Grade 5 Science Fair

Our ability to solve present and future problems depends on our ability to question the world in new and creative ways.  With our knowledge of the world growing rapidly, we must move away from having our children simply memorize facts.  Computers can do that much better and more efficiently.  Instead we must emphasize the thinking skills that can put those facts to use and create organization for new facts as they emerge.






What a better opportunity for a student to develop such skills than to participate in our school's science fair in January.  The thinking skills a child develops while doing a science fair project are the same basic skills he or she will use daily throughout their life - to sense and clarify problems that exist, and to find creative solutions to those problems.

 Do's for parents:

Do offer to take your child to the library, museums, or other places where he/she may get information during the research phase of the investigation.  You may also contact people who can provide information about his/her topic.

Do help your child acquire the material needed for the project.

Do listen if your child wants to talk about his/her ideas.  Communicate to your child the message, "I'm interested in what you are doing."  Give honest feedback, but do so in a positive way.  You never want to diminish a child's efforts.  You always want the child to know you are proud of his/her efforts - especially when the child wants to "figure it out" by himself/herself.

Do ask to see the science project related work your child does at school.  Help your child fill out homework assignments.  Except for spelling and grammatical corrections, avoid putting your words into your child's mouth.


Do have your child take necessary safety precautions.  Do not let them do anything that may be dangerous.

Don'ts for parents:
Don't do the work for your child.  Remember that this is your child's science project, not yours.  Doing your child's project for him/her sends the message. "I don't want you to think for yourself."  Give your child room to make mistakes.  That is the on;y way he/she will learn.  If the project seems too hard, then the child should select one that can be handled.  It does little good to "bail" a child out of too ambitious a project by doing it for him/her.

EVERYTHING MUST BE TYPED.  GRADING RUBRIC AND PROPOSAL/JOURNAL IS FOUND ON JUPITER UNDER SCIENCE FILES
 
Science Project Completion Schedule

Assignment                                        Date due
Question/Hypothesis                         December 5     Rough Project proposal                    December 19
Experiment/ Data/ Graphs/charts      January 7
Typed Report                                     January 16
Project display                                   January 23
Science Fair                                       January 26- 3