• Students received Science fair packet (parent letter, timeline, & science fair topic approval form). Click here 2024 Science Fair Informational Packet.pdf to find a copy of the approval form. 

Check the below-given link for the Scientific method PowerPoint! 

Science Fair Topic Approval Form due on Friday, August 30th, 2024.

• Submit three experimental-based questions that are intermediate level or higher and not elementary. Once your question has been approved complete the topic approval form.
• Click the below-given link for Science fair categories and subcategories:

• Students were able to set up their logbooks for Science Fair. 

Tab 1: Table of Contents

Tab 2: Research/Notes

Tab 3: Experiment

Tab 4: Observation/Data

• For Logbook Guidelines visit the following link:

Lesson on Variables

• Discussed research criteria in class on Thursday, September 12th, and Friday, September 13th. If you have any questions please check out our media specialist Ms. Wimes' Nearpod lesson under Science Fair resources.

http://www.wadsworthes.dekalb.k12.ga.us/StudentResources.aspx

• Ms. Wimes presentation was very informative. Students took notes in their science fair logbook on pages # 6-7.

• Here is the note-taking strategy example attached. Click here!

• How to cite sources? Click here or check Ms. Hanna's webpage. 

Research Criteria:

Q: How to take notes in your research book?

A: Follow the given below example. Every note card/ page must have three parts.

Part 1: Write the note # in the top left-hand corner.

Part 2: Citation/Bibliography for the source must be copied in a Google doc. No need to write in the logbook.

Part 3: Notes must be written in any one of the following formats (summary, paraphrase, and/or quotes).

to see the sample note page.

Requirements:

Q: How many note pages do we need?

A: You need a total of 30 note pages (for 6th grade) and 20 note pages (for 5th grade) under the research tab of the logbook. Please do not write on index cards. Each note page must be on a fresh page in your log book and they must have 3 parts just like the sample attached above for your reference.

Q: How many resources do we need?

A: At least 5 sources (citations) under the bibliography and 2 resources (Examples of resources: Online articles, newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, interviews, etc.) are required. 

• Discussed research requirements and note card samples in class on Friday, September 13th. Students must adhere to the timeline to have a successful Science fair. The first logbook check is on Friday, September 20th. Students must have ATLEAST 5 notecards/pages in their logbook by September 20th..

• Please note: Special forms do not apply to 5th graders.
• Any project that deals with human subjects, animals, hazardous chemicals, (Review this link  https://student.societyforscience.org/hazardous-chemicals-activities-or-devices ), or microorganisms MUST complete special forms and submit a Research Plan to begin experimentation. 
• Special forms were distributed the week of September 9-13 to students whose topics were reviewed, and feedback was provided on their topic approval forms. 
• Click here for the special forms. 
• Not sure whether you need special forms or not? Click the wizard link or see Ms. Masood ASAP during ELT.
• The research plan is due to Ms. Masood by Monday, September 16th. Do not start research until you submit the research plan. Click here for a sample research plan.
• Click here for the presentation from Ms. Wimes.

• Materials: List of materials that will be used in the experiment (record under the "Procedure/Experiment" tab in the logbook).

• Procedure: Write down the step-by-step experimental procedure (record it under the "Procedure/Experiment" tab in the logbook).  

• Review steps 3(Hypothesis), 4(Materials), and 5(Procedure/Experiment) of the Scientific method. Record your information about the above-mentioned steps in your log book under Tab #3 Experiment/Procedure.
• You may begin experimentation. (NOTE: Projects that require special forms must submit the paperwork before starting experimentation.) 
• Perform your experiment and remember to record data in your logbook under Tab # 4 - Observations/Data. Also, be sure to take pictures at the beginning, during, and after the experimentation. Remember to use ONLY metric units.
• Save the pictures in two different locations to prevent any loss.
• The rough draft will be distributed to students on Friday, October 25th. 

• Plot a graph based on your results and discuss your data points. Don't forget to label the parts of a graph. Click here for analysis guidelines.

• Write a 3-paragraph conclusion based on your results. Click here for conclusion guidelines.

• The science fair rough draft rubric was shared with students on Friday, October 25th. Students received a copy of the rubric. Sample rough draft paper guidelines are attached.
   
• 2024 Rough and Final Draft Checklist and Rubric.pdf Rough draft grade will be entered in the grade book under the pre-assessment category (0%).
• 2024 RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE (ROUGH_ FINAL DRAFT).pdf for the Sample Research Paper/Rough Draft/Final Draft. 
• Here is the Google Doc template for your reference. Make a copy before you start typing. 

Other Resources:

• Sample Science Project Report:
• http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_sample_final_report.pdf 
  • Tips on how to write a research paper:
• http://psdweb.parklandsd.org/igo/ScienceFair/H4_Research%20Paper-how%20to2.pdf