Science Fair 2009

We are preparing for the upcoming Science Fair. Please use the following to help you through your project. You are expected to complete most of the science project at home. Your parents may help but you are expected to do the work. If you have questions you may contact me at any time.

Science Fair Tips and Suggestions

Your child will need to include the following in their project and onto their display:

Question---The question should be answered in their project by their observations
Prediction/Hypothesis—The possible answer to the question or a reasonable guess of what will happen
Materials—A list of all things used during the experiment
Procedure—A step by step of how to do your experiment- don’t assume something-write it out
Results—A data table or chart may go here. It must show something of your results from the experiment in a neat way. You will need to write a conclusion or summary of the experiment stating what happened, whether your prediction was correct-no worries if not, why do you think it happened, anything unique or unusual. The summary should be at least 2-3 paragraphs long.
References—List any websites, materials, books, people you used while doing this project

An example of a Science Fair Project:


Question: How much water is too much for an aloe plant?

Prediction: I think if I water the aloe more than once a week it will be too much.

Materials: 3 aloe plants, measuring cup

Procedure:
Step 1: gather 3 aloe plants of the same size in the same size plant pots.
Step 2: place plants in window to receive the same amount of sunshine.
Step 3: label the plants 1, 2, and 3.
Step 4: Water plant 1 once a day, water plant 2 every two days and water plant 3 every 4 days. I will water them 1 cup full.
Step 5: record observations and daily watering on a chart
Step 6: take photographs before, during, and after 2 months

Results:
A written summary of what happened. Example: plant 1 did not grow very well or as big as plant 2 or 3. Plant 3 grew the largest. My prediction was correct. I based it on that aloes are a desert type plant and do not need an enormous amount of water. Too much water may ruin the roots.

Include charts and graphs with explainations.


References:
World Book Encyclopedia, 2003
www. Aloesrus.com
Lowes garden clerk

Rain Rain Go Away!

Today we had an enormous amount of rain. It caused much local flooding and some students to not be able to come to school. We plugged on with our science courses. Sixth grade discovered the differences between cinder, shield, and composite volcanoes. While in fifth grade we weighed objects in and out of water. This was helping us figure out buoyant force. Fifth grade created some nice graphs with the information obtained.

Science Fair Photos

We are very greatful to our judges and thank them for their many hours of volunteer work!

Science Fair!!

We had our annual Science Fair on February 26th! All students worked very hard and had great displays. We had three judges rate all fifth and sixth grade projects. After the scores were tallied our top five were as follows:

5th grade:
First: Adam Gregory
Second: Kyla Buchanan
Third: Josh Ross
Fourth: Mechelle Smith and Victoria Fredrickson

6th grade:
First: Kylee Farnum
Second: Jason Cote
Third: Devon Beck
Fourth: Tara Nodine and Juanda Limore

Congratulations!

Water Cycle Model

Students create a working model of the water cycle. They created stream tables with various soil components. They created a lake and wrapped in plastic wrap. The students placed a cold pack on top of the plastic wrap to simulate the cold condensation of clouds. The lake water evaporated up and down on the land. Students did a good job at keeping good observations.

Moon Craters

Students created moon craters with marbles and flour. They dropped various sizes of marbles along with dropping at different heigths. They learned that the speed of impact and size asteroid affect the size and shape of craters.

Moon Phases

Fifth Grade Students will be keeping a journal in their planners of the phases of the moon. I will have students place a small circle on one block for each day of the month of November. They will shade the circle to show the phases of the moon. I know that students will not be able to observe the moon every night due to weather. I will keep track myself every night and will keep track of days where it is not observable. Students will discover the phases of the moon follow a specific pattern.

Field Trip-Watershed Conference

The fifth grade was privileged to attend a watershed conference. They learned many things about the local watersheds and how they are actually part of the bigger watershed-the world. Students learned everyone lives in a watershed. Students discovered that there are many sources of pollution and that everyone should do their part to help stop it. Many students were excited to see how bank erosion on creeks affects the water quality. Missouri Department of Conservation had an excellent hands on exhibit. The day was wrapped up with The Fishing Magicians. All students thought the presenters were very funny and educational. In the photo is Beverly helping with a magic trick. Matt thought the tricks were great.

Leaf Projects!!!

I am so proud of all the fifth grade students! They did such a wonderful job on their projects. I have taken quite a few photographs of their projects and plan on taking more! I would like to display them on the October 4th Family Fun Night for all to see. I think everyone had fun with their project. The creativity that everyone displayed is marvelous!! Thank you for such a wonderful job...you made your teacher very proud!

Plant and Animal Cell Sketches

Today we sketched animal and plant cells. We labeled the different organelles. Yesterday we learned about cell membranes, nucleus, mitochondria, cytoplasm, and chloroplasts. The plant cell is curtesy of Victoria and the animal cell is curtesy of Jeremy. What wonderful sketches!

Leaf Project

Remember that you need to have your leaf project in by September 21st!! You should have brought home a leaf identifying packet. Good Luck!

Classification

Today we discovered the plants that are vascular as opposed to cellular. Wow did the celery really absorb that red dye water.

Plant Functions

Notes by Alejandra on the basics of plants:chlorophyll, cell walls, cellular plants and vascular plants. We enjoyed learning that plants have 'veins' to transport water and nutrients.