Science Field Day

Elementary Science Field Day is a county-wide event in San Diego. This section will include information geared toward student participants and their families.

Changing Earth

by
Our Changing Earth
Number of Participants: 2  Approximate time: 30 minutes
Description: This event will require students to be knowledgeable in the following areas of
earth science:
1.  The Earth’s Interior
2.  Geologic & Fossil Timelines
3.  Minerals and Their Identification
4.  Formation of Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic Rocks
5.  Folded & Block Mountains
6.  Topographic Maps (graph a cross-section of a topographic map)
7.  Volcanoes
8.  Cave Formation
9.  Formation of a Stream Valley
Competition:       10.  Erosion & Weathering
  1. Contestants will rotate through stations.
  2. Students will identify diagrams, and answer questions related to the topics above.
  3. Students will create a cross-section of a topographic map.
  4. Students turn in answer sheets when finished.
  5. The time it takes to complete the activities will be recorded.
  6. Participants may develop and bring to the competition a 1 page study sheet (9”x12” front and back) to aid them in answering questions.
The study sheet must be hand drawn and written.  Students may “cut and paste” their own
material onto the key.  No copies of text or photos will be accepted.
Scoring: Number of correct answers and time to complete tests will be used to determine
winners.
Primary Resource:
**Handouts available at Events Fair will include all necessary material from sources.
Ortleb, Edward P. and Cadice, Richard, Geology, Grades 5 -9, Miliken Publishing Company, St. Louis, MO, 1986.   ISBN 1-55863-091-0
Secondary Resources:
National Wildlife Federation, Ranger Rick’s Nature Scope: Geology, The Active Earth, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1997. Updated for 2011 Field DayThe Contour Connection
(Adapted from Ranger Rick’s NatureScope: GEOLOGY The Active Earth. ISBN 0-07-046711-8).
It takes a special map to really show the landscape.  In this activity students learn more about “topo” maps by taking a look at one and creating a graph of a cross-section of the map. 

  • The lines on the map are called contour lines.
  • On this map the contour lines show how high above sea level the land is. (There are also maps with contour lines depicting areas, such as the seafloor, that are below sea level.)
  • Each contour line represents a change in elevation of 20 feet (6 m).  The number associated with each contour line
  • represents the elevation of the Earth’s surface where the line passes through.  It is possible to show depressions on contour maps by putting hachure marks along them.
  • The Contour Connection map is an example of a topographic or contour map.  Notice where the ground is gently sloping and where it is steep.  (Where the distance between the contour lines is great, such as on the righthand side of the map. The land is not very steep.  However, where the contour lines are close together, such as on either side of the stream near the top of the map, the ground rises very quickly and the slope is steep.
  • A line AB will be drawn across a map.  Students will need to transfer the elevations along the line to a piece of graph paper.  They will then be asked to connect the elevations to show a cross-section of the land along line AB.
Fossil Timeline
(The Amazing Earth Model Book)
24 – 1.8 million years ago Neogene
65-24 million years ago Paleogene
144-65 million years ago Cretaceous
213-144 million years ago Jurassic
248-213 million years ago Triassic
286-248 million years ago Permian
360-286 million years ago Carboniferous
408-360 million years ago Devonian
438-408 million years ago Silurian
505-438 million years ago Ordovician
590-505 million years ago Cambrian
650-590 million years ago Precambrian

Science Field Day

by
Science Field Day

 

Saturday, May 19th, 2018   8:30-3:00

Lakeside Middle School, 11833 Woodside Ave, Lakeside, CA 92040

8:00 am Team Check In (Mrs.Allard, and parents who are helping)
8:30am Students arrive
9:00 am Events Begin
2:00 pm Tentative Start of Awards
3:00 pm Tentative ending time and Campus Clean up

View Map

Directions from Vista Grande:

  1. 52 East to
  2. 67 East to
  3. Riverford Rd Exit – there will be two lanes when you get off the freeway, stay in the right one, but do not turn right. The far left lane must turn left and then left under the freeway – don’t go that way.
  4. Turn left onto Woodside, Woodside follows the path just south of 67
  5. Follow Woodside for approximately ½ mile. Lakeside Middle School will be on your right. Look for attendants to give directions on parking.

Parking can sometimes be a problem, so it is good to come early to make sure you have a spot.

Additional Information:

  • Parents need to help direct students to their events and follow the schedule (I will provide before and have copies the day of the event).
  • Look for our group at tables in the lunch court area of Lakeside Middle School. I will have a box with extra maps/schedules/name tags, etc.
  • I will be unavailable because I am running/scoring Starry Starry Night. I will be at the awards ceremony.
  • Go to your event a few minutes before the time that is posted and check in. The people running the event will instruct you what to do next.
  • While in between your event(s), you may participate in the free activities. Check your schedule provided at SFD. Some events start at the beginning of the time and then only let a certain number of people into the room.
  • Bring a snack to share. Look for a sign up sheet to be made up a week or two before SFD.
  • Bring “beach” type chairs to use around the table (the tables aren’t as comfortable as a beach chair).
  • We need parent volunteers to help check students in and out of Starry Starry Night (in 1 hour shifts).

General Science Field Day Information (for joining and participating)

  • 2 teams, 16 kids on each team, 32 participating students (or less)  – 2013-2014 will be one team
  • Students need to complete an application
  • $30 for entry fee and t-shirt
  • Students will compete in 1-2 events
  • Students on team will select available events through random draw of names, except for 2nd year students who may choose to repeat their event from last year.
  • Most events are two students working together, 1 needs 3 partners, 1 needs 4 partners. Students may only work by themselves in special circumstances.
  • Appointments available after school, see Mrs. Allard to schedule, Thursdays
  • Student meetings during school hours for information and questions only, no practicing of events
  • Students should not drop out after accepting a place on the team.
  • Day of the event is SATURDAY, MAY 11TH
  • Parent help is great!! Appreciated!! Please get involved in helping your child, their partners, or even other students! But make it fun, not a chore.
  • My main objective is for students to feel part of a group, to participate in something science related, and to have fun. I do not put a lot of pressure on the kids, but do expect them to do something on their own to get ready.
  • On the day of the event, plan to be there, as a team, from 8am-3pm. There will be other activities there for the kids to participate in besides the competition.
  • Announcements will be made primarily by email. Please provide me with an email that you check frequently. If you do not have an email, please let me know so that I can make sure to send anything home with your child.
  • Information is/will be posted at www.mattermasters.com (my science website). There is only some there right now. (you are here now!)

Structures

by

Structures

Description: The purpose of this event is to test studentsʼ ability to build a strong, stable, tall and reproducible tower utilizing soda straws and T-pins. The objective of this competition is to see how much weight the completed tower can hold before collapsing.

Participants: 2

Time: 30 Minutes

**All materials will be provided at event site. No notes or measuring tools will be allowed.**

Construction Rules:
Each Team will be given: corrugated cardboard, scissors, fifty(50) Smart and Final jumbo 7 ¾” unwrapped straws and 30 medium (1½”) T-pins. No other building materials will be used.

Using the cardboard building platform, the team is to construct a standing tower at least 50 cm tall that is capable of holding as much weight as possible. There should be a flat area on top of the tower no smaller than 10 cm square to hold a tag board loading platform and plastic bowl.

Weights (pinto beans) will be loaded into the plastic bowl. The Plastic straws may be cut or shaped in any way.

When the tower is completed, the team will place a loading tag board and plastic bowl on top of the tower. The eventʼs organizer will load the bowl quickly and as carefully as possible with the weights. When the tower can no longer hold the weight or the bowl falls off, the loading will stop and the weights will be weighed on an electronic scale. Spectators will be allowed to watch, but no outside help will be allowed during the event.

Teams may pick up their towers after the competitions.

Scoring:
One point will be awarded for each gram of weight placed on and supported by the tower. This will include the weight of the plastic bowl.

Tie Breaker:
In the event that two or more towers tie in the amount of weight held, the tallest of the towers will be declared the winner.

Reminder:
The minimum height of the tower is 50 cm and there must be a flat area to serve as the loading platform on top. Your team will have only 30 minutes to plan, build and test their tower before loading and weighting of weights takes place.

 

*NOTE: Last year, some of the rules were changed. An additional element of being able to estimate the weight was added. We will need to check at the Events Fair whether there is updated information.

 

Mrs. Allard’s Suggestions:

Triangles are the strongest shape. Use triangles in your building.

The base to your structure should be wider than the top.

The top of your structure needs to have a flat support that will hold a plate/bowl evenly.

Practice several models, find one that seems to work well, then practice how to build that model even better/stronger.

Remember, the goal is to hold the heaviest load…not necessarily the prettiest tower.

Here are some links:

Straw Shapes Activity

Straw Tower

Zoom Straw Tower

Elementary Science Field Day
Structures
Description: The purpose of this event is to test studentsʼ ability to build a strong, stable, tall and
reproducible tower utilizing soda straws and T-pins. The objective of this competition is
to see how much weight the completed tower can hold before collapsing.
Participants: 2
Time: 30 Minutes
**All materials will be provided at event site. No notes or measuring tools will be allowed.**
Construction Rules:
Each Team will be given: corrugated cardboard, scissors, fifty(50) Smart and Final jumbo 7 ¾”
unwrapped straws and 30 medium (1½”) T-pins. No other building materials will be used.
Using the cardboard building platform, the team is to construct a standing tower at least 50 cm
tall that is capable of holding as much weight as possible. There should be a flat area on top of
the tower no smaller than 10 cm square to hold a tag board loading platform and plastic bowl.
Weights (pinto beans) will be loaded into the plastic bowl. The Plastic straws may be cut or
shaped in any way.
When the tower is completed, the team will place a loading tag board and plastic bowl on top
of the tower. The eventʼs organizer will load the bowl quickly and as carefully as possible with
the weights. When the tower can no longer hold the weight or the bowl falls off, the loading will
stop and the weights will be weighed on an electronic scale. Spectators will be allowed to
watch, but no outside help will be allowed during the event.
Teams may pick up their towers after the competitions.
Scoring:
One point will be awarded for each gram of weight placed on and supported by the tower. This
will include the weight of the plastic bowl.
Tie Breaker:
In the event that two or more towers tie in the amount of weight held, the tallest of the towers
will be declared the winner.
Reminder:
The minimum height of the tower is 50 cm and there must be a flat area to serve as the loading
platform on top. Your team will have only 30 minutes to plan, build and test their tower before loading
and weighting of weights takes place.Elementary Science Field Day
Structures
Description: The purpose of this event is to test studentsʼ ability to build a strong, stable, tall and
reproducible tower utilizing soda straws and T-pins. The objective of this competition is
to see how much weight the completed tower can hold before collapsing.
Participants: 2
Time: 30 Minutes
**All materials will be provided at event site. No notes or measuring tools will be allowed.**
Construction Rules:
Each Team will be given: corrugated cardboard, scissors, fifty(50) Smart and Final jumbo 7 ¾”
unwrapped straws and 30 medium (1½”) T-pins. No other building materials will be used.
Using the cardboard building platform, the team is to construct a standing tower at least 50 cm
tall that is capable of holding as much weight as possible. There should be a flat area on top of
the tower no smaller than 10 cm square to hold a tag board loading platform and plastic bowl.
Weights (pinto beans) will be loaded into the plastic bowl. The Plastic straws may be cut or
shaped in any way.
When the tower is completed, the team will place a loading tag board and plastic bowl on top
of the tower. The eventʼs organizer will load the bowl quickly and as carefully as possible with
the weights. When the tower can no longer hold the weight or the bowl falls off, the loading will
stop and the weights will be weighed on an electronic scale. Spectators will be allowed to
watch, but no outside help will be allowed during the event.
Teams may pick up their towers after the competitions.
Scoring:
One point will be awarded for each gram of weight placed on and supported by the tower. This
will include the weight of the plastic bowl.
Tie Breaker:
In the event that two or more towers tie in the amount of weight held, the tallest of the towers
will be declared the winner.
Reminder:
The minimum height of the tower is 50 cm and there must be a flat area to serve as the loading
platform on top. Your team will have only 30 minutes to plan, build and test their tower before loading
and weighting of weights takes place.

General Science Field Day Links

by

The link listed below is the SDCOE (San Diego County Office of Education) website for Science Field Day.

The page is the central location for all of the SFD materials and information. You can also access the specific event information through this website.

Science Field Day

For other links, click on the links tab.