All about All about completingcompleting

a Fair Project. a Fair Project.

By: The Whole By: The Whole Faculty Science Faculty Science GroupGroup

What is a Science What is a Science Project?Project? A science fair project is a A science fair project is a project that is one that ask project that is one that ask a question and has an a question and has an experiment to attempt to experiment to attempt to answer the question.answer the question.

A science fair is NOT a A science fair is NOT a simply a project that is on simply a project that is on a science topic such as a science topic such as plants, animals, health, plants, animals, health, etc. etc.

What are the parts of a What are the parts of a Science Project?Science Project?

A project board A project board with the steps of with the steps of the scientific the scientific method.method.

An abstract.An abstract. A Report A Report A model or display A model or display

(if applicable)(if applicable)

Parts of the Parts of the Scientific MethodScientific Method PurposePurpose HypothesisHypothesis Experiment Experiment

(Procedure, (Procedure, Research)Research)

AnalysisAnalysis ConclusionConclusion

What is the What is the Purpose?Purpose? What is your goal? What is your goal? What idea are you trying to What idea are you trying to

test? test? What is the scientific question What is the scientific question

you are trying to answer? you are trying to answer? Ex. Can a plant live more days Ex. Can a plant live more days

without sun or light? without sun or light?

What is the What is the Hypothesis?Hypothesis? Tell how you think your project can Tell how you think your project can

demonstrate your purpose. demonstrate your purpose. Make a prediction regarding the outcome of Make a prediction regarding the outcome of

your experiment. your experiment. State the results you are predicting in State the results you are predicting in

measurable terms. measurable terms. Ex. I think that plants can live without water Ex. I think that plants can live without water

longer than without sunlightlonger than without sunlight..

What is the What is the Procedure?Procedure? Give a detailed explanation of how the experiment will Give a detailed explanation of how the experiment will

be performed to test your hypothesis. be performed to test your hypothesis. Be clear about the variables (elements of the Be clear about the variables (elements of the

experiment that change to test your hypothesis) experiment that change to test your hypothesis) versus your controls (elements of the experiment that versus your controls (elements of the experiment that do not change). do not change).

Be very specific about how you will measure results to Be very specific about how you will measure results to prove or disprove your hypothesis. You should include prove or disprove your hypothesis. You should include a regular timetable for measuring results or observing a regular timetable for measuring results or observing the projects (i.e. every hour, every day, every week). the projects (i.e. every hour, every day, every week).

Your procedure should be like a recipe -- Another Your procedure should be like a recipe -- Another person should be able to perform your experiment person should be able to perform your experiment following your procedure. Test this with a friend or following your procedure. Test this with a friend or parent to be sure you have not forgotten anything. parent to be sure you have not forgotten anything.

What is the What is the Materials?Materials? List all materials and equipment that List all materials and equipment that

were used. were used. Your list of materials should include all Your list of materials should include all

of the ingredients of the procedure of the ingredients of the procedure recipe. recipe.

Make sure you list all the materials Make sure you list all the materials used in the Procedure.used in the Procedure.

What is the Research & What is the Research & Data?Data?

Keep a detailed journal of observations, data and/or Keep a detailed journal of observations, data and/or results. They can be data measurements and results. They can be data measurements and written notes about what you are sensing (hearing, written notes about what you are sensing (hearing, seeing, or touching) about your experiment. seeing, or touching) about your experiment.

Photograph your project results or phases of the Photograph your project results or phases of the project if appropriate to help your analysis and project if appropriate to help your analysis and possibly to demonstrate your experiment on your possibly to demonstrate your experiment on your exhibit board.exhibit board.

You can include graphs showing information like You can include graphs showing information like growth, increase, decrease, etc.growth, increase, decrease, etc.

Include some of the background information you Include some of the background information you read and researched before you began your read and researched before you began your experiment.experiment.

What is the What is the Analysis?Analysis? Explain your observations, data and/or Explain your observations, data and/or

results. This is a summary of what your results. This is a summary of what your data has shown you. data has shown you.

List the main points of what you've List the main points of what you've learned. learned.

Why did the results occur? What did your Why did the results occur? What did your experiment prove? experiment prove?

Was your hypothesis correct? Did your Was your hypothesis correct? Did your experiment prove or disprove your experiment prove or disprove your hypothesis? Should be explained hypothesis? Should be explained thoroughlythoroughly

What is the What is the Conclusion?Conclusion? A summary of your interpretation of the data A summary of your interpretation of the data

and results of the experiment. and results of the experiment. You should restate the hypothesis and whether You should restate the hypothesis and whether

you found the hypothesis to be true or false. you found the hypothesis to be true or false. You should also comment on how the results of You should also comment on how the results of

the experiment satisfied your original purpose.the experiment satisfied your original purpose. Answer your problem/purpose statement. Answer your problem/purpose statement. What does it all add up to? What is the value of What does it all add up to? What is the value of

your project? your project? What further study do you recommend given What further study do you recommend given

the results of your experiment? What would be the results of your experiment? What would be the next question to ask? the next question to ask?

If you repeated this project, what would you If you repeated this project, what would you change?change?

What is the Research What is the Research Paper?Paper? The research paper is the main body of the Science project. The research paper is the main body of the Science project.

Title PageTitle Page Table of ContentsTable of Contents     Question and Hypothesis:Question and Hypothesis: The question that you are trying to answer The question that you are trying to answer

with your experiment. Be sure to clearly state your hypothesis at the with your experiment. Be sure to clearly state your hypothesis at the end. end.

Review of Literature:Review of Literature: Background information that reflects the Background information that reflects the knowledge you have acquired, through your research, on the topic your knowledge you have acquired, through your research, on the topic your of your experiment. You should be providing the reader with useful of your experiment. You should be providing the reader with useful background information for your project. background information for your project.

Materials and Procedure (Research Plan):Materials and Procedure (Research Plan): This is essentially your This is essentially your research plan. You should be certain to include a list of all materials that research plan. You should be certain to include a list of all materials that were used in your experiment and how they were used. It is best to were used in your experiment and how they were used. It is best to present your procedure in steps and to include as much detail as present your procedure in steps and to include as much detail as possible about measurements and techniques in each step. possible about measurements and techniques in each step.

Results:Results: A precise recap of what you found out in your experiment, A precise recap of what you found out in your experiment, focusing on your observations and data, leaving all interpretation for the focusing on your observations and data, leaving all interpretation for the Conclusion section. Conclusion section.

Conclusion: Conclusion: A summary of your interpretation of the data and results of A summary of your interpretation of the data and results of the experiment. You should restate the hypothesis and whether you the experiment. You should restate the hypothesis and whether you found the hypothesis to be true or false. You should also comment on found the hypothesis to be true or false. You should also comment on how the results of the experiment satisfied your original purpose. how the results of the experiment satisfied your original purpose.

Reference List / BibliographyReference List / Bibliography Table and Figures:Table and Figures: Include tables, charts, and photographs that Include tables, charts, and photographs that

further help explain your experiment and results. It tells in the Scientific further help explain your experiment and results. It tells in the Scientific Method all steps followed and results of the experiment. Method all steps followed and results of the experiment.

Title Page Title Page (1(1stst page of page of Research )Research ) Your title page should have your title Your title page should have your title

of the project in the middle of the page of the project in the middle of the page and also centered in the middle.and also centered in the middle.

Under the title it should have the Under the title it should have the division, all children at our school will division, all children at our school will be in the Elementary Division.be in the Elementary Division.

Then what category the project goes Then what category the project goes in. Botany (plants), Zoology (animals), in. Botany (plants), Zoology (animals), PhysicsPhysics

What drink stains your teeth the most?

12/14/06

Elementary Division

Chemistry

EXAMPLE

Table of Contents (2Table of Contents (2ndnd page of page of Research)Research) The Table of Contents page needs to be The Table of Contents page needs to be

titled Table of Contents.titled Table of Contents. This page should be numbered 2 at the This page should be numbered 2 at the

bottom.bottom. It should tell what is found on each page of It should tell what is found on each page of

the research paper.the research paper. The Body of Research will have information The Body of Research will have information

about the topic the experiment is on and all about the topic the experiment is on and all the parts of the Scientific Method (purpose, the parts of the Scientific Method (purpose, hypothesis, procedure, materials, results, hypothesis, procedure, materials, results, analysis, conclusion)analysis, conclusion)

Table of ContentsSection Page

Title Page ……………......................1Table of Contents …….................... 2Body of Research ………………… 3-6Abstract ………………..................... 7Bibliography .................................... 8Table and Figures............................ 9Bibliography..................................... 10

2

Body of Research Body of Research (3(3rdrd page of Research)page of Research) The Body of Research papers contains all of The Body of Research papers contains all of

the research about your topic from the research about your topic from Encyclopedias, Books, Internet, Encyclopedias, Books, Internet, Magazine/Newspaper Articles, and Magazine/Newspaper Articles, and Interviews from experts.Interviews from experts.

The Body of Research also includes all the The Body of Research also includes all the steps in the scientific method.steps in the scientific method.

Also, unlike the Abstract, this can include all Also, unlike the Abstract, this can include all details about your experiments (problems, details about your experiments (problems, additional ideas for next time, etc.)additional ideas for next time, etc.)

Make sure you number the bottom of each Make sure you number the bottom of each page.page.

Title

I. PurposeII. HypothesisIII.Procedure

A. ResearchB. Experiment

IV. ResultsV. Conclusion

3

What is the What is the Abstract?Abstract? An abstract gives the essence of the An abstract gives the essence of the

project in a brief but complete form — it project in a brief but complete form — it should not exceed 250 words. should not exceed 250 words.

Judges and the public should have a fairly Judges and the public should have a fairly accurate idea of the project after reading accurate idea of the project after reading the abstract.the abstract.

Your abstract should be about 3 Your abstract should be about 3 paragraphs.paragraphs.

It should briefly go through all the steps in It should briefly go through all the steps in the scientific method without opinions or the scientific method without opinions or extra elaborations. extra elaborations.

Parts of your Parts of your AbstractAbstract Purpose of the ExperimentPurpose of the Experiment

An introductory statement of the reason for investigating the topic of the An introductory statement of the reason for investigating the topic of the project. project.

A statement of the problem or hypothesis being studied. A statement of the problem or hypothesis being studied.

Procedures UsedProcedures Used A summarization of the key points and an overview of how the investigation was A summarization of the key points and an overview of how the investigation was

conducted. conducted. An abstract does not give details about the materials used unless it greatly An abstract does not give details about the materials used unless it greatly

influenced the procedure or had to be developed to do the investigation. influenced the procedure or had to be developed to do the investigation. An abstract should only include procedures done by the student. Work done by An abstract should only include procedures done by the student. Work done by

a mentor (such as surgical procedures) or work done prior to student a mentor (such as surgical procedures) or work done prior to student involvement must not be included. involvement must not be included.

OObservation/Data/Resultsbservation/Data/Results This section should provide key results that lead directly to the conclusions you This section should provide key results that lead directly to the conclusions you

have drawn. have drawn. It should not give too many details about the results nor include tables or It should not give too many details about the results nor include tables or

graphs. graphs.

ConclusionsConclusions Conclusions from the investigation should be described briefly. Conclusions from the investigation should be described briefly. The summary paragraph should reflect on the process and possibly state some The summary paragraph should reflect on the process and possibly state some

applications and extensions of the investigation. applications and extensions of the investigation.

Bibliography Bibliography (The last page (The last page

of your Research Paper)of your Research Paper)

You must have used at least You must have used at least 5 5 sourcessources research cited.research cited.

These resources cannot be all the These resources cannot be all the same.same.

Some of the resources are:Some of the resources are: Magazine/Newspapers ArticlesMagazine/Newspapers Articles EncyclopediasEncyclopedias BooksBooks InternetInternet Interviews from experts on topicInterviews from experts on topic

What should you consider What should you consider when doing a Science when doing a Science Fair Project?Fair Project?

You must be able to perform the You must be able to perform the experiment using the scientific method. experiment using the scientific method.

Make sure the equipment you will need to Make sure the equipment you will need to do the experiment is available. do the experiment is available.

Consider whether you'll have enough time Consider whether you'll have enough time to complete the experiment. to complete the experiment.

Demonstrations and models--while good Demonstrations and models--while good learning tools--are not experiments. For learning tools--are not experiments. For example, a model showing how the human example, a model showing how the human heart works in not appropriate for the heart works in not appropriate for the science fair. science fair.

Steps to a Successful Steps to a Successful Science Fair ProjectScience Fair Project

1.1. Become familiar with the scientific method. Become familiar with the scientific method. 2.2. Select a topic that interests YOU. Your topic should be stated Select a topic that interests YOU. Your topic should be stated

in the form of a question, which you'll answer through in the form of a question, which you'll answer through experimentation. For example, "What effect does the size of experimentation. For example, "What effect does the size of a hole in a parachute have on its rate of descent?" a hole in a parachute have on its rate of descent?"

3.3. Research your topic and form a hypothesis (guess the Research your topic and form a hypothesis (guess the answer to your question). answer to your question).

4.4. Design an experiment to answer your question. Design an experiment to answer your question. 5.5. Fill out all the required forms BEFORE you start your Fill out all the required forms BEFORE you start your

experiment. experiment. 6.6. Conduct your experiment and record the results. Conduct your experiment and record the results. 7.7. Interpret the data. Put the results in charts and graphs. Draw Interpret the data. Put the results in charts and graphs. Draw

a conclusion about your hypothesis. a conclusion about your hypothesis. 8.8. Make a display and write a short report. Make a display and write a short report. 9.9. Practice your presentation to the judges. Practice your presentation to the judges. 10.10. Come to the science fair and have fun! Come to the science fair and have fun!

Some websites Some websites that might helpthat might help

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

sciencefaircentral/scifairstudio/handbook/sciencefaircentral/scifairstudio/handbook/scientificmethod.htmlscientificmethod.html

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/fair/ideasframhttp://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/fair/ideasframe.htme.htm

http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/sciencefairs/http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/sciencefairs/ http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/

SciProjIntro.html SciProjIntro.html

Thanks for Thanks for coming & Good coming & Good Luck Scientist!Luck Scientist!