Tri-CommunityElementary School

255 Cypress Street

Bressler-Steelton, Pennsylvania 17113

(717) 939-9591

Mrs. Bobbie Lamond, Principal

Tele #: 717-939-9591 Fax #: 717-939-5591

IMPORTANT PARENT BULLETIN

April 2013

Dear Parents,

Your child has been invited to take part in a science fair, an exciting event that encourages students to think like young scientists. Students in Kindergarten, First and Second grades will be doing class projects. Third and fourth grade students are to complete an individual or partner project. Fifth grade students must work independently. This project is required for all fourth and fifth grade students and WILL BE GRADED! A science fair board will be provided to each student/partnership/class completing a project.

Tri-Community will hold their Science Fair on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. All projects are due at school by 12:00 noon that day. Projects received after 12:00 noon will be displayed but will not be eligible for judging. When the Science Fair is over students must take their projects home that evening.

During the next few weeks your child will be designing a science project that uses the scientific method to solve a problem. We hope you agree that the educational benefits are numerous, as students develop skills in writing, oral presentation, creative thinking, and problem solving. Most of the work will be completed at home. For suggestions on helping your child through this process-from choosing a topic to the final report-see the Web sites and I personally recommend the most highly. It gives the option of your student taking an interest survey to help them find a topic s/he will truly enjoy.

We ask that you encourage your child and monitor his or her progress along the way. Your support is key to a successful project. Guide your child whenever and wherever you can, but let the final project reflect your child's individual effort and design. Also, keep in mind that a successful project can be completed for under $10.

Please let us know if you'd like more information on creating a successful science fair project. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher. We look forward to watching your child enjoy this unique opportunity for scientific discovery!

Sincerely,

TRI-C Staff

Autumn LaPenta (coordinator)

350-4443

WHAT IS A SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT?

A science fair project asks a question.

  • A science fair project asks a question that interests you. It should be specific and something that can be answered.

A science fair project answers the question.

  • Your answer will come from research and experimentation designed to answer your question. If you ask, “How does exercise affect my pulse rate?” you must limit your answer to just that.

A science fair project must be an experiment.

  • Be careful that your project isNOT a model, collection, research, or demonstration. An experiment project asks a question, and answers it after the researcher has performed some sort of test. The test should be performed 2-3 times before the results are shared.

A science fair project uses the scientific method to help you plan and do your experiment.

WHAT IS NOT A SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT?

  1. a collection of related or unrelated objects
  1. a list of things
  1. a report not supported by data or an experiment
  1. a model, illustration or piece of equipment unrelated to an experiment.

RECENT SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT TITLES

TITLE / PROBLEM
That’s the Way the Ball Bounces / Which ball bounces higher?
Get A Grip / What material will open a jar easiest?
Crystal Growth / Do temperature changes affect the growth of crystals?
Muddy Run / Does grass affect how rain washes away soil?
Floating Paperclip / Thru what material will a magnet attract metal?
Rusty Nails / In what kind of water will nails rust faster?
Bread Mold / On what kind of bread will mold grow faster?
Mold / Does mold grow in light or dark?
Washout / Which detergent takes out stains better?
Magnetic Force / Does the amount of cardboard affect a magnet’s strength?
Grass at Last / Will grass seed grow taller with fertilizer?
I Thought So / Which classroom is noisiest?
Freezing / Does hot or cold water freeze first?
Melting Point / What melts fastest?
Do, Re, Me, or Mi / How does the length of string affect its pitch?
Using Plant Material to Dye Cloth / Can cloth be dyed with plant parts?

There are lots of ideas for great science projects. Don’t forget the web sites listed in the cover letter of this Science Fair Packet. Try something different than your friends. Just make sure your Science Fair Project asks and answers a question.

SAFETY RULES

  1. Teachers will reject any exhibit/project which in their opinion is not safe or which constitutes a hazard in a public exhibition. There will be no exceptions to this rule. The Faculty reserves the right to declare whether or not a project is to be operated during the exhibition.
  1. Dangerous chemicals in open containers, harmful gases, open flames, explosives, live poisonous reptiles and starvation experiments on animals will be strictly prohibited. Bacteria must be SEALED containers.
  1. Live invertebrates or cold-blooded vertebrates must be fed, watered and their cages clean. Living plants must be cared for properly.
  1. Only 120 volts amps will be provided. No project may be operated which requires more than 10 amps at 120 volts. If any other facility such as compressed air or water is required, it must be furnished by the student. Students must furnish their own tools and equipment for setting up their project.
  1. Construction of the project must be self supporting, SAFE and durable, with all moving parts firmly attached and protected. Students are encouraged to protect their project with glass, wire screening or plastic covers or shields.
  1. All students are responsible for the break down and removal of their project. NO MATERIALS may be left or thrown away at the school setting. EVERYTHING must be taken with the student at the time of clean up.