Aurelian Springs Elementary School
Science Fair Guidelines
2015-2016
Introduction to Families
Welcome to the Science Fair!
This should be a fun project! Success is when your child asks their own question,
completes their project with a smile, and knows more than when they started.
Enjoy this time of discovery and fun for you and your child!
The science fair project reinforces reading, writing, logic and math skills, and
creativity. The goal is that your child learns “the scientific method” or “the
engineering design process” through direct experience. For their daily reading,
recommend they choose a science book that can be a research resource for their
project.
It is best to guide and answer their questions with questions. You may know the
answer, but help them discover it themselves. For example, you may want to show
them which paragraph in the book to re-read rather than giving them the answer.
Although neatness is good, it’s not the main focus. A 6-year-old can make the data
chart with a little help. They should do that part while you operate the hot glue
gun.
The project does not have to look store bought. It needs to be made by them, so
that they truly get better every year they participate. Encourage your child’s
artistic side with the display. For example, you can show how the use of color and
shapes can be used to show the importance of a part of the display.
If you allow your child to use web sites for research; verify the site is “correct”
and then let them use the research found there. Remember: Anyone can create a
web site; this does not mean its information is correct!
THE DUE DATE FOR ALL PROJECTS IS November 13th, 2015.
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What is an acceptable science fair project?
Something that answers a question to which they do not know the answer
Something they can figure out themselves
Something they can change somehow, add another variable, and then predict
the outcome. That’s an experiment!
What is NOT an acceptable science fair project?
Reproducing results found on the web is not an experiment; it’s a
reproduction.
A demonstration is not an experiment (i.e., volcano).
Two Types of Science Fair projects
There are two types of science projects: Models and Experiments.
1. A model, display or collection shows how something works in the real world,
but does not test anything. Examples of this are: Types of dinosaurs, my gum
collections, the Solar System. Examples of models can be “How an Electric
Motor Works”, or “Tornado in a Bottle”
2. An experiment is a project that shows testing being done and the gathering of
data. Examples of experiments can be: “The Effects of Detergent on the
Growth of Plants” or “Which paper towel is more absorbent”
What should I do?
A lot can be learned from building a model or display, but it is recommended
that each student conducts an experiment. Experiments are more interesting,
fun and involve the Scientific Method (which is very important). Scientists
investigate using the Scientific Method in real science labs and it will help you
become lifelong scientists!
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Scientific Method
The Scientific Method refers to the process that scientist go through when
they try to solve a problem. The Scientific Method involves the following
steps:
Find a
Problem
Ask a “How
does
question”.
Research
the problem
and find out
all you can.
Write about
what you
learned
and how it
applies to the
real world,
Form a
conclusion
Check your
hypothesis
against the
results…were
you right?
Make a
Hypothesis
Predict
what might
happen
based on
what you
know.
Conduct the
experiment
to find out
if you were
right.
Organize
your data
in tables and
graphs so
that it is
easy to see
the results.
Compile proof
by recording
data from
doing your
experiment
several times.
How to display
Your experiment should be placed on a display board that stands by itself. A great
example is a three-sided display such as the one in the picture below. It should not
be over 48 inches wide when open.
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Example of a display layout:
1. Graphs and Charts to support the data you collected.
2. Photographs or drawings and diagrams of your work.
3. Notebooks may be placed in front of the project.
4. Grades K-2: Equipment may be placed on the table in front of the display.
Do not include liquids or smelly items.
5. Grades 3-5: No equipment.
6. Student’s and teacher’s names should be written ONLY on the back of the
display. Do not write either name on the front.
Timeline
There is a great deal of work to be done for a successful science fair
project. It is not something that can be done over a weekend. Please take
the necessary time to work on your project and use this timeline to help you.
My Science Fair Project Timeline
1.
2.
3.
4.
Task
Chose a problem to investigate.
Do some background research.
Develop a hypothesis.
Decide on the procedures you will
Due Date
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use.
5. Make a list of materials you will
need and gather the materials.
6. Conduct your investigation and
collect data.
7. Organize your data or results.
8. Draw your conclusions.
9. Keep a project notebook (log).
10. Proofread your work.
11. Design your exhibit.
12. Construct your visual aids and
exhibit backdrop.
13. Turn in your project.
14. Present your project.
November 13, 2015
November 17, 2015
Rules
1. Students in grades Kindergarten through 2nd will work as a class to do an
experiment and create a display. Students in grade 3rd through 4th may work
in teams of two or three students. Prior written approval must be
submitted to the teacher. Students in 5th grade are required to work on
projects individually.
2. Adults can help, it is recommended. They can help gather materials,
supervise the experiment and help to build the display. A large majority of
the work must be completed by the student.
3. Students will be judged on the use of the Scientific Method, so experiments
are recommended. Models and collections are encouraged as well.
4. When you come to set up, do not bring materials to show an experiment.
Instead, bring the results of the experiment along with a display.
5. Displays must be on display boards or on poster board. They cannot be
larger than an average size poster display board.
6. All the decisions by the judges and science fair committee are final.
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Safety Tips
1. Safety First! If you need help, ask an adult. This can be a parent,
grandparent, older sibling, teacher, aunt or uncle. Anyone that
loves science as much as you do.
2. Never eat or drink during an experiment and keep the area clean.
You will get better results with a clean work area.
3. Wear protective goggles and gloves. This again, will help to keep
you safe.
4. Be respectful. Do not perform an experiment that could harm
another person or animal.
5. Any project that involves drugs, firearms or explosives will not be
permitted.
6. Any project breaks district policy, and/or local, state or federal
laws are not permitted.
7. Be safe on the internet. You should never write to anyone you do
not know and not all websites will help you. Make good decisions
when selecting the information.
Experiment Ideas
1. How can you get a kidney bean to grow faster?
2. How can you affect the shape of a magnetic field?
3. What affects how fast an ice cube melts in air?
4. What are the effects of detergent on water?
5. What’s the effect of turning young plants upside down as they grow?
6. Which seeds germinate fastest? Does the size of the seed matter?
7. How do different deodorants affect skin and clothes?
8. What is the fastest way to cool a cup of hot water?
9. How does light affect plants?
10. What happens to egg shells if they are soaked in vinegar? Lemon juice?
Other kitchen liquids?
11. What types of food rot the fastest?
12. Do plants grow faster if you sing to them?
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13. Do preservatives in manufactured foods really work? Try different ways to
get your favorite snack to rot!
14. Which gum keeps it flavor the longest? Which one makes the biggest
bubbles?
15. How can you stop apples from turning brown?
16. Which liquid freezes fastest—soda, juice, kool-aid, strong salt water or
weak salt water?
17. Which materials insulate best against the cold?
18. Which mouthwash stops the growth of bacteria?
19. Who can react faster to a bell—children or adults?
20. Can people identify different kinds of drinks? Example: four different
kinds of cola—RC, Coke, Pepsi, Generic.
Internet Resources
Gateway to Educational Materials: Science Fair Projects
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~macinnis/scifun/projects.htm
The Gateway to Educational Materials extensive and detailed step-by-step
guide to doing a science fair project.
Science Fair Primer
http://users.rcn.com/tedrowan/primer.html A site to help students get started and
run a science fair project.
Science Fair Project Guidebook
http://www.energy.sc.gov/K-12/science_fair.htm The State of South Carolina
publishes a K-12 science fair guidebook.
Science Fair Idea Exchange
http://www.halcyon.com/sciclub/cgi-pvt/scifair/guestbook.html
Cyber-Fair
http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/welcome.html
This site has one-sentence explanations of each part of a science fair. One of
the steps described is presenting your project to judges. This may or may not
be a part of your science fair. The site also has an explanation of what makes a
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good project and an explanation of how to come up with your own science fair
project.
Try Science
http://tryscience.com
Science resource for home that gives you labs to try
The Yuckiest Site in the Internet
http://yucky.kids.discovery.com/
Brought to you by Discovery Kids, this site gives you lots of ideas on how to do
the messiest yuckiest experiments
Internet Public Library
http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/
Are you looking for some help with a science fair project? If so, then you have
come to the right place. The IPL will guide you to a variety of web site
resources, leading you through the necessary steps to successfully complete a
science experiment.
Discovery.com: Science Fair Central
http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/
The Ultimate Science Fair Resource
http://www.scifair.org/
Credits:
http://www.wccusd.net/cms/lib03/CA01001466/Centricity/Domain/321/science%2
0fair%20packet.pdf
http://www.utelementary.org/ourpages/auto/2013/1/9/54511288/ScienceFairGuid
e%202013.pdf
http://www.lbusd.k12.ca.us/Main_Offices/Curriculum/Areas/Science/pdf/ElemTE
ACHERHandbook.pdf
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