1. Displays must be durably constructed and

self supporting.

2. Student or school names may not appear on

the board, data log, or papers.

3 We encourage metric measurements.

4. NO chemicals, liquids, soils, foods, or

explosives may be on the board.

5. Projects involving human blood, bacteria,

mold, or fungus are prohibited.

6. Students who intend to conduct research

involving animals (humans are animals)

must have teacher approval and a

completed Human/Animal Research Form.

7. Animals, animal parts, or dissected animals

may not be displayed.

8. Plants or plant parts may not be displayed.

9. Display of human parts is prohibited.

10. Any item that can be easily pulled off and

swallowed must be removed or secured

firmly to the project.

11. Display of glass items and plastic “baggies”

is prohibited.

12. Straight pins, tacks, or staples are not to

be used to secure materials onto display

boards.

Science

Fair

Quick Information

Rules at a Glance: JUDGING CRITERIA

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION 40 points

THOROUGHNESS 20 points

SKILL 15 points

CREATIVE ABILITY/ORIGINALITY 15 points

CLARITY/NEATNESS 10 points

DOES THE PROJECT HAVE

TO BE A HASSLE? A hassle-free project is ideal. Realistically, occasional problems may occur. Careful selection of a topic can minimize frustrations and boredom arising from a topic that is not appropriate. With cooperative communication between school, teacher, parent, and child, problems can be identified and solved. This project does not need to be costly or overly time consuming.

WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THE TEACHER?

During class time, your child will discover many helpful resources for this project. The teacher should strive to help your child maintain a positive attitude through encouragement and guidance. Instructions for the selection of a topic and every other phase of the project should be provided in the classroom.

WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM YOUR CHILD?

One of the benefits of completing a science fair pro-ject is the development of responsibility in the child. To assist in this, allow your child to assume responsi-bility. This is your child’s project. It is a long-term pro-ject requiring instruction and guidance from the teacher, along with encouragement and some assis-tance from you.

WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THE PARENT?

As a parent, your role is one of guidance, support, and encouragement with minimal intervention. Par-ents should remember that a science fair project is basically a child’s positive, individual achievement.

T itle of Your

Invest igat ion

P ictures /D rawings Include pictures or drawings to support/show how

and what you did in your investigation

The data collected during the course of your inves-tigation needs to be quantifiable (measurable). We encourage you to measure using metrics. Record your data in a data table.

Volume: Milliliter (mL) 1000mL = 1L

Length: Millimeter (mm) 10mm = 1cm

Centimeter (cm) 100 cm = 1m

Meter (m) 1000 m = 1km

Kilometer (km)

Mass Milligram (mg) 10mg = 1cg

Centigram (cg) 100cg = 1g

Gram (g) 1000g = 1kg

Kilogram (kg)

Data Table

Title (will be the same title as graph)

Trials 1 2 3 4 5 Average

Purpose One to three sentences that explain why you are doing this investigation. The purpose can be stated like this: The purpose of this investigation is to find out if manipulated variable affects responding variable.

Hypothesis A hypothesis states what you think is going to happen and why you think it will happen? (For example: I think ___ will happen because...) Procedure Mater ia ls

List all materials used in your investigation. Include exact details: brand, size, measurement, quantity, color, etc. We encourage you to use metric units. . Var iables

Manipulated (Independent) Variable – What you change on purpose in an investigation.

Responding (Dependent) Variable – The responding variable is what changes by itself because you manipulated (changed) something in your investigation. The responding variable is measured.

Variables Held Constant – Everything you keep the same in each trial?

Step-By-Step Direct ions

1. Gather Mater ia ls

2. (step)

3. (step)

4. (step)

5. (step)

6. Repeat steps ____ to ___ at least 4 more times.

7. Repeat steps __ to __ with each of the

_____.

Graph Use a bar graph or line graph to display data. A bar graph – shows unrelated data

A line graph – shows data over time

(Example: plant growth / temperature)

Title

Manipulated (Independent) Variable

Conclusion Your conclusion should include details about the following: A statement of support or non-support of

the original hypothesis; restate the hy-pothesis. Add details by analyzing, comparing or interpreting data.

Discuss the investigation. Were there any problems you encountered? What new ideas do you have? What would you try next time?

Make a comparison of your results including your background information.

Write a statement of why your experiment is important? How can your data be used in the real world?

Respondin

g (D

ependent) V

aria

ble