Approved on November 6, 1997
Sponsor: Ken Colasuonno
Background
The Science Fair was designed to give students a creative and fun way to practice the scientific method. The competition has rewarded those students who tried hard to follow the scientific research process and encouraged some who might otherwise have felt left out in sports or music.
Some parents and students are not comfortable with the competition component of the Science Fair. We have an impressive number of students who are really enthusiastic about science, and we would like to encourage even more student interest.
Science Fair Policy
It is the Science Fair Committee’s recommendation, with the Curriculum Committee’s endorsement, that the following policy is adopted for the TCKS Science Fair and curriculum for grades 4th-6th:
1. All students are required to complete a science project that demonstrates use of the scientific method.
2. All students’ grades 4th-6th are required to complete a display, and to communicate about their project through an oral presentation.
3. All teachers will provide appropriate direct instruction of the scientific method. This should include opportunities for small or large group practice of the scientific method, in addition to the independent student project.
4. All projects will be graded by the classroom teachers, with weighting that balances the amount of time invested by students in the project with other science assessments and classroom work.
5. Participation in the Science Fair competition is voluntary. Only those students who are competing in the Science Fair competition are required to be interviewed by third parties.
6. While judges’ evaluations of projects may be shared with teachers, they will not be included in students’ grades. Teachers are solely responsible for grading projects.
SCIENCE FAIR GUIDELINES
Traut Core Knowledge School
A. Encourage students’ interests in various fields of science.
B. Give students a forum to share their interests, abilities, and accomplishments in science.
C. Give students experience with using the scientific method.
D. Meet District and State Curriculum Guidelines for Science.
2. Required Elements of Science Projects
1. Statement of problem or question
2. Hypothesis
3. Procedure
4. Data/Results
5. Conclusion
B. Data Journal - Student will maintain and present data journal with exhibit. This journal will include all original data and notes taken during project process.
C. Evidence of Literary Search - Student will cite reference(s) used.
D. Exhibit - Student will create an exhibit which:
Displays the 5-step scientific method,
Includes the data journal,
Shows evidence on the exhibit of a literary search,
Gives credit for assistance (other than self).
E. Oral Presentation - Student will give a brief oral presentation about their project following the teacher’s guidelines for such presentation.
3. Classroom Instruction
All teachers should provide appropriate direct instruction of the scientific method. This should include opportunities for small or large group practice of the scientific method, in addition to the independent student project.
1. Required 4-6: Science projects are required for all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students.
a. Teacher Evaluation: Teachers of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students are required to evaluate/grade each student’s science project.
b. District Competition (optional): Students who wish to enter their science project in competition at TCKS may do so; this Science Fair competition allows students the opportunity to be selected to go on to District level competition.
c. Judging - Each student electing to enter TCKS Science Fair competition will be given an interview by a Science Fair judge to discuss his/her project. Judges will also complete an evaluation sheet for each science project and will provide written feedback to the student regarding his/her project.
2. Optional participation K-3: Projects for students K-3 are optional and do not follow the same required elements as Grades 4-6. No science related project will be discouraged. ‘Family projects’ are welcomed. Classroom teacher is encouraged to acknowledge participation of K-3 students.
3. Display specifications - follows PSD Elementary School District Science Fair Guidelines