Science Projects. Elementary School teachers almost always require students to do at least one science project before they finish the fifth grade. Elementary science projects are easy to find, but finding the right project for your child can be a challenge. Here are five hints to help you find the best project for your grade school child.

1. Find out what kind of project is required. There are many types of projects, and you need to make sure you are doing the right kind. Does your teacher want an experiment, a demonstration, a collection, a report, or a model? Knowing what kind of project you need will narrow down your choices a lot.

2. Make a list of things that interest your child. What subjects catch your child’s eye on television or in books – space, animals, buildings, computers, explosions? Does your child need instant gratification? Consider a chemistry experiment with dramatic results, such as “What Causes a Chemical Reaction to Speed Up?” Is your child interested in physics? Find out which surface best resists slipping.

3. Decide how much money – and time – you have to spend. If you don’t have a lot of money to invest, and if your time is limited, there is no need to look at anything that requires special metals to be imported from the Far East. Decide on how much cash you’re willing to spend, and create a generous time line for getting supplies. Keep in mind that you have to actually do the project after the supplies arrive.

4. Keep in mind that this is a science project for elementary school. Don’t choose a project with complicated instructions. You want your child to do the project with your help – and not the other way around.

5. Provide four or five science project choices. Ever notice how it takes longer to decide on an ice cream flavor when there are 31 flavors? Give your elementary school child a limited list of science project choices, and you’ll both be happier.

Now, get a free guide to science projects – including how to find experiments with step by step instructions – at 24 Hour Science Projects. Easy and fast, they’ll help you submit an outstanding – and maybe winning – science project for elementary school.

What encourages mold to grow? This is a question that students can answer in their very own science fair project. If this is the first year a student has completed this type of project then it is very helpful to review complete projects to get an idea of what is expected from them.

Find a Focus for the Project

The first step in developing a mold science fair project is to find a focus. The focus is going to be one element of the selected topic to examine. In the case of mold growth science fair projects students can examine possible growth factors such as surface composition, food sources, heat and humidity. Light exposure and chemical elements can also be used as a mold project focus.

Develop a Hypothesis

The second step is to use the focus to develop a hypothesis. The hypothesis is going to make a prediction about a cause and effect relationship. In this situation the dependent variable, which is measured, is going to be the rate of growth for the mold sample. The cause variable, also referred to as the independent variable, is going to be the focus element, such as heat, humidity or light exposure.

For this sample project the hypothesis is going to be: mold grows faster in warmer environments.

Create an Experiment

The design of an experiment is not a simple process, particularly for mold growth projects. Students will need to develop a testing environment that allows them to isolate a single factor to manipulate, such as heat. To rule out the possibility of other factors influencing the growth rate of the mold a control experiment will also need to be developed.

The control experiment will be set up in a closed environment. It will utilize a sterile Petri dish, agar and a mold sample. Students will need to measure the size of the mold starter and record this in their project journals. They will then need to document the humidity level, temperature and light exposure factors that are influencing the growth of the control mold.

The test experiments will involve the same set up as the control experiment. In fact the test experiments need to mirror the control in every way except for the internal temperature of the testing environment. This is what will be manipulated in each experiment group.

Collect Data

For the control experiment students will need to collect several pieces of data. They will need to record the temperature of the control test environment, the humidity level and they will also need to record how much light the mold is exposed to. Students will also need to record information about the type and size of mold used to start the experiment. Finally, students will need to record the growth of the mold in daily increments.

The test experiments will need to record slightly less information. Students will only need to record the temperature for each experiment and the daily growth rates of their experimental molds. All of this information will need to be organized in a table.

Analyze the Data

The analysis of the data will be fairly straight forward. Students will just need to compare the average daily growth rates for each experiment and compare them to the control and to each other. If the hypothesis is correct then the student will notice that as the temperature is increased the rate of growth for the mold will also increase.

Winning the science fair isn’t supposed to be the reason our kids do science projects, but most kids really would like to win. Here are four steps to a winning project.

1. Choose a Science Project That Really Interests You. Whether it be electricity or pets, eggs or weather, pick a project that will let your enthusiasm shine through. Judges can tell if you have put your heart into your work, so choose a project you really like. You learn more from something that interests you, too!

2. Know the Science Fair Rules. There are five different kinds of science projects, and you must make sure your project is the correct type for your school science fair. Most fairs want you to do an experiment, which means your project must follow the scientific method. Don’t make the mistake of turning in a demonstration or a model if these are not allowed.

You must also make sure that you include each required part of the science project. Almost all judges want to see a materials list and the steps you took for your project. You may need a log or a journal. Most of the time you’ll need your findings on a chart and graph. Don’t leave anything out!

3. Make an Attractive Science Board. Your display should be colorful, well organized, and easy to read. Use bold fonts, bullet points, and borders around papers and pictures. Be neat! Use glue instead of tape, and make sure your cutting is even.

4. Stand Out From the Rest. A cool title will attract the attention of judges. One of our boys tested the biodegradability of toilet paper and called it “A Straight Flush”. One girl tested which fruit had the most vitamin C, backed her board with great big pictures of fruit, then used coordinating paper for her information. A boy we know used toy cars in his experiment, and his display included the race track and cars. Include something that makes your project stand out from all the others in the science fair.

Want to find more winning hints? Get your a free parent’s guide to science projects – at http://www.24hourscienceprojects.com. Really, getting a ribbon should not be the focus of your project. If you’ve learned something and had fun, you already have a winning science project.

Every year thousands of students are given the opportunity to create a science fair project. This project can be about anything that the student is interested in and it can take on a variety of forms. While these projects give students the chance to explore an area of science independently and a chance to win prizes and scholarship money, many students fail to put in the effort to create a winning project.

Complexity

One of the most effective ways to impress science fair judges is to create a complex project. These projects will tackle advanced subjects and/or involve extensive research. In other words, complex projects will go above and beyond what is “expected” from a student at a certain grade level.

While a complex project is a good way to impress science fair judges, the student has to be able to deliver what their project promises. This means that they need to be able to manipulate components in their experiment successfully and be able to understand what their data presents. This is not easy to do.

Humor

If you are not a gifted science student you can focus on other aspects of the project that can impress judges. For example, projects that are infused with humor often do very well at science fairs. This is because science fair judges are looking for projects that are unusual and that stand out from the crowd.

Humor is an effective attention getting tool, however, it can backfire if you are not careful. To get the most from your humor infusion you will want to make sure that your humor is backed up with solid science. You still need to complete your project following the seven steps in the scientific method and you still need to produce viable results.

Innovative

Innovation is another quality that you can add to your science fair project in order to impress the judges. Science fair project innovation can be applied to several aspects of your projects. For example, you can be innovative in the way that you test your hypothesis, you can be innovative in the way that you apply your findings or you can be innovative in your overall approach to your project’s design.

To be successful your use of innovation has to be demonstrable. This means that you have to show that your way is better, or that your innovations improved a process. If you fail to show that your “innovation” was affective your project will not be viewed as innovative, but rather a failure.

Conclusion

Impressing science fair judges is not always easy. They spend hours listening to students drone on about their science fair projects and how they were created. By the time these judges get to your project they are most likely to be tired and over-stimulated with information. To impress them you need to quickly grab their attention and engage them in your presentation. This can be accomplished by being enthusiastic about your project and by quickly pointed out the innovative, humorous or complex nature of your project.

Linn-Benton Community College is located in Albany Oregon and is a two year public community college. Linn-Benton Community College offers Associate’s degrees in a wide variety of different subjects. Two of the degrees that are offered are Associate of Science with an emphasis in Animal Science or an Associate of Science with an emphasis in Equine Science.

Linn-Benton Community College prides itself on providing practical instruction and being able to assist students in meeting their learning objectives. The curriculum is designed to be the first step toward students being able to meet the lower division requirements that are needed to transfer to a major university. Students who complete an Associate of Science degree with an emphasis in Animal Science will:

By able to successfully apply multiple species animal husbandry skills and concepts within the livestock and equine industry.

Students will be able to apply the skills that they have learned to find employment in animal agriculture.

Utilize the appropriate skills and technology that is available to successfully manage money and keep organized records Effectively research nutrition, management, marketing, health, and reproduction issues.

Students will be able to effectively communicate their thoughts and ambitions using vocabulary that is specific to the industry.

Students who complete an Associate of Science Degree with an emphasis in Equine Science will be able to:

Apply equine husbandry skills as a transfer student.

Research nutrition, basic management, marketing, health, reproduction, and training issues in horses.

Communicate with different equine professionals using the appropriate vocabulary.

Successfully manage records and finances using computation skills and technology.

The courses that students are required to complete successfully will enable them to transfer to a four year school where they will have the opportunity to complete the bachelor’s degrees. Students who choose to pursue either one of the equine programs should have a strong background in life sciences and mathematics. Students are required to complete several coursed in chemistry, biology, and math as well as different courses that are focused on baccalaureate core perspectives. There are also courses available that will provide practical instructional experiences in animal science and other equine related fields.

All classes are held in very modern classrooms and laboratories that are equipped with microcomputers, microscopes, and any other lab equipment that is necessary for the students to complete their coursework. There is a great amount of emphasis placed on hands on activities and experiences. Some of the classes will require that students utilize some of the local livestock producers for in the field laboratory exercises.

Students are also allowed the opportunity to participate in a cooperative work experience program. Students who are enrolled in the Animal Science program can earn up to 14 hours of college credit for on the job training that they receive through the Linn-Benton Community College Cooperative Work Experience Program. Students who are interested in this option should speak with their major area instructors and the Cooperative Work Experience coordinator.

For students who are ready to enter the work force, Linn-Benton Community College also offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Horse Management. The Horse Management program is a vital part of the equine department. The program is housed in a state of the art facility and emphasizes both breeding management training of horses. Students who attend Linn-Benton Community College and pursue any of the offered animal science and equine related degrees will experience the best education available, whether or not they are planning to enter the job market after two years of education or if they plan to continue their education by going on to a four year institution.

Interested in more great equine information? Just visit our reference links below and you will find a beautiful horse forum to share and learn. And a great equine information and classified network with something for everyone.

If would find time please bookmark a few sites and articles within our network and help us grow.

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Final projects are a great way to cap off a year of science education. Many middle school science classes assign a big project to be completed either by the end of the first semester of the school year or by the end of the second semester. These projects are used to gauge how much students have learned, as well as to determine if the student is progressing at an appropriate rate. Here are six possible ways to evaluate student progress.

#1 – Science Journal Project

The first final project that science teachers can assign is a semester or year long science journal project. For this project students will keep a journal for the specified period. They will be required to make a minimum number of entries and they will be required to hit a minimum page count. Teachers can assign subjects for the students to write on each week or they can allow students to pick their own topics.

#2 – Process Report

The second final project that middle school science teachers can assign is a process report. This project will require students to select a science process and to develop a thesis statement around it. The thesis statement can predict a relationship between the process and other factors or it can examine the application of this process. Since this is a final project the page count will be between eight and ten pages.

#3 – Science Fair Projects

A science fair project always makes a good final project option. These projects can be used to evaluate how well students have mastered the scientific method, as well as be used to determine the ability of the student to problem solve and to think critically. This is a great option for 6th through 8th grade students.

#4 – Teach a Class

Another project that can be assigned is a “Teach a Class” project. For this project each student or group of students will be asked to teach a science class. They will be given a topic and instructions on how to develop a lesson plan. Students will then need to develop an informational lecture, a guided learning activity, an independent learning activity and they will be required to evaluate their students’ work.

#5 – Science Demonstrations

A science demonstration is another way to test the science skill proficiency of a student. Since this is a final project option the demonstration will need to include background information on the process or concept that is being demonstrated. Students will also need to write up a report on their concept that includes the steps for the demonstration.

#6 – Comprehensive Examination

One of the quickest ways to evaluate how your students have progressed over the school year is to give a comprehensive exam. A comprehensive exam will cover all of the concepts that were studied during the semester or the year. These exams can be made up of multiple questions, short answers and essay questions. You can also create an exam that includes only one essay question.

At the risk of sounding like a Disney movie, I will tell you a story. Let’s just say that one day I was having a bad day. You’re probably familiar with the scene. Glares, scoffs, and bad attitude were coursing through my veins. It also happened that on this particular day I was headed towards a gathering which I was more or less expected to attend. I didn’t want to go because (as I hope I have duly illustrated) I was feeling like the ice queen of Narnia. However, I did go and a young man who also happened to be attending the event said to me, “You look really pretty today.” It wasn’t much and the words certainly weren’t those belonging to an eloquent descendant of the teenage Romeo, but this young man’s sincerity was as genuine as homemade ice cream. Somehow, in some way, those words changed my day into a time period straight out of a Rogers and Hammerstein musical. Okay….that’s a little far fetched but I did have a much better day and also learned a powerful lesson regarding communication.

Lesson #1
Communication must happen, and it must happen when something is going wrong.

Change Control Application #1

When a change is required in the life science or high-tech industry something is already awry and the last thing a change control manager needs is the actual change control process to go wrong! However, that is exactly what happens in many regulated environments (companies regulated by the FDA, ISO, EMEA (Europe), CLIA, SOX, etc.). Documentation, scheduling, change control related training sessions, and other quality assurance processes can get out of hand fast. For this reason it is essential to create clear paths of communication so that productive communication can happen every time something goes wrong. Clear paths of communication mean more productivity and less change control headaches.

Software Solutions Recommendation

There are a variety of software solutions that are available for change control. MasterControl, a developer of integrated quality management software, provides a MasterControl Documents™ solution as well as a Change Control solution (among many others) that will get you well on your way to clearing up paths for better change control communication.

Scenario #2: Integration is Great

I grew up for the first early years of my life on a farm in Idaho (glamorous I know). It was there that I saw my first “wet back.” He worked with my father on our farm and his name was Manny. I liked Manny because he gave me and my brother candy and made our family tortillas but I knew that for some reason he was different than me and my family. It was years later when I was about to fly to Guatemala to begin a job there that a friend said to me, “You will probably meet a Guatemalan boy and marry him.” I thought the suggestion was ridiculous and heartily denied that would ever happen. After all, the only Latinos I had ever “known” were “wet backs”. However, when I had lived in Guatemala for several months I did meet a boy and began to integrate myself with his group of friends. I learned their language, I danced their dance, I laughed at their jokes and I dated that Guatemalan boy. I had essentially integrated with them instead of remaining separate from them as I had done with Manny. It was then that I learned another lesson regarding communication.

Lesson #2
With integration, communication is pleasant.

Change Control Application #2

A change control manager would readily agree that a change control solution integrated with document control, a CAPA solution, customer complaints forms, training solutions, etc. would be something akin to Nirvana!

Software Solutions Recommendation

Once again, there might be a variety of software providers that integrate solutions, but MasterControl integrates more than a dozen solutions with the foundational software solution MasterControl Documents™. From a customer complaint form, to a CAPA, to change control and then to rewritten documentation and subsequent training, MasterControl can electronically manage your quality and change control processes online from start to finish. MasterControl solutions can also simultaneously help you meet 100% of regulatory compliance standards.