Welcome to ELM's STEM Fair site

FINAL STEP: PRESENT YOUR PROJECT

You will have the choice of presenting using a digital slide presentation or creating a traditional board.

Please note for the ELM, District and County fair you will need to present using a traditional board. 

For the SD county, you will need to first submit a digital presentation and then, if accepted, a traditional board.

• Digital slide presentation click HERE

• Directions on creating a traditional board HERE

STEP 5: BEGIN YOUR PROJECT

Remember to take photographs of your project (using your iPad). Write detailed notes/observations. 

You will have 3 check-in dates before your final project is due to help keep you on track. 

If you finish your experiment early you may complete the entire form, you do NOT need to wait till the dates they are due.

Scientific Investigation: Scientific Method Check-in Form 

Engineering Project: Engineering Check-in Form 

If you have human participants you will need consent if your experiment involves them eating/drinking or applying products.

Make a copy of the consent form and complete the top portion about your project. You can then share it with your participants.

Sample consent Google Form

County human consent form

Any projects that involve: human participants, hazardous chemicals or potentially hazardous biological agents such as bacteria/mold,  you will need to complete this risk assessment form to be sure projects are being conducted safely.

County risk assessment form

STEP 4: DETAIL YOUR PROJECT

Scientific Investigation: HERE 

Engineering Project: HERE

Part 1

1. Write your problem in the form of a question. E.g. How does the height of the track affect the speed of the car?

2. Write your hypothesis based on what you think will happen. (Answer your problem) E.g. If the track is taller, the car will go faster.

3. Write your procedure in enough detail that someone can follow your instructions and do it.

Analyze procedures document

Part 2 Data tables

Your teacher will review your data table to see if you are ready to collect the right type of data. Data tables should have clearly labeled titles, columns, and rows. Use metric units. Once this is set up, you are ready to begin your project and collect data.

***Remember to take pictures of your project (using your iPad) and write detailed notes/observations in your spiral (science fair section).***

Some useful sites:

• How to use a Petri dish

• Plants that grow quickly

STEP 3: PROPOSAL

 In class we will be doing the planning of your project, as well as the write up afterwards but the scientific experiment or building of your engineering project will be done at home.  Purpose of this form is give a general explanation to the supervising adult at home about your plan for your project.

This form needs to be signed by a parent or guardian that states your project’s statement of the problem, materials and general procedures.

Scientific Investigation: proposal form.  

Engineering Project: engineering proposal form. 

STEP 2: RESEARCH

 You will first brainstorm ideas related to your project.  You will then complete a graphic organizer containing facts about your topic. You will have time in class to complete your research and notes.  Be sure to include your sources as you do your research.

Step 1: Research Brainstorm

Step 2: Research-Graphic Organizer 

STEP 2: RESEARCH

 You will first brainstorm ideas related to your project.  You will then complete a graphic organizer containing facts about your topic. You will have time in class to complete your research and notes.  Be sure to include your sources as you do your research.

Step 1: Research Brainstorm

Step 2: Research-Graphic Organizer 

PREVIOUS STEPS

STEP 1: THREE GOOD IDEAS

You may want to do a scientific investigation to ask a question and discover more about a topic.

You may want to solve a problem or improve a current product by using the engineering design process.

PROJECT IDEAS

Science Investigation:  Try to use the format “What is the effect of ____on ____?” DO NOT USE THE WORDS “BETTER” OR “BEST”

Engineering Project: Explain Who need(s) what because why.  Try to use the format "_____ need(s) _________ because ________."

3 IDEAS WORKSHEET

Here are some sites to help you start getting ideas, the library also has many books on different science fair projects

Be sure your project is middle school level-ideas such as  baking soda volcanos, melting ice etc. will not be approved

Science Buddies: “Topic Selection Wizard” 

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/middle-school

http://www.sciencefairadventure.com/Default.aspx

http://www.education.com/science-fair/middle-school/

 http://chemistry.about.com/od/sciencefairprojects/a/scipromiddle.htm

Here's a step by step guide to pick an idea created by ELH