This document provides guidance for teachers on running science fair projects. It outlines the key steps of the scientific process including setting timelines, keeping log books, conducting research, making predictions, measuring results, and ensuring fair testing. Tips are provided on classroom experiments, special award categories, project organization, and using an advisor to support students. The overall message is that following these best practices can help students successfully complete their science fair projects.

1. Simple Science
Knowledge, Interest,
Predict, Experiment,
Measurement, Results
Answers???
Thursday, 31 May 12

2. Handy Hints -
Timeline
 Set a timeline for students and teachers
e.g. SciTec website info sheet
www.scitec.co.nz
These will help to reduce stress and enjoy the
projects.
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3. Log Books
 Date every entry – diary form
 Write, draw, record, all thoughts, observations,
results, workings etc – everything!
 These can be messy
 Save the presentation for the board!
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4. Knowledge
 Any experiment requires research.
 What do you know about your topic?
 What do you want to investigate about your
topic?
 Do I need to find any more information before I
start my experiment?
 Do I need to do a trial first?
 You need to know some science behind your
investigation to be able to make a prediction.
 Lets have a practice brainstorm.
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5. Science Process
 Why?
 Question
 Prediction / Hypothesis
 Equipment
 Method
 Results/Data
 Conclusion
 Lets look at student booklet & teacher booklet
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6. Measurement
 You need to be able to measure – gather hard
data to be able to get results come up with a
conclusion.
 Discuss ways to measure, experiment
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7. Fair Testing
 Whole class experiment going through
science process e.g. reaction rates
 Choose an odd number for repeat testing e.g.
3 or 5 not 2 or 4
 Control
 Only change one variable
 Lets do an experiment using fair testing
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8. Handy Hints – Whole Class
Experiment
 Use this to teach the process, ideal term 2
 Especially good for junior classes
 Display their class exhibit at your school fair
(don’t forget a certificate for the class)
 Those of a good standard can be displayed at
the Marlborough SciTec Fair
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9. Technology vs
Science
 Which one is it?
 Try and use a real problem
 Science testing is often used to be able to
evaluate how good the design is.
 Technology is make a design, test, evaluate,
make changes to design, test, evaluate and
continue until you can solve the problem.
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10. Where To Start?
 Whole class experiment
 Topic –whole class
 Interest topics
 Building Science Concepts Books
 Connected series
 Experiment books
 Avoid consumer testing
 Previous boards
 Photos of previous boards
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11. Where To Start -
continued
 Special prizes
 How many projects can you manage? How many
groups?
 Individuals and pairs work well.
 Don’t forget timeline.
 Show teachers checklist, two term approach
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12. Special Prizes
 The Sustainable Waste Challenge – find a use for
a waste substance (Jean Wilson)
1st $400
2nd $200
3rd $100
 Best Aeronautical Exhibit (Aeronautical Society)
$50
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13. Special Prizes
 Technology
 Plant and Soil Exhibit
 Best Use of Flour for Baking
 Soil Science Prize
 Radio Technology/Science
 Electrical Content
 Mining Industry Award
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14. Special Prizes
 Environmental Exhibit
 Construction Exhibit
 Forestry Exhibit
 Aquaculture & Fishing
 Fauna & Flora
 Statistical Exhibit
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15. Handy Hints
 Boards
Don’t glue anything onto the board until it is all set out.
Lay out board – check for
Titles and headings – are they easy to read?
Content is complete
Spelling mistakes
Photos ( not compulsory)
Think about how the board will look when stood up and equipment or
product is displayed
Flow
 Organisation
Keep children's work in either a clear file or old large envelopes – to
prevent loss or damage.
Keep a checklist of where the children are at.
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16. More Handy Hints
 Computer use – don’t wait until the end, they can
type up hypothesis, question, equipment, method
before they actually start experiment.
 They can also draw design before making.
 Groups – pairs and individuals work the best.
 Get parents in the classroom to help.
 Now is the time to focus on presentation.
 Provide plenty of language based activities for
finishers.
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17. SciTec Adviser
 Sponsored by Marlborough Lines
 Melynda Bentley - mingreg@xtra.co.nz Ph
5705595 and Ali Kay hayes.kay@xtra.co.nz are
available to help you, your students, your staff
and your school.
 Talk about your projects with colleagues in
school or email us.
Thursday, 31 May 12