With your parents' help, take a few days to think about what research project or
experiment you would like to enter in the Science Fair. You may work with a sibling or
with a classmate, but first make sure that you and your partners can all allow extra time to collaborate!  Then, print out and fill in the registration form. Submit the completed registration form and your $6 entry fee to your teacher. The $6 entry fee includes an official Science Fair board to use to organize and display your results.

Early Registration

If you complete and submit the registration form with your $6 fee by December 13, you can pick up your display board on December 16 from 3-3:30 p.m. in the school lobby and work on it during winter break!

Final Registration  *** Registration Deadline has been extended ***

All registration forms are due: Tuesday, January 18, 2011. You can pick up your display board on January 13 (if you are registered by January 10) or January 20 from 3-3:30 p.m. in the school lobby.

Science Fair Day Project Drop-off

Students will drop off their projects before school on January 27. During the day, classes will have the opportunity to visit the displays and check out the experiments. Then parents and siblings will be invited to view the Fair in the evening, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. During that time, each child will have a chance to explain his project, and classmates, parents & teachers will be able to write down comments on each project.

What is a Science Fair project? A science project can investigate a question or demonstrate a scientific principle (like gravity or photosynthesis). Not all Science Fair projects need to be an experiment. Your project can display a collection, present what you learned about a topic, or include building a model (yes, you can build a volcano!).

If your child is interested in astronomy, she could design a model of the solar system, or a chart of constellations. A collection of rocks - identifying each rock, and offering other interesting information - would be a great display. Gathering information about the most common eye color at school, then putting the results in a chart, would be terrific.

If you're planning an experiment, use the scientific method to guide the process:

Brainstorm: First, help your child think about a topic that interests her. Guide your child to explore her natural interests while keeping the project manageable & fun. Try some "I wonder what would happen if...?" or "I wonder how...?" discussions.

Research: Once you have a general topic, find out what your child already knows about it. Part of the fun of a science project is learning something new, making a guess and then testing it. So if your child already knows a lot about a topic, challenge him to find a new angle. Have your child visit the Lane's MRC, the Hinsdale Public Library or the Internet to research the topic and expand his knowledge base. Once your child has decided on a project, fill out the registration form and return it to school by January 11.

Hypothesize: Once you have an experiment in mind, have your child make a good guess about what is going to happen. In other words, develop a hypothesis.

Experiment: Then let the experimenting begin! This is the most exciting part of the process for your child. It will be in your best interest if you invest time to plan the experiments - or even do a trial run if you think you need it.

Get the data: Some experiments may be done in an afternoon, while others may require your child to collect data for a while. If you are watching the daily position of the moon rise, make sure your child is recording each day's information. Parents can be the ghost writer for younger children.

Reach a conclusion: Hopefully your experiments will lead your child to a conclusion, or answer his original question. The conclusion is merely the statement of what your child learned as a result of doing the experiment. Remember that sometimes we learn more when an experiment doesn't go as expected! And also remember that one experiment may not be able to answer the question completely, but may lead to additional experiments. That's the scientific process at work!

Displaying the results: We'll provide each participant with a 24" X 32" white, tri-fold board - the staple of science fairs. Attached are suggestions about how to organize the material on the board. Use illustrations, photographs, charts, tables, graphs as well as written descriptions of the project. Be sure to give proper credit on the display (e.g., "Dictated by Bob. Typed by Bob's Mom. Assistants: Bob's Dad and Dog Max").

DISPLAY

Hard copy

Back

Hard copy

Back

Has your child ever asked you why salt melts ice? Or how those crystals get inside a rock to make a geode? Or what people mean when they talk about global warming? Or what the difference is between an HDTV and a regular television? Here's the chance to answer those questions - together.

Getting started

If you are a little intimidated by the idea of helping your child plan a science experiment, please don't be! The project doesn't need to be complicated or fancy. You don't have to make a glitzy display of the results. The point is to explore a question or a topic that interests your child, to have fun and learn something along the way.

So how do you help your child get started? Read through the "How To" guide above. We have provided you with some Ideas we think might be interesting to explore, as well as some suggestions on how to help your child create his display.

Before you begin, remember that this is not your project, it's your child's project. You are merely the invaluable assistant. Help assemble supplies, help type results, but resist the temptation to take over the project!

January 27 may seem a long way off, but because this is an after-school activity, and because the holiday season is approaching, you'll need time to plan, research and experiment, and create a display. Personally, we think winter break will offer a perfect time to work on science projects!

We know this is a commitment of time on your part, but those who have participated in the past Science Fairs agree that it's not only fun and exciting, but an invaluable experience for our children. We hope to see all of you on January 27!

1. Identify the Problem

I want to study botany. I want to find out what things affect the growth of plants.

My study question is: "what effect will prolonged periods of rock music have on the growth of plants?"

2. Collect Information

I collected information by talking to my neighbor who is a gardener, reading three books on plants, visiting a nursery, and reading two pamphlets that I got from the Farm Bureau. I also talked to the owner of the local music store, but he didn't have any information

3. Develop a Hypothesis

I think that when I expose some plants to rock music they will grow less than similar plants that are not exposed to rock music.

4. Conduct the Experiment

Materials: bean seeds, potting soil, radio
Procedure: Using 10 flowerpots, I planted 2 bean seeds in each one.
I put 3 pots on a window sill away from the radio. I put 5 pots on a window sill where they got the same amount of light as the first group of 5 but were close to the radio.
I exposed the second set of pots to rock music for 2 hours each day. I kept a daily journal for each pot and was sure all plants got the same amount of light and water.

5. Conclusion

There was no difference between the plants that were exposed to rock music and the ones that weren't. Music is not one of the variables that affects plant growth.
This means that when you place your plants in your house you don't have to worry about whether they are close to the stereo.