Science Page:

Greetings from the Lab!  My name is Mr. Todd Freer.  For the last six years, I have taught science at Andrew Cooke Magnet School.  The information on this web-page will include topics to be covered this year, though its main focus will be information regarding Science Fair.  Please feel free to contact me via email with any questions or suggestions.  My email address is as follows: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Let's help our students remember that science is not a class but an everyday occurrence.

Additionally, I have created a classroom website that contains information for grades 2-5.  The site has Extra Credit Assignment Options, summaries of what was covered in class, vocabulary taught, and more.  Please take a look.  It is there for students and parents.  It will be updated regularly and is intended as an "extra."  Click here to get to the website.

Here is a video on the Scientific Method.  All scientists use these steps, or standards, whenever they conduct an experiment.  These steps will need to be adhered to for all science fair projects.  Please click on the link to see the video.  It explains the information listed below.

UPDATED AS OF 7/24/12

The following documents are all printable PDFs related to Science Fair.  Should you need multiple copies of any of these documents, please feel free to print them as needed.  A brief summary of each document precedes each PDF.

The STEPS & DUE DATES will tell you what each step of the assignment is and when it is due.  There is a brief description of how to approach each section.  Please note that there are different due dates for 4th grade (seen in class on Thursdays) and 5th grade (seen in class on Fridays.)  Assignments will be due on class dates unless otherwise posted on this site or in class.

The first assignment that is to be turned in is the SCIENCE PROJECT PROPOSAL.  This assignment requires a few different things to be done: (See numbers 1-4).

1.  A TOPIC must be chosen --- If you are having a problem choosing a topic, see the websites listed below.  They will be very helpful.

These sites can be helpful in leaning all aspects of the science fair process including:  Finding Project Ideas and Project Guides to help you budget your time. Please use these sites not only if you need help finding a topic, but also to see how the sight recommends doing it.

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/parent_resources.shtml

• This link has helpful tips for parents and students and offers a range of support for all starting with the About Science Buddies website all the way to Internet safety while conducting research and collecting data.  There is also a useful Topic Selection Wizard to help your child find a topic of interest for them.

http://www.good-science-fair-projects.com/elementary-science-fair-projects.html

• Click on the left page of this site under Elementary and scroll down.  You will find science fair projects under the headings of Earth Science, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.  Once you click on the link of interest, there is a basic step-by-step “how to,” for you to reference.

http://www.cyberbee.com/science/prep_sites.html

• This site has numerous data ranging from “Tips for Selecting a Topic,”  “Tips for Following the Scientific Method,” “Benefits,” of doing a science fair project, “What makes a Good Science Fair Topic?” and a “how – to” for “Selecting a Science Fair Topic.”
  

http://sciencefaircenter.com/science_fair_basics.tpl

• This page is for parents.  It suggests how you can support your student during science fair and keep them on track.  It is a one page, printable document.

http://super-science-fair-projects.com/

• This site is pretty comprehensive and offers a lot of information on how to select a good topic as well as Steps for Doing a Science Fair Project.
  

http://www.discoveryeducation.com/sfc

• This site helps find: Ideas starters, project timelines, teacher resources (that can be used by parents as well as students), Student Tips & Tricks, Shopping lists, Checklists, and more.  It’s sponsored by Elmer’s (glue co.) but contains valuable information as well.

2.  A PROBLEM/QUESTION (PURPOSE) must be written -- See the PROBLEM/QUESTION (PURPOSE) PDF for help.  A basic format to follow is, "The purpose for this experiment is to find out __________."

3.  A HYPOTHESIS must be written -- See the HYPOTHESIS PDF for help.  I suggest "If/then" statements.  If I do this, then this will happen. Remember that a hypothesis is a testable idea that is compared to a control group (something where nothing changes.)

4.  MUST BE SIGNED BY STUDENT AND PARENT/GUARDIAN.

When you are choosing a topic, take a look at these TIPS TO REMEMBER and utilize the websites listed above to help.

This is DUE DECEMBER 6th (4th Grade)/DECEMBER 7th (5th Grade).

FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS:  This 10 WAYS TO HELP document lists a number of things you can do to help assure your student of a positive science fair experience.  Please read through this document to see how you can help your child be successful in science (and other subjects as well :>)).

The following includes "how to" steps to write each section.

PROBLEM/QUESTION (PURPOSE) and HYPOTHESIS PDFs --

The PROBLEM/QUESTION (PURPOSE) must answer a question.  In one or two sentences the student should describe what they are attempting to
find out experimentally and what their test subjects are going to be.  You can start your purpose with the following sentence: "The purpose of this experiment is to find out __________________."  To help you choose a question, please see the links listed above under Number 1.

The HYPOTHESIS is another (scientific) word for prediction or educated guess.  It is also called a testable idea that is compared to a control group (something where nothing changes.)  It can be written as a question:

• What causes optical illusions?
• How does music affect the growth of plants?
• How much acid is in soft drinks?

but it is better to write it as a factual statement:

• Temperatures will affect the growth of crystals.
• Hydrogen can be used as a fuel.
• Hamsters are color blind.

You can start your hypothesis with the following sentence: "If I do (this) ____________, (this) ___________ will happen.

Your student will need to complete a final paper as part of the science fair experience.  The EXAMPLE SCIENCE FAIR PAPER shows you a very general idea of what the paper will look like in terms of sections to include.  The SCIENCE FAIR PAPER FORMAT will go into much more detail.  For example, section 5 on Research will give you guidelines and questions to ask yourself when collecting and summarizing your research.  If your child would like to type their paper, that would be preferred.  I ask that they follow the format of this packet.  If your student would like to hand write their paper, they can do so directly on the PAPER TEMPLATE. Print it out and they can write right on the print out.  I highly suggest that they print out a copy to take notes on so that when they have assignments to turn in they have all their notes in an organized place.  They can then print another copy so that they can have a clean version to write their final copy on.  A sloppy paper often reflects a poor job and results in a low grade.  The WRITTEN REPORT IS WHAT YOUR STUDENT'S 3RD QUARTER GRADE WILL BE BASED ON.

THE WRITTEN REPORT IS DUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013 FOR BOTH 4TH AND 5TH GRADES.

The SCIENCE FAIR PAPER RUBRIC lists exactly what I will be looking for in the paper.  If sections of the rubric are left off, points will be lost.  If everything that is on the rubric is in the paper, scores will be higher.  Again, please keep in mind that science fair will make up the majority of the third quarter grade.  Make sure your student is thorough in their writing by helping them with the editing process.

Lastly, there is the FINAL SCIENCE FAIR REMINDERS.  This document talks about the day of the science fair (Friday, February 22, 2013).  Rules, dropping off projects, visiting the fair, and picking up projects are all discussed.  Additionally there is a FINAL CHECKLIST that will help you make sure you have met all requirements and an image of what your TRI-FOLD PROJECT BOARD (required) should look like.

If you have questions or problems viewing or printing any of these documents, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  GOOD LUCK!!