Science Fair by Carol Lloyd

Possible Science Fair Topics Grades 2 to 3

grow young lives Animals

*How animals *Animals and their *Animals in our *Endangered

*Compound machines and their uses *How does sound move through matter? *The earth's crust and how it changes

*What do roots, stems and leaves do? *Growing and caring for flowers *The food we get from plants *How are some plants dangerous? *Properties of matter *How does matter change? *Work, force, and energy

*lmportant natural resources *Water and the water cycle *Weather and weather predicting

*Pushing and

*Rocks and minerals

pulling

*How is energy used? *Simple machines and their uses

*Clouds and storms

*The moon and sun *Planets in the solar system *Taking care of your body *Healthy habits

*What are the proper foods to eat?

4to5

fish? growing?

*How do temperature changes affect a *Do preservatives stop bread mold from

*How leaves lose water *The effect of sunlight on plants *What fabrics make good insulators? *Materials that are the best conductors of electricity *How are crystals formed? *Removing salt from water

earth fossils floor

*The three layers of the

*Create your own *The ocean *Taste buds on the tongue

*What does a magnetic field look like? Properties of minerals

*Food chains and food webs *How animals live underground *The life cycle of non-seed plants *How plants make *How animals and plants adapt in order to survive *How rocks are formed *How air temperature changes *Similarities an differences between the planets

food

Compare predictied weather with actual weather *Bird's nests *Series and parallel circuits

Possible Science Fair Topics

*How water rises in different kinds of plant stems *Forming compounds

*How heating water affects the rate at which materials dessolve *Factors affecting how fast liquis will mix *Freezing points of different liquid substances *What metals and/or materials will rust? *Good and poor conductors *Are there particulates in the air we breathe? *What materials are biodegradable? *The effect of different kinds of physical activity on pulse rates *Sprout seeds without using soil *Gestation periods of different mamals *Endangered and threatened species of animals/plants *Environmental effects on the size of animal populations *Succession in an ecosystem

*Major sources of energy *Physical and chemical weathering *Weather records and extremes *The life cycle of a star *Solar heaters or cookers *Can nonliving things grow? *

Factors affecting germination *The effect of salt water and other liquids on plant growth *How our eyes destinguish color *Different types of satellites *Major nerve pathways in the body *Tissues, organs, and systems of the body *The migration patterns of selected birds *How the human body reacts to exercise and inactivity *The development of the atomic theory *Computers in the field of science *Ways to slow down plant growth

*Atoms *Constellations *The circulatory system *How glaciers change the land *Eclipese of the sun and moon *Tides

*What is photosynthesis? *What is respiration? * lnvertebrates *Reptiles and Amphibians * Electricity *The Green House Effect *Nuclear energy *Ways to conserve energy *Fossilfuels *Cell reproduction *The parts of a cell *Benefits of recycling *Earthquakes *What causes volcanoes? *The phases of the moon *Phototropism *Effects of smoking *Laser beam technology

*Drinking and driving *Robots *Rockets into space *Space probes

The lists above are not meant to be all-inclusive. Rather they should be used to stimulate and encourage other ideas and possibilities.

Science Fair Project Time Line Date of the Science Fair: March 22 - 25 Date Due

Thinss to Do

Date

Completed Choose a topic and write a question. Research the topic by using books, the lnternet

and other resources.

Write a Hypothesis Design an experiment to test the hypothesis

3onduct the experiment to test the hypothesis Mae a table, or chart, for data. Draw one or nore graphs ofthe data.

Write the project report. Make the project display, or exhibit.

3/2s/20L0

2resent the project at the science fair.

Scientifi c Method These are the five steps in conducting any science experiment. 1. Ask a Question or Make an Observation What are you curious about or what have you seen that makes you wonder? Right down the question/observation that you have.

2. Write a Hypothesis What do you think the answer to your question or the reason for your observations. Write it down.

3. Make Predictions What are some if/then statements that confirm your hypothesis? Right this down.

4. Perform Tests or Experiments What will you do to test your predictions? Your hypothesis may not have been right. That's okay!

5. State your Conclusions What did your experiment show? Did the experiment confirm your hypothesis? Write this down.

Write your Science Fair Project Report Your project report communicates to others how you did your experiment and what you found out from it. This is where you use your notes and observations from your experiment.

An Outline for your Project Report Cover Pase: ln the middle of the page write the title of your project or your project question. Next, write your first and last name. Then write the date. Proie$t Question: Begin our report by stating your project question.

Hvpothesis: State your hypothesis. (This is a prediction to the above question.) Materials and Equipment Design: Make a list of what materials and supplies you will use in your experiment. Next, describe the design for your experiment. Be sure to describe the variables (what changes and what stays the same) and how you will set up a

fair test.

Procedure: Describe how you carried out your experiment and what you found out. Use complete sentences and punctuation. Prese4t Data: Make a data table and/or graph to show what your experiment results were.

Conclusion: Compare your results to your hypothesis. This is where you tell if your hypothesis was right or wrong. Give details about what your experiment proved. Acknowledeement Page: Write a bibliography. A bibliography includes the names of books, magazines, websites, and other resources you used for your project. This is also where you acknowledge all the help from your family and friends. The best traditions of science require that you do this. Place your seven page report in a plain folder or use a report cover. You will need to display it on the table in front of your project board. The judges will look at the report and it is worth 100 points as a science grade. lt may be typed or neatly hand written.

Making Your Project Display Your project display will communicate to others what your

project was all about. The display should be three-sided and have a brief description of the various parts of your investigation. You can make your display from poster board, or use a ready-made project display board. The pages that follow

offer you an outline for a summary for your project display and a guide to writing a longer project report. Adapt your display to make it the best for your own project.

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tudaina Form

many science fairs around the country to evaluate science fair projects. You are encouraged to share these points with your students and their parents throughout the weeks leading up to the science fair. Each of the two major categories - Display/Display Materials and Written Report - has been assigned a possible 100 points (200 points total). lndividual subsections have suggested point values attached to them; however, not every item in these lists will apply to every project. The following criteria have been used in

Check off the applicable items and assign a point

value from 0 to the total potential point for that

subsection. Add up the point for all the subsections for an overall score, NOTE: You should feel free to work with your students or colleagues to modify this form (e.g., adding or deleting subsections or substituting alternative questions) to suit the specific conditions of your school or science program. Adjustment of point values for selected subsections is also encouraged.

Disolav/Disolav Materials

Creativity {30 points} Score Are the materials presented imaginatively? ls the project origional? ls the display attractively designed? ls the project distinctive? ls interesting information included in the display? Are the data or results interpreted appropriately? Has the student shown inventiveness? Scientific Thought (30 points) Score ls the experiment designed to answer a question? ls the topic or problem stated clearly and completely? Have appropriate resources been cited? Have experts been consulted? Has a systematic plan of action been stated? ls there an adequate solution or conclusion? ls the project notebook provided with the display? Have any problems or limitations been

noted? Does the Student understand all the facts

andlor theories?

Thoroughness (15 points) Score ls the project complete? Does the project represent a sufficient amount of time? ls a problem adequately answered or pursued? Does the project include a display unit

three-dimensional items, and a written report? Does the project tell a complete story? Were all potential sources of information consu lted?

Skill(15

points)

Score

Does the project represent the

student's own work? Does the project represent quality

workmanship? How much outside assistance did the student need? Does the project indicate extensive planning?

How much supervision did the student require?

Clarity (10

pointsl Score

Material(10points)

Are all materials listed? Are specific amounts given?

Are titles and written descriptions legible? Are the data clearly presented? Can the average person understand the project? ls the written material well prepared? Are drawings and diagrams neat and attractive? Are discussions clear and straightforward?

Score

Are there sufficient materials? Procedures {10

points) Score

Are procedures listed in chronological order? Could the project/experiment be

TOTAL FOR

replicated?

Y/DTSPTAY MATERTAIS

Are they in a logical order?

100 possible points)

Observations (15

points)

Score

Do observ. indicate what was done? Did the student choose the best

Title Page (2 pointsl Score ls it present? ls the title of the project and the student's name included? Table of Contents (5

points) Score

Are all parts listed? Are all sections listed in order?

Statement of Purpose (15 points) Score Does it pose a question that can be

for recording the observations? Are they sequential? Conclusion (15 points) Does it answer the purpose? lf an experiment, does it adequately explain the results? ls it sufficient in for and length? Bibliography {8

investigated or measured? Does it pertain to the experiment or project conducted? ls it within the student's ability level? Hypothesis {included for experiments only} Score Does it answer the purpose? Does it tell what the student is trying to determine with the project?

Research (15

pointsl

Score

Does the research pertain to the topic? ls it complete and thorough?

it represent a diversity of sources? Are print/non-print resources included? Does

points)

Score

it in alphabeticalorder? ls it sufficient? ls

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