Alston Ridge Elementary 2021-2022 Virtual Science Fair
February 8, 2022
OVERVIEW OF SCIENCE FAIR
The Science Fair is a collaboration between the school and PTA to provide all our students an additional, optional educational opportunity. The Science Fair is open to grades K-5. The focus for the science experiments is to answer a question using the scientific method. Science experiments are performed and presentations are made (usually in board form) in a creative and hands-on way outside of school time. Students can work in groups up to three, within the same grade. Since the school has many virtual classes, we are keeping a virtual format for this year. There will only be one science fair date, though we realize this is a challenge for track 3 being tracked out. If assistance is needed to obtain materials or help your student with experiment procedures, please email sciencefair@alstonridgepta.com for available options.
Watch your email for virtual meetings that will be held to provide more instruction and have the opportunity to ask questions.
KEY DATES
Monday, January 10 – Student registrations due (Googleform submission)
Wednesday, January 26 – Projects Due virtually by 7pm (posted on Flip Grid)
Judging will occur throughout the week with judges recording questions on Flip Grid for each student’s project
Friday, February 4 – Student’s virtual responses due on Flip Grid by 7pm
*** Tuesday, February 8 – Science Fair Culmination***
6:30-7:00pm – Attend Google Meet for Science presentations
7:00-7:30 pm – Winners (by grade level) announced on Google Meet.
GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATING:
Students should generally be able to design and complete an experiment on their own. Younger students may need varying degrees of help and guidance, please use your own discretion. When they are finished, we want students to have a better understanding of the scientific process, and most importantly… have FUN!!!
Don’t wait until the last minute to decide on a project – it can take time to observe animals, watch plants grow, or create crystals, etc.
Judging: Here is a link to the rubric so you can see what the judges are looking for! Science Fair Rubric
Choosing an area of interest: These general topic areas are covered in various ways and at various depth in each grade at Alston Ridge: Animals, Plants, Force and Motion, Weather, Matter, Rocks, Landforms, and Human Body
Websites like this one can help you find a topic: https://ella.mjusd.com/documents/Science%20Fair/200%20Science%20Fair%20Ideas.pdf
Follow a Scientific Process:
- Ask a question
- Make a prediction, a hypothesis you can test
- Create and conduct an experiment
- Observe what happens, gather data
- Draw Conclusions, charts and graphs are helpful
- Share your work with others (at the Science Fair!)
Create a presentation:
Most students use a tri-fold board to display their experiment. Include pictures, charts, graphs, and information. Small demonstrations or displays can be set up in front of the board if that helps the student describe the process. The students should be able to easily understand the experiment, what processes they used, and what the results are. Relating the results to real-life situations is helpful too! Judges will be asking age-appropriate questions about the project.
Sections to include on the trifold can range from simple – hypothesis, procedure, data, and results for younger students – to including problem/question, background research, materials list, conclusion/real-life application for older students. There are a lot of fun ways to set up your project! https://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/top-ten-tips-project-display-board
Flipgrid! This year students will be doing a flipgrid presentation where they will have their display showing on the screen and will be able to voice record a short segment explaining their project! This will be viewed by a judge as well as other students in the school as part of the science fair. Instructions will be sent to students that register.
Join Us!!: Please complete a registration form by January 10 and you will start receiving Flipgrid instructions January 3. Use this link: Science Fair Registration 2022
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS