Milwaukee Academy of Science

Milwaukee Academy of Science
February 25th to March 1st, 2010

Introduction | Task | Process | Judging Criteria | Prize Structure

This will be an exciting challenge for you! You will increase your Science knowledge by inventing something, researching an interesting question, or by conducting an experiment. You will develop organizational skills and be guided to follow procedures that enable you to succeed at the challenge. The project is a requirement for completion of the curriculum for the third quarter.

The Task

K4 to 4th Grade

Class projects or each person does the same or a similar project

No research paper required

Log book kept by students with teacher assistance

Class presentation board(s)

5th Grade

Individual projects or teams of 2 or 3 students

5th grade students will design a science game

5th grade students do not need to write a paper

Each student must keep a log book to record all activity on the project

One presentation board for each project

6th Grade

Individual projects or teams of 2 or 3 students

6th grade students will create an invention of their own design – a new or modified item, the focus of which may be suggested by the teacher

6th grade students will write a paper at the discretion of their teacher

Each student must keep a log book to record all activity on the project

One presentation board for each project

7th and 8th Grade

Individual projects or teams of 2 students

Two page (500 word, 12 point font, double-spaced) paper required from each student with 3 sources in the bibliography. At least one of the sources in the bibliography must be from a book or magazine.

Each student must keep a log book to record all activity on the project

One presentation board for each project

The Process

1.Think about what you want to do for your project. If you are in Grades 5 - 8, you need to decide if you would like to work individually or with a team.

Visit Mrs. Reinhart in the LMC or discuss this with your Science Teacher

Search the following Internet Sites for Ideas

Grade 5 – Design & Construct a Game

http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/games/
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/page/5833.html
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/games/index.html
http://www.gamequarium.com/science.htm

Grade 6 – Inventions

www.inventnow.org
http://www.howstuffworks.com/
http://www.spgs.net/projects/inventions/ (ideas)
http://www.eduplace.com/science/invention/resources/real_inventions.html
http://www.creativitypool.com/ (browse the pool)
http://www.tccsa.net/webquest/cole_johnson/ (famous inventors)
http://www.juliantrubin.com/bigten/pathdiscovery.html (inventors)

* All 8th grade students will go to www.sciencebuddies.org and click on Topic Selection Wizard. Students will answer all questions in an effort to select a suitable topic. (This will take about 45 minutes to complete.)

Students should carefully read and consider all of the projects suggested to them. The projects are in line with the student’s responses to the questionnaire. When making selections, students should select projects at an appropriate difficulty level and save them to their h:drive. (Note the project summaries in the upper right corner.)

Grade 7 – Research a Scientific Question & Create a Demonstration

http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/handson.html (demonstrations)
http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Ideas for Grades 7 or 8:

http://www.doscience.com/act_archive/pauld/index.html
http://www.nexusresearchgroup.com/fun_science/fun_sci.htm
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids/sciencefair.html
http://www.iit.edu/~smile/fullinde.html
http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/scifairstudio/ideas.html
http://www.funsci.com/texts/index_en.htm
http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/ (toys to demonstrate science)
http://www.juliantrubin.com/fairprojects.html

8th Grade – Conduct Experiment w/Scientific Method

http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/ExmSciProj.html (sample)
http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/SOAR/SciProj2002/KiereaM.html (sample)
http://www.geocities.com/floridaluxurycondo/My_dripstone_experiment.html
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/fair/ideas.htm (plant/animal experiments)
http://www.madsci.org/experiments/ (edible/inedible experiments)
http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/ (go to “project ideas”)
http://www.need.org/energyfair.php (Intermediate/Secondary)
http://www.funsci.com/texts/index_en.htm
http://doscience.com/act_archive/index.html
http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/intermed.html

2. Pick one of the following project types:

(5th Grade)
Design & construct your own science game.

(6th Grade)
Think of a new invention and make a working model.

(7th Grade)
Research an interesting question/topic and create a demonstration that will be placed with your project to inform others about what you have learned.

(8th Grade)
Research background information and conduct an experiment using the Scientific Method.

3. Print the Project Registration Form and turn it in to your Science teacher. You must have a parent or guardian sign your form before you turn it in. Once you turn in your Project Registration Form you cannot change your team or project idea!

4. Begin your Science Project log book. Your first log book entry should include: your topic selection, the type of project, and the names of your team members if you are working with a group.

5. A. For grades 5 & 6, you should research information for your project after the holiday break.

B. For grades 7 & 8, your Language Arts teacher will work with you prior to the holiday break.

Identify questions about your topic

Find sources of information on your topic (print and electronic)

Develop a bibliography (keep a list of the sources you use in your log book)

Put the research information into your own words, do not plagiarize (copy information)

Keep a record of your research in your log book

6. Begin working on your project display board. All display boards should: be attractive, easily understood, neat, and have proper grammar and correct spelling. Your name SHOULD NOT be on front of the project board. Please write your name, grade level and teacher’s name on the back of the project board.

If your project choice is an experiment, your display board should include the steps of the scientific method that you followed.

If your project choice is a research paper or demonstration, your display should include all pertinent material.

Your name should only be on the cover page of your research paper. Place your paper on the table in front of your project board; DO NOT attach the paper to your project board.

7. Final Preparations for your project. Your teacher may want you to share your projects in Science Class and explain it to your classmates.

8. Project setup in the gym February 25th, 2010.

9. Your project will remain on display until March 1st, 2010 for other classes to view.

Thursday, February 25th, 2010:	Set up Projects in the Gym
Friday & Saturday, February 26th & 27th, 2010:	Judges Only! No Participants Allowed
Sunday, February 28th, 2010: 3:00-5:00pm:	Open to the Public
Monday, March 1st, 2010:	Viewed by classes - after 2pm projects should be removed from gym