We had a great discussion about science fair today during class.
For our 4th grade students, science fair is an opportunity to experience the scientific process (perhaps for the first time for some) and what it is like to present findings to others. 5th grade students are using their experience from 4th grade and building on that from a simple “experiment” to a more complicated design process. Our 6th grade students are using everything they learned from 4th and 5th grade to design, test, redesign, retest and put it all together into a presentation and research paper worthy of middle school standards.
Your students will be bringing home a “Background Research Plan Worksheet” to help them with their research. This worksheet is designed to help your children design a plan for gathering the background information needed to complete a successful science fair project. This plan is due November 11 (next Wednesday). If your student still has not decided on a topic and a question they plan to investigate, this is due at the same time as the research plan.
A really great resource for helping your child with their project is Science Buddies.
I have adjusted our classroom’s science fair time line slightly. Upcoming Science Fair Project due dates are as follows:
Research Plan: November 11
Hypothesis and Variables: November 30
Materials and Procedures: December 18
Data and Graphs: January 29
Research Paper (6th Grade Only): February 12
Final Report (4th and 5th Grade Only): February 16
Display Board: February 17-18
We will discuss each of these items in class as the time approaches.