Science Project 2018

4th Grade Science Project

Dear Families:

Your child has been assigned a science project.  They will be asked to choose and complete one of the following:  a simple science experiment following the Scientific Process, create an invention using the Engineering Design Process, or complete a research project. Detailed project descriptions are posted on our 4th grade website at:

http://teacherweb.com/CA/LakeTahoeEnvironmentalScienceMagnet/4thgrade/apt3.aspx

The project will be displayed on a tri-fold display board. I will provide the boards.   All projects can be viewed on May 31 at our LTESMS Open House.

Most of the project will be completed in class.  The choice of project and collection of necessary materials needs to be taken care of at home.  I have provided a list of online resources to help you get started. Please review the resources with your child and help them select a project of high interest and that fits your family’s budget based on the materials needed.  Because most of the work is done in class, projects should be able to be completed within three days. Excessively messy projects or ones involving critters may need to be done at home. Your child may choose to work with one partner and turn in one project together. Each partnership must be teacher approved.  

As soon as their project choice has been submitted, they will receive confirmation of that choice and the date they will be conducting the experiment or engineering project in class. Please note, research projects will follow a different schedule and require more focused time management skills.

April 20-April 30: Review the list project choices and websites and choose one. (At home)  

April 30: Submit your choices. Project and date of experiment or engineering project will be sent home.

May 1: Research projects ONLY: Begin research.

May 1-May 7:   Collect the needed materials for your experiment. (At home)

May 7-May 18:  Experiments conducted.  Parent helpers appreciated. (In class after 11:30)

May 21-May 29: Put together final presentation.  Project due no later than May 30. (In class)

****Please be aware that if your child has difficulty managing their time and adhering to the schedule, more of the project will be required to be completed at home.

Online Resources:

http://www.education.com/science-fair/fourth-grade/engineering/

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml

http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/

http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/category33.html

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/projects.html

http://www.education.com/science-fair/fourth-grade/

Science Project Ideas

  • How does the temperature of a tennis ball affect the height of its bounce?

  • How does the air pressure of a soccer ball affect how far it travels when kicked?

  • How does the temperature of water affect the time it takes to freeze into ice cubes?

  • How will the time spent chewing bubble gum affect its bubbles' maximum size?

  • Which brand of popcorn leaves the fewest unpopped kernels?

  • Does the flavor of gelatin affect the amount of time it takes to set?

  • How does the type of material affect how long a shirt takes to dry?

  • In a blind taste test, can you tell the difference between nonfat, low fat, and   whole milk?

  • Given the same amount of water, how does pot size affect the amount of time it takes to boil?

  • What brand of trash bag can withstand the most weight before ripping?

  • How does a light bulb’s wattage affect the amount of heat detected above a light?

  • How does the type of container affect ice cream’s melting time?

  • Which can support more weight: paper or plastic grocery bags?

  • Which cereal brand stays crunchy in milk the longest?

  • What brand of paper towel is most absorbent?

  • Which type of fruit is more acidic: lemons, oranges, or watermelon?

  • How does a parachute’s material affect the speed at which it falls?

  • Does a no name stain remover work just as well as a brand name?

  • How does the weight of a paper airplane affect its ability to fly?

  • Which is a better insulator: wool, cotton, or down feathers?

  • How does air temperature affect your flexibility?

  • How does a person’s age affect his or her flexibility?

  • Does the brand of kitty litter affect clumping?

  • Can people tell the difference between music played on an MP3 player, CD player, tape player, and turntable?

  • How does the type of string used in a “can and string” phone affect the phone’s ability to transmit sound?