2017-2018 Elementary Science Expo STUDENT Guide

Volusia County Schools

Elementary Science Exposition

Student Guide

2017-2018

Volusia County Schools

Elementary Science Exposition

“A celebration of student achievement in science!”

Who: The top Fifth Grade Science Fair winners from each
Volusia County Elementary School

What: Elementary Science Exposition
Where: Volusia County Fairgrounds
When: May 8, 2018

8:00 – 12:00
Why: To celebrate student achievement in science

The student quota for each school is determined
by the VCS Science Department.

Student representatives are selected
through individual processes coordinated by each school.

All projects displayed at the event must follow
district rules that have been adapted from the
International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Rules.

Parking at the fairgrounds is plentiful!
Parents are invited to participate in the day’s activities.

2 VCS Elementary Science Department (2017-2018)

Quick Re

(Prohibited Item

For safety reasons, students MAY NO

PATHOGENS HAZARDOUS S
OR DE
• mold
• fungi • alcohol
• bacteria (does not include
• microorganisms collected,
• acid rain
isolated, and/or cultured from any • insecticide
environment (e.g., pond water) • herbicide
• food mold • dry ice
• nicotine/tobacco
• poisons
• toxic chemicals
• drugs/controlled
• fire/flames//matc
• weapons/ammun

paint ball guns
• sharp items (e.g.

If you are not sure, ple

Students who use any of the items listed
permitted to participate in the Volusia Cou

3 VCS Elementary Science D

eference

ms/Substances)

OT work with or display the following:

SUBSTANCES VERTEBRATES/
EVICES VERTEBRATE PARTS
(Human/Nonhuman)
e rubbing alcohol) • eggs
• foods made from animals
• human/animal parts or body
fluids (e.g., hair, nails, teeth,
bones, blood, saliva, urine)
• human/animal tissue

Human and vertebrate animal
testing is PROHIBITED.

substances ANYTHING that may cause
ches physical or psychological risk
nition/firearms/ to the child is PROHIBITED.

., needles/syringes) PLEASE NOTE AN EXCEPTION:
• dairy products are permissible

ease ask your teacher.

here in their science fair project will NOT be
unty Schools Elementary Science Exposition.

Department (2017-2018)

Approved Item

(with rest

aluminum foil hair spray

antacids sunscreen

baking soda hand lotion

hand soap starch

lemon juice teeth whiteners

chalk toothpaste

laundry soap mouthwash

hair gel hair mousse

saline non-toxic glue

shampoo/conditioner wood polish

gum hydrogen peroxid

pH test kit Epsom salts/aqua

plant food (not fertilizer) Windex (not pure

vitamin C, calcium (small amounts with supervision)

iodine, rubbing alcohol, bleach (small amounts with s

If you have any question

 Projects will be disqualified if chemicals are
 NO EATING, TASTING, TOUCHING or SNIFF

projects will NOT be approved under any cir
 Approved chemicals should be handled min

should handle chemicals using gloves, gog
 If a student uses a chemical that is not on th

supervising teacher and Elementary Scienc

to participate in the Volusia County Elemen

4 VCS Elementary Science D

ms/Substances

trictions)

finger nail polish

salt

sugar

caulk

vinegar

seltzer water

water colors

cola/soda

glycerin

laundry stain removers

de make-up

arium salt baby powder

e ammonia) cooking oils

water-based markers

supervision) ink

ns, please ask your teacher.

e used to do human/vertebrate animal testing.
FING of any substances during the process;
rcumstances.
nimally and WITH adult supervision. Students
ggles and aprons WITH adult supervision.
his list or has NOT been approved by the
ce Department, the project will NOT be permitted
ntary Science EXPO.

Department (2017-2018)

Students MAY NOT d

Personal Preserved Living a
Information Animals Living

• Photographs of • Taxidermy • Dried
faces specimens materi

• Names • Animals stored • Dirt
• Addresses in preservatives • Soil
• Telephone

numbers

 The science project board is to communicate the e
its results, findings and conclusions. Graphs, char
should follow the sample project display format (pa
attached to the project board are not appropriate fo

 Pictures of the experiment are encouraged; picture

 Using common sense will further ensure the safety

 Projects that do not follow the guidelines will NOT
Science EXPO.

5 VCS Elementary Science D

display the following:

and Non- Liquids Batteries
Things
• Any and all • Batteries with
plant liquids open cell tops
ial (including
water)

experiment that has been done at home or at school and
rts, data tables, and pictures are encouraged. Students
age 11). Additional objects and materials that are not
or display at the VCS Elementary Science EXPO.
es of students’ faces are discouraged.
y of the student scientist.
be permitted to be displayed at the VCS Elementary

Department (2017-2018)

Science Projec

Backboard The display board must be freestand
Material fastened, taped together or all one p
Display materials used.

A sturdy piece of cardboard, plywoo
cut for the backboard. Many office s
project display boards.

Information on the backboard may b
your work for spelling, capitals and p
simple. Headings may be printed, m
be larger than the scientific process
You may include:

• Drawings, pictures, outlines
• Charts, tables or graphs (use
• Photographs of the experimen

Students must f
“Quick Reference” section

6 VCS Elementary Science D

ct Display Board

ding. The backboard panels must be hinged,
piece depending on the type of backboard

od, fiberboard, Styrofoam or other material can be
supply companies sell “ready made” science

be handwritten, typed or computer printed. Edit
punctuation. Main points should be large and
made by hand or can be purchased. Titles should
s headings.

proper titles, labels, and units of measure)
nt (may not include faces)

follow the rules defined in the
n found earlier in this packet (page 3-4).

Department (2017-2018)

PURPOSE SAMPLE PROJ

The purpose of this THE EFFECTS O
project is to determine ON DIFFERENT
which wood holds up
better in salt water. DA

HYPOTHESIS PICTURES

It is expected that the Days 1-4 Days 5-8
oak surface will hold up
better because it is Days 9-12 Days 13-1
considered a hard wood.
DIAGRAMS
EXPERIMENT
Pine Oak
Materials: Redwood

10 boards of pine VCS Elementary Science D
10 boards of oak
10 boards of redwood
27 buckets of manufactured salt
water
3 buckets of tap water

Procedure:

1. Cut ten boards of oak pine and
redwood, two (2) inches by six (6)
inches each.
2. Place each piece of wood in a
separate container filled with one
gallons of salt water
3. Observe each piece of wood
every 24 hours and repeat for 15
days.
4. My control group will be…..

7

JECT DISPLAY RESULTS

Of SALT WATER The boards were
TYPES OF WOOD observed each evening at
6 p.m. over a period of 15
ATA days. On Days 1-4 there
was no visible changes to
INFORMATION the pine boards, the oak
Types of Wood boards or the redwood
boards. On Day 5-8 the
The materials for oak board began to
most projects will fall lighten in color but….
into three categories:
softwood, hardwood CONCLUSION
and manufactured
panels such as According to my
plywood. results, oak wood was
most resistant to salt
15 water. I came to this
conclusion because…..
GRAPHS
APPLICATION
Department (2017-2018)
The Southern Standard
Building Code identifies
redwood for its strength,
durability, and resistance to
adverse weather conditions;
however,….

Sample Recommended for EXPO?
Judge Score Sheet
_____yes _____no
Score 0-5 (0=least, 5=greatest)

Section A. Project Board Components: (55 points)

_____ Testable Problem (not an opinion, model, demonstration, or book report)
_____ Hypothesis (includes research support or previous experience)
_____ Experiment (list of all needed materials and steps in a procedure that are clear and complete)
_____ Evidence of Control Group (normal condition)
_____ Evidence of Limiting Variables (only one manipulated variable)
_____ Repeated Experimentation (10 trials) or Large Experimental Group (10 tested at a time)
_____ Data (pictures, graphs, tables, diagrams, charts, labels, information)
_____ Results (narrative of data)
_____ Conclusion (explanation of the results)
_____Application (relationship to real-world)

____Display board arranged in correct format
Section A TOTAL: ________________

Section B. Interview Components: (45 points)

_____ Student understands and can explain the purpose of the project.
_____ Student can thoroughly explain the set up of the experiment.
_____ Student can explain the formation of the hypothesis.
_____ Student knows what the control group is in the experiment and why it is important.
_____ Student can explain the importance of limiting variables (one manipulated variable).
_____ Student can explain the importance of repeating an experiment or using a large experimental group.
_____ Student can explain the data and the connection to the conclusion.
_____ Student can explain what has been learned and how the project relates to the real world.
_____ Overall Presentation

Section B TOTAL: __________________

OVERALL TOTAL:_________________

8 VCS Elementary Science Department (2017-2018)

Scientific Process Planning Outline

Write the QUESTION. What do you want to find out?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Write the PURPOSE. What is the reason for your project?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Do RESEARCH on the topic. Gather information to form a hypothesis.

Write the HYPOTHESIS. What do you think will happen? Use information gained
from research and/or previous experiences to explain why it will happen.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Design the EXPERIMENT. How can you test what you think will happen?
Make sure to include a control group (the standard you are comparing to) and only one
variable. In addition, make sure you repeat your experiment (10 trials) or use large
experimental groups (10 tested at a time).
Materials: (Use metric units and scientific tools for precise measurements.)

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

9 VCS Elementary Science Department (2017-2018)

Procedure: (List detailed sequenced instructions using numbered steps.)
1.____________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________
4.____________________________________________________________
5.____________________________________________________________
6.____________________________________________________________
7.____________________________________________________________
8.____________________________________________________________
Record the DATA. Use charts, graphs, tables, and pictures as appropriate.
Write the RESULTS. Restate the data in narrative form.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

10 VCS Elementary Science Department (2017-2018)

Draw a CONCLUSION. Is your hypothesis supported? Why or why not? What would
you do differently next time?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Make APPLICATION. How do the findings from the experiment relate to the real
world?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

11 VCS Elementary Science Department (2017-2018)