Aspen Elementary Science Fair Wednesday evening, April 15, 2015 General Overview The science fair is a chance for you to explore an area of science of your choice outside of school and demonstrate what you learned. Your science project display board will be displayed in the Multi Purpose Room (MPR) at Aspen the evening of April 15th, 2015. You must register to participate in the science fair by reading the safety guidelines and filling out permission slip and returning that to school or your teacher by Friday, March 13th, 2015. *You must also include a check (made payable to Aspen PFA) or exact cash for $4.00 to cover the cost of your display board. Each participant will exhibit his or her work using the display boards that PFA will purchase (with your donation as noted above) and hand out towards end of March. Bring your completed display board to the MPR between 4pm and 5pm the evening of the fair to set up. Fair will take place from 6-­‐8pm and will also feature some GREAT hands on science exhibits brought to us by the Science Dept. at CLU! Also, the In n Out food truck will be on campus that night so please plan ahead by PRE-­‐PURCHASING your tickets for that so you can plan to have dinner on campus then enjoy the fair! Science Projects not conforming to the safety standards and guidelines will not be accepted for display at the fair. QUESTIONS? Read entire packet, then contact Susan Connolly at [email protected] if you don’t see an answer to your question! The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method is the fundamental way scientists
prove or disprove their theories. It is a step-by-step
approach to investigating something in a logical and
repeatable manner. Students should apply this method in
completing their project!
The Scientific Method consists of 5 basic steps:
1.
Ask a Question
a. What do you want to find out?
b. Use any crazy idea you want!
2.
Make a guess, Form a Hypothesis
a. What do you think will happen?
3.
Test your Hypothesis by doing an experiment.
a. How will you find out if your hypothesis is
correct?
b. What materials do you need?
4.
Analyze your test results
a. Record your findings.
b. Organize your data into charts, graphs or
tables.
c.
Determine what actually happened.
5. Conclusion
a. What did you learn?
b. Communicate your results!
Tips for Parents:
Let your child decide what he/she wants to do.
Read the Safety Guidelines/Entire packet!
Sign and return the permission slip by deadline.
Be there to offer help and encouragement, but not to direct the project! Of course parents can
help with display boards!
Start early! Avoid last minute frustrations! See enclosed “Project Timeline” for tips.
Make this project about learning!
Have fun!
There is no judging.
Keep it simple. Look for a project that you can do over a fairly short time span, such as a
weekend, as this is a PFA sponsored event, and will be completed outside of school.
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Some Science Fair Ideas Include:
Flash Floods
Magnetic Rail System
Which Bubble Gum Makes the Biggest Bubbles?
Potato Battery
Tooth Decay
Human Lungs
Bubble Shapes
Mixing Colors
Plant Growth
And many, many more!
Check out our Science Assembly on Friday March 6th to kick off our
science fair for many more ideas!
SAFETY GUIDELINES AND PERMISSION SLIP Aspen Elementary Science Fair On Wednesday, April 15th, 2015 Proper attention to safety is expected of all science fair participants. Anything which could be hazardous to public display is prohibited. This includes: Syringes, pipettes and similar devices or any glass items Any flames, open or concealed Highly flammable/combustible gases, liquids, or solids Dangerous chemicals including caustic and acids Poisons, toxic and hazardous chemicals, drugs and other controlled substances Dry ice or other sublimating solids Tanks which have contained combustible liquids or gases, unless they have been purged with carbon dioxide Operation of a class III or IV laser Projects with unshielded belts, pulleys, chains and moving parts with tension or pinch points that pose a potential hazard to observers Batteries with open top cells are not permitted. Other types of batteries may be used for electrical power Animals Living organisms Spoiled foods, mold, bacteria, microorganisms or any other type of cultured growth unless they are in a sealed plastic container Attached permission slip is due to your teacher (or front office) by Friday, March 13th, 2015. PERMISSION SLIP I give permission for my child, ___________________________, to participate in Aspen
Elementary’s Science Fair on April 15, 2015. My student and I have read and understand the rules
and safety guidelines regarding the Science Fair as outlined in the packet and I confirm that
my child’s project will be both safe and appropriate for my child’s age.
Student Science Project/Topic____________________ Name________________________ ______________________________________ Teacher/Grade ___________________ Brief Description of Project: _______________________________________ Parent Name ______________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Parent Email_______________________________ _______________________________________ Date _______________________________ Parent Signature____________________________ Please remember to attach exact cash or check (made payable to Aspen PFA) for $4.00 in order for your child to receive a display board at the end of March. Please return to the front office in drawer marked “Science Fair” or to your child’s teacher no later than FRIDAY, MARCH 13th, 2015 Questions? Please contact Susan Connolly at [email protected] or 805-­‐405-­‐3079 or Sue Cristea at [email protected] or 805-­‐551-­‐7778 S C I E N C E F A I R Aspen Elementary-­ April 15, 2015 IMPORTANT DATES: FRIDAY, MARCH 6th Kick off Science Fair with Vicki the Science Lady Assembly during school hours. TH
FRIDAY, MARCH 13 Hand in signed permission slip to your teacher or front office, along with your $4.00 payment for display board. TH
FRIDAY, MARCH 27 You will receive your display board WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15TH It’s Science Fair day! Bring your science project display board to the MPR between 4-­‐5pm to set up. Fair will begin at 6pm! FRIDAY, APRIL 17TH Join us in the MPR at night as we wrap up Science Week with the movie FLUBBER~ FREE SHOWING! Project Timeline
It is best to work on this project a little at a time and of
course outside of school! If you follow our suggested
timeline below, this project will be fun and easy!
Task
Due Date
Find a project idea and construct
hypothesis
March 2 - 12
Turn in permission slip
March 13
Design Experiment
March 12-17
Do the experiment
March 18-27
Analyze data and make conclusion
March 27 - April 2
Work on display board
March 27 - April 12
Bring display board and other
small materials as necessary to
MPR b/w 4-5pm
April 15
RESOURCES:
Every scientist needs a little inspiration! Check
out these websites for some great ideas!
www.sciencebuddies.org
www.stevespangler.com
www.sciencebob.com
www.billnye.com
www.scienceclub.org
www.exploratorium.edu
GOOGLE:
“Science Fair Ideas”
“Science Experiments”
“Science Project”
Display Guidelines The purpose of the display is to summarize your project and help others learn from what you have done. Your display should include your question, hypothesis, data, results and conclusion. You may organize your board however you want, but it should be neatly done and colorful! o Use a Tri-­‐Fold board provided by the PFA at a cost of $4.00. o You may bring samples of your experiment but your exhibit must fit the confines of the display board (36” x 48” tri-­‐fold). o Your exhibit may include journals, models, photo’s, or samples of your experiment. o These things are NOT allowed for the safety of others: animals, glass or open containers, open flames, electricity in your exhibit (you may use batteries). o Get fancy! Make it unique and interesting! o Have fun! JOIN US FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 17TH, IN THE MPR TO WRAP UP SCIENCE
WEEK AT ASPEN WITH A FREE SHOWING OF
DISNEY’S FLUBBER
(rated PG- each child must be accompanied by adult)!
Movie will begin promptly at 7:00pm in the MPR! Bring your own light snacks and drinks, along with blankets to relax on. chairs will only
be allowed along the side walls and in very back of MPR .
Thank you for your cooperation and we hope to see you there!
(Return bottom portion of this slip to RSVP for the movie)
“Yes, I am aware that Flubber is rated PG and therefore plan to attend movie night with my child or
give consent for another attending adult with my child.”
Parent Signature________________________
Family Name ___________________________
Email___________________________
# of people attending _____
For questions in regards to movie night only, please contact
Holly Saari at [email protected] or 805-338-9521