Tips for your Science Fair Project

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Tips for your Science Fair Project
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Your Science Fair Project should follow this
outline based on the scientific method.

• State the question.
• Research the topic.
• State your hypothesis.
• Experiment (test the hypothesis.)
• Analyze results.
• Draw conclusions.
• Report conclusions

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Choosing a Topic
One of the most important considerations in
picking a topic for your science fair project is
to find a subject that you consider interesting.
You'll be spending a lot of time on your project,
so you don't want it to be about something that
is boring.
Go to http//www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/proj
ect_topic.shtml to find a fun survey to help you
identify a science fair topic thats perfect for
you!
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The Question
Remember, a science fair project is all about
finding an answer to a question, so make sure you
select a topic that is narrow enough for you to
answer with a simple experiment.
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Background Research
When you are driving a car there are two ways to
find your destination drive around randomly
until you finally stumble upon what you're
looking for OR look at a map before you start.
(Which way do your parents drive?) Finding
information for your background research is very
similar. But, since libraries and the Internet
both contain millions of pages of information and
facts, you might never find what you're looking
for unless you start with a map! To avoid getting
lost, you need a plan.
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Steps in Effective Research
Identify good Keywords. Ask a good
question. Choose the best source.
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Planning Your Experiment
What type of equipment will you need to complete
your experiment? Make a materials list being as
specific as possible, and be sure you can get
everything you need before you start. Scientists
run experiments more than once to verify that
results are consistent. Where will you conduct
your experiment? Will you need help or adult
supervision? Anticipate problems and solve them
ahead of time. Example Fire extinguisher, first
aid kit.
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Conclusions

• Your conclusions summarize how your results
  support or contradict your original hypothesis
• Summarize your results in a few sentences and use
  this summary to support your conclusion.
• State whether you proved or disproved your
  hypothesis.
• Summarize and evaluate your experimental
  procedure, making comments about its success and
  effectiveness.
• Suggest changes in the procedure (or design)
  and/or possibilities for further study.

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Display Board Design Tips
Emphasize your most important points. Explain
complicated ideas so that anyone can understand
them. Make it look professional. Dont make your
display too tall, too deep or too low. Too much
information is just as bad as not enough!
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Display Part II Fonts

• Use a font size of at least 16 points for your
  main body text. Anything smaller is too hard to
  read.
• Stick with traditional fonts like Arial, Times
  New Roman, or similar typefaces.
• Use italics or bold for emphasis, not for all
  your text.
• Dont place text on top of a picture that makes
  it difficult to read.
• Don't use ALL CAPS THEY ARE MUCH HARDER TO READ.
  ext on
• Dont use artistic fonts. They are much harder
  to read.
• Don't use more than two or three different fonts
  on your board. Times New Roman for body copy and
  Arial for headings makes for a nice combination.

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Preparing for Judging

• Practice Makes Perfect
• If you can communicate your project well, you
  maximize your chances of winning.
• Write up a short "speech" (about 25 minutes
  long) summarizing your project. You will give
  this speech when you first meet the judges.
  (Remember to talk about the theory behind your
  projectwhy your project turns out the way it
  does.)
• Organize a list of questions you think the judges
  will ask you and prepare/practice answers for
  them. Practice explaining your project to others
  and pretend they are judges.
• Practice explaining your project in simple terms
  so anyone can understand it.

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Preparing for Judging

• Presenting Yourself During the Judging PeriodBe
  Professional!
• Always dress nicely for the judging periodNO
  JEANS!
• Make good use of your board. Point to diagrams
  and graphs when you are discussing them.
• Always be positive and enthusiastic!
• Be confident with your answers do not mumble.
• If you have no idea what the judge is asking, or
  do not know the answer to their question, it is
  okay to say "I do not know."
• Treat each person who visits you like a judge,
  even nonscientists.
• After the fair, always ask for feedback from the
  judges to improve your project.

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You can find these tips and more
at http//www.sciencebuddies.org/ Or Ask Mrs.
Beck or Mrs. Conner for a copy of this
presentation.