Science Fair Projects

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Science Fair Projects
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I get to do a science fair project!

• Yeah!!

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What exactly is a science fair project?

• It is a visual presentation of an experiment that
  is done using the scientific method.

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Why should I do a science fair project?The
objectives of a project are to

• Introduce students to the scientific method
• Encourage an understanding interest in science

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What is the scientific method?It is a series of
steps that includes

• Developing a problem/question to investigate
• Formulating a hypothesis
• Following a detailed procedure
• Reporting the results
• Analyzing the results forming a conclusion

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DECIDING ON A PROBLEM/QUESTION TO INVESTIGATE

• Choose a topic you want to investigate state it
  in a question.
• Sources for ideas books, magazines newspapers
  museums libraries hobbies occupations that
  interest you conversations with medical
  personnel investigate areas of science that
  interest you web searches, etc.
• DECIDING ON A TOPIC A SPECIFIC QUESTION CAN BE
  THE HARDEST PART OF YOUR PROJECT !!

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FORMULATING THE HYPOTHESIS

• Make an educated guess as to what you think will
  happen, based on your knowledge and previous
  research, in your experiment.

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FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURE

• List step-by-step instructions/directions for
  conducting the experiment. Give enough detail so
  someone could read your procedure and repeat the
  same experiment. Be specific and detailed!

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REPORTING THE RESULTS

• Use charts, graphs, photos, etc. to record and
  document what happened in the experiment. (Faces
  of the students conducting the experiment should
  not be seen on project photos.)
• Use metric measurements.

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CONCLUSION

• Analyze the results and state the outcome of the
  experiment.
• State whether your hypothesis was proven correct
  or incorrect.
• Give possible explanations for the results.
• Summarize what you learned from the project.

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Tips for conducting a science fair project

• Choose a topic that interests you
• Get topic approved by your teacher
• Plan, plan, plan
• Develop a time line to prevent a last minute
  project
• Document your procedure results (logs, charts,
  graphs, photos, etc.)
• Seek parental support, encouragement assistance
  but take ownership responsibility for your
  project
• Have fun enjoy your learning experience

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PROJECT PRESENTATION

• Display your project on a 3-sided self-standing
  backboard (No larger than 122 cm _at_ 60 inches wide
  no larger than 198 cm _at_ 78 inches tall)
• Display the following on your backboard
• project title in the form of a question
• hypothesis ( 1or 2 sentences)
• purpose (The purpose of this experiment is
  to)
• a complete list of materials used in the
  experiment
• procedure (be specific include details,
  number steps)
• results (state results include charts,
  graphs, photos, etc.
• conclusion (several sentences or a paragraph)
• A short research paper _at_ 1 page relating to your
  topic can be included with your project.

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SCIENCE FAIR 2004

• DATES TO REMEMBER
• JANUARY 26 TOPICS DUE
• FEBRUARY 17 SET UP PROJECTS
• FEBRUARY 18 JUDGING OF PROJECTS
• FEBRUARY 19 DISPLAY PROJECTS AT PTO MEETING