S.T.E.A.M. Fair

Testable Question

Before you get started with your experiment(s), you must come up with a testable question. Your testable question should be something you are interested or curious about related to science, technology, engineering, art and/or math. (S.T.E.A.M.)

It should be in the form: How does (changing, altering) affect how...

Example (Scientific)
How does changing the amount of vinegar affect how large the balloon will blow up?

Example (Engineering)
What material (wood/plastic/paper) boat is able to sustain the most weight of pennies in a pool of water?





     
                    Example/
 



Hypothesis

"HOW TO WRITE A GOOD HYPOTHESIS USING “IF… THEN… BECAUSE…”

An “If… then…because” statement in a hypothesis tells the readers what you believe will happen in an investigation when something is changed, so you can see the effect of the change.
  • IF…tells the readers what will be changed.  This is the manipulated (independent)variable in the investigation. 
  • THEN… tells the reader what will happen because of the change (manipulated variable) described in the If… statement.  This is the responding (dependent)variable in the investigation.
  • BECAUSE… tells the reader how you know this will occur.  It should be based on something you have experienced, or perhaps something you infer.

Examples:
  • If 7th graders and 8th graders complete the same math problems, then the 8thgraders will have more answers correct, because they have studied math for one year longer than the 7th graders.
  • If dry bread and moist bread are left in bags for two weeks, then the moist bread will grow mold more quickly than the dry bread, because mold is a living organism, and organisms need water to survive.
  • If some students eat breakfast before school and others do not, then the ones who do eat breakfast will have better grades in their morning classes, because their brains have more energy to think.

Now, let’s try this together.  To warm up, identify the three types of variables below.  Then use the variables to make a good hypothesis.
  1. Melissa raises crickets at her pet store that she sells for reptile food.  She thinks that crickets chirp more often when the temperature gets warmer.  She decides to conduct an experiment to prove her theory.
    1. Manipulated variable ______________________________________
    2. Responding variable _______________________________________
    3. Controlled variable ________________________________________
    4. Controlled variable ________________________________________

Hypothesis:  If _____________________________________(manipulated variable) then_______________________________________________ (responding variable),because_______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________."

The above content was found on the link below. If you would like to try creating more hypothesizes, click the link below.
 http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:_YaBiAF7gUkJ:bryanmiddle.ops.org/LinkClick.aspx%3Ffileticket%3DoEoFTLEDLOI%253D%26tabid%3D329%26portalid%3D0%26mid%3D2425+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

We create hypothesis to help answer a question that we have. The general format of a hypothesis is as follows: 

"If _____[I do this] _____, then _____[this]_____ will happen."


Learn more about hypothesis and how to create them by clicking on the link below.
How to create a hypothesis.

Developing Hypothesis and Research Questions 

If you would like more examples of hypothesizes then click the link below.
Examples of Hypothesis



Project Ideas for S.T.E.A.M. Fair

All Science Fair Projects

California State Science Fair: Getting Started with Your Project (This website lists other websites you can use for the STEAM Fair.)

Design Squad Nation (Engineering Projects)

Engineering Science Fair Projects

informED

List of Science Fair Project Ideas

Math and Science -- Experiments and Science Fair Projects 26 resources

Science Buddies (Project Ideas)

Science Project Ideas

Super Science Fair Projects Ideas, Topics & Experiments

Zoom Science (Project Ideas)



Data Tables and Graphs 



Paper and Board Help

 

Table of Contents of All STEAM Components  

Abstract Guidelines

Abstract Sample 

Conclusion 

Bibliography 

 

Abstract

"An abstract is an abbreviated version of your science fair project final report. For most science fairs it is limited to a maximum of 250 words (check the rules for your competition). The science fair project abstract appears at the beginning of the report as well as on your display board.

Almost all scientists and engineers agree that an abstract should have the following five pieces:

Introduction. This is where you describe the purpose for doing your science fair project or invention. Why should anyone care about the work you did? You have to tell them why. Did you explain something that should cause people to change the way they go about their daily business? If you made an invention or developed a new procedure how is it better, faster, or cheaper than what is already out there? Motivate the reader to finish the abstract and read the entire paper or display board. 

Problem Statement. Identify the problem you solved or the hypothesis you investigated.

Procedures. What was your approach for investigating the problem? Don't go into detail about materials unless they were critical to your success. Do describe the most important variables if you have room.

Results. What answer did you obtain? Be specific and use numbers to describe your results. Do not use vague terms like "most" or "some."

Conclusions. State what your science fair project or invention contributes to the area you worked in. Did you meet your objectives? For an engineering project state whether you met your design 
Data Analysis:

Explain what you data shows you. Be specific in your explanation. Include analysis of graph and data."  from sciencebuddies.org

Conclusion:
1) Restate your hypothesis, explain if results support or do not support hypothesis.
2) Explain how trials went. Any human or mechanical error? Summarize and evaluate your experimental procedure, making comments about its success and effectiveness.
3) What experiment could you do next? Suggest changes in the experimental procedure (or design) and/or possibilities for further study. 

 

Board Components

Abstract
Question
Hypothesis
Background Research
Materials (include variables)
Procedure
Data Table
Graph
Data Analysis
Conclusion
Bibliography

STEAM Paper

  1. Log into your CPS google account
  2. Go to the squares at the top right corner and click "Drive"
  3. Go to "New"--> Google Doc
  4. Title your Google Doc: Name(s), STEAM Paper
  5. Share your Google Doc with "dtdavila@cps.edu" ; if any pop-ups come up, click "Yes"
  6. Go back to the blog
  7. Click my SAMPLE write-up template
  8. Select "Ctrl + A" to highlight my whole document
  9. Then select "Ctrl + C" to copy my template document
  10. Go to YOUR Google Document
  11. Click in your document and select "Ctrl + V" to PASTE my sample template onto your google document: My Sample Template
  12. View the sample Science Fair Write-Up Here: Sample Report 6th Grade
  13. You now need to start your own write-up.
  14. Use your Google Presentation to COPY and PASTE information into paragraph form of your Google Doc Write-up. Yes, you will need to add some words and information to make your paragraphs sound right but if you have done your poster components correctly the write-up should be a whole lot of copying and pasting. 
  15. Since two people can edit a document at once, it would be wise for you to divide up the sections to ensure prompt completion.

 

Citing Sources in Writing


S.T.E.A.M. Fair Sample of Final Report




S.T.E.A.M. Fair Sheet



Steam Fair Assignment

Directions: Please fill-in the each category below. Make sure Ms. Davila approves your project before asking your parents/guardian to buy you the materials. After parent have reviewed materials, sign and return this document. If you are completing project with a partner, please turn in your own sheet. Science Investigation

1)Title (Make sure it is creative)

2) Testable Question (manipulated and responding variable) (It should be in the form: How does (changing, altering) affect how…)



3) Background
Research (What is already known about the topic? Description of what questions have not yet been satisfactorily answered.)

4) Purpose and
Relevance (Description of WHY this investigation was carried out (e.g., real world applications, connected to student’s
interests, there exists a lack of available information on the topic, etc.))

3) Hypothesis (If…then…)


4) Manipulated (independent) Variable (1 thing changed)

5) Responding (dependent) Variable  
(Is the factor that is measured or observed)


5a) What will you be measuring in your experiment?
5b) What are you using to measure this?
5c) What units will your measurements be in?







6) Controlled Variables





7) List Materials needed and where you will get each item. (Include how many and how much of each item.)





8) Procedure (Scientist outlines a well-thought-out (i.e., replicable, reliable) approach to carrying out the investigation.)
















9) Draw your project set-up. (Show placement of all materials for your project.)
PLEASE DRAW BELOW in box.















10) Data (Appropriate data is neatly and accurately summarized in tables, charts, diagrams, and/or graphs, and
labeled correctly. Calculations are accurate. Correct units are included.)


























11) IDENTIFY and DEFINE 5 topic-related vocabulary words.
 


1.
  
   

2.
 


3.


4.


5.


12) Discussion and Conclusions (Scientist accurately and adequately explains how the data either (1) provides support for the hypothesis, (2)
helps refute the hypothesis, or (3) is insufficient to draw conclusions
--Limitations of the study are described
--Scientist explains what new hypotheses or questions the study has inspired)







































I (we) have read the project and checklist above with my child and believe that he (she) can and will complete all task.  I will ensure that my child has all materials before Monday, May 2nd, 2015. . I know that all projects are due in its entirety Friday, May 27th, 2016. 

____________________________                                  ________________                                      ______________________

Parent Signature/Parent Name                                                 Date                                                                  Student Name


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