How to do…How to do…

A Science Fair ProjectA Science Fair Project

IDEAS????IDEAS????

Let the student come up with Let the student come up with something that interests them!!!something that interests them!!!

Search for science fair projects on Search for science fair projects on the internet or in the library.the internet or in the library.

Be creative!!!!Be creative!!!! Begin looking now and recording Begin looking now and recording

ideas in the log book. ideas in the log book.

Types of ProjectsTypes of Projects

ObservationsObservations ModelModel ExperimentExperiment InventionInvention CollectionCollection

Where to start…Log Where to start…Log BookBook

Include a DATED log book. It is Include a DATED log book. It is required of all projects.required of all projects.

Spelling and grammar are not graded.Spelling and grammar are not graded. For younger students….you may help For younger students….you may help

by writing. Please allow them to do by writing. Please allow them to do most and they must disclose who most and they must disclose who helped them. (Try writing what they helped them. (Try writing what they say and then have them copy what say and then have them copy what you wrote.)you wrote.)

Parts of a ProjectParts of a Project

Log BookLog Book Background InformationBackground Information Problem/VariablesProblem/Variables HypothesisHypothesis ProcedureProcedure Data (depending on type of project)Data (depending on type of project) ResultsResults ConclusionConclusion Scientific WorthScientific Worth

More on the Log BookMore on the Log Book

All of your work should be in your All of your work should be in your log book!!! This includes ideas, log book!!! This includes ideas, step by step instructions, step by step instructions, background info, data, background info, data, observations and conclusions.observations and conclusions.

The log book should allow anyone The log book should allow anyone to reproduce the project.to reproduce the project.

REMEMBER…dated entries!!!! REMEMBER…dated entries!!!!

Background Background InformationInformation

History related to the topicHistory related to the topic Significance of the topicSignificance of the topic Facts…major terms, definitionsFacts…major terms, definitions Procedural information about Procedural information about

methods, equipment, methods, equipment, measurementmeasurement

Minimum of 3 sources!!!!Minimum of 3 sources!!!!

An Experiment StudyAn Experiment Study

Important steps to include for an Important steps to include for an Experiment Study.Experiment Study.

If you are doing another type of If you are doing another type of study, please consult the Project study, please consult the Project Scoring Guides in the Parkway Scoring Guides in the Parkway Science Fair Manual for Science Fair Manual for guidelines.guidelines.

VariablesVariables

IV: Independent VariableIV: Independent Variable– What is being changedWhat is being changed

Control: A base of comparisonControl: A base of comparison– Usually zero amount of the IVUsually zero amount of the IV

CV: Constant VariableCV: Constant Variable– When, What, Where & HowWhen, What, Where & How

DV: Dependent VariableDV: Dependent Variable– What is watched & recordedWhat is watched & recorded

ProblemProblem

Why are you doing this project?Why are you doing this project? Clearly stated Clearly stated questionquestion about the about the

IV –DV relationship.IV –DV relationship. Example…Example…

What is the effect of (IV) on the (DV) What is the effect of (IV) on the (DV) of/in (Your subject or system you are of/in (Your subject or system you are studying)?studying)?

Example of ProblemExample of Problem

IV: Added MassIV: Added Mass DV: Flight DistanceDV: Flight Distance Subject: Paper AirplanesSubject: Paper Airplanes

What is the effect of What is the effect of added massadded mass on the on the flight distanceflight distance of a of a paper paper airplaneairplane??

HypothesisHypothesis

If experiment… An “If…., then….” If experiment… An “If…., then….” statement that predicts the statement that predicts the expected IV-DV relationship.expected IV-DV relationship.

Example…If Example…If mass is addedmass is added to the to the paper airplanepaper airplane, then its , then its flight flight distance distance will decrease.will decrease.

ProcedureProcedure

Variables are clearly defined. (What Variables are clearly defined. (What is the IV and how was it changed? is the IV and how was it changed? What is the DV and how was it What is the DV and how was it measured? What CV’s were held measured? What CV’s were held constant?)constant?)

All materials used must be listed!All materials used must be listed! Include NUMBERED steps. Include NUMBERED steps. Use METRIC!!!Use METRIC!!! Include on display AND in log book.Include on display AND in log book.

Trials & SamplesTrials & Samples

Minimum of 3 repetitions.Minimum of 3 repetitions. The control is identified, clearly The control is identified, clearly

described and used as a described and used as a comparison for at least 3 comparison for at least 3 alterations of the IV. alterations of the IV.

Some experiments may not have Some experiments may not have a control.a control.

ResultsResults

Data Table shows changes of IV and Data Table shows changes of IV and data for the DV in EACH trial/sample.data for the DV in EACH trial/sample.

Data table must include title, labels Data table must include title, labels and appropriate units.and appropriate units.

Graph shows IV-DV relationship. IV on Graph shows IV-DV relationship. IV on the x-axis, DV on the y-axis, and uses the x-axis, DV on the y-axis, and uses averages. Label all axes and units.averages. Label all axes and units.

Include a WRITTEN summary of Include a WRITTEN summary of results.results.

Conclusion/Scientific Conclusion/Scientific WorthWorth

Conclusion must include reaction to Conclusion must include reaction to hypothesis consistent with results. Also hypothesis consistent with results. Also includes link to hypothesis and includes link to hypothesis and background information. Explains results.background information. Explains results.

Student must reflect on the following the Student must reflect on the following the procedure and on procedure and on improvements/extensions for future improvements/extensions for future study/scientific worth. (If they did again, study/scientific worth. (If they did again, what would they change. Did they think what would they change. Did they think of another project or element of study?) of another project or element of study?)

Do’s & Don’tsDo’s & Don’ts

DON’T include any names on the DON’T include any names on the project, in the log book or on the project, in the log book or on the display.display.

DON’T include faces in any DON’T include faces in any pictures.pictures.

DO make sure all measurements DO make sure all measurements are in METRIC.are in METRIC.

DO…Have fun and be creative!!!!DO…Have fun and be creative!!!!

Display TitleDisplay Title

ProblemProblem

HypothesisHypothesis

Background Background Information Information & & BibliographBibliographyy

VariableVariabless

MaterialsMaterials

ProcedurProceduree

Data Data Table/GraphTable/Graph

Summary of Summary of ResultsResults

Conclusion & Conclusion & Scientific WorthScientific Worth

Logbook Logbook on Baseon Base

DisplayDisplay

The display should not be bigger The display should not be bigger than 60 cm wide by 60 cm deep than 60 cm wide by 60 cm deep by 120 cm high.by 120 cm high.

Do not include pictures with faces Do not include pictures with faces or names!!!!or names!!!!

Display should be creative, neat Display should be creative, neat and use correct grammar and and use correct grammar and spelling.spelling.

Judging Criteria & InfoJudging Criteria & Info

Use the Parkway Science Fair Use the Parkway Science Fair Manual.Manual.

Scoring guides are included.Scoring guides are included. Make sure you include everything Make sure you include everything

in the scoring guide for a in the scoring guide for a successful project!!!!successful project!!!!

www.pkwy.k12.mo.us/C_I/science/www.pkwy.k12.mo.us/C_I/science/ Sciencefair/Sciencefairmanual.pdfSciencefair/Sciencefairmanual.pdf

When is the Science When is the Science Fair?Fair?

Projects Due…Projects Due… January 25January 25thth

They must be at school by 8:30 am in order They must be at school by 8:30 am in order to be judged!to be judged!

Math/Science Night Math/Science Night Celebration/AwardsCelebration/Awards

January 31January 31stst

At 8:00 pm, after the activities conclude, At 8:00 pm, after the activities conclude, there will be an awards ceremony in the there will be an awards ceremony in the library.library.

AwardsAwards

All participants will receive a participant All participants will receive a participant ribbon and certificate.ribbon and certificate.

Projects that win a blue ribbon will Projects that win a blue ribbon will move on to the Parkway Science Fair.move on to the Parkway Science Fair.

Parkway Science Fair @ North HighParkway Science Fair @ North High Projects Placed Projects Placed February 29February 29thth 4-6:30 pm 4-6:30 pm Removal & AwardsRemoval & Awards March 2March 2ndnd 2:30-4 pm 2:30-4 pm