fair!
WHAT: The Science Fair features more than 100 experiments, displays
and science projects created by Lincolnwood students.
WHO: Every Lincolnwood family is invited to attend the Science Fair! Each and every student can
work on a project, either individually or together with siblings or friends. A group of students (up to 4)
can work on one project together.
WHEN: Tuesday Night, February 23, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, evening open house for
families and parents, as well as during school hours, for students and teachers. The Science Fair is
open to everyone! Even if you don't have a project, come at night, check out the displays and enter
the paper airplane toss.
WHERE: The Science Fair is in the School Gym.
HOW: Projects can be brought to the school gym after school between 3:35 – 6:30 PM on Monday,
February 22, or in the morning between 8:00 - 9:00 AM on Tuesday, February 23. Projects must be
taken home after the fair ends on Tuesday Night.
WANT TO VOLUNTEER?
We always need an extra hand, especially on February 23rd! If you would like to help out with the
paper airplane toss or scoring for 4th/5th graders, contact Michelle Rogers at [email protected].
STUDENTS AND PARENTS, HERE’S HOW TO ENTER…
STEP 1: Read the Science Fair rules in this packet and follow them all.
STEP 2: Are you an INVENTOR or a SCIENTIST? Pick your category:

An inventor is an engineer of the future, someone who can design and make something to
solve a real problem. An invention can also be something that improves an object previously
invented by someone else or takes it in a completely different
direction.

A scientist is an investigator, the kind of person who likes to find out
things for himself. Someone who starts out with a question based on
a scientific problem, then experiments to find out what works, and
what doesn't work.
*Note for 4th Grade: If you choose to be scored, please fill out the scientist entry form (B).
STEP 3: Figure out what your science project will be and who will be helping you. Looking for a
Project Idea? See attached list for ideas and resources. Links to Internet resources are also available
on the Lincolnwood website.
STEP 4: Fill out one entry form. Bring your entry form to the front desk and put in the folder marked
“Science Fair”, or give it to your teacher by Thursday, February 11th (extended deadline). We
need to know all your information so that we can accommodate you in the gym.
SCIENCE FAIR RULES
1. A student may enter one project only. A group of students (up to 4) can work on one
project together. Call us about larger groups.
2. Display space is tight! Projects must be freestanding and able to fit in an area 2 feet
deep by 2 ½ feet wide (only 4 projects per table).
3. Written information needs to be put on a freestanding, tabletop display board (it is not
possible to hang poster displays in the gym).
4. Projects requiring electrical outlets must provide the necessary footage of electrical cord or
extensions. All switches and cords for 110-volt operations must be UL-approved.
5. Dangerous chemicals, open flames, explosives, and projectiles are not allowed! If
you are unsure how this rule applies to your experiment, please call us.
6. No live animals permitted.
7. The school cannot be responsible for any loss or damage to projects. Please assume
responsibility for your project. (No laptops or other expensive equipment should be left
unattended!)
8. Sorry – no candy giveaways at the projects unless it is an integral part of the experiment.
We want to focus on every child’s project. Thanks.
PARENTS, A few reminders for you:
1. Let your child do his own work as much as possible. We love simple ideas and kid-created
displays. There is no need for perfection. This learning experience should be fun!
2. You can purchase tabletop display boards at the school store (ask Mrs. Troy), art supply
stores like Michaels, or office supply stores like Office Depot.
3. Projects can be brought to the school gym between 3:00 – 6:30 pm on Monday, February
22nd, or in the morning between 8:00 - 9:00 AM on Tuesday, February 23rd. Projects must be
taken home after the fair ends on Tuesday night.
4. Enjoy looking around the gym, but don't forget to encourage your child to pick times to staff
her own display. Answering questions and getting positive feedback from viewers will only
enrich her experience!
5. If your child’s project is very messy, have paper towels and clean up supplies available,
and be prepared to stay with your display as much as possible during the fair. Think of the
safety of the viewers – while we have volunteers staffing the gym on Tuesday, they cannot be
everywhere at once so your project may be unattended at times.
Looking for a Science Fair Project Idea?
We want to see as many of you at the Science Fair as possible! ALL projects are
welcome.
Kindergarteners & First Graders:
Join in the fun as a science EXPLORER! We love it when you teach us! Here are some
tips to get you started…
For Category A, INVENTORS: INVENT something! For example, figure out a new way to
pull out a loose tooth or a faster way to get to school.
For Category B, SCIENTISTS:
 COLLECT information about something you have observed or learned about. For
example: What kinds of insects live in my backyard? How are meat-eating
dinosaurs different from plant-eating dinosaurs? Can you tell from clouds what
kind of weather is coming?
 BUILD A MODEL to show us how something works. For example, the solar system, a
volcano, a potato battery
 Try an EXPERIMENT with a parent’s help. For example: What happens when you
mix different colors? Do all brands of bubble gum make the same size bubble?
2nd – 4th Graders:
Narrow it down
What do you like? Think of a subject that interests you (like airplanes, dogs, the
human body, crystals, solar power). Then ask these questions - how does it work, why
does it work, or what can it be used for?
Pick your category: Are you an INVENTOR or a SCIENTIST?
INVENTORS (Category A) are the engineers of the future. Design an INVENTION to
solve a real life problem. It can also be something that improves an object previously
invented by someone else or takes it in a completely different direction. How does
your invention work? What problem are you trying to solve? Who is helped by this
invention? TIP: Don’t forget to list the steps involved in your invention on your display!
SCIENTISTS (Category B) are investigators who like to find out things for themselves.
You start out with a question based on a scientific problem. Look in books and on
science websites to find an experiment that interests you. Then experiment, and tell
us why it did, or didn’t work.
Here are some examples of questions that were turned into experiments:
Question
What happens when something freezes?
How do batteries work?
What is bread mold?
How do volcanoes erupt?
Testable investigation
Do different liquids freeze at the same rate?
Which type of battery lasts the longest?
What conditions keep mold from growing on bread?
What ratio of vinegar to baking soda produces the
best chemical volcano eruption?
Tips for Finding Ideas for Experiments…
Ask Mrs. Troy! Mrs. Troy has NEW science books
with ideas for many different projects in
the Lincolnwood Library. She also has books on paper airplanes!
Visit Evanston Public Library! The librarians are really friendly and will help you find the
books you need for your science fair project. There are even books about last-minute
projects with experiments you can complete in one day. Try browsing through these books:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Last-Minute Science Fair Projects
Tom Robinson, The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book
Joe Rhatigan, Prize-Winning Science Fair Projects for Curious Kids
Janice VanCleave's A+ Science Fair Projects
Steve Spangler, Naked Eggs & Flying Potatoes: Unforgettable Science
Experiments Make Science Fun
Elizabeth Snoke Harris, First Place Science Fair Projects for Inquisitive Kids
Elizabeth Snoke Harris, Crime Scene Science Fair Projects
Jim Wiese, Sports Science: 40 Goal-Scoring, High-Flying, Medal-Winning
Experiments for Kids
Surf the Web with your parents’ help. Here are some sites to get you started:
http://school.familyeducation.com/childrens-science-activities/parents-and-school/33574.html: tips
for getting started plus a list of top projects
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/: cool site with simple science experiments for kids; has
printable experiments in English and Spanish that are perfect for younger kids
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/?campaign=SFC: Discovery Channel/
Elmer’s Science Fair Central has tips for choosing, creating and displaying your science project
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/index.html#chemical: lots of experiments involving energy
of all types, including renewable fuels
http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/: many ideas for projects
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/: Looking for a science fair project? The Topic Selection Wizard will
recommend a science fair project that is right for you.
TV Shows and Online Videos for Grades 4-5:
http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/: DRAGONFLYTV is a PBS show for ages 9-12 (grades 4-6) that
presents real-life science investigations in a style of television that captures the attention of
today's video-game generation. Against a pop-music soundtrack, children tell about their
investigations, and engage in accessible, hands-on science activities.
Check out this basketball episode online from the “matter and motion” link at
http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/show/basketball.html - Jai and Jonathan’s Question: At the start
of a jump shot, how does your hand position affect your overall shooting?
http://pbskids.org/scigirls/: SciGirls is a new show on PBS for ages 8-12 that is designed to spark
a girl's curiosity in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The show is all about
hands-on science inquiry. Participants learn the scientific process, work collaboratively to
investigate meaningful questions and see how STEM helps people solve problems, achieve goals,
and help others. They have an interactive website where you can upload your own projects.