SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR

K-5 Project Categories

Option IV:  Technological Design/Inventions

 

 

Technology enjoys a special relationship with other fields of study, especially science and mathematics, and is the result of applying the best of what we know to the modification of natural materials to meet both our needs and wants.  Technology is our effort at problem solving for basic needs and comforts.  The study and undertaking of technological design provides opportunities to develop understanding of its core concepts, including systems, resources, requirements, optimization and trade-offs, processes and controls.

 

Examples

• bird cage seed catcher
• comparison of two types of string to determine which is best for lifting objects
• simple system to hold two objects together
• solve problems that improve communication, such as:
• redirecting/redesigning hall traffic
• distributing and collecting science equipment efficiently

 

Display Format

1.         Title:                                         Problem

2.         Problem Description:               How and why this problem was selected

3.         Proposed Solution:                  Ways a solution to the problem was attempted; resources

(materials, information, capital), requirements (safety needs, physical laws, cultural norms, criteria, constraints), optimization and trade-offs considered

4.         Product:                                  Design and construction of one solution

5.         Results/Evaluation:                  How well the product addressed the problem; data/analysis

6.         Explanations/Conclusions:      What you learned and would like others to know in

consideration of the product’s efficiency/limitations

7.         Questions/Plans:                      New questions and plans for your technological

                                                            design; additional solutions to the problem; problems these solutions may create

Self-Assessment

            Communication:                    Clear, concise descriptions of . . .

·         scientific thinking, design, and product

·         construction methods & materials

·         findings and results

·         evidence-based explanations/conclusions

through . . .

·         science log

·         photos, drawings/diagrams with descriptive captions and/or labels

·         narrative writing

·         tables, charts and/or graphs

 

CRITERIA FOR SCIENCE PROJECTS AND/OR JUDGING FIFTH GRADE PROJECTS

(K-4 ARE NOT JUDGED)

 

Please remember that these projects are the products of elementary students, whose application of and skills with science are still developing.  While you should certainly look for adherence to the scientific principles outlined above, your scoring should keep in mind that the interest and excitement of exploring science are of the greatest importance in this age group.

 

Science conferences are part of science fairs at some schools.  Students share their project design, results, and findings with peers, teachers, and families and the audience interacts with the student researcher to address questions such as the examples listed below.   The following topics and questions can be used for science conferences, and/or as criteria for judging.

 

 

Option IV:  Technological Design/Invention

 

Problem Description:  What is the problem?  How was this problem identified and selected?

 

Proposed Solution:  In what ways was a solution to the problem attempted?  What resources (materials, information, capital), requirements (safety needs, physical laws, cultural norms, criteria, constraints) and trade-offs were considered?

 

Product:  Explain why you selected this solution.

 

Results/Evaluation:  How was the design and construction evaluated?   How many times was it tested?  Under what conditions was it tested?  What variables were controlled for?  How well does the system, process or product address the problem?

 

Explanations/Conclusions:  What did you learn during the design/invention process?  How efficient is the solution?  What are the limitations?

 

Questions/Plans:  What additional solutions are there to the problems?  What problems might these solutions create?  What questions do you have now?

 

Communication:  How does the display communicate scientific thinking, design, and product? 

 

Science Log:  Does the display include a sequential account of your technological design/invention process?