The Steps for a The Steps for a Successful Successful

Science Fair ProjectScience Fair Project

A successful scientist uses the scientific process.

The scientific process includes:◦ question◦ hypothesis◦ materials◦ procedure◦ variables ◦ trials/ collecting data◦ conclusion based on your data.

What are my interests? What would I like to learn about? Do I have a question about something?

Where to look for topics? Science Fair books

InternetTeacher

Does my project meet the rule requirements?

Select a TopicSelect a Topic

The log starts on the date you start your investigation

Each new entry must be dated

This log is HANDWRITTEN – not typed- in a notebook

ALL observations and measurements are to be recorded

Science JournalScience Journal

This is a sentence or question about the problem.

Example: What type of container will keep my soda cooler longer?

Or I would like to compare the temperature of a glass bottle of soda to a can of soda.

Testable QuestionTestable Question

RESEARCH

BOOKS: Encyclopedias

Topic Books Magazines/Newspapers

INTERNET: Websites Search by Topic

INTERVIEWS:

Reliable source

ResearchResearch

Must be written in your own words. Do not just print the pages from the computer.

◦ Research your topic in books and online◦ Make notes as you do the research◦ Paraphrase what you read in your OWN words◦ Research may be typed or handwritten ◦ Must list your sources in the bibliography in the

correct format (on the materials list)

Background ResearchBackground Research

A hypothesis is a statement of what you believe will happen in the experiment. This statement is based on the research you have done.

Do not start with “I think.”

Examples: “The can will keep the soda cooler longer than the plastic or glass bottle.” OR

“If soda is placed in can, then the soda will stay cooler longer than in plastic or glass.”

Form a HypothesisForm a Hypothesis

Materials List: All materials

needed to conduct the experiment:

Paper PencilRulerMeasuring cupEtc.

Procedure: The procedure is

a step by step set of directions on how to do the experiment. Remember to use are metrics.

Step 1 – gather all materials

Step 2 – explain how to set up experiment

Etc.

Design an ExperimentDesign an Experiment

A variable is something that changes in an experiment.◦Manipulated variable- something you change◦Responding variable- something that

changes because of what you change◦Controlled variable- parts of the experiment

that stay the same for all trials.

◦A science experiment should have only ONE manipulated variable.

During the

Experiment

Observe: Watch

Look

Record: Notes

Journal/Log Results

Analyze Data: What have I

learned from the results?

During the ExperimentDuring the Experiment

The experiment is to be repeated at least 3 times. This is part of the rubric.

This is done in order to prove the results as true.

Repeat the ExperimentRepeat the Experiment

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Plant with sun

3 cm 4 cm

6 cm

Plant with no sun.

3 cm 3 cm

3 cm 0102030405060708090

Jar1

Jar2

Jar3

Jar4

PureWaterSugarWaterSaltWater

This is a sentence or sentences that state what did happen during the experiment. What did you learn from the experiment?

Use the conclusion to compare and contrast your results with your hypothesis, and compare and contrast your different trials.

ConclusionConclusion

The Display Board

Title/Question

Graphs

Charts

Pictures

Hypothesis

Materials

Procedure

Data/

Results

Conclusion

Application

Notebook Log Required

1)      Science Fair Center - www.sciencefaircenter.com/science_fair_planning.tpl?cart=11249928173913392#12)      Science Fair Center for nonscientist parents – www.sciencefaircenter.com/science_fair_basics.tpl?cart=112499281739133923)      What Makes a Good Science Fair Project? www.usc.edu/CSSF/Resources/Good_Project.html 4)      Discovery School .com – http://.school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/5)      Elementary Projects (Grades 4 - 6) - http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/elem.html6)      Science Projects 13.01 - http://members.ozemail.com.au/%7Emacinnis/scifun/projects.htm#N427)      IPL – Science Fair Resource Guide - www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide/8)      Successful Science Fair Projects - http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/fair.html9)  Science Fair Prep - www.cyberbee.com/science/prep.html10)  Steps To Prepare A Science Fair Project(Cyber Fair) - www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/steps.html11)  Science Fair Ideas – USGS – www.earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids/sciencefair.html12)  Yahoo – Ask Earl - http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/content/ask_earl/20020123.html13)  Agricultural Ideas for Science Fair Projects - http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/fair/ideasframe.htm14)  Lycos Search - http://search.lycos.com/?src=sf&loc=sem&query=science+fair+project+ideas&nlubid=115)  Science Fair Resource Center - http://www.hallbar.com/sciencecenter.html16)  Science Fair Links - http://www.rcs.k12.va.us/csjh/sciencefair.htm 

You are able to be successful!