Information Session Slide Deck - Lots of Great Info!
The McAuliffe PTSA STEM Fair is an opportunity for our student body to share their science, technology, engineering and/or mathematical interests in a fun exhibition-style format. All students K-5 are welcome and encouraged to participate. Grade cohorts are K-1, 2-3, and 4-5. Three tracks are available: Track 1 – Research, Track 2 – Experiment, and Track 3 – Invention.
Your Challenger would like to participate but does not seem to have a project? Here’s a list of STEM Fair project ideas for K-5 students, categorized into Research, Experience, and Invention:
🔬 Research Projects (Investigating a Question)
Do Plants Grow Faster in Sunlight or Artificial Light? – Compare plant growth under different lighting conditions.
What Materials Conduct Heat the Best? – Test different materials to see which ones heat up the fastest.
How Does Music Affect Plant Growth? – Play different types of music and measure plant growth.
Which Type of Water Freezes the Fastest? – Compare tap, salt, and sugar water.
How Do Different Surfaces Affect How Far a Toy Car Rolls? – Test carpet, tile, and wood.
What’s the Best Shape for a Paper Airplane? – Compare different folds and measure flight distances.
Does the Color of Food Affect How It Tastes? – Have people taste colored and uncolored food samples.
How Long Does It Take for Different Liquids to Evaporate? – Observe water, juice, and milk.
Which Type of Soil Absorbs the Most Water? – Compare sand, clay, and garden soil.
Do Different Types of Balloons Stay Inflated Longer? – Test different brands or materials.
🧪 Experience Projects (Hands-on Demonstrations)
Make a Mini Volcano – Use baking soda and vinegar to create an eruption.
Create a Rainbow in a Jar – Layer liquids of different densities (honey, water, oil).
Build a Simple Electric Circuit – Light up a small bulb using a battery and wires.
Make a Cloud in a Bottle – Use hot water and ice to create condensation.
Lava Lamp Experiment – Mix oil, water, and food coloring with an Alka-Seltzer tablet.
Dancing Raisins – Observe how carbonation makes raisins move in soda.
Walking Water Experiment – Use paper towels to move colored water between cups.
Magnetic Slime – Mix iron filings with slime and watch it react to magnets.
DIY Sundial – Use a stick and shadows to tell time.
Invisible Ink Messages – Write with lemon juice and reveal messages with heat.
💡 Invention Projects (Creating Something New)
A Water-Saving Device – Design a way to reduce water waste while washing hands.
A Better Lunchbox – Create a lunchbox that keeps food fresher longer.
An Automatic Plant Watering System – Build a system that waters plants when soil is dry.
A Recycled Paper Maker – Invent a way to turn old paper into new sheets.
A Noise-Canceling Study Box – Make a quiet space for students to focus.
A Wind-Powered Car – Build a car that moves using wind energy.
A Helpful Robot Hand – Design a robotic arm to pick up small objects.
A New Way to Carry Books – Invent a creative, lightweight book holder.
An Eco-Friendly Bird Feeder – Use recycled materials to make a bird feeder.
A Toy That Teaches Math – Create a fun toy that helps kids learn math.
Please review the FAQs below as well as the General Guidelines document.
When and where will the STEM Fair take place?
The STEM Fair will be held in the McAuliffe Elementary Commons on February 27th from 5:30 -8PM
4:45 – 5:20 PM
Arrival & Setup: Students may arrive to begin setting up their presentations at assigned spots between 4:45 – 5:20 PM, and one parent per student may assist with setup as needed.
5:30 – 6:30 PM
Judging Period: Students will present their projects to our volunteer judges between 5:30-6:30 PM. Parents can wait in the library or outside the building during this time. This will ease congestion and enable judges to evaluate and offer feedback on student submissions more easily.
6:30 – 8:00 PM
STEM Fair Exhibition: All are welcome to view student projects and enjoy this showcase of student curiosity!
How does my child register? When is the deadline to register?
Our 2025 STEM Fair registration form is available here. Deadline to register is February 13, 2025.
Note: If your student is already registered but has decided to shift tracks, topic, or other component of their topic, please notify us using the Submission Change form available here.
What does my child need in order to participate?
Every STEM Fair submission must include a 48” x 36” standard trifold presentation board. Any additional components to Track 1 & 2 exhibits must fit easily within the area directly in front of the tri-fold presentation board. Track 3 submissions with inventions, robotics, and/or engineering components will have access to a demo area in addition to their allocated trifold presentation space.
Will there be judges for the STEM Fair?
STEM Fair participants will enjoy project feedback from an assembly of community judges with STEM-related backgrounds. All participants will be given an award in recognition of their efforts, and selected submissions from each cohort will be on display in school through the month of March!
Can I help my child with their STEM Fair project?
Appropriate parental involvement looks different across the grade cohorts: for example, a K-1 participant may require limited assistance with cutting out images for their presentation, whereas a 4-5 participant is expected to do this independently.
Submission topics, ideas and/or designs are each participant’s respected and celebrated contribution to our school community’s STEM Fair; please ensure parental involvement is limited to age-appropriate support only.
NOTE: We strive to have our events accessible to everyone in our community. If your family anticipates needing accommodations for an event or if you have questions about access, please email us at [email protected] in advance.
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]
Your Challenger would like to participate but does not seem to have a project? Here’s a list of STEM Fair project ideas for K-5 students, categorized into Research, Experience, and Invention:
🔬 Research Projects (Investigating a Question)
Do Plants Grow Faster in Sunlight or Artificial Light? – Compare plant growth under different lighting conditions.
What Materials Conduct Heat the Best? – Test different materials to see which ones heat up the fastest.
How Does Music Affect Plant Growth? – Play different types of music and measure plant growth.
Which Type of Water Freezes the Fastest? – Compare tap, salt, and sugar water.
How Do Different Surfaces Affect How Far a Toy Car Rolls? – Test carpet, tile, and wood.
What’s the Best Shape for a Paper Airplane? – Compare different folds and measure flight distances.
Does the Color of Food Affect How It Tastes? – Have people taste colored and uncolored food samples.
How Long Does It Take for Different Liquids to Evaporate? – Observe water, juice, and milk.
Which Type of Soil Absorbs the Most Water? – Compare sand, clay, and garden soil.
Do Different Types of Balloons Stay Inflated Longer? – Test different brands or materials.
🧪 Experience Projects (Hands-on Demonstrations)
Make a Mini Volcano – Use baking soda and vinegar to create an eruption.
Create a Rainbow in a Jar – Layer liquids of different densities (honey, water, oil).
Build a Simple Electric Circuit – Light up a small bulb using a battery and wires.
Make a Cloud in a Bottle – Use hot water and ice to create condensation.
Lava Lamp Experiment – Mix oil, water, and food coloring with an Alka-Seltzer tablet.
Dancing Raisins – Observe how carbonation makes raisins move in soda.
Walking Water Experiment – Use paper towels to move colored water between cups.
Magnetic Slime – Mix iron filings with slime and watch it react to magnets.
DIY Sundial – Use a stick and shadows to tell time.
Invisible Ink Messages – Write with lemon juice and reveal messages with heat.
💡 Invention Projects (Creating Something New)
A Water-Saving Device – Design a way to reduce water waste while washing hands.
A Better Lunchbox – Create a lunchbox that keeps food fresher longer.
An Automatic Plant Watering System – Build a system that waters plants when soil is dry.
A Recycled Paper Maker – Invent a way to turn old paper into new sheets.
A Noise-Canceling Study Box – Make a quiet space for students to focus.
A Wind-Powered Car – Build a car that moves using wind energy.
A Helpful Robot Hand – Design a robotic arm to pick up small objects.
A New Way to Carry Books – Invent a creative, lightweight book holder.
An Eco-Friendly Bird Feeder – Use recycled materials to make a bird feeder.
A Toy That Teaches Math – Create a fun toy that helps kids learn math.
Please review the FAQs below as well as the General Guidelines document.
When and where will the STEM Fair take place?
The STEM Fair will be held in the McAuliffe Elementary Commons on February 27th from 5:30 -8PM
4:45 – 5:20 PM
Arrival & Setup: Students may arrive to begin setting up their presentations at assigned spots between 4:45 – 5:20 PM, and one parent per student may assist with setup as needed.
5:30 – 6:30 PM
Judging Period: Students will present their projects to our volunteer judges between 5:30-6:30 PM. Parents can wait in the library or outside the building during this time. This will ease congestion and enable judges to evaluate and offer feedback on student submissions more easily.
6:30 – 8:00 PM
STEM Fair Exhibition: All are welcome to view student projects and enjoy this showcase of student curiosity!
How does my child register? When is the deadline to register?
Our 2025 STEM Fair registration form is available here. Deadline to register is February 13, 2025.
Note: If your student is already registered but has decided to shift tracks, topic, or other component of their topic, please notify us using the Submission Change form available here.
What does my child need in order to participate?
Every STEM Fair submission must include a 48” x 36” standard trifold presentation board. Any additional components to Track 1 & 2 exhibits must fit easily within the area directly in front of the tri-fold presentation board. Track 3 submissions with inventions, robotics, and/or engineering components will have access to a demo area in addition to their allocated trifold presentation space.
Will there be judges for the STEM Fair?
STEM Fair participants will enjoy project feedback from an assembly of community judges with STEM-related backgrounds. All participants will be given an award in recognition of their efforts, and selected submissions from each cohort will be on display in school through the month of March!
Can I help my child with their STEM Fair project?
Appropriate parental involvement looks different across the grade cohorts: for example, a K-1 participant may require limited assistance with cutting out images for their presentation, whereas a 4-5 participant is expected to do this independently.
Submission topics, ideas and/or designs are each participant’s respected and celebrated contribution to our school community’s STEM Fair; please ensure parental involvement is limited to age-appropriate support only.
NOTE: We strive to have our events accessible to everyone in our community. If your family anticipates needing accommodations for an event or if you have questions about access, please email us at [email protected] in advance.
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]