A note to parents 2020-2021
Dear Parents,
You can be a real help and truly enjoy working on a Science Fair project with your child. Don't worry if your child hasn't created a project before – anyone can do it! First, become familiar with the guidelines for the fair and have your child decide on a topic of their interest.
Allow plenty of time to do the project, and work in short sessions for slow but steady progress. Help them find ideas or gather the materials needed. Their project can be very simple and use items you already have at home.
Try not to get possessive about the project. Let it look like what it is: the work of a youngster learning about something that interests him or her. You will both feel considerable satisfaction when their project is complete. Remember, the Science Fair is not judged, so follow your child's lead. This is their project – it should look like it!
Have Fun!
Questions? Contact Archana Bhide
You can be a real help and truly enjoy working on a Science Fair project with your child. Don't worry if your child hasn't created a project before – anyone can do it! First, become familiar with the guidelines for the fair and have your child decide on a topic of their interest.
Allow plenty of time to do the project, and work in short sessions for slow but steady progress. Help them find ideas or gather the materials needed. Their project can be very simple and use items you already have at home.
Try not to get possessive about the project. Let it look like what it is: the work of a youngster learning about something that interests him or her. You will both feel considerable satisfaction when their project is complete. Remember, the Science Fair is not judged, so follow your child's lead. This is their project – it should look like it!
Have Fun!
Questions? Contact Archana Bhide
What is the Science FAir?
What is the Lawton Science Fair?
The Science Fair is an optional opportunity for all interested Lawton students to study a science-related topic outside of the classroom, and create a display about their project. The purpose is to encourage each Lawton student to develop a sense of wonder and curiosity, and to increase self-direction in the study of the world around them.
This year, participants will create and upload their projects electronically. PTO and school staff are working together to make it available for family viewing
Is the fair judged?
No. The Lawton Science Fair is not structured as a competition, and all participants will receive recognition and positive feedback from adult reviewers. This is an open, student-centered Science Fair, so projects should look and be grade-appropriate. A Kindergarten project should look like a Kindergartner made it!
How will I present my project?
This year Science Fair will be virtual. So you get to choose an electronic format that works best with the project student will choose and both you and student are comfortable with. You will be sharing the project with your child's teacher as as a Google Doc or Google Slides or link to the video uploaded on you-tube (you don't need to make the video public). If you have pictures as part of your project please insert them in Google Doc or Google slides. Students can make an oral presentation if they would like to. During family / peer viewing time, they may be asked questions about their project by other students or adults who visit the Science Fair.
How do I get started?
First, decide what question you'd like to answer about the scientific world. Check the Project Ideas page for suggestions. It is best to have a very simple question or narrow topic so you don't feel overwhelmed. You can also check out the Lawton Media Center, the public library, or the Internet. Ask your parents and friends. Just don’t give up!
When considering a topic for your project, don't limit yourself to traditional science topics such as biology, chemistry, earth science, physics. You can also investigate weather, learn about how a particular technology works, or research an animal, inventor, or scientist.
Next, decide which kind of project you'd like to create. Here are several different kinds:
1) Experimental Project -- follow the Scientific Method in pursuit of an unbiased result.
2) Special Interest Project -- study a science-related topic, including mathematics, technology or even something you've invented!
3) Model or Demonstration Project -- create a model or demonstration of your topic, showing how it works.
These are just suggestions. You are free to do something different.
Who can I work with?
The fair is open to all Lawton students from Young Fives and Kindergarten through 5th grade. Students may work individually, or with others -- just as scientists often work with other scientists on their projects. You can also work with your friends, parents, your brother/sister, or other adults. The only rule is to give credit to everyone who helped with your project.
Parents: Remember, the purpose of the Fair is to encourage kids to be curious about our world, learn to study independently and above all, to enjoy science! Your guidance will be necessary, especially for the younger kids, but keep in mind that this is their project. A kindergartner’s project should look like a kindergartner's project, and they (and you!) will be proud of their own accomplishments.
I've decided on my topic. Now what?
Here are some steps you can take to have a successful Science Fair Project:
1. Ask yourself: “What is the question I want to answer?” or “What do I want to know more about?”
2. Decide if you are going to work alone, or with a friend(s).
3. Fill out and submit your Entry Form online by March 24, 2021 Parents must complete the form. If you work with a group, each student must submit their own form. You still have about 4 weeks left to work on your project!
4. Research and read about your topic. Talk to people who can help you.
5. Decide which type of project you will do, and refer to the list of questions for your project type. (These will help you plan your project.)
6. Gather and list your materials.
7. Begin following the steps you have outlined in your plan to ask your question or study your topic.
8. Take notes and/or photographs or make videos about what you are studying.
9. If appropriate, organize your results in short written/typed descriptions or simple presentations or charts & graphs.
10. Look carefully at your results, and note down the answer to your question.
11. Put this all together in a Google Doc or Google Slide. If you have a video, please upload it to you-tube, you don't have to make it public . (If you have questions or need help with this please email [email protected])
12. You (or a parent) share your project with your teacher by April 18, 2021.
13. We will announce a day when the projects submitted will be available to view in Schoology. You and family will be able see your project and what projects your friends have done.
The Science Fair is an optional opportunity for all interested Lawton students to study a science-related topic outside of the classroom, and create a display about their project. The purpose is to encourage each Lawton student to develop a sense of wonder and curiosity, and to increase self-direction in the study of the world around them.
This year, participants will create and upload their projects electronically. PTO and school staff are working together to make it available for family viewing
Is the fair judged?
No. The Lawton Science Fair is not structured as a competition, and all participants will receive recognition and positive feedback from adult reviewers. This is an open, student-centered Science Fair, so projects should look and be grade-appropriate. A Kindergarten project should look like a Kindergartner made it!
How will I present my project?
This year Science Fair will be virtual. So you get to choose an electronic format that works best with the project student will choose and both you and student are comfortable with. You will be sharing the project with your child's teacher as as a Google Doc or Google Slides or link to the video uploaded on you-tube (you don't need to make the video public). If you have pictures as part of your project please insert them in Google Doc or Google slides. Students can make an oral presentation if they would like to. During family / peer viewing time, they may be asked questions about their project by other students or adults who visit the Science Fair.
How do I get started?
First, decide what question you'd like to answer about the scientific world. Check the Project Ideas page for suggestions. It is best to have a very simple question or narrow topic so you don't feel overwhelmed. You can also check out the Lawton Media Center, the public library, or the Internet. Ask your parents and friends. Just don’t give up!
When considering a topic for your project, don't limit yourself to traditional science topics such as biology, chemistry, earth science, physics. You can also investigate weather, learn about how a particular technology works, or research an animal, inventor, or scientist.
Next, decide which kind of project you'd like to create. Here are several different kinds:
1) Experimental Project -- follow the Scientific Method in pursuit of an unbiased result.
2) Special Interest Project -- study a science-related topic, including mathematics, technology or even something you've invented!
3) Model or Demonstration Project -- create a model or demonstration of your topic, showing how it works.
These are just suggestions. You are free to do something different.
Who can I work with?
The fair is open to all Lawton students from Young Fives and Kindergarten through 5th grade. Students may work individually, or with others -- just as scientists often work with other scientists on their projects. You can also work with your friends, parents, your brother/sister, or other adults. The only rule is to give credit to everyone who helped with your project.
Parents: Remember, the purpose of the Fair is to encourage kids to be curious about our world, learn to study independently and above all, to enjoy science! Your guidance will be necessary, especially for the younger kids, but keep in mind that this is their project. A kindergartner’s project should look like a kindergartner's project, and they (and you!) will be proud of their own accomplishments.
I've decided on my topic. Now what?
Here are some steps you can take to have a successful Science Fair Project:
1. Ask yourself: “What is the question I want to answer?” or “What do I want to know more about?”
2. Decide if you are going to work alone, or with a friend(s).
3. Fill out and submit your Entry Form online by March 24, 2021 Parents must complete the form. If you work with a group, each student must submit their own form. You still have about 4 weeks left to work on your project!
4. Research and read about your topic. Talk to people who can help you.
5. Decide which type of project you will do, and refer to the list of questions for your project type. (These will help you plan your project.)
6. Gather and list your materials.
7. Begin following the steps you have outlined in your plan to ask your question or study your topic.
8. Take notes and/or photographs or make videos about what you are studying.
9. If appropriate, organize your results in short written/typed descriptions or simple presentations or charts & graphs.
10. Look carefully at your results, and note down the answer to your question.
11. Put this all together in a Google Doc or Google Slide. If you have a video, please upload it to you-tube, you don't have to make it public . (If you have questions or need help with this please email [email protected])
12. You (or a parent) share your project with your teacher by April 18, 2021.
13. We will announce a day when the projects submitted will be available to view in Schoology. You and family will be able see your project and what projects your friends have done.
Tips for creating your project
Content
Use the questions listed under each type of project to organize your project. You can either use the questions or the scientific terms to label it. The main thing is to make it easy for your parents, teachers and friends to look at your presentation and know what you did and what you found out. If you have a collection, model or demonstrations, include a brief description about what you’ve done. You can type/ write this or make a video of it you talking about it.
Putting it all together
If you are choosing to submit multiple photographs of your project, please number them in a sequence or use Power Point or google slides to arrange them in order. Remember you can insert pictures in a Word document also.
If you are making video of your project, please say what the project is about in the video itself. Ensure you have plenty of light.
And remember: it’s OK if the presentation looks like it was created by an elementary school student!