Science Fair Guide
STRATFORD AVENUE SCHOOL
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SCIENCE FAIR RULES
1.
Each project must have a scientific purpose that conforms to the curriculum.
2.
No live animals, erupting volcanoes, open water containers, or handouts.
3.
Students are strongly discouraged from spending large amounts of money on any sophisticated
professional apparatus.
4. All measurements must be written using the Metric System.
5. If photography is used, please select photographs with the best quality.
6. Any written components must be legible, as well as grammatically correct. Please include as many
details to inform your audience about the experiment.
7. Present your work on a display board containing 3 panels that fold out so that the board can stand up by
itself. Do not use a flimsy poster board.
8. On the evening of the Fair, each student must be well dressed and able to give a brief, informal
presentation about the project. Practice rehearsing the information from your experiment so that you
feel confident as you speak.
9. Parents are encouraged to provide help and assistance, but are cautioned that too much help by an adult
may negate the learning experience for your child.
10. PROJECTS ARE DUE TO SCHOOL THE MORNING OF THE FAIR.
11. The doors will open for the Science Fair at 7:00 p.m.
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Tips for Parents/Guardians
1. Review all information regarding the science fair project with your child. If you have any questions,
please contact your child’s teacher.
2. Help your child choose a topic and be supportive of his or her final decision.
3.
Allow your child time for thinking, exploring, and preparing his or her project.
4.
Help your child by doing the following:
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Providing suggestions for sources of information.
Proofreading and revising information and/or materials.
Gathering printed materials related to his or her project.
Making suggestions for the display board and project display.
5.
Use a calendar to assist your child in pacing him/herself to meet the deadline for submissions.
6.
Assist your child in presenting the findings to an audience.
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PROPOSED TOPICS FOR THE SCIENCE FAIR
1.
2.
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6.
7.
Human Body
Matter
Weather
Plants and Animals
Forces and Machines
Energy
Earth Science
EXAMPLES OF QUESTIONS
1. What colors heat more quickly in the sun?
2. Can you use your sense of taste without your sense of smell?
3. What nail polish brand lasts the longest?
4. Which type of sand makes the best sand castle?
5. Can fluorescent colors help people remember words better?
6. Does the moon really change shape from day to day?
7. How does water and movement affect erosion?
8. Which type of packaging will keep food colder?
9. Does ice float in different types of liquids?
10. Does the sun heat salt water and fresh water at the same rate?
11. Which paper towel product is more absorbent?
12. What type of soil can hold the most water?
13. Which type of paper will fade the least after exposure in direct sunlight?
14. Do all objects fall at the same speed?
15. What detergent breaks up oil the best?
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THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
1.
State the problem.
2.
Develop a hypothesis – predict an answer (an educated guess).
3. Conduct an experiment – Try out your ideas.
a) State the materials, tools or supplies used in your experiment
b) State the procedures – What process or steps did you use?
c) Make observations and collect data– Keep a notebook and date each entry. Write down your
observations. This data can be organized in a graph or chart if applicable.
4. Analyze the results and form logical conclusions.
The conclusion is an opportunity to share your results. It provides information as to whether your
hypothesis is correct or incorrect and why.
Conclusion Guidelines:
o The conclusion needs to be in paragraph form and needs to be put on your science fair
display board with your graph. Your conclusion should only be based on your actual
data. It should include: a) Your Question b) Hypothesis c) Actual results (data)
d) Do the results agree or disagree with your hypothesis?
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CONTENTS OF THE DISPLAY BOARD
1.
Title and question
2.
Purpose (what do you want to find out?)
3. Hypothesis (If . . . then I believe . . .)
4. Experiment
 Materials
 Procedure
5.
Data
 Collect data
 Data analysis (think about what your data tells you)
6.
Conclusions
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TO LOCATE INFORMATION
To locate information The Stratford Learning Center and local libraries can provide your child with a variety of
resources to help explore possible topics.
1.
New York Times, Science Times, Newsday Science
2. National Geographic World
3. Popular Science
4. World Book Online – www.worldbookonline.com - password: gcstudent
LIBRARY
1.
Dewey Decimal System:
a.
500 to 599 Natural Sciences (mathematics, astronomy, biology, etc.)
b. 600 to 699 Useful Arts (agriculture, engineering, gardening, etc.)
2.
Readers Guide to Periodical Literature for current information
BOOKS
1.
Check with librarian at Stratford School and at the Garden City Library.
2.
Ask permission to use local university libraries.
3. Basic Scientific Photography, Rochester, NY: Eastman Kodak Co.
4. Beveridge, W.I.B., The Art of Scientific Investigation, NY: Random House, Inc.
5. Moorman, Thomas, How to Make Your Science Project Scientific, NY: Atheneum
6. Sawyer, Roger Williams and Farmer, Robert A., New Ideas for Science Fair Projects NY: Arco
Publishing Co., Inc.
7. Stoltzfus, John C. and Young, Morris N., The Complete Guide to Science Fair Competitions, NY:
Hawthorn Books, Inc.
8. Troyer, Donald L., Kellog, Maurice G. and Anderson, Hans O., Sourcebook for Biological Sciences
9. Utgard, Russell O., Ladd, George T. and Anderson, Hans O., Sourcebook for Earth Sciences and
Astronomy, NY: The MacMillan Co.
10. Webster, David, How to do a Science Project, NY: Franklin Watts, Inc.
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Additional Information:
Please check your local library and book stores for current science fair information.
A computer search for elementary science information and additional topic ideas could prove to be a time saver.
Have fun with your project and we will see you at the Science Fair!
SO:Science and Science Fair:EV’s Updated Science Fair Packet
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