Past, Current, & Future (most likely)
LARGE Assignments
Fall Semester
Science Fair
Science Fair is done COMPLETELY at home in the 5th grade.
Documents below: These documents will also be given out in November/December. Student packets will not be graded or turned in, only the finished science fair boards.
Documents below: These documents will also be given out in November/December. Student packets will not be graded or turned in, only the finished science fair boards.
- To download what you see, click on the FILE ICON below each document.
General Due Dates: Hill's school science fair will take place around January. The Austin Regional Science Fair will take place around February.
Go to Austin Regional Science Fair.
Go to Austin Regional Science Fair.
2 OPTIONS FOR YOUR PROJECT:
Experiment OR Engineering Design
For Experiments
Coming up with a testable experimental question:
Not all science questions are experiments, thus testable and suitable for science fair projects.
Experiment OR Engineering Design
For Experiments
Coming up with a testable experimental question:
Not all science questions are experiments, thus testable and suitable for science fair projects.
- Go to: Science Fair Central @ Discovery.com to see the difference between a testable experimental question and a non-testable question.
- 3 Strategies for an Original Science Fair Project (Scientific American)
Above: Question starters to help you craft your own TESTABLE experimental question.
experiment_question_starters.doc |
For Engineering Designs
Coming up with a design goal/topic: you can start here. How to approach an engineering design project: start at these links. Some great documentaries and shows that rely on coming up with and completing their engineering designs to accomplish their goals:
For Experiments AND Engineering Designs:
Online Graph-Maker Tool: CREATE-A-GRAPH
The packet that went home below:
Coming up with a design goal/topic: you can start here. How to approach an engineering design project: start at these links. Some great documentaries and shows that rely on coming up with and completing their engineering designs to accomplish their goals:
- Myth Busters
- PBS NOVA documentary (episode 44): Secrets of the Shining Knight (available here, at the PBS website, as well as on PBS streaming apps). Modern historians and blacksmiths have to determine how to engineer suits of armor of yore, even though the knowledge of how to create the metal composition and strength has been lost over time.
For Experiments AND Engineering Designs:
Online Graph-Maker Tool: CREATE-A-GRAPH
The packet that went home below:
Above: Frequently asked questions and general guidelines.
science_fair_project_faq_sheet.doc |
Above: the "journal" packet that walks students through the design of their unique experiment.
science_fair_both_design_ws.doc |
Above: the grading rubrics for BOTH an Experiment AND an Engineering Design
science_fair_board_instructions.doc |
Weather versus Climate Picturebook Project
Students will author and illustrate an informative text in any book genre that teaches the difference between weather and climate.
weather_picture_book_project.doc |
Example Picture Books From Past Students
Spring Semester
BUILD A MODEL Electric Generator Project
Above: the instructions and grading rubric, as well as extra credit options. Formatting looks better once downloaded.
build_an_electric_generator_model_project.doc |
Alternative Energy Letters to the President, Governor, Austin Energy, or Other Recipient!
Above: instructions for letter assignment
alternative_energy_letter_instructions.instructions.doc |