Chelmsford public schools

colonel moses parker Middle School

Science & innovation Fair

REGISTRATION is now closed

Event Date and Time: Thursday, March 12, 2020, 6:30-8 p.m.

Grade(s): Parker Middle students in grades 5-8

Judging: 6:30-7:30 p.m. (students will be assigned a time slot during event)

Where: Colonel Moses Parker Middle School Library

Snow date: Thursday, March 19, 2020

Description

The Parker PTO is thrilled to kick off our third annual Science & Innovation Fair (“Fair”). The Fair is open to all Parker Middle School students grades 5-8. Projects can be done independently or in groups of up to 3 students per group. Students are encouraged to come up with their own idea for a project that is interesting or important to them.

All students will enter to exhibit their projects on March 12. Examples of projects from 2019 can be found at the bottom of this page. The night of the Fair, judges will be present to review and discuss all projects with the student(s). It is not required but students have the option to compete in the Fair. If a student chooses to compete, s/he will be judged according to set criteria noted below.

Each project registrant will have the capability to develop a Google Site using their own student accounts. This allows students to publicly display their information and engage in current technology with their peers. Students can post files, images, links, and videos from their own Google Drive account, as well as calendar records and locations. Engaging students in e-learning opportunities connects them to the entire world, while modeling appropriate uses of technology and teaching digital literacy skills.

If you have any questions, you may contact Kristin Brosofsky at kbrosofsky@comcast.net.

GUIDELINES

Students may work individually or in groups of two or three. Only one registration is required per group.
To register you will need to provide the name of the project, a brief description, the name of any project partners (up to a total of 3 students per project), and the email, telephone number and a parent email address for each partner.
Once you are sure about this information, you should register.
Project displays are limited to a 2x3 foot square space on a tabletop and may include a display board, model, or other display items. If a poster will be used, it is strongly recommended that a tri-fold corrugated cardboard or foam core display be used so that the poster is free-standing. Most display locations will not be located against a wall.
Leave a spot for a label in the upper left-hand corner of your display, approximately 3 ½ inches tall by 5 inches wide. On the day of the Fair when checking in, each project will receive a label with the project number on it.
Displays should not require connection to an electrical outlet; there will not be any electrical outlets available! If your project requires use of an iPad, other tablet, computer, or other electronic, please be sure you are fully charged.
Projects must be brought home immediately after the end of the Fair.
Students are required to register for the Science and Engineering Fair by Friday, February 21, 2020. This allows Fair coordinators to assign a location for each of the project displays, coordinate and assign officials to talk with individual students, purchase individual ribbons for participants, and develop a leaflet/program of all projects that visitors to the Fair can view.
Parker Middle School and all Fair volunteers are not responsible for any lost or damaged materials that are used as part of the project displays.

Projects may not involve, at any stage of the project, the following [1]:

Blood products, fresh tissue, teeth, skin or bodily fluids
Nonhuman vertebrate animals and their parts, exception unfertilized eggs/shells
Ingestion, absorption or inhalation of any substance by humans subjects (no smelling/wafting or eating/chewing of ANYTHING)—NOTHING in or on parts of mouth or skin—including but not limited to teeth, tongue, lips.
Pathogenic agents*
Recombinant DNA
Carcinogenic or mutagenic chemicals
Compressed gas (exception: helium, CO2, air purchased for home use)
Controlled substances*
Explosive chemicals
Hazardous substances or devices (including, but not limited to BB guns, paint ball guns, potato cannons, air cannons)
High voltage equipment
Highly toxic chemicals
Lasers (any strength)
Ionizing radiation X-rays or nuclear energy
Radioactive materials
Composting

*FURTHER EXPLANATIONS

Controlled Substances

Controlled substances, including DEA-classed substances, prescription drugs, alcohol and tobacco are not allowed.

Pathogenic Agents

Pathogenic agents are disease causing, or potential disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, viroids, prions, rickettsia, fungi, mold and others.
Organisms collected, isolated and/or cultured from any environment (e.g., air, soil, water) are considered potentially pathogenic and experiments using these procedures will not be allowed. All plant projects must use sterile, bagged potting soil.
Raw or partially processed human/animal waste is considered to contain potentially pathogenic agents.

[1] From Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, 2019 Middle School Manual, https://secureservercdn.net/184.168.47.225/e99.5ea.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/2019-MSSEF-MS-manual.pdf (Accessed January 9, 2020)

judging criteria

Everyone should think about the following as you prepare for the Fair. However, for those of you participating in the optional competitive portion of the Fair, you will be scored by the judges according to weight given to the below criteria. Note, judges will take into consideration the different grade levels participating.

1. Project Objective, Skills and Interpretation - 50%

Do you have a clear hypothesis and/or objective that is clear and well stated based on research you conducted (for example, what you read, studied, or observed)?
Did you design an effective experiment to test the hypothesis or create an innovative design that solves a problem or improves something existing?
How did you collect your data?
Did you carefully record your data?
If you conducted an experiment, did you repeat your experiment to show it could be reproduced?
Are your results and conclusions clear, factually stated, logical, and directly relevant to the hypothesis or objective?
Have you provided a clear discussion of any experimental results, design or data analysis?
Have you demonstrated a deep knowledge of the scientific or engineering principles involved?

2. Originality & Creativity – 25%

Is your experiment or problem original, or have you provided an original approach to an old problem?
Have you demonstrated an original, resourceful, or innovative use of materials and equipment?
Have you demonstrated creative or original thinking in the application and the interpretation of any data obtained?
Have you thought beyond that which is typically represented in textbooks for your grade level

3. Communication - 25%

How does your board look?
Have you used colors effectively?
Can your board be read from a short distance?
Do you use visuals, such as headings, bullet points, text, tables and graphs, correctly and effectively?
Does your visual display tell a story of the project or progression in logical order?
Are you able to explain all elements of your board and answer questions knowledgably and confidently?
Are you enthusiastic and is your presentation logical?
Do you refer to your board when you present your information?
Do you demonstrate sound knowledge of your project and its background?
Have you rehearsed so you know your material well but at the same time you do not sound like you are reciting from a speech?

Remember that judging is mostly subjective. In general, the way you represent yourself, display your project, and communicate your project and outcomes can make the difference between a poor impression and a winning project.

WANT HELP BUILDING A GOOGLE SITE FOR YOUR PROJECT?

Check out this tutorial to get started!

If you need assistance logging in to your google account, please see either our Technology Integration Specialist, Ann Denny-Brown or the school Librarian, Roberta Barricelli.

REFERENCES

To help you choose your project, there are lots of great resources available, including websites, books, teachers, libraries, friends, and family. Below is just a small sampling of some websites and books you might consider.