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2021 Science Fair: November 8th - 12th Registration Opens Monday, October 25th Science Fair is FREE for all students! If you would like to make a donation to PTIC to help with the cost of Science Fair, please use the button to the right. Display Boards Due: Monday, November 8th Virtual Family Science Night: Friday, November 12th Fun science kit will be sent home and a slideshow of participants & winners will be shared! |
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JUDGES
We are very fortunate to have our Science Fair primarily judged by professionals from the scientific and educational communities, including a number of Lockheed Martin volunteers.
Judging: Friday, November 12th, 2021 9:00 am - 3:45 pm!
Each judge will be paired with one other judge (if you are new, we will make every effort to partner you with an experienced judge) and asked to judge a group of projects from the same grade and the same category. Each group usually consists of 8-10 projects. The judging criteria are located lower on this page, if you would like to preview the "project directions and guidelines" or our sample judging forms.
SIGNING UP AND CONTACTING US
Step 1: Email us at [email protected] with your availability, and we will add you to the judges list.
Step 2: Complete the required school district volunteer agreement. A new form is required each school year for all volunteers.
Parents of DCSD students use the parent volunteer agreement:
All other volunteers use the community volunteer agreement:
Forms must be faxed, emailed or delivered at least 1 week before the fair.
Attention to Dawna Scarborough ([email protected]) at Roxborough Intermediate or Teresa Marquez at Roxborough Primary ([email protected]).
Roxborough Intermediate
7370 Village Circle East
Roxborough, CO 80125
Phone: 303-387-7600
Fax: 303-387-7601
Roxborough Primary
8000 Village Circle West
Roxborough, CO 80125
Phone: 303-387-6000
Fax: 303-387-6001
We are very fortunate to have our Science Fair primarily judged by professionals from the scientific and educational communities, including a number of Lockheed Martin volunteers.
Judging: Friday, November 12th, 2021 9:00 am - 3:45 pm!
Each judge will be paired with one other judge (if you are new, we will make every effort to partner you with an experienced judge) and asked to judge a group of projects from the same grade and the same category. Each group usually consists of 8-10 projects. The judging criteria are located lower on this page, if you would like to preview the "project directions and guidelines" or our sample judging forms.
SIGNING UP AND CONTACTING US
Step 1: Email us at [email protected] with your availability, and we will add you to the judges list.
Step 2: Complete the required school district volunteer agreement. A new form is required each school year for all volunteers.
Parents of DCSD students use the parent volunteer agreement:
All other volunteers use the community volunteer agreement:
Forms must be faxed, emailed or delivered at least 1 week before the fair.
Attention to Dawna Scarborough ([email protected]) at Roxborough Intermediate or Teresa Marquez at Roxborough Primary ([email protected]).
Roxborough Intermediate
7370 Village Circle East
Roxborough, CO 80125
Phone: 303-387-7600
Fax: 303-387-7601
Roxborough Primary
8000 Village Circle West
Roxborough, CO 80125
Phone: 303-387-6000
Fax: 303-387-6001
Many websites provide ideas for science experiments.
*Please provide age appropriate supervision to explore the websites listed below.
Steve Spangler experiments
Science Buddies will allow your child to answer questions to generate a list of projects that they might find interesting.
Science Bob explains the difference between a demonstration and an experiment and gives ideas for experiments.
Education.com provides many ideas from teachers and educators (Be aware some of these are in the form of demonstration and need to be changed to experiments!)
White House Science Fair lists information about the projects and kids that took their projects all the way to Washington, D.C.
California State Science Fair lists the finalists from across the state with links to details about their projects. Choose a category and look at the junior projects completed by 6th, 7th and 8th graders.
*Please provide age appropriate supervision to explore the websites listed below.
Steve Spangler experiments
Science Buddies will allow your child to answer questions to generate a list of projects that they might find interesting.
Science Bob explains the difference between a demonstration and an experiment and gives ideas for experiments.
Education.com provides many ideas from teachers and educators (Be aware some of these are in the form of demonstration and need to be changed to experiments!)
White House Science Fair lists information about the projects and kids that took their projects all the way to Washington, D.C.
California State Science Fair lists the finalists from across the state with links to details about their projects. Choose a category and look at the junior projects completed by 6th, 7th and 8th graders.
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Join us Friday, November 12th for a Virtual Family Science Night!
After 6:00 pm, we will post a slideshow of all the Science Fair participants and the winners. There is no live virtual component to this event, please participate at your leisure. Thank you to all the students that submitted projects to the Science Fair this year! |
Families, if your student wishes to submit a project in the Science Fair, please make sure you fill out this form by Monday, November 1st. Students will turn in their projects Monday, November 8th to their teacher.
All fifth grade students will participate in the Science Fair and create their boards during class time.
All other students are invited to either create a traditional board or Google Slides presentation to communicate the entire scientific process.
All fifth grade students will participate in the Science Fair and create their boards during class time.
All other students are invited to either create a traditional board or Google Slides presentation to communicate the entire scientific process.
required display board layout
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*Students are not allowed to bring in any equipment or examples. Please use photos on your display board to show experiment. |
PROJECT DIRECTIONS AND GUIDELINES
Why Participate in the Science Fair?
The Science Fair provides an opportunity for children to experience science in a fun, hands-on way, beyond what they are able to do during class time. It allows each child to grow in their knowledge and understanding of any topic that interests them.
General Information
The Short Story (Abbreviated Directions)
Follow the board layout, look through the sample judging form for the appropriate school (RXP and RXI are slightly different) and don’t bring any items except the display board (use pictures on the board to show the results). If you would like more detailed information continue reading below.
How do I Get Started and What is Required?
Where Can I get Ideas for a Project?
What is the Scientific Method?
The scientific method is the procedure scientists use to do an experiment and may also be called the Inquiry Cycle.
Example Procedure:
6. When making your observations it is important to just write what you see, hear, smell, feel or taste (maybe this is an edible plant!). Don’t try to explain it—that’s part of the next step.
Your experiment can also be repeated so you can make sure that your results are accurate.
7. Reach a conclusion Here is where you compare your hypothesis to what actually happened. Remember, IT IS OKAY FOR YOUR HYPOTHESIS TO BE WRONG! Some of the most interesting scientific discoveries have been the result of something going wrong. It is more important that you understand what happened and come up with explanations and ways to change the experiment next time. (You will not lose any points in the judging process for your hypothesis being wrong.) Example: In my experiment, say the plant in the window grew more than the one in the closet with and without water. My hypothesis would have been wrong and that’s okay—maybe I didn’t learn enough before I made my prediction, maybe there was a lot of moisture in the room, maybe I had a bad seed. What’s important is that I think about what could have happened. Maybe next time I could use more than 2 cups.
What is my role as a parent?
The Science Fair provides an opportunity for children to experience science in a fun, hands-on way, beyond what they are able to do during class time. It allows each child to grow in their knowledge and understanding of any topic that interests them.
General Information
- The main purpose of the fair is to have fun!! Your experiment does not have to be complicated for you to have a great experience.
- You need to do an experiment to get full points in judging. This means asking a question and testing to get an answer. This is different than just demonstrating how something works.
- Students are not allowed to bring in equipment or materials. You only bring in your display board and if you wish, an optional notebook. Photos on the display board are a great way to show what you did. Remember, you are being judged more on your understanding of the experiment rather than the experiment itself.
- Students K through 4th grade will work individually on their project (with age appropriate help from a parent).
- 5th and 6th grade students have the choice of completing and submitting their project as an individual or with a partner.
- Note: Students are allowed to complete the same experiment as someone else (such as a sibling), but each student must prepare their own board and be judged separately (which may result in only one child receiving an award ribbon since they are judged against similar projects within their grade level).
The Short Story (Abbreviated Directions)
Follow the board layout, look through the sample judging form for the appropriate school (RXP and RXI are slightly different) and don’t bring any items except the display board (use pictures on the board to show the results). If you would like more detailed information continue reading below.
How do I Get Started and What is Required?
- Get an early start. You may start with one idea and end up going down another path. Or you may choose a topic that requires a good deal of time such as growing plants. The more time you have the better!
- Choose something you are interested in (hobbies, sports, etc.) and want to learn more about!
- You are required to do an experiment using the scientific method, prepare a 3-sided display board using the display template as a guide and visit with 2 volunteer judges during school hours. Students are judged against similar projects in their grade level.
- So you think the Science Fair sounds like fun, but it seems like too much for a young child? Even if your child does a simple experiment and puts some basic information on the display board, they will gain a wealth of experience and have a great time participating in the fair. It’s all about asking a question and finding an answer. It can be as simple as “Which bubble gum blows the biggest bubbles?” or “How many licks are in a Tootsie Pop?”
- The judges have different expectations for different age groups and young children are not expected to memorize all the steps of the Scientific Method or to understand complex scientific principles. Older students (RXI) should have an understanding of the Scientific Method to get full points in judging. If you can't remember all the steps, that's okay! You will have your display board in front of you when you speak to the judges and it will all be there!
Where Can I get Ideas for a Project?
- The internet has many great sites to get help. Check out our links listed on our website under: “Project Ideas”
- There are also a lot of great books with ideas and helpful information. The public library can help as well as the school libraries.
- Again, you are always encouraged to create your own experiment based on something that interests you.
What is the Scientific Method?
The scientific method is the procedure scientists use to do an experiment and may also be called the Inquiry Cycle.
- Ask a Question After you have decided on a subject, you need to ask a question that can be answered by doing an experiment. It is what you will use as your title on you display board and should be as specific as possible. Example: Say I have decided that my experiment will involve plant growth. A question I could ask is “How do plants grow?” This is a very general question; a more specific question would be “What is more important in the growth of a plant, light or water?” With the second question I can create an experiment to test different levels.
- Research By doing research you will find information already known about your subject. Gaining knowledge will help you with the next step of formulating a hypothesis. Example: I would need to have some background knowledge about plant growth before I could set up my experiment—I would need to know that plants use water and light to grow.
- Form a Hypothesis A hypothesis is an educated guess. Use your research to help you form a prediction about what will happen in your experiment. Example: I could state my hypothesis, “I believe that water is more important than sunlight for a plant to grow.”
- Conduct an Experiment This is where you gather materials, plan out a procedure (like a recipe—a step by step set of instructions), record data and make observations. An experiment is different than a demonstration—you must do something that is testable/ measurable.
Example Procedure:
- Put 1 cup of soil in 2 cups.
- Place seed under 2 inches of the soil.
- Put one plant in dark closet.
- Put one plant on window sill
- Water plant in closet every day.
- Water plant on window sill at them at the same time every day.
- Record growth over two weeks
- Repeat steps 1-4
- Do not water either plant for two weeks and record growth.
6. When making your observations it is important to just write what you see, hear, smell, feel or taste (maybe this is an edible plant!). Don’t try to explain it—that’s part of the next step.
Your experiment can also be repeated so you can make sure that your results are accurate.
7. Reach a conclusion Here is where you compare your hypothesis to what actually happened. Remember, IT IS OKAY FOR YOUR HYPOTHESIS TO BE WRONG! Some of the most interesting scientific discoveries have been the result of something going wrong. It is more important that you understand what happened and come up with explanations and ways to change the experiment next time. (You will not lose any points in the judging process for your hypothesis being wrong.) Example: In my experiment, say the plant in the window grew more than the one in the closet with and without water. My hypothesis would have been wrong and that’s okay—maybe I didn’t learn enough before I made my prediction, maybe there was a lot of moisture in the room, maybe I had a bad seed. What’s important is that I think about what could have happened. Maybe next time I could use more than 2 cups.
What is my role as a parent?
- Help your child choose something interesting to them—it doesn’t have to be complicated— just make sure that your child really understands what they are doing.
- Assist your child in acquiring the right materials, getting the right resources, and managing their time.
- Let your child do as much as possible! They won’t really understand their experiment if they just watch you do it! If they can’t yet write, have them dictate to you instead of just writing it yourself. Encourage them to be the scientist and view yourself as their assistant (kids love that!).
- Help your child practice interviewing so that they feel comfortable during the judging process—ask questions about what they did, have them explain their experiment, and make sure Intermediate students understand the scientific method.
- Have Fun! Science is about exploration and discovery—what could be more fun?!
- Make sure to let your child know that it is OKAY TO BE WRONG! Making mistakes is how we learn and make new discoveries sometimes.
- A large part of the scoring comes from your display board and having things in the right place—Make sure to use the Display Board Template on this website when you put your board together. You can type or hand write your information, but be sure it’s neat.
- An example of the judging form we use is provided on this site. We recommend looking through that form to understand how scoring works.
- Students will be interviewed by two judges. This experience is meant to give the student a chance to explain what they did and to show their understanding of their experiment and the scientific method. The interviews are friendly and will be held during school hours.
- It is important that the student do an experiment, not just a demonstration. An experiment involves trying different things to get different outcomes not just showing how something works.
- Be excited about what you have learned; try to connect what you have learned in your experiment to other things and have explanations for what may have happened or not happened.
- The judges are members of our community; some have backgrounds in science, some in education, and all are very enthusiastic about the Science Fair!!
- Choose something your child is curious about to explore for the science fair
- Encourage your child to participate as much as possible while making sure your child is having fun
- Different ways your child can participate in kindergarten (don't feel like they need to all of these):
- painting the display board
- typing word for headings (Research, Hypothesis, etc.)
- drawing pictures of materials/data/observations
- taking pictures with a camera
- writing down numbers (data/measurements)
- dictating observations/conclusion/future ideas to an adult to type
- handwriting his/her name/hypothesis
- cutting down typed pages to fit on board
- gluing pages onto board
SAMPLE JUDGING FORM - RXI
DEMONSTRATION VS. EXPERIMENT
Visit the Steve Spangler blog titled, "Science Fair 911 - Demonstrations vs. Experiments" to better understand what makes the two different. It is important to make sure your child performs an experiment where the procedure is repeated with only one thing changed (a variable) at a time and the results are measured.
Visit the Steve Spangler blog titled, "Science Fair 911 - Demonstrations vs. Experiments" to better understand what makes the two different. It is important to make sure your child performs an experiment where the procedure is repeated with only one thing changed (a variable) at a time and the results are measured.
Contact the Committee: [email protected]
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