Science- March 28 Project Play Time is complete
What does that mean?
The project should have been attempted, in progress, and or completed. COMPLETED? Yes, it is possible for your child to be completed with their project. One trial (or test) is not sufficient. They should be running 3+ trials of their experiment, unless they are growing something and then they need to make extensive observations.
Why so many trials?
Human error, material error... things happen that we cannot control. The more trials that are completed the more conclusive the results.
What is an independent variable?
Something you change...
1. the amount (volume) of water given to each plant
2. the location of each plant
3. the type of material wrapped around the egg
4. the type of liquid being used to make crystals
What is a variable?
The actual amount of the independent variable...
1. 0ml/day, 5ml/day, 10ml/day
2. outside in the sun, outside in the shade, inside in the sun, inside in the shade
3. 20 cotton balls and 6 2inch pieces of masking tape, 1 12inX12in bubble wrap and 2 pieces of 2inch masking tape, nothing (bare egg), a parachute made out of a 8inch diameter trash bag circle and 6 inch long string taped to the egg using 4 1 inch pieces of tape
4. 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup, 1/2 cup salt, all mixed with 1 cup of water
What is a control? Why are there two columns?
A control is something you don't change, something that is universal for each part of the experiment.
Column 1 is for the general material used for the control/Column 2 is the specific details about that control
1. type of water used/bottled Evian water, type of pot used/ 6 inch Terra Cotta Pot etc.
3. type of egg/Egglands Best GRADE A X-Large eggs, height dropped/ 5ft. etc.
What is a dependent variable? Methods? Tools? Units? Oh my!
Something you measure as a result of your experiment...
Method- how did you measure it?
Tools- what did you use to measure it?
Units- what units are you using? ml, ounce, ft, in, yards, cm...
1. Height of the plant, amount of leaves left on the plant, color of the plant
3. How cracked/damaged is the egg?
4. Length of crystals, size of crystals, time it takes for them to form.... etc.
What are trials? (see above under What does that mean?)'
Each independent variable should have 3+ trials. For growing plants there should be a sufficient amount of observations, if you miss an observation SAY SO IN YOUR NOTES. BE HONEST. Scientists write everything down!
Summarize your experiment... ANSWER THE QUESTIONS HONESTLY
Bibliography Worksheet April 11, 2014
This should list every resource you used including your science book. If you looked up information online, list that website.
WHAT GOES IN THE NOTEBOOK?
All of your notes and observations, pictures, illustrations, measurements, basically everything about your report that will also be displayed on the board.
Can I rewrite my notes if they are messy?
YES, PLEASE! They cannot be graded if they cannot be read.
Do I have to have a notebook?
YES!
What goes on my board?
Look on the back of the Parent Letter. There is a picture! Set your board up like that.
Come up with a catchy, fun, and creative title for your project! The font for your title should be BIG, like as big or bigger than your hand! The rest of the board should be printed or typed NEATLY and large enough to read from a short distance away. 100 font? Probably too big, bring in a sample and I will help you chose fonts and sizes. Make your board colorful! Eye catching and colorful boards that are done NEATLY really draw a crowd! Be proud of your work and display it neatly and cleanly.
Social Studies Check in Dates
3/14 Population/Government
3/28 Climate/Natural Resources
4/4 State Parks etc./Symbols
4/11 Projects
Card-stock will be sent home
March 24 for the 2 projects.
