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Questions about my project |
Questions about using this website |
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| Explorations | Demos |
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Answers
What should I do if I can't think of a topic?
You should pick a topic based on your interests. John Jones (narrator of the Find a Topic exploration) models this process.
What should I do if I lost a handout?
Handouts are available for download from the Documents page.
What is the schedule for this project?
A science fair project typically takes 6 weeks to complete. Your teacher will have a specific deadline for you. You may find the to-do list helpful as you work on your project.
What should I do if I can't find good information on my topic?
For elementary school students, many websites are written a level that is difficult to read and you may not yet be efficient at finding appropriate resources. For this reason, we recommend that you begin with print resources and an encyclopedia article. Visit the Researching Help page to see a detailed description of the recommended research strategy. You may also wish to visit the recommended links.
How will I know if my idea for a project will be acceptable?
There are rules about the types of projects that are acceptable. First, review the fair policies. Then submit an abstract of your proposed project to your teacher for approval.
What should my logbook look like?
Your logbook will include all your work for the fair. It shows the judges that you actually did the work yourself. A black marble book is fine. You can staple into your logbook any pages that you completed on the computer.
At the end of each exploration, you will find a sample of an entry in a logbook for that stage of the STEM fair process. Those samples are as follows:
1. Find a Topic (pdf)
2. Research a Topic (pdf)
3. Pose a Question (pdf)
4. Form a Hypothesis (pdf)
5. Identify Variables (pdf)
6. Plan Investigation (pdf)
7. Do Investigation (pdf)
8. Write Results (pdf)
9. Write Conclusions (pdf)
10. Create Display (pdf)
For your reference, there is also an entire logbook (pdf)
for Joshua (an imaginary student) who completed the entire STEM fair process.
What should my abstract look like?
An abstract is a brief description of what you want to do for your project. It must be turned in before you start working on your project, so that your teacher can check that your project will follow all the rules. You turn in your abstract using the abstract form. Refer to the sample abstracts to understand what is expected on your form.
What should my research report look like?
If you need help writing your research report, visit the exploration narrated by the writing coach. Refer to the sample research reports to get a general idea of what you need to do. Your teacher may have specific expectations for your research report as well.
What should my display look like?
Tommy Tate (narrator for the Create a Display exploration) describes how to prepare a display.
Refer to Tommy's display as a model.
How do create a bibliography?
You will find help on creating a bibliography within the Writing Coach's tutorial. Noodletools is a web-based tool that helps you create a bibliography.
Where can I find definitions for STEM fair terms (in other words a glossary)?
The glossary defines important terms.
How does this website work?
For an overview about using this website, refer to the Student Guide, Teacher Guide or Parent Guide.
How do I move around this web site?
For an overview about the features of this web site, use the website tour.
How do I use an exploration?
For an overview about how to use the explorations, use the exploration tour.
How do I return to normal mode from full screen mode?
When you are in an exploration, you might click the icon to view the slideshow in full screen mode. If this happens the slide fills the whole screen. This hides the menus, toolbars, and address bar in Internet Explorer. To return to normal mode, press the ESC key.
What should I do if some of the files in the Virtual STEM Fair Portal won't open?
The file may use Macromedia Flash. If you don't have this plug-in, you may download it for free.
Get Macromedia Flash Player (Free)
Alternatively, the file may use Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have this plug-in, you may also download it for free.
If the file is a Kidspiration file and you don't have Kidspiration, use the document's alternative format (usually a PDF file which can be opened using Adobe Acrobat Reader). Likewise if the file is a Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, or Microsoft Word file and you don't have Microsoft Office, use the document's alternative format (again usually a PDF file).
What should I use for a username/password for BCPS fee-based databases?
All Baltimore County Public School students have free access to these resources. See your school librarian for a handout with the applicable usernames and passwords.
What should I do if I get a security warning about ActiveX controls?
The sounds played for the narrations use a computer tool called an ActiveX control. Within this website, they are harmless. Some browsers will block Active X and Flash Content. You can recognize that this is happening if you see a yellow bar along the top of your browser window. Each browser handles security in a different manner, but you can unblock this content by clicking on the yellow bar
and following the instructions provided.
How do I use a PDF file referenced on this website?
PDF files provide a portable way to share documents in case you don't have a word processor. Refer to the directions for downloading PDF files.
How do I use a Microsoft Word file referenced on this website?
Microsoft Word is a word processing program. Refer to the directions for opening Microsoft Word files.
How do I use a Kidspiration file referenced on this website?
Kidspiration is a program that allows you to create diagrams. It is useful for brainstorming and organizing your thoughts before writing. Refer to the directions for opening Kidspiration files.
How do I view a BrainPop video referenced on this website?
Brainpop is a website that has mini-animated movies about different topics. Access to this website is on a subscription basis. Refer to the directions for accessing BrainPop movies.
Where do I find a list of all the help resources in this web site?
Refer the Help Topic Index to see all the help topics available.
Where do I find an exploration?
How do I find a computer demonstration that I watched during an exploration?
Demonstration Location Brainstorm about your topic using Kidspiration Topic Organizer Paraphrase and take notes using an online encyclopedia (WorldBook) WorldBook Scan a periodical article to take notes using Sirs Discoverer Sirs Discoverer Find useful websites for your research using a trailblazer page (Sirs Discoverer Webfind) Webfind Search the Internet using KidsClick! KidsClick! Brainstorm and organize ideas for your research report using Kidspiration Prewriting Convert your pre-writing into a draft using Kidspiration and Microsoft Word Drafting Design (plan) an investigation (experiment) using Kidspiration Design Create a Table using Microsoft Word Table Create a Graph using Microsoft Excel Graph
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