JFK Elementary Schoolpresents

A Student’s Guide to the Science Fair

What Is A Science Fair?A science fair is an opportunity for students to gain an understanding, through first hand experience, of the steps of scientific investigation.

But mostly it is a time to have fun with science

discovery!

What are the steps of investigation?

Do Research. (Write a paper.)

Name the Problem. (Ask a question)

Develop a Hypothesis.(Make a guess.)

Do the Project Experimentation. Keep Documentation. (Journal)

Write up Conclusion. (Results)

It all starts with observations!

Everyday we ask ourselves why and how things occur around us. We also, at times, tell ourselves I could do that better if…

Then one must research.

Through research you will learn more about your observations and ideas while

also finding and developing an interesting question.

Problem/Question

State the problem simply and clearly.Examples:

-Which battery will last the longest?-What type of music makes your heart beat faster?

Hypothesis

Write a statement telling what you believe will happen in your experiment.

Example: I think that the Duracell batteries will last longer than the Energizer batteries because…(enter data found through your research).

MaterialsNeatly list all supplies used in the experiment.

Procedure: Explains what you did

This should be placed in a prominent place on your board and should be stated clearly.You may also want to include step by step photographs of the experiment.

Experimentation

Perform the experiment.

Include in your display items, photos, or drawing of items used in your experiment

DocumentationKeep a journal.The journal is a record where you explain what happens with the experiment each day/step.The journal is one of the most important parts of a science project.Include an in-depth bibliography (that includes texts, encyclopedia, primary sources, professional journals, etc.)

Data

Show your results in graphs, charts, and in a statement.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

12/ 4/ 2004 12/ 5/ 2004 12/ 6/ 2004

Duracell

Energizer

Rayzon

ConclusionYour conclusion must be logical, based on data or observations collected, and relevant to the problem/hypothesis.

For example:My hypothesis was incorrect. Energizer batteries lasted 6 hours longer than Duracell batteries.

AbstractAn abstract is a brief

overview of all the parts of your project.

Sample AbstractWhat Makes Good Electrical Conductors?

Objectives/Goal: The objective of my project is to determine which materials make the best electrical conductors.

Methods and Materials: I used wood, plastic, copper, steel, tin, and grass as materials to be tested. I also used a volt/ohms meter and the test probes to make my measurements.

Results: The meter I used showed the metals to all be excellent conductors and that the plastic and wood did not conduct an electrical current.

Conclusions: My conclusion is that the metals I tested are excellent conductors of electrical current and that neither wood or plastic conducts electricity.

Creating a Display BoardThe board tells the whole story of your experimentation. Be sure to include each of the following parts, clearly stated:

HypothesisMaterials ListProcedureJournalResearch ReportGraphs, dataModels, visual aidsResultsConclusionAbstract

Project Mistakes•Don't leave large empty spaces on the backboard.

•Don't leave the table in front of the backboard empty. Display models (if any), report, copies research, and your journal here.

More Mistakes•Don't hang electrical equipment on the backboard so the cord runs down the front of the backboard.

•Don't make titles hard to read by using uneven lettering, letters of different colors, or disorganized placement of materials.

•Don't hand-print the letters on the backboard or make mistakes in spelling words.

Planning Is Important !

Is the project the result of careful planning? Great projects aren’t created overnight. Trial and error may take time.

Safety FirstDoes the project meet all safety requirements? Liquids/chemicals are not to be displayed

in bottles that might break or spill.No knives, sharp instruments on displaysArticles of value should not be

left out on your display. No crystals or moldsNo laser devicesNo poison

Keys To A Successful Project

Does the project represent the student’s own work? Does the project demonstrate the student’s creativity and resourcefulness?Does the project show a solid understanding of the topic?Does the project include a notebook, written record, or final report? (Include a bibliography when you use someone else’s work.)Does the project include a number of visual aids?Is the project sturdy, neat, and well-constructed?

Inland Fair Requirements

Please note additional safetyrequirements for Inland competition:

No animal displays; no stress to animals.No tobacco, alcohol, drug related projects No living plants or animals allowed. No human tissue/blood samples allowed

Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged on the

following:OriginalityComprehension of scientific thought and practicesOrganization and completenessEffort and motivationClarity

Remember. . .

Do the research. . .

on a project that interests you.

Allow plenty of time for unexpected mistakes.

And most importantly. . .

HAVE FUN !

Now that we know our expectations, let’s go through the process

together!!

This is where the fun begins!!

Observations!!!Once upon a time….

Mr. Ruiz was looking up at the sky, (I don’t know why he was looking at the sky), and saw a bird fly by followed by an air plane.

He was left wondering; How they do that?

Off to the library he went.At the library Mr. Ruiz found tons of information on flight.

He sorted through it to find…

Mr. Ruiz had to narrow down his subject matter.

He decided to focus on the “Forces of Flight” and “Types

of Aerial Locomotion.

Forces of Flight

Types of Aerial Locomotion

Filled with this new knowledge, Mr. Ruiz, like all geniuses before him, decided to apply what he learned.

One day his daughter was trying to make a paper airplane.

This left Mr. Ruiz wondering, what type of paper would make the best plane, copy, colored, wax, construction, or newsprint.

Using his knowledge of The effect of weight on flight and how things glide

Mr. Ruiz came up with a question.

What type of paper, (wax, newsprint, copy, colored, or construction), will make a paper plane fly the furthest.

Based on what Mr. Ruiz found out about flight he made a

hypothesis.

Then it was time to gather up the materials.

A procedure needed to be well thought out in order to carry out the

experiment.

Experimentation

Type of Paper Plane

Attempt 1 Attempt 2 Attempt 3

Copy

Colored

Construction

Wax

Newsprint

Data: How do you want to represent the information gained? Do you want to use

averages?

Reporting your findings.Results: Report findings

Conclusion: Interpret findings

Please include an abstract in your notebook.

And don’t forget to acknowledge everyone

who helped you!!

One might say we FLEW through this, (pause for laughter), but now it is up to

you to put together the presentation “board” for this project. Good luck, and

have FUN!!