Science+Fair+Information

Dear Student Scientist,

Welcome to this year’s Science Fair. This packet will give you all the information you need to prepare a successful project and display.

The first thing you need to do is select an area of science that fascinates you and an experiment that interests you. There are many good books at the library and websites on the Internet with ideas for Science Fair projects. Middle school students are encouraged to be creative and original. It is important that you do your project with little help from your parents. Instead of a “perfect” project, it’s more important for you to wrestle with problems and try to solve them because the learning is in the doing. Your parents can help guide you, but the final project should be your own effort and design.

Keep in mind that your Science Fair project should be an experiment, not a research report. An experiment uses the scientific method to answer a question or solve a problem. If your project idea does not accomplish either of these, then it is not an experiment and you will need to come up with a different idea.

Once you have selected your experiment, you will need to fill out the enclosed sheets called, “Science Project Plans”. This is a two-page plan that needs to be completed, neatly and detailed, then returned to the classroom teacher for approval. Upon approval by your teacher, you will be issued a display board.

Boards will not be issued until a detailed plan is completed. The display board is the final step in the process. There is a lot of work to be done before you reach this stage! Students should bring in a large garbage bag to take their board home in because they are white and can get dirty easily.

As you are completing your experiment, please keep in mind that not every experiment gives a scientist the results that they wanted. More often than not, experiments can prove a scientist wrong. DO NOT change your results from what you found in the experiment just so you can prove your hypothesis. It is more important to learn from the actual results than to make them come out ‘perfect’, and your grade will not be hurt if your conclusion doesn’t prove your hypothesis correct.

Remember that ribbons or certificates do not measure your success in the Science Fair. You will succeed by learning and understanding more about science and how scientists work. Awards are secondary. The real goal of the Science Fair is to stimulate your curiosity about our world!

Please let us help if you have any questions. Have fun!

Building Science Fairs – November **Constellation Science Fair – January 15**

 **__ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR OUR SCIENCE FAIR __** 
 * For the middle school grades, experiments requiring **open flames, matches, rockets, live animals, ice, or other questionable items** must be listed on the “Science Fair Project Plans” sheet and requires approval by the teacher and Science Fair Committee. Pictures or videos with the display board may be used in place of the actual item at the time of your project’s presentation.
 * **Follow the scientific method** by asking a question and performing an experiment. Informational only displays do not follow the scientific method.
 * Everything on the **display board** must be labeled. Use the display board example in this packet as a guide. Eye-catching equipment, samples, and pictures add interest. Artwork and creativity make your exhibits unique, but keep it simple so not to distract from the information.
 * Please list on your “Science Project Plan” if you will need to have an **electrical outlet, nearby water source, TV, VCR, or other special supplies**. If you need an outlet, you are responsible for bringing an extension cord.

__ SAMPLE TIME TABLE FOR PLANS __

· Choose a problem or experiment to investigate · Gather information on that topic from libraries, the Internet, or other people or places.

Due:

· Fill out the “Science Project Plan” sheets and return them to your teacher to receive your display board. Due:

· Do the experiment and record your results__.__

Due:

· Sketch and fine tune the layout for your display board.

· Prepare your results, conclusions, and graphs.

· Decide what items you will place in front of your board on your table. Due:

· Construct your display board. Remember to be neat! · Use graphs, pictures, borders, charts, and other visual aids. · Lay everything out before gluing!

Due:

· Practice telling others about your display board and your project.

Science Fair - _
 * SCIENCE FAIR DISPLAY BOARDS**

TITLE – This may be stated as a question. (What is the problem?)

PURPOSE – What you want to find out. (Usually a question you will answer or problem you will solve)

HYPOTHESIS – A statement that will predict an answer to the problem you are exploring.

PROCEDURES – List step-by-step procedures and materials used in your experiment.

RESULTS – Show what happened in your experiment. You may want to use pictures, graphs, or tables of information.

CONCLUSIONS – How your results support or do not support your hypothesis

IMPROVEMENTS – What didn’t work in your experiment and how would you change your experiment to make it work better next time? Are there any additional things you would like to test for next time around? Are there any other experiments you want to try after seeing how this one turned out?

See the attached sample project board for where to put each section.

Name:_ ** SCIENCE PROJECT PLANS ** Write in full detail, your science fair project plans. Use the back if you need more room.

1. The purpose is: (This is what you want to find out)

2. The title is: (What is the problem? This may be in the form of a question.) _ 3. My hypothesis is: (Predict an answer to the problem or question.)

4. Control variables: (Everything you need to keep the same each time you do the test.) 5. Procedures: (List the step by step process for your experiment.) 6. Materials I need: (Include special items like electrical outlet, water, etc.) _

7. How I will record my results: (Pictures, graphs, tables, etc.) 8. References I plan to use: _

9. Special materials needing teacher approval: (flames, animals, etc.)



** SCIENCE FAIR JUDGING **

The following is a list of questions that may be asked of you during the judging. Be prepared to answer these questions about your project.

Group (A) – Purpose, Hypothesis

- How did you get this idea?

- Is this project a continuation of an earlier year’s project? If so, what did you add?

- How is your project different from others that you researched?

- What was the most interesting background reading you did?

- Which are your controls? Your variables? What is/are the difference(s) between your control and experimental groups?

Group (B) – Procedures, Materials

- Where was your project done?

- How does this experiment conform to the scientific method?

- Where did you get your materials?

- How did you determine your sample size?

- Can you explain your procedure to me?

- How many times did you repeat this experiment?

Group (C) – Results, Conclusion

- Can you explain your graphs to me?

- Can you explain your results to me?

- What is the most important thing you found out by doing this project?

Group (D) – Improvements

- Did you acquire any new skill while doing your project?

- Did you change your original procedures?

- What changes would you make if you were to do this project again?



Name _

** Science Fair Scoring Sheet **

Grades 6-8

Visual Display Score

Neat, easy to read, colorful _ (10pts)
 * /15 ||

Follows required layout _ __(5pts)__

Scientific Method

Purpose _ (5 pts)

Hypothesis _ __(5pts)__

Procedures _ (10pts)
 * /60 ||

Materials _ __(5pts)__ Results _ (10pts)

Conclusion _ __(15pts)__ Improvements _ (10pts)

Student Understanding


 * /25 ||

Explanation of project and the concepts involved _ __(12pts)__ *Response to judge’s questions _ (8pts) Enthusiasm ___ (5pts)

** Total Score **


 * /100 ||

Good 70-89 Fair 0-69 ||
 * Excellent 90-100

*Please choose 4 questions from the sheet provided. One question should come from each category. Use the following rubric to determine a score for the student’s response. 0 – No understanding 1- Some Understanding 2 – Good Understanding