The LWPTSA Science Fair will take place on Monday June 3rd, 2024.
Exhibitors will set up between 5:30-6pm.
The fair will be open to students and families from 6-8pm, and include a special show by The Reptile Man! Zoologist, educator, and author Scott Petersen presents 12 live reptiles in a 40-minute show that teaches the importance of all animals in nature.
This is not a drop-off event. All children must be accompanied at all times by an adult.
Please register your child's entry by May 29th, 2024.
No late entries will be accepted.
Science Fair Guidelines
The project should be driven by the student. Parents should use their best judgment in deciding when to get involved, such as when there is a potential safety issue. For young students, parents may provide some guidance, but it is important that the student be able to call the project their own. Most important is that the student has fun and gains a positive association with science/STEM learning.
Projects can be individual or team project. We encourage team projects as most scientists today are required to work collaboratively.
No animals or sharp items (for example, syringes, needles, pipettes, and knives) can be on display.
Inform the fair coordinator in advance if your project requires something unusual (electrical outlet, extension cord, etc.)
All projects are expected to consist of a display board and a short presentation of your data.
Your display board should:
Tell the story of what you did, why you did it, and how you did it.
State why your research or prototype is important.
Highlight the end results of your project: your conclusion and its importance, etc.
Display Board Guidelines
Make your text readable. Font sizes larger than 100 for your title, 32-48 for headers, 16-18 for body text, and 12-14 for captions. Larger font sizes limit the amount of text on your board. Putting too much information on the display board is a common mistake.
Figures are great. Use graphs, flow charts, diagrams, and pictures whenever possible. Make sure they are large enough to be read from a distance and be sure that your figures have captions.
Use a paper cutter for nice, straight edges.
Use matte photo for your photos, as it makes them easier to view.
Types of projects you can do:
If you need help deciding on a project, visit ScienceBuddies.org. They have a fantastic Topic Selection Wizard where you take a short quiz on what interests you and how much time you have to complete your project. It gives you suggestions based on your responses. 4th and 5th graders (and 3rd grade Discovery students) are encouraged to choose an experimental or engineering project.
Demonstration- Showing a scientific principle in action
Examples --> How does a magnet work? What is an electric circuit? Can air pressure crush a can?
Model- Making a smaller, less complicated version to show a scientific principle
Examples --> Making a radio, computer, telescope, periscope, volcano
Collection- Gathering and classifying objects to show a scientific principle
Examples --> rock collection, insect collection, leaf collection
Survey- Collecting and interpreting data (Surveys differ from experiments because variables are not manipulated and no scientific principle is illustrated)
Examples --> Which fast food restaurant uses the most paper? Do girls or boys have longer "pinky" fingers? Which weatherman has more accurate forecasts?
Experiment- Evidence of the scientific method is present on the display board.
For more information, click here or watch the video below!
Variables are manipulated and controlled
Data is collected, recorded, and interpreted
Experiments are repeatable. Similar results are collected and patterns should emerge from a large sample size or multiple trials.
Engineering- Evidence of the engineering design process is present on the display board.
For more information, click here or watch the video below!
Clearly defined problem
Background research with bibliography
Specify requirements of end product
Show brainstorm of multiple solutions where the best solution was chosen
Develop the solution, build a prototype, test and redesign
Judging
As these students are all in elementary school and the goal is building life-long learners, this will not be a competitive event. All projects will be judged by volunteers against the rubric below to encourage kids to do their best work and to learn more about presenting scientific work. All exhibitors will receive a ribbon and small prize.
