Science+Fair

SCIENCE FAIR



Science Fair Booklet

Students at Somerville can choose to participate in the Science Fair. This will be run as an extension and advancement programme. A letter is going home on Monday the 24th of March 2014 and students will be registering their interest this term. By the beginning of Term 2 students should have some idea of what they would like to investigate.

Year 7's have to do an Investigation following the Scientific Method Year 8's can choose to do an Investigation or an Innovation/Invention following the Technological/Engineering process.

Now is the time that you need to start thinking about your topic and/or question. You can get ideas from TV programmes, magazines, the radio, newspapers, professional people/scientists you know, people in the scientific industry that you know.

One of the best websites out there to help you choose a topic is Science Buddies. Just google it and you can take the quiz to find out what interests you

If you have any ideas and want to find out if they would be ok to pursue as a Science Fair Project either talk to Mrs. Duffield, Mrs Dowman or Mrs. Baleicakau.

This is the letter that every student has been given to take home.





The April holidays may be used for deciding on a topic and doing research and the July holidays may be used for finalising the project.
 * **Dates** || **Stages of completion** ||
 * **Reply slips for undertaking a Science Fair Project need to be returned to Mrs Duffield by the 11th of April 2014 Term One.**

Term Two || Mon 5th May - Friday 30th May || Research topic and choose one. Discuss with your class teacher, Mrs. Duffield, Mrs. Dowman or Mrs. Baleicakau.
 * **Weeks 1-4**

Keep track of all research and contacts in your Science Fair Diary Brainstorm some key questions Research all information about your topic as well as check on previous experiments done || **Week 4-9** || 14th of May (Wednesday) Science Fair Parent Information Evening in Staff Room Display boards will be on sale from the science lab || 2nd June - 13th June || Write out draft of Aim (Log Book) Write out draft of Hypothesis (Log Book) Complete draft of Method (Log Book) Complete draft of Variables (Log Book) Organise equipment Begin experiment || **16th June - 27th June** || Complete experiment and observations (Log Book) Complete draft results (Log Book) Complete draft Conclusion || 30th June - 4th July and school holidays if necessary || Type up “Good Copies” Organise Display Board Layout Evaluation of Project – Modifications and improvements. Assemble Display on Board Final Check of all work. || **Monday 28th July** || Final judging selection of projects to go to NIWA Manukau Science Fair. Parent viewing during Parent Interviews on Monday and Tuesday. Classes to view on Monday and Tuesday. Projects cleared from Hall on Wednesday 30th July. Top projects to be taken to the Science Lab so that final decisions can be made about the entries to the NIWA Manukau Science Fair || Saturday 9th August Sunday 10th August || Top projects delivered to Mission Heights Junior College Judging of projects || Monday 11th - Tuesday 12th August Wednesday 13th August || Public viewing at Mission Heights Junior College
 * **Week 2**
 * **Week 5-6**
 * **Week 7-8**
 * **Week 9**
 * Term Three ||
 * **Week 1** || Projects to the hall for judging on Friday 25th July. Please make sure you have the name tag from your guideline booklet glued on your project as well as your science fair diary ||
 * **Week 2**
 * **Week 3**
 * Week 4

Projects to be collected from Mission Heights Junior College || Wednesday 20th August || Prize-Giving (Mission Heights Junior College) ||
 * Week 5

**Mrs. Duffield, Mrs Dowman and Mrs. Baleicakau will be available at lunch times and two afternoons after school to conference and assist.**