stem expo - edmonds school district...4 visit the edmonds school district “explore stem” site at...

STEM EXPO

Student Handbook

Science Inquiry Essay Category

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL

APRIL 23, 2018

6:00 – 8:00pm

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Visit the Edmonds School District “Explore STEM” site at https://goo.gl/6QAQB8

Table of Contents

What is the STEM Expo? ............................................................................................................................................... 3

A Quick Note about STEM Competitions ...................................................................................................................... 4

Important Note for Students Using this Handbook: ..................................................................................................... 5

STEM Competitions Based on Science Essays .............................................................................................................. 5

Choosing Your Topic ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

Types of Science Inquiry Essays to Consider for the STEM Expo .................................................................................. 7

Tips to Keep in Mind While Writing your Essay ............................................................................................................ 8

Working with Resources ............................................................................................................................................... 9

Example of a Project Timeline/Calendar .................................................................................................................... 10

Prepare a Display Board of Your Findings/Work ........................................................................................................ 11

Display Board Ideas for Science Investigation Projec ................................................................................................. 12

How Adults Can Help .................................................................................................................................................. 13

Registration for the Edmonds STEM Expo .................................................................................................................. 13

Project Planning Proposal Example ............................................................................................................................ 14

https://goo.gl/6QAQB8

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What is the STEM Expo?

Welcome Students! The STEM Expo is a celebration of YOU, and of your learning in science and engineering. It is the place to share what you care deeply about and to show the community how STEM can be used to impact our future. To join the event, you may use work done as part of a class, or work you’ve developed independently with support from a teacher, mentor or coach. Your projects may be presented as team or as individual work in any of the following categories:

Science Investigations Lab experiments or field studies designed by students in order to answer a scientific question. Engineering Design Projects and Inventions Inventions and engineered projects designed by students to provide a solution to a problem. Computer Sciences Projects designed by students which include work in computer engineering, programming, forensics and software development. Science Inquiry Essays This category showcases two major types of student essays. One type is writing done to explain lab techniques and experiments done (but not designed) by students. A second type is writing based on a review of scientific literature to explore a question about a scientific topic. STEM Club Projects Procedures and technologies used by students as part of STEM related competitions and project-based learning activities. STEM Classroom Demonstrations These displays feature demonstrations of procedures and technologies used within STEM classrooms.

Each category has specific criteria that need to be followed. The criteria for Scientific Inquiry Essays are listed in this handbook. You are encouraged to choose the type of project that best fits your learning style and interests. Students, teachers, mentors and advisors can find STEM Expo resources in any of the above categories at the Edmonds School District STEM Expo website.


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A Quick Note about STEM Competitions

As you are getting ready for the STEM Expo, it is a great time to be

aware of other STEM competitions that you might like to participate

in, too.

Use your talents, passion and STEM knowledge to make a

difference in our world! Check out these opportunities to share

your ideas. You might participate in one of these events as part of a

class, but you could also do it on your own. Find an event that fits your style. If you have questions about

getting started, need support, or plan to enter on your own rather than as part of a class, contact Mary

Glodowski at the Edmonds School District [email protected].

Besides using your ideas to make a difference in the world, here are a few other reasons to consider

participating in a STEM competition:

You can start to make a difference in the world now! (Just had to mention that one more time.)

It’s really the most important reason for doing science and engineering, after all.

You have something to brag about on your college applications.

You have something significant to add to your resume.

You can make great connections with the scientific and engineering community.

$$$ All competitions listed below have cash prizes. $$$

$$$ Some of the competitions listed below have scholarship prizes. $$$

Consider reviewing these events for great ideas to help you with your STEM Expo Project. Visit

Edmonds School District STEM Competitions for easy access to information on ALL of these amazing

events! https://goo.gl/FCHKdG -

Central Sound Regional Science & Engineering Fair

Washington State Science & Engineering Fair

Intel International Science & Engineering Fair

Broadcom MASTERS

Regeneron Science Talent Search

Siemens Competition

eCybermission

Microsoft Imagine Cup

FIRST LEGO League

Real World Design Challenge

Toshiba ExploraVision

Imagine Tomorrow


mailto:[email protected]

https://goo.gl/FCHKdG

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Important Note for Students Using this Handbook:

If you are participating in the STEM Expo as part of a class assignment:

Follow all instructions from your teacher very carefully as you move through the writing process.

This handbook may serve to give you a few more ideas and resources to consider.

If you are doing this project without your class and will be entering only the STEM Expo:

Feel free to use a blend of the strategies presented in this handbook in a way that best suits your

style! Before you start writing, you will need to have your topic approved. Contact Mary

Glodowski at the Edmonds School District [email protected] for approval, to

register for the STEM Expo, and if you have questions or need support with your project.

If you are doing this project for both the STEM Expo AND for another STEM event or competition (see

examples on page 4):

If you plan to share your competition work at the STEM Expo, follow all instructions given for

your other STEM event/competition very carefully. You will register for the STEM Expo with your

teacher. If you are doing entering the STEM Expo without your class, you can contact Mary

Glodowski at the Edmonds School District [email protected] to register for the

STEM Expo, and if you have questions or need support with your project.

STEM Competitions Based on Science Essays

Toshiba ExploraVision Team Essays for Grades K-12 Students are prompted to envision a change in the technology of their future




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Choosing Your Topic

Choosing your topic is often a difficult first step. The following suggestions will help you get started:

Generate a list of interests: The best topic comes from something you are passionate about. What are your hobbies? Are you interested in how things work, patterns you observe in nature, solving a problem or issue you have noticed in your community? Is there something you have always wondered about? Is there a product or design you have wanted to develop or improve? Get help: Brainstorm ideas with a friend, parent, or another interested adult. What questions do I have about the topic? Just as you identified a topic, generate a list of questions you have about this topic. Remember, this is all a brainstorm to this point

Best Tips for Idea Resources from the STEM Competitions (see page 4)

eCybermission: You can watch series of short videos that guide students through each stage of a developing a science project, including developing ideas. Remember to look at the bottom of the page for links to supporting documents. Toshiba ExploraVision: This site has a series of great tips to help guide you through the processes of brainstorming, choosing a topic, and even how to research.


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Types of Science Inquiry Essays to Consider for the STEM Expo

If the purpose of your writing is to explain lab techniques, experiments, or engineering projects done by you, but not designed by you, consider this: A lab report can showcase your technical writing skills as well as your skills in analyzing and interpreting data, and making conclusions based on evidence. Your work has added value if you can also discuss how your information could be used or applied to other situations.

If the purpose of your essay is to review several scientific articles to explore a question about a scientific topic, consider this:

An essay that is driven by a scientific question that synthesizes, or combines different ideas together can give a brand new perspective on a topic. What might you learn from other science writers when you review articles that revolve around different aspects of your question?

NOT A GOOD QUESTION

(fine question for an encyclopedia article, but definitely not for a scientific inquiry essay)

BETTER QUESTIONS (these questions may lead you to new

perspectives about your topic)

What is a robot? How are robots used in health care, and what might we expect in the future?

What is coral? Why and how are coral reefs being used to monitor changes in ocean temperatures?

What is Ebola? What economic impact can a disease like Ebola have on a nation?

What kind of computers can be found in a car? What impact have computers had on driving safety?

If the purpose of your essay is to compete in the Toshiba ExploraVision Competition, consider

this:

It is important to follow all of their requirements very carefully. This competition has very

helpful resources for managing your time, support for writing strong entries, and examples of

winning work.


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Tips to Keep in Mind While Writing your Essay Audience, Tone and Voice

Consider your audience as you write. Just because you are writing a science essay doesn’t mean that your ideas can only be shared in a technical voice. Your purpose is to share science or engineering information, ideas, and application. As you read scientific articles, think about the type of audience the author is targeting. Determine your audience for BEFORE you start writing. This handbook, for instance, is written for students.

Use a tone that is appropriate for your subject matter and your audience. Consider this - a few years ago, the Mongolian Minister of Culture wrote a very powerful essay to her nation about the economic and academic problems of dinosaur fossils being smuggled out of her country. Educated at Yale and Stanford, and an advisor to the president of Mongolia, she could have written a very, very technical essay. Instead, she wrote it from the point of view of Tarbosaurus bataar, a dinosaur similar to T. rex, that once lived in Mongolia. “I am supposed to be a superstar, but I am nobody because nobody knows me.” Her essay started a change in the culture of her nation in protecting these scientific resources. No matter what tone your essay takes, it is important that your understanding of the science, engineering and technology of your topic is very clearly shared with your readers.

Past, Present, and Future

Many strong science essays clearly contain information which shows that the author has a strong understanding of the history of the topic, what’s significant about the topic now, and trends in how the topic might change over time.

A Collection of Facts vs. New Ideas

Your scientific inquiry essay is about gaining new knowledge or insight on a topic. It is NOT meant to be an encyclopedia entry.

Practicalities

How many pages? How many sources? Coversheet? Etc? Students in Grades 4-12 can participate

in the STEM Expo in the Science Inquiry Essay Category. Your practical questions can best be

answered by what is considered to be top quality work in your science class, at your grade level.

Examples of specifics that help make your typed paper more readable are 1 inch margins,

double-spacing, numbered pages, section headings, Calibri 11pt or 12pt font.


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Working with Resources

Writing a science inquiry essays requires the use of resources that are accepted by the scientific

community. Your librarian can help you identify appropriate resources to use. Here are a few others to

help with your search.

Edmonds School District Online Resources Library https://goo.gl/4rzjuH

Teachers and Specialists in your topic area

Museums and museum websites

Organizations that specialize in your topic

Purdue Online Writing Lab: Provides support in all types of writing assignments, though it requires a little practice to navigate through all the options. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ Annotated Bibliographies: Explanations, examples and samples of how to write annotated bibliographies. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/03/ Bibliography Formatting Resource: www.easybib.com Scientific American: Online version of a popular science magazine that could be helpful with sources and ideas, as well as examples of articles written for your target audience. http://www.scientificamerican.com/ Science Daily: Online journal of popular science articles that could be used for ideas and examples of work intended for your target audience. http://www.sciencedaily.com/ Science News: Another online version of popular science articles that could be used for ideas and examples of work intended for your target audience. https://student.societyforscience.org/sciencenews-students TED Talks: Recorded presentations on several topics including science issues. http://www.ted.com/talks Check out TED Ed, which is specifically focused on teaching about specific science issues. http://ed.ted.com/ Google Scholar: Use this search option for peer-reviewed, primary articles. http://scholar.google.com/ PLoS (Public Library of Science): Online scientific, peer-reviewed primary articles. Not all articles will be accessible without subscriptions. http://www.plos.org/ However, the PLoS One contains articles that are openly accessible to all. http://www.plosone.org/


https://goo.gl/4rzjuH

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/03/

http://www.easybib.com/

http://www.scientificamerican.com/

http://www.sciencedaily.com/

https://student.societyforscience.org/sciencenews-students

http://www.ted.com/talks

http://ed.ted.com/

http://scholar.google.com/

http://www.plos.org/

http://www.plosone.org/

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Example of a Project Timeline/Calendar This is a simple example of a timeline for a Science Inquiry Essay in which a science question is explored. Creating a timeline for your project is HIGHLY recommended. It helps to keep you on track and breaks the process into smaller tasks.

Tasks to be completed October Start a STEM Expo Lab Notebook to record all work on your project

Decide whether to do a team or an individual project

Brainstorm topic ideas

Select a topic

Record notes from three resources, with bibliography (annotated bibliography for higher grades)

November Make a list of questions you have about your topic

Spend as much time as possible reading & taking notes on your topic

Finalize the scientific question you will explore

Get approval from your teacher for your proposed scientific question

Record notes from three more resources, with bibliography (annotated bibliography for higher grades)

December Outline of paper completed by giving topic of each paragraph

Opening paragraph completed and peer reviewed

Collection of more resources, with bibliography (annotated bibliography for higher grades)

WINTER BREAK January Complete a rough draft

Have your rough draft peer reviewed

Review and revise your work

February Register online for the STEM Expo

Complete your final draft

March

Create your display board

April Celebrate your work at the STEM Expo!


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Prepare a Display Board of Your Findings/Work

The display board is a visual representation of your entire project, from question to completion. You will

be provided with a tri-fold display board. Keep your exhibit neat, uncluttered, and to the point. All

photos and illustrations should include captions and photo credits.

Note: No living organisms, taxidermy specimens, preserved animals, human/animal parts or body fluids,

hazardous or flammable chemicals, or drugs are allowed as part of your display at the STEM Expo.

Photos should not show students’ faces. Do not have anything of value or that is breakable as part of

your display. You will not have access to electrical outlets.


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Display Board Ideas for Science Investigation Projec

Student Name Important

background

information about

your topic

Question

Detailed

conclusion/answer

to your question

Images, photos, graphs,

data tables

Short answer to your

question

Further extensions

that could be

explored and WHY

Bibliography,

resources,

acknowledgments

Title

This is another example of a Display Board for Science Inquiry Essay Projects

In Front of Display Board on Table: Research Paper, Project Notebook and any other materials you

feel would be useful to explain and show how you ran and/or created your project.


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How Adults Can Help

Visit the resource pages for the STEM Expo at the Edmonds School District “Explore STEM” site at https://goo.gl/6QAQB8

Be a questioner to help achieve focus and clarity. Guide the students rather than lead. Encourage students to make their own decisions and use the inquiry approach.

Be a helper by answering questions on the “how to.” A student might require help remembering how to set up a graph or chart. Show them how but don’t do it for them.

Be an assistant when students need extra hands. Some tasks are just too difficult to do alone. Help them organize time and information.

Be a coach for students who need help. Show or remind them how to use information and assist in finding appropriate search tools.

Be a runner for various materials that the student might need. A student might need materials for the project or they could need to visit a site or interview an expert to enhance their study.

Be a wise listener when students want to share ideas. Allow the student to discuss progress and show interest in the student’s project.

Most importantly, be an encourager! Allow students to do their own quality work. Students will perform best if they know they have support from teachers and parents. Let them know how well they are doing and how proud you are of their accomplishments.

Registration for the Edmonds STEM Expo

Online registration for the STEM Expo will be open from February 22 – March 16, 2018. If you are

participating as part of a class, your teacher will give you registration access information in early

February. If you are participating without a class or club, please contact Mary Glodowski

[email protected] for registration instructions.




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Project Planning Proposal Example

Edmonds STEM Expo Project Planning Proposal Due Date:

Student’s Name or Team Members’ Names Grade Possible Project Title

Category (circle one):

Science Investigation Engineering Design/Invention Science Inquiry Essay

Computer Sciences STEM Club Project STEM Classroom Display School: Sponsoring Teacher:

A brief explanation of your proposed project. (2-3 sentences):

Does your proposed project use any of the following?

Yes No Yes No

Human Subjects in any way (even if it’s just to ask them questions for a survey)

Controlled or hazardous substances

Vertebrate animals (animals with a backbone)

Any micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi)

Animal tissue Disease causing agents DNA Explosives Radiation Chemicals not generally found in a

household

I understand that when my project planning proposal is approved I will be expected to host my exhibit at the STEM Expo on Monday, April 23, 2018, 6:00-8:00pm at Mountlake Terrace High School. ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Teacher’s Review: Congratulations! Your project proposal has been approved.

Your project proposal isn’t ready for approval yet.


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