• It is expressing a problem and proposing an answer.
• It is designing an experiment in order to test a hypothesis.
• It is conducting an experiment, recording the results, and analyzing the data.
• It is not demonstrating a concept.
• It is not explaining how something works.
How to get started on your Science Fair Project• Start doing research.
• Use the internet to search for science fair ideas. Do not plagiarize. When you find an idea, change it, make it better, come up with a different hypothesis, etc.
• State the problem you want to study and come up with a hypothesis and experimental design.
• Make sure you have the equipment needed to complete the experiment.
• Find a mentor for more complicated project ideas.
Things to Note• Projects that deal with human subjects, living organisms or tissues, chemicals, hazardous materials, controlled substances, fire, or anything dangerous require special approval before the project begins. Please see www.societyforscience.org/isef/document for more details.
• Pictures of a person’s face require a special release form from the person or his/her guardian.
• Use pictures of yourself that do not include your face.
HypothesisOnce a topic has been selected and the idea has been approved by your teacher you may begin the research. The next step would be the following:
Express the problem
Propose the hypothesis
Design one or more experiments to test the hypothesis
The hypothesis should be written in 3rd person, present tense and should state what the possible outcome of the experiment may be. The hypothesis is an educated guess that shows the relationship between a set of observed facts and a theory. The hypothesis is written as a statement not as a question. It must correspond to what is being tested.
Identify the Independent Variable, Dependent Variable and Control.
Independent Variable-the manipulated variable that you change to test the against the control
Dependent Variable-this is what varies as a result of the independent variable; it is what is being measured
Control-used as a reference point to measure the manipulated data against
Constants-all the other factors in the control group and experimental group that are kept the same or constant
Examples
“If I open the faucet [faucet opening size is the independent variable], then it will increase the flow of water [flow of water is the dependent variable].”
“If a plant receives fertilizer [having fertilizer is the independent variable], then it will grow to be bigger than a plant that does not receive fertilizer [plant size is the dependent variable].”
ResearchYou will be writing a research paper to accompany your project. Use the following guidelines:
The length should be 4 -8 typed pages.
Use 12 point regular font and write in 3rd person.
Use 1” margins on the top, bottom, and right side of the page; use 1 ½” margins on the left side to leave room for holes to be punched.
Follow the format for writing a formal research paper.
Do not discuss what will be done in your experiment; write only about the subject matter being studied.
Do not add your opinions (This will be done in your conclusion).
You may use subheadings.
Use spell check and grammar check.
Proofread your paper.
Use at least 5 different sources (no encyclopedia, no Wikipedia) Use scientific journals, periodicals, science books, etc.
Do not plagiarize!
Works Cited
Include a Works Cited page which is a bibliography. Use MLA format for the sources. Use a MLA handbook or the Internet for the format. You may also use www.easybib.com/#sourceList.
Materials and Procedure List the materials that will be used in your experiment. Do not number the list just use bullets.
Do not name any specific brands. Use terms like Brand A or Brand B.
Write the procedure in 3rd person, present tense. You can number the steps of the procedure or write in it paragraph form.
The procedure should be detailed enough so that someone could repeat the experiment by following your steps.
Include exactly what is being measured and how it is being measured.
Conducting the Experiment
Take photographs of all of your materials before beginning the experiment.
Take pictures showing you doing the experiment. Do not take face shots.
Start the experiment early so that you will have time to redo something if needed.
Continue to take pictures as you continue the experiment.
Take pictures of the final results.
Use metric measurements.
Repeat the experiment at least 6 times or on 6 groups. Include this information in your procedure. Be sure to average the measurements.
Logbook Keep a logbook to record your observations and data. Date each entry and write neatly. Use a bound composition notebook. No spiral notebooks.
See www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/printable_ project_ logbook.pdf for logbook ideas.
Write descriptions of the things that you observe during the experiment. Record any problems that arise.
Take careful notes in your logbook; add pictures and diagrams.
Number the pages. Do not skip pages when writing entries.
Use black permanent ink.
Keep an accurate record of anything and everything that you think/plan/do for the project.
Results and Conclusion
Organize the data collected from the experiment.
Make a data table using the data from the logbook.
Use a graph to represent the data. Make a graph using the averages of the data from the different trials. This will be helpful in analyzing the data.
Results
Write in 3rd person, past tense. Briefly describe the conditions of the experiment, what you did and how many trials completed. Describe the independent and dependent variables and state the control. Just state the facts in this section.
Data Table(s)
This table will show the results of each trial. Use the correct metric units. Cleary label the table so that the relationships between the variables can be understood. Use the table maker in Microsoft Word.
Graph(s)
The graph should be based on the averages of the data collected. The independent variable should go on the x- axis and the dependent should go on the y-axis. Label the graph correctly. Do not forget to include a title. Make the graphs colorful. Use Excel graphs or the following website: http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph
Conclusion
Type the conclusion in 1st person, past tense. This section is where you analyze the data and state your opinions about your findings. The conclusion should be about 1 page long. It should summarize what you discovered during the experiment. At this point you can state whether your hypothesis was supported or rejected. Start your conclusion with one of the following statements:
My data supports my hypothesis because...
My data rejects my hypothesis because...
My data is inconclusive; it neither rejects nor supports my hypothesis because…
You can also discuss the discrepancies or things that could have been done to make the results more accurate. You can discuss what you have learned. You could even include a “Next Time” section with ideas for a follow up experiment.
Abstract• The abstract should be completed on the proper form found at http://gnosef.tulane.edu/students/abstract.htm. Do not put your name or school on the abstract form.
• It must be 150 -250 words in length.
• The abstract should be completed after you have finished your project and should be written in past tense. You should write it in 1st person.
• It should be a brief description of your project. (State your hypothesis, purpose, experiment used, results and conclusion.) It should summarize the project so that the reader will have an idea of what the project is about.
• Do not put your abstract on the display board. It can be displayed in the front of the project in a folder or a frame.
Final Science Fair FolderAll of the following should be placed in a folder with fasteners. This folder will be placed on the table in front of your project display board on the day of the Science Fair. Your name should only appear on the back outer cover of the folder.
• Title Page- This includes the title and may also include pictures. Do not include your name or school on this page.
• Table of Contents-Put the page number of each section on this page.
• Abstract
• Hypothesis, Independent and Dependent Variables, Control
• Research
• Materials and Procedure
• Results
• Data Table (s)
• Graph (s)
• Conclusion
• Works Cited
• Acknowledgements- This would give credit and thanks to your mentors and helpers. This section is optional.
The Logbook will also be displayed in front of the project board.
Display
The display board should attractive and informative. It is the representation of the work you have done. Include photographs of you doing your experiment (No face shots).
(The height already includes the 36” for the height of the table on which the project will be sitting.)
Place the following in front of the backboard:
• Final Science Fair Folder
• Logbook
• Photo book (This is optional, but it is great way to show all the steps of your experiment.)
• A model (This is optional. It must follow all of the display guidelines.)
The display may not include any of the following:
Water, liquid, soil, living organisms (plants or animals, mold, cultures, pathogens), dead animals, teeth, flames, flammable or combustible items, name brand items, breakable items, glass, gases, chemicals, etc.
(See http://gnosef.tulane.edu/students/restrictions.htm for more information.)
See the following links for display ideas:
http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/scifairstudio/handbook/.html
http://www.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=329
http://gnosef.tulane.edu/documents/Science%20Fair%20Projects%20OMG!!Boucvalt.pdf
Helpful Hints Type everything and save it so that you can edit and make corrections easily.
Use computer generated graphs and data tables.
Use a border and a colored backboard.
Do not hand-print letters on the backboard. Premade letters are available at Wal-Mart, craft stores, office supply stores and education supply stores.
Take plenty of pictures.
Attach things neatly to the board. Use a ruler as a guide.
Use double-sided tape or a glue stick to attach things to your board. Do not use staples or white school glue.
Use spell check.
Helpful Websites/Web References
•Science Fair Categories
• Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair website-
http://gnosef.tulane.edu/students/forstudents.htm
• Student Handbook Science Fair Handbook-
http://www.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=12
• Science Fair Ideas and Help-
www.sciencebuddies.org/
• Abstract Forms-
http://gnosef.tulane.edu/students/abstract.htm
• Exhibit Restrictions (Size, safety and prohibited items)-
http://gnosef.tulane.edu/students/restrictions.htm
• Necessary Forms-
http://apps.societyforscience.org/isef/students/wizard/index.asp
• Judging Criteria-
http://gnosef.tulane.edu/students/judging.htm
• Display Board Ideas PowerPoint
http://www.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=329
• Science Fair Overview
http://gnosef.tulane.edu/documents/Science%20Fair%20Projects%20OMG!!_Boucvalt.pdf
• http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/
