2008-2009 QVE

Science Fair
Information Packet
Grade 5

1
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 Quail Valley Elementary
Presents
2008-2009 Campus Science Fair!

11/21/2008

Dear Parents/Caregivers:

It is that time of year when we begin to turn our attention toward district-wide
academic challenges such as the annual FBISD Elementary Science Exposition. In
preparation for this event, Quail Valley Elementary will host our own campus science fair
for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students during the week of January 20, 2009.
Participation for all 4th and 5th grade students at QVE is REQUIRED as part of our
campus-wide effort to promote student achievement in science. Information on the
campus fair, including specific project criteria and guidelines, is included in this packet.
Please read and discuss this information carefully with your child. It is critical that
students meet and follow all criteria and guidelines. It is also important for students to
create projects that reflect their own interests and workmanship. (Parents are encouraged
to support, but not participate in, their student’s project.)
Best of division winners from each FBISD elementary campus will have the
opportunity to display their projects in the district Elementary Science Exposition on
February 17, 2009. This is a significant honor that will be memorable for years to come!
Should your child’s project qualify for this exposition, you will be contacted in writing on
or before January 27, 2009.
Please encourage your student(s) to begin thinking about possible topics for
investigation over Thanksgiving break. We are confident that the students at QVE are the
best and brightest in Fort Bend! We look forward to seeing the wonderful, creative efforts
that they will bring to this year’s fair.
If you find that you have questions or concerns at any time during this process,
please feel free to contact our campus science fair coordinators at:
Mrs. Janelle Ranford (5th Grade) [Janelle.Ranford@fortbend.k12.tx.us]
Mrs. Debra Nork (4th Grade) [Debra.Nork@fortbend.k12.tx.us]

Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.

Mrs. Ranford
Mrs. Nork

2
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN:

I have reviewed the QVE Science Fair information with my child and
understand that a project MUST be submitted on January 20, 2009. I
further acknowledge that my child understands his/her responsibility to
complete much of the work for his/her project at home, according to the
enclosed timeline.

____________________________________ _____________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date

_______________________________ ___________
Student Signature Date

3
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 SCIENCE FAIR OPPORTUNITIES

The Science Fair provides students an opportunity to:

develop scientific and mathematical skills and processes;

Experience learning through inquiry;

experience the hands-on, minds-on approach to investigations; and

develop a positive attitude about themselves and their work.

The Science Fair and Expo provides an opportunity for students to integrate reading, writing and
study/research skills with science. Furthermore, these events provide a means by which the
school and community can work together toward a common goal of promoting science literacy.

PARENT’S ROLE

The parent:

• supports their child’s desire to participate in the science fair;

• encourages their child to investigate and/or illustrate a principle, concept, or phenomenon

in a positive atmosphere; and

• ensures their child’s project adheres to the designated guidelines and timeline.

4
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 Guidelines for Elementary Projects

FBISD does not require participation by students in any science fair. However, students
are encouraged to participate and may be requested to do so by their classroom teacher with
prior approval from the principal. This is a campus-based decision.

In order for a student's project to enter a fair, the project must meet all rules and
guidelines, and must have prior approval from the student's teacher or the building's science
fair chairperson. Students whose projects are selected to represent their school at the District
Science Exposition must turn in a completed district entry form to the building's science
chairperson.

Specific Grade Level Requirements

Entrants:

Grades 4 and 5:
• Students must work individually in Grade 5.
• Students may work individually in Grade 4 –OR-
• Pairs of students may work on projects together in 4th Grade, with teacher approval.
However, no more than two students may work on any one project.

Grading Procedures:

Grades 4 and 5:
*Students may receive grades on the portion of the project completed at school (i.e. in-class
presentation), as determined by each teacher.

5
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 Criteria for Science Investigation Projects

Entries must illustrate clearly the steps of the scientific method:

A. Identify a problem for investigation (written as a question);

B. Read, research and provide a journal of information gathered;
C. State a hypothesis related to the problem (written as an “If-then” statement)
( Ex: If I give a plant more light, then it will grow taller.)
D. Prepare a list of materials needed and procedures to follow for an investigation;
E. Conduct the investigation;
F. Collect, organize, and sequence data; (include graphs, charts, tables, photos, etc.)
G. Determine results and state the conclusion;
I. Design and construct a display reflecting research and the process of investigation

Examples of experiments:
1. Does (wing design) (size) (type of paper) affect the flight (time) (distance) of a paper
airplane?
2. Does filter material affect how well muddy water is cleaned?
3. Does the packing material affect how well a raw egg is protected?

PLEASE NOTE:

The project MUST reflect the steps of the scientific method. Therefore,
Model/Report projects will NOT be accepted.

Examples of projects that will not be allowed include:

• Models of volcanoes, the solar system, etc., accompanied by reports
on these topics
• Research reports on global warming, recycling, etc.
Students are expected to investigate and test a hypothesis—not just research
and report information. Thank you!

6
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 Student Guidelines for Project Displays

Your project display should be neat, well organized, and self-explanatory. The materials
used to construct your display may be hardboard, cardboard, thin sheets of plywood, cork
board, or a commercially bought display board. There is no minimum size for the display.
However, you must strictly adhere to the restrictions placed on the maximum size of the
display.

Maximum display size (set up) must be limited to:

Front to back – 30 inches

Side to side – 36 inches
Top to bottom – 36 inches

Display Restrictions:
A. Liquids, food, accessible chemicals (including household products), gases, or open
flames may not be displayed. Wrappers may be used on displays instead.
B. Controlled or illegal substances, including drugs, alcohol, or tobacco may not be
displayed.
C. Animals and animal parts (exception: hair, nails and teeth) may not be displayed.
Pictures or student-made models may be used instead.
D. Micro-organisms, molds, or fungi cultures may not be displayed. Pictures may be used
instead.
E. Knives or any other sharp objects should not be displayed. Use plastic items instead of
glass ones when possible.
F. Liquids MAY NOT be used as part of a display. They may be simulated by using blue
plastic wrap, etc.

7
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 Guidelines for Investigations Involving Live Animals

Investigations involving live animals is acceptable if strict adherence to the guidelines set
by the National Science Teachers Association (Science Teacher, September 1980) are
followed:

A. Students who intend to conduct research involving animals must obtain written approval
of their teacher and the Science Mathematics Chairperson prior to beginning the project.
B. All aspects of animal care and treatment shall be supervised by a qualified individual
who will ensure proper standards are being maintained.
C. Supervisors and students should be familiar with appropriate literature on the care and
handling of living organisms. Practical training in learning these techniques is
encouraged.
D. Of primary importance is the maintenance of good animal health and the provision of
optimal care based on an understanding of the life habits of each species. Experimental
procedures conducted on vertebrate animals shall include only those which do not
involve pain or discomfort to the animal.
E. Project report must include documentation that experimentation on a living organism is
within acceptable ranges that causes no harm to the organism. This documentation can
be as simple as a note verifying a phone conversation with a local veterinarian or a
written notation from a reference book.

8
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 QVE 2009

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION PROJECT TIMELINE

TASK Suggested
Completion Date
DUE TO TEACHER
1. Select a problem to investigate. BY 12/5/2008
State the problem as a question.
Investigation topics must
be turned in for approval
before continuing work at
home.

2. Read and research. Record ALL notes and

information (data) in a project journal Complete at home
(composition book, spiral notebook, student- during the week of
created book, etc. ) that is dedicated ONLY to this 12/08/08-12/12/08
project.
Learn as much as you can about your topic by
reading books, magazines, Internet searches,
interviews, etc. Write down the titles and authors
of all sources you use for later reference. Be
neat, and label each page of your journal with a
title, date, etc. for easy reference.

3. Write a hypothesis. Complete at home

This is an “educated guess.” What do you think during the week of
will happen? Write this as an “If—Then” statement. 12/08/08-12/12/08

4. List the procedures to follow.

List all the steps you will take to complete your Complete at home
investigation. Remember that it is important to during the week of
control variables. You should only change ONE 12/15/08-12/19/08
thing in your experiment; everything else should be
kept the same. Remember also to repeat trials at
least 3 times, if possible, to make your data more
reliable.

9
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 5. List and gather material (s) needed. Complete at home
during the week of
12/15/08-12/19/08

6. Investigate and collect data. Complete at home

(Conduct your actual experiment.) between
Data can include photographs, drawings/sketches, 12/22/08 -1/5/09
measurements, observation tables/charts, other
numerical information, physical artifacts, etc. Write (THIS ASSIGNMENT
down ALL of your observations and other data CONTINUES DURING
neatly in your project journal. Remember that the WINTER BREAK)
judges will not be with you while you are actually
doing the project so you must keep careful records to
show us what happened.

7. Organize and sequence data and results. Complete at home

Organize the data into charts, graphs, tables, etc. as between
appropriate. Look for patterns, unusual occurrences, 1/5/09-1/09/09
and/or other evidence that helps you to make sense
of what happened during your investigation.

8. Draw conclusions. Complete at home

Use the data to determine what happened during between
your investigation. Explain the data to the 1/05/09-1/09/09
audience—What does it all mean? Be sure to tell if
your hypothesis was accepted (correct) or rejected
(incorrect). WHY?

9. Design and construct a display using the Complete at home

research data. between 1/12/09-1/16/09
The display board IS your science fair report. It
should tell the story of your project from beginning to
end, clearly and neatly. Be sure to include NOTE: ADDITIONAL
the project’s title, introduction/purpose, statement of INFORMATION ON
the problem/question, hypothesis, list of materials, HOW TO
list of procedures, results/data (including graphs, CONSTRUCT THE
charts, tables, photos, etc.), conclusions, and DISPLAY BOARD
references. It is also a good idea to include a WILL BE SENT
statement of significance (Why is this project HOME AFTER WE
important to you? Why might it be important to other RETURN FROM
people?), and a section on future studies (What other WINTER BREAK.
topics/questions would you like to investigate in the
future as a result of this project?)

NOTE: The final display MUST meet the size

requirements listed in the project guide in order to
qualify for a ribbon. Also, the project journal should be
displayed with the board for maximum points.
10
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 10. Develop and practice an oral presentation for Complete between
Class 1/12/09-1/19/09
Be prepared to talk about your project in front of
your classmates. You will need to explain the title NOTE: Students will
of your project, the problem/question you were receive an ELA
trying to answer, the materials you used, the Listening/Speaking
procedure you followed (basic), your data, and your grade on the
conclusion. It is important that you understand presentation portion of
WHAT happened during your investigation and their project. This is an
WHY. Class presentations should be no more than important step. Please
5 minutes in length. You should also be prepared to practice at home!
answer 2-3 questions from your peers related to your Thank you.
project. Please PREPARE CAREFULLY! You
worked hard on your project. This is your chance to
show off your wonderful achievement!
ALL PROJECTS DUE
11. Present the project in class and CELEBRATE a at 8:00 a.m. on
job well-done! 1/20/2009

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PROJECTS ARE

DUE BY 8:00 A.M. ON JANUARY 20, 2009.
(LATE PROJECTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR AWARDS AND MAY HAVE POINTS
DEDUCTED FROM THE OVERALL SCORE. )

THANK YOU FOR BEING PREPARED, ON TIME!

11
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 STUDENT PLANNING WORKSHEET
(To Help You Get Started!)

Steps in Developing a Science Investigation Project

1. Select a problem to investigate.

Problem: _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Write the problem as a question.
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________?

2. What do you already know about this problem? __________________________

_________________________________________________________________

3. Read, research, and interview someone (in a related field) to obtain more
information about your problem.

List the books and magazines you used and the people you interviewed.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
4. Develop a hypothesis (your statement about what you think will happen).
Write your hypothesis.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

5. Decide on the procedures you will use.

List your procedures.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

12
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 Steps in Developing a
Science Investigation Project
(Continued)

6. Make a list of materials you will need and list where you will find them.

Materials Where I will Get Them

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

7. Conduct your investigation. Take plenty of notes in your journal.

8. Organize and sequence your data and results.

9. Summarize your results.

10. Draw a conclusion about your hypothesis.

State your conclusion.
________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

11. Design and construct a display. (Follow the guidelines.)

12. Prepare and practice your oral presentation for class.

13.. Turn in your project on time. Share with fellow students.

13
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 DEFINITIONS

1. Background Information/Research: Any essential information (e.g. definitions) that may

be necessary to begin your investigation or is necessary to develop your hypothesis.

2. Bibliography: A list of references consulted during your project.

3. Conclusion: A statement telling what was learned as a result of the investigation.

4. Further Research: Ideas for further investigation.

5. Hypothesis: A scientific guess about the relationship between the manipulated variable
and the responding variable. The hypothesis provides guidance for the student (the
investigator) about what data to collect.

6. Manipulated Variable: A variable that is intentionally changed in a situation (e.g. different

amounts of water or brand of paper towel used).

7. Materials: Any items needed to conduct the investigation.

8. Procedures: A complete list of steps followed during an investigation.

9. Recording Data: A complete record of all observations and measurements gathered

during an investigation. Keep notes, charts, ideas, etc. in a journal of your project.

10. Responding Variable: A variable that is possibly changed as a result of the manipulated
variable (e.g. height of plant growth or winning the game every time).

11. Results: A statement telling the outcome of the investigation.

12. Statement of the Problem (Question): A simple question that can be answered through
an investigation.

13. Variable: A condition that varies or changes in a situation.

14
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
 -SAMPLE-
QUAIL VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCIENCE FAIR
SCIENCE INVESTIGATION DIVISION
PROJECT JUDGING FORM

GRADE _________ PROJECT NUMBER _________ TOTAL SCORE _________

DESCRIPTION/TITLE
____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

I. CREATIVE ABILITY: POOR EXCELLENT

A. Does the project show originality 1 2 3 4 5

in the selection of the problem
and the use of equipment/materials?

II. SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT:

A. Is there a clearly stated problem/ 1 2 3 4 5

question?

B. Is there a clearly stated hypothesis? 1 2 3 4 5

C. Is there evidence of a manipulated 1 2 3 4 5

and controlled variable?

D. Is the method of data 1 2 3 4 5

acquisition and analysis explained?

III. THOROUGHNESS:

A. Does the display board effectively

relate execution of the project from
beginning to end? 1 2 3 4 5

B. Is there an observation log or journal? 1 2 3 4 5

C. Is the conclusion reflective of the

investigation? 1 2 3 4 5

15
11/20/2008 Student/Parent
IV. DISPLAY: POOR EXCELLENT

A. Is the visual display presenting

the topic neat and free of obvious errors
in spelling, grammar, etc. 1 2 3 4 5

B. Does the visual display present

the topic in an understandable and
appropriate manner for the grade
level of the student? 1 2 3 4 5

V. COMMENTS (optional):

____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Total score (50 possible): ______________________________________

_____________________________________
Judge’s Name

16
11/20/2008 Student/Parent