Science Fair
Information Packet
George Komure Elementary
Project Due for Mrs. Merrill: January 28, 2015
Project Due for School Fair: February 4, 2015
School Science Fair: February 18, 2015
General Guidelines
1.
Displays may not include live vertebrates or parts thereof.
2. All projects must be accompanied by a journal. Journal will consist of ongoing, daily journal entries of student
observation and processes. The journals are not formalized reports and must be handwritten.
3. Displays that present a danger to viewers or which contain inappropriate language or materials will not be
allowed.
4. Projects must reflect the work of the student.
5. Use of metric measurement is encouraged
6. Entrants are encouraged not to bring any of the equipment or materials to the fair. Instead, pictures or other
illustrations can be attached to the project board.
7. No electrical outlets will be available for student projects.
8. All entries must utilize a sturdy tri-fold board. The display area allowed is limited to 121 cm (4ft) side to side,
92 cm (3ft) top to bottom, and 92 cm (3ft) front to back. (See diagram)
9. Each original experiment project board must contain the following information:
 Title:
Brief attention getting statement describing project
 Problem:
Written in the form of a question
 Hypothesis:
An if…then statement predicting the results of the experiment
 Materials:
Materials used to perform the experiment
 Procedure:
List of steps followed during experiment
 Data/Analysis
 Results:
 Conclusion:
Charts, tables, graphs, photos, or other data
Summary of the Data
Written findings and statement of acceptance or rejection of the hypothesis
10. Entries must be supervised by a teacher or administrator.
Glossary of Terms
Abstract – Short (maximum 250 word) summary of the entire project. It should summarize the purpose,
procedure, and results. To be displayed in front of the project board.
Background Research – Learning about the topic by reading books, newspapers, magazines/journals or by watching
TV or by interviewing knowledgeable people. You may also get information on the internet. All of the
information gathered should be formally written up in 3-5 pages.
Conclusion – Written summary of findings. Evaluate accuracy of hypothesis. Note further changes. List
applications and benefits to real-life situations.
Data / Results – Observations of everything that happens during the experiment. Use metric measurements.
Repetition provides convincing results. Final results are displayed in the form of tables, graphs, and
photographs.
Display – Board presenting experiment. Will follow specified format given to the student.
Hypothesis – An educated guess presuming the outcome of the experiment. Follows the background research and
definition of the problem. Written in If…Then format. Example: If I put blue food coloring in the glass of
water, then the water will slowly turn blue.
Materials – A complete list of everything used during the experiment, including equipment, chemicals, organisms,
etc.
Problem – The specific problem that is going to be investigated. State this in the form of a question.
Procedure – Step-by-step instructions describing the entire experiment. Steps should be explained so that
another person could duplicate the experiment. Any changes must be added to the procedures.
Purpose – A statement about what will be discovered during the experiment.
Scientific Method – Principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition
and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the
formulation and testing of the hypothesis.
Student Log – A daily, informal journal of information found on topic and notes about the experiment being
conducted.
Topic – The subject of interest that will be explored. This should be something of student interest and to which
he or she can relate.
Getting Started
How Do I Choose A Topic?
Good question!!! Your topic should be:
 In the area of Physical Science (Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy)
 Something you are interested in
 Something you can investigate yourself (volcanoes are interesting, but you can’t really
investigate one yourself!)
 Worded as a question so you can answer it by experimenting
 An investigation where the results can be timed, weighed, or somehow measured
The internet has many ideas to help you get started! (search using Science Fair Projects)
I Have My Topic… Now What?
Before you begin experimenting, you will need to find out some background information about your topic.
You may look for this information in the following places:
 Encyclopedias (be sure to look in more than one)
 Science magazines
 School text books (science, health)
 Library books on your topic
 Internet
 People: talk to people who are involved in your topic (doctors, veterinarians, engineers,
professors, etc.)
Experiment
Designing Your Experiment…
Just like a cook has a recipe for creating wonderful dishes to eat, you will need to write a “recipe” for
conducting your experiment. This “recipe” is actually the procedures. The procedures need to be a written
set of step-by-step directions for your experiment. They should be clear enough that another person could
do your experiment without your help.
As you plan your procedures, you will need to be sure that your test is a fair test. Your experiment must
be done under the same conditions each time. These conditions are known as variables.
Your directions should indicate exactly how you would perform the tests. If a test is to be repeated three
times, be sure your directions state that. Do not assume that other people will know what you have planned.
Is Once Enough?
In some things, once is enough! However, this is not true in a scientific investigation. A good investigator
gathers as much data as possible about his or her experiment. You will want to have several trials of your
experiment so that you are sure of your results.
Journal & Display Board
How Do I Take Notes?
As you gather information, you will want to make notes to use when you write a research paper later to go
with your project. These notes will also allow other people to see where you found information on your
topic. Without your notes, you may leave out some important information.
You will need to keep a journal of the information that you find and of the day to day progress of your
project. Make sure you date each entry and include where you found the information. This journal can be
placed in front of your display board during the science fair. It should be presented in a nice folder with
some sort of title page that states that it is your journal and it should be hand written (not typed).
How Will I Display My Project?
You will need to display your project on a 3-sided display board. You will mount all the components of your
investigation project on this board. Here are some suggestions for creating an effective display board:
 The board must be sturdy and stand on its own
 The lettering needs to be neat and bold enough for others to read easily
 Each component (Title, purpose, hypothesis, problem, data, charts, graphs, and conclusion…)
needs to be typed on white paper and then matted on construction paper before being attached
to the board.
 Only use one or two colors on your display so that color does not overwhelm the project
 Use rubber cement if possible as it will enable you to change things around while you complete
the display
 Your journal, abstract, and research paper should be displayed in front of your board
 Arrange the display so that it is in logical order (it does not make sense to place the conclusion
before the problem…). People are used to reading from left to right.
 Include a catchy title in the center of your project board where it will draw attention
Report
What is a Report?
A research report must be completed by all students that are 6th grade and above, but students of all grade levels
are encouraged to include a report. Your research report should include:
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Title Page: Must include your science fair project's title, your name, your school name, your grade and the
name of your science teacher.
Table of Contents: Include the page numbers for the beginning of each section.
Introduction: The Introduction includes your clearly formulated and testable hypothesis, as well as
explanation of your idea, how you got it and why you think the work is interesting. (If you don't think your
experiment is interesting, give up now. You have no hope of doing a good project! So look around until you
find something that interests you!) Also include what you hoped to achieve when you started the project.
Experiment: Describe in detail the method you used to collect your data and organize your observations.
Your report should be detailed enough for anyone to be able to repeat your experiment by just reading the
paper, so keep this fact in mind when you write it. It's always a good idea to include detailed photographs
or clearly-labeled drawings of any device you made to carry out your research.
Discussion: This is where you explain the exact process by which you reached your conclusions. Include any
background research that you found that backs up your findings. This section should flow logically so that
the reader can easily follow your train of thought. Compare your data with the null hypothesis (that is, what
would you have expected if the observations you made were completely unrelated to the effect you were
expecting), or to your predicted results. What you would do differently if you were to do this project
again?
Conclusion: Summarize your results. Make sure not to introduce anything that wasn't already mentioned in
the previous parts of your paper.
Acknowledgments In this section you should give credit to everyone who assisted you. This may include
individuals, businesses and educational or research institutions. Identify any financial support or material
donations you may have received.
References This list should include any documentation that is not your own, such as books, websites, or
articles, that you used. For the accepted format, see the rules for your particular science fair competition.
If the rules don't specify a preference, then find a research journal that publishes articles in the area of
your experiment, and copy the format that it uses.
Oral Presentation
How Do I Do An Oral Presentation?
If you are asked to do an oral presentation to the judges the following guidelines should be helpful:
 Make sure your personal appearance is up to par. Wear something nice that you are
comfortable in. Make sure your hair is clean and neat. Looking nice will give you added
confidence.
 Stand up straight. Try not to wiggle or sway back and forth.
 Be able to say why you chose your topic.
 Tell the important facts about your investigation. Tell what you did and how it turned out.
Explain how you have arrived at the conclusion listed.
 Answer any questions that are asked about your project
 Smile!
Science Fair Evaluation Original Experiment 6-12
Project # _______ ProjectTitle_____________________________________________Judge’s initials_____
Display Board/Experimental Design Procedures
• The purpose or problem clearly explains what is going to be experimented
4321
• Hypothesis shows a relationship between independent and dependent variables
4321
• All Materials are listed with appropriate units of measure (consistently)
4321
• Procedure is sequential, replicable, provides a control and variables and
repeated for validity
4321
• Qualitative (observations) and quantitative (recorded data) observations shown.
Graphs, data tables etc. need to be labeled correctly and all data should be summarized.
4321
• Results/Summary of Data is a clearly stated and addresses ALL variables
4321
• Conclusion relates to the problem statement and incorporates results/data that
agree or disagree with the hypothesis, lists possible sources of error, and/or
unresolved questions
4321
• Display is attractive, easy to read, and layout is in appropriate logical order
4321
Subtotal________ /32
Supporting Materials: Journal, Abstract and Report
• Journal clearly states how the problem was formed and where it originated (in front)
4321
• Explains what observations will be made, what data will be collected, defines
the number of trials, list variables and control
4321
• Journal includes an on‐going record of experiment (class notes acceptable)
4321
• Journal includes observations, appropriate use of scientific terms and measurement,
analysis and reflections
4321
• Abstract is a clear summary describing the project and indicates the purpose,
• procedure, and results of the project. (it should be brief, 250 words or less)
4321
• Report is a written record of entire project from start to finish with research
supporting experimental design and results
4321
• Report is clear and detailed and should include additional information not presented
on the board (may include drawings, photos, pictures)
4321
• Research refers to outside reading of four or more reliable annotated sources
4321
Subtotal________ /32
Overall Quality
• The scientific method is solid, shows completeness of thought and cause and effect
are clearly explained
4321
• This project relates to broader scientific principles, real world applications
4321
• Originality of idea for investigation
4321
• Creativity of approach (original procedure, materials, trial length)
4321
• Degree of complexity
4321
Subtotal________ /20
Science Fair Resources
www.sciencebuddies.org This is an amazing website which has the students navigate through a questionnaire in
order to select a science fair project. Highly recommended as the first stop for your project.
http://school.discovery.com Click on “Science Fair Central” for ideas, tips and information.
http://www.brainpop.com/science/scientificinquiry/scientificmethod/
www.intel.com/education/isef/middleschool.htm A great resource for middle school teachers and
students. Beneficial in assisting teachers in running their own science fair.
www.usc.edu/CSSF The California State Science Fair website. Includes application, requirements and rules
established for the state science fair.
www.usc.edu/CSSF/resources Offered by the California State Science fair, providing valuable resources for work
on science projects. Includes information on getting started with your project and what makes a good project.
www.all-science-fair-projects.com Hundreds of ideas from every science topic from Astronomy to Zoology.
www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/intermed.html Designed to help students in grades 7-9 do the hardest part of the science
fair; picking the topic.
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/fair.html A brief description about what makes a successful science fair
project followed up by links to other science fair websites.
www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/advice.html Advice from a science fair judge on what makes a good project.
www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/ Internet Project Library: Science Fair Project Guide.
http://www.juliantrubin.com/environmentprojects.html
Keep on Track
Assignment
Choose a topic that you find
interesting
Due Date
11-28-14
11-28-14
Write your big question. Make sure it
is a question that you can investigate
by yourself.
12-5-14
Research your topic using books,
magazines, encyclopedias, internet,
and interviews.
12-5-14
Write a hypothesis about what you
think the outcome of your experiment
will be.
12-10-14
Write a step-by-step procedure.
12-10-14
Collect all the materials needed for
your project.
1-16-15
Conduct your experiment and collect
data in a journal
1-16-15
Record the results of your
experiment.
1-16-15
Draw a conclusion and organize the
results of your experiments on graphs
and charts.
1-21-15
Write a report that includes the
question, the hypothesis, the
procedures, and the results. (3-5
pages)
Build a display using charts, graphs,
photos, and neat lettering.
1-23-15
1-28-15
Turn in Project to Teacher
Komure’s Science Fair
2-18-15
Date
Completed
Parent
Initial
Teacher
Initial