PLE Science & Engineering Fair
PLE Science & Engineering Fair
March 24, 2022
All Projects should be submitted by March 23rd in order to be judged and presented.
This is NOT a competitive Fair; students will have an opportunity to interact with a judge for feedback.
Students may submit a Science Model or Experiment OR an Engineering Project.
If you like asking questions and exploring solutions, start with a SCIENTIFIC PROJECT.
The key to a good and manageable investigation is to choose a topic of interest, then ask what is called a “testable question.” Testable questions are those that can be answered through hands-on investigation by the student. The key difference between a general interest science question and a testable question is that testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the effect is on another thing.
Science Model or Experiment
Things to consider:
Scientific Question: A scientific question can be answered through an investigation.
What is tested? Scientists call this an independent variable. This is the one thing the investigator chooses to change.
What stays the same? A variable that is not changed, and stays the same, is called a constant.
Data collected: Data can be qualitative, describes physical properties, or quantitative, uses numbers and tools to collect data.
Scientific Steps - Scientific Investigation Process
Planning Sheet - Science Fair Projects
Helpful Presentation Tips - Helpful Hints
Scientific Project - Presentation
If you like solving problems and proposing solutions, start with an ENGINEERING PROJECT.
Engineering is the application of science and technology to solving a problem. Invention is really about engineering a solution. For students, this can be: 1) A problem they want to solve; or 2) A process or physical design they want to improve.
Engineering Project
Things to consider:
Design Question: A design question asks how something could be fixed or improved.
Science Topic: Many times design questions are solved using Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering.
Engineering Steps - Engineering Design Challenge
Helpful Presentation Tips - Helpful Hints
Engineering Project - Presentation
Have fun at home with your student doing Science and Engineering!
ALL PLE students may participate - Kindergarten through 6th Grade
Choose one of the three categories:
Science Model (No Question)
Science Experiment
Engineering Project